February 12, 2012

Scripture:

2 Kings 2:1-15

This is the story of Elijah and Elisha traveling from Gilgal to Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan. Elisha would not leave him at any time. Elijah asked what Elisha wanted from him, and Elisha responded that he wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit or anointing.

Discussion:

These four cities represented four dimensions or tests we must go through.

1. Gilgal means a wheel or circle representing we must stop circling the same old things and eventually pass the test God is giving us. We must die, submit, and change. Gilgal is also, In Joshua 5, a place of circumcision or removal of the flesh so that God’s life and reproduction can come about.
2. Bethel means house of God. We must know that WE are the church; we are the portal of heaven; we are the instrument God uses to accomplish miracles.
3. Jericho is where the walls came down. The people of Israel saw a huge obstruction and yet remained quiet. The walls (old mindsets) were torn down.
4. Jordan is a symbol of death. It represents crossing from wilderness (survival) to the promised land (more than enough).

When John baptized Jesus, they both were in humility and submission to each other. We have to die to our own agenda and submit to one another. The Holy Spirit rests on unity and humility.

Questions:

1. Apostle Dell spoke of a “destiny link”. What is that?
2. When Elijah was depressed and in the cave, he said that he was the only one left. He had believed a lie. How did Jezebel’s threat activate that depression?
3. When we are aligned in a “destiny link” we can sometimes experience rejection. Have you experienced that? What is a godly response?
4. Is it hard to submit to delegated authority that is younger, less experienced, or less anointed than you? How do we submit that to God?
5. Elijah told Elisha he could have a double portion anointing “if you see me when I go”. Apostle Dell said we must stay closely positioned or aligned to receive that anointing. How do we do that?

February 5, 2012

Scripture:

Revelation 6: 9-11:

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

Discussion:

Included are all seven of the questions, answers and scripture references.

Questions:

1. Do we go to heaven immediately? Yes

2 Cor. 5:8. Scripture says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

2. Will we have a physical body? Yes

1 Thess. 4: 13 & 14. The Lord Himself will come with our spirit and soul to connect to our NEW recognizable body.

Luke 24: 28-33.
Each will receive a white robe. When Jesus appeared to the disciples He told them to handle him; his flesh and bone. There was no blood because in our earthly body, the life is in the blood. In our glorified body, the glory of God is the life.

3. Will we know everything in heaven? No

I Cor. 13:12 says we will know even as we are known. But it’s a misconception to think we know everything. In the Rev. 6 passage, they were asking questions.

4. Do the people in heaven know what is happening on earth? Yes

In the Rev. 6 passage, they knew they had been martyred. Heb. 12:1 says we have a great cloud of witnesses encouraging us. Luke 15:7 states that there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.

5. Will we remember what happened to us on earth? Yes

Rev. 6. says the martyrs remembered what happened to them. Luke 16: 19-31 says Abraham told the rich man to remember. We will remember through a heavenly perspective and be grateful (not sad). We’ll be able to compare heaven to earth.

6. Will we know people in heaven and be able to communicate with them? Yes

Matt. 8:11 says that many will come and take their place at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in heaven. So we will be able to communicate with others.

7. Is heaven boring? No.

8. Do animals go to heaven?

We don’t know. But we do know the character of God; and God is a loving God; so things, animals we love may be in heaven. We do know that scripture talks about the lion and the lamb lying down together.