Part 1

When the Lord Jesus first began His ministry, His first public proclamation was that He came into the earth to bring a Kingdom, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand—Matthew 4:17. It is clear that the first Word of this Kingdom is repent, from the Greek word, metanoéo (metanoéo). It means, “let there come a change in your mind, in the way you think, and in the way you respond to life.”

The Kingdom the Lord Jesus presented, called for a changed people, redeemed and brought into line with an order of living that is contrary to the systems of the world. Something else is clear. The Lord Jesus will have a people made ready to share with Him in the rule of His Kingdom.

Indeed, no Word is more clear. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne—Revelations 3:21.

We’ve come to realize that suffering can bring something to pass in us that will make us of more value for the eternal Kingdom. It crowds us into deep association with our King Who Himself learned obedience by the things which He suffered—Hebrews 5:8.

The prayers Paul laid out in three of His Epistles—Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, are Kingdom prayers. If you haven’t already memorized these scriptures, I strongly urge you to do so. It doesn’t really matter what translation you use. Just let them become engrained in the very essence of your being, that you may draw from them in every situation you come across in the living of your lives. Make them personal. Relate them to yourselves and those you love.

We learn from Paul in the first few verses of Ephesians that these prayers were written to the saints and the faithful. It was his desire that they become prepared to meet, and withstand, the wicked one (Matt 13:19), that man of sin (II Thess 2:3), who is none other than that one the Apostle John called the anti-Christ (I John 2:18). It is the intention of the anti-Christ to wear us out (Dan 7:25) to the point where we hold no threat against his taking the crown rightly belonging to the Lord Jesus.

It is our purpose to help prepare a people for the days that lay ahead. Whether they be the final days of trouble, or just days of trouble, we know that the spirit of anti-Christ has reached a new level of boldness in the world and it is set against God’s “chosen people” as well as the “saints.”  It has also become obvious to some of us that many have come under the “delusion.”

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: And, why did they believe this delusion? ...because they received not the love of the truth... (II Thess 2:10-11)

As we go through “the discipline” this year with a renewed “love of the truth,” we will note the use of that little Greek word ina (hína). We learned in the last booklet that in its simplest state it means, "in order that." We will pray the prayers as Paul did, making precise and definite petitions, "in order that" the people for whom we pray might become ready to function with Christ in His Kingdom. This will become a necessesity in the days to come because it just might be the only place in which we can be certain of protection and provision. We need to keep in mind that from the very beginning until now, it has all been about the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom here on earth, the fulfillment of God’s Covenant Promise To His Anointed Son.

Our first prayer of “The Discipline,” comes from Ephesians 1:15-17.  It is asking that we become settled in the knowledge that will make us useful in God’s Kingdom by setting flow in us a stream of wisdom and revelation that will lead to a full acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus.

Ephesians 1

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 ● that (from ina, hina) 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...

When I first started praying along this line around 25 years ago, I merely asked the Lord to grant wisdom. My particular praying was for my wife Glenda. One day I saw that I was not praying the same thing Paul prayed. I was asking for God to release wisdom in her; Paul asked for the spirit of wisdom. There was as much difference between what I was requesting and what he requested, as there is difference between a cup of water and a river of water. He was praying the Holy Spirit would set flowing a river of wisdom in the spirits of those he brought before the throne of God’s grace.

The words may give, in verse 17, are from an Aorist form of the Greek Verb didomi (dídomi), meaning, "that He might give to you, in a way that is precise and complete." It is a spirit of wisdom and revelation that is to be given in full measure and flowing from the heart of God. The revelation to be given is that full disclosure of truth and instruction necessary for everyone—indeed, anyone—who will function in God’s Kingdom, both in its inception as it settles in the earth under the wisdom from above and as it spreads throughout the earth. It will displace all the corrupt administrations of mankind that have buried us under forms of wisdom that are not from above.

The word knowledge comes from the Greek word epignwsiV (epignósis), meaning "full knowledge" or "acknowledgement." This is the wisdom and revelation that comes by an acknowledgment of Christ Jesus. It is a continuing acknowledgment of Him that leads to a continuing release of wisdom and revelation, all with the breath of eternity in them.

This comes as Heaven’s Kingdom is spread and settled throughout the earth. In the age to come, what was once known only in the heavenlies will become known over all the globe. What a day that will be!

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:
yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes
of this world, that come to nought:
 I Corinthians 2:66

The most powerful and far-reaching Word ever spoken, pertaining this end-time hour, is recorded in Psalm 2. Its impact on us in is beyond estimation. In it is the Word God spoke to His Son when He promised Him the nationsfor His inheritance, eventhe uttermost parts of the earth for His possession (Psalm 2:8).

Through the ages the Prophetic Word of Psalm 2 has been shooting like an arrow to the Day of the Lord, casting its foreshadowing fulfillment on us. But as the hour of full realization approaches, the reality and significance of its Word comes closer. So, let us take a quick look at part of the high Covenant Words of Psalm 2. They will hold a steadying influence over us as we grow in our understanding of what the Lord is bringing to pass in us under the pressures of the most awesome hour the world has ever known.

Psalm 2

10 •Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: •be instructed ye judges of the earth.

11 •Serve the LORD with fear, and •rejoice with trembling.

12 •Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Take careful note of the words marked with bullets. They are Imperatives—given as commands to kings and judges—laying out what will move them toward qualification for fulfilling their duties in Christ’s Kingdom. The admonitions are clear. The qualities toward which they move are:

•the purification of wisdom,

•self-discipline,

•reverent obedience,

•joy with fearfulness, and

•reconciliation with Christ.

The last five statements of Psalm 2 are a significant part of the Gospel of the Kingdom. They bear striking parallel with the points of The Everlasting Gospel. Seeing both Scriptures in the clear understanding with which they come is as important as any enlightenment that can come from any source for this formidable hour so near to the closing of this age. See this regarding The Everlasting Gospel.

Revelations 14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having The Everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Saying with a loud voice, •Fear God, and •give glory to Him: for the hour of his judgment is come: and •worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Both in the Hebrew of the Psalms passage and in the Greek of the Revelation passage the words we have marked with bullets are in the Imperative Mode. This strengthens the authority and clarity with which they come to us. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, an imperative is a binding or compelling rule, duty, or requirement. It is a command or an order coming from some one in authority. Toward whom are these orders directed? While they may seem most pointedly to reach for rulers of earthly realms—kings, presidents, prime ministers, governors they go beyond into the uttermost parts of the earth to lay hold on us who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.

Can’t we see they are directed toward the people described in Revelation 5:9,10. They are those who have been redeemed to God by the blood of Christ out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and have been made a kingdom of priests who shall reign on the earth. Oh, what a company is being forged in the fires of affliction all over the world. In them mercy and truth are met together to make overcomers. Through them righteousness and peace will find release in the earth (Psalm 85:10).

The imperatives of Psalm 2 are so important that we must take slow and careful look at each one. The first one is, Be wise now therefore, O ye kings... (Ps 2:l0a). This is in line with Paul’s prayer of Ephesians 1:17 from which we are drawing our first prayer—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 (better “acknowledgment”) of Him.

The word be wisein the Psalm comes from the Hebrew sachal from which derives our word maschil. Sachal means to give careful and diligent attention to matters, considering them with serious thought and prudent application in life. This leads to the ordering of all one’s actions on the basis of wise forethought and understanding.

In Ephesians we gain the understanding that this wisdom comes to its perfection only in our acknowledgment—our growing and continuing acknowledgment—of Christ Jesus. He is made unto us wisdom (I Cor 1:30). This wisdom can only find release in us by the work of the Holy Spirit.

 The wisdom, toward which Psalm 2:10 directs us, and about which Paul speaks, is a quality that will develop in the lives of those who take time through their day to meditate on what they have learned from God’s Word, and who then order their living according to the ways of the Word. Being wise in this manner means adjusting our way of thinking, talking, acting and responding so as to be in line with Christ’s indwelling life—and, thus, in line with the Kingdom He proclaimed.

The Prophet Daniel loved the word sachal that David used in Psalm 2 and made use of it in telling of the awesome events of the end-time. Of particular significance is the passage where Daniel tells of Michael, whom God described as the great prince, which standeth for the children of thy people.

We may well suppose that Michael is the great warrior prince of the heavenly realm, the Archangel whose presence assures the triumph of God’s people even in their darkest hour. When he arises, there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. But, in this time of trouble there shall arise a company Daniel called they that be wise (Dan 12:1-3). Here, this word wise is also from sachal, but in its Participle form spelled as maschilim. This is the Plural form of the word maschil, and means those people who have diligently pursued wisdom and made understanding the ways of God their daily delight.

In this time of trouble, we have this last promise God gave Daniel: Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise (the maschilim) shall understand (12:10). This is the last prophetic promise God gave Daniel.

 There is more we could say here, but let us emphasize just these three statements from Daniel regarding the maschilim:

One—They that understand(the maschilim) among the people shall instruct many, 11:33.

Two—They that be wise(the maschilim) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 12:3.

Three—…the wise(the maschilim) shall understand,  12:10.

Are these not the children of the Kingdom? They will have the wisdom and insight required for each day’s demand as they face a time of trouble like the world has never known. The wisdom required for these days will be like none ever called for in any days past. It is this kind of wisdom toward which Psalm 2:10 directs us.

If God lays an imperative upon us, He gives us the grace that enables us to respond to it. Thus the command be wise holds within it its own ability to work in us. I find comfort in this, don’t you?

There are several sources from which wisdom and revelation might come. We must recognize there are some sources that try to place a wisdom upon us that does not fit in the Kingdom of God and from which we must be purged if we can have any hope of functioning in that Kingdom. Each source is like a fountainhead from which will flow the reasonings and ideas that make up the way a person responds to everyday life and situations. Much ungodly wisdom is reaching for people today. This calls for much praying. It is our prayer that the following sections will provide some guidance for those who are being purified for the last days.

There are five sources of wisdom, some valuable for the Kingdom, some not. Those who will reign in life by...Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17), and who will sit with Him in His Throne (Rev 3:21), will learn to discern pure wisdom. They seek it and allow adjustment in their understanding, in their insight, and in their responses to what life requires of them for the time of trouble.

FIRST...is the wisdom that is from above.  This is Wisdom born in us of the Holy Spirit. In I Corinthians 12:8 Paul lists both the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge as gifts of the Holy Spirit. The word of knowledge is very close in meaning to the spirit of revelationwe find in Ephesians 1:17. Wisdom and knowledge complement one another. The supernatural knowledge released in a soul by the Holy Spirit, must be balanced by the wisdom that is from above. Otherwise, the knowledge of this order could be dangerous, lead to pride, and cause others to stumble. What the Holy Spirit brings to life in us is never for display nor is it to set us up as someone to be exalted among believers. The greater the work of God's Spirit in anyone of us, the greater the humility that must accompany it.

James gives us some powerful instruction regarding this wisdom. In James 1:5 he says... If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally (“bountifully”), and upbraideth not (He doesn’t scold us for being dumb or stupid); and it shall be given him.

Ask is from a Present Imperative form of aitéo which makes it mean, “let one ask, and ask, and ask,” under every circumstance, day after day in every situation, under every condition. Let this never cease.

James then tells us in verse 3:17 that this wisdom that God gives is first •pure, then •peaceable, •gentle, and •easy to be entreated, •full of mercy and good fruits, •without partiality, and •without hypocrisy. Take note of the words with bullets. They are sharp and powerful. Note them in your Bible. Try and memorize them. This is the kind of wisdom that is ours for the asking!

This wisdom, born of God’s Spirit in us, coupled with the spirit of revelation, finds its increase in us as we grow in our acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus. It is only as we grow in knowing who we are in Him and Who He is in us that we discover that He is made unto us wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30).

When He comes into our lives He brings with Him the possibility of its pure release in us. As we pray, we ask the Lord to set this wisdom flowing not only in ourselves, but also in the lives of those we are holding before Him. This will bring the life response of all of us into line with what is right from God's viewpoint and make us useful for His Kingdom. The deeper and more sure this relationship, the purer will be the wisdom and insight that will be ours for living under the pressures and peril of the last days. This wisdom, linked in its operation with revelation—insight into and understanding of all that surrounds us—makes Kingdom persons both aware of what is taking place as well as how to respond in all matters of life, even the most difficult.

Proverbs 2:2-6 provides some powerful concepts for our growth in the Wisdom ready to find release in us from above. Yet again, see the bullets. So that thou •incline thine ear unto wisdom, and •apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou •criest after knowledge, and •liftest up thy voice for understand­ing; if thou •seekest her as silver, and •searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Mark this passage in your Bible. Let the Holy Spirit work its concepts into your walk with the Lord.

SECOND...is the wisdom that comes from the Word of God. A Psalmist expressed this so well. The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple—Psalm 119:130. But know this, we must take care lest we take the Word of God and wrest it, which means twisting its meaning to comply with our own sometimes misguided concepts. I’ve learned this regarding receiving the wisdom of God’s Word: instead of laying hold on the Word, we must allow the Word to lay hold on us. The Word of God has within it a power that will work its way into all our living, and all our responding to life, if we but learn to “soak” in its light.

Paul says the Word of God... effectually worketh also in you that believe—I Thess 2:13. Effectually worketh comes from the Greek energéo, meaning the Word of God becomes an energetic force, releasing within us the very power of what it is.

Allow the Lord to work the wisdom of His Word into your living. It’s not nearly so important that we go about quoting Scripture as it is that our lives become expressions of the Word made flesh. Thus, we become demonstrations of His wisdom and light.

We are facing a world in which so called intellectuals, along with secularists, warn us to beware of the fundamentals of religion. The media is particularly heavy in this. A recent article in a popular weekly magazine gives credence to the idea that more acts of terrorism, so on our minds today, may yet arise from the distorted minds of those who become taken with what any one of them may consider the Word of God. The Muslims consider the Koran the same as we do the Bible, and so other religions have their holy script. This recent secular article tells of “the danger that may lurk in the heart of all fundamentalist versions of religion, not just Islam—perhaps in the heart of religion itself” (US News and World Report, March 11,2002, pg 56). This thought tends toward agnosticism on all levels. If we embrace it, it leads toward infidelity and the exaltation of human wisdom above the wisdom of God. This will become increasingly pervasive as the age draws on toward its end, so that thinking in line with God’s Word will become most unpopular and those who do so will be branded as fanatics and dangerous. But the person who knows the Holy Spirit and who has discovered that the entrance of God’s Word gives light, will tap into that wisdom of the Lord Who by wisdom hath founded the earth (Prov 3:19). This is the true wisdom that has been refined in the fires of eternity.

Some will be able to receive God’s kind of wisdom, some will not. I love what Paul said in I Corinthians 2:6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (brought to maturity): yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought (that is, they are becoming unproductive and meaningless as rulers.) We can rest assured that the only wisdom that will remain is that which comes from out of the eternities with God. His grace is releasing it into our lives for the impending awesome hour. Thus, we continue to rejoice at His word, as those who find great spoil (Ps 119:162).

THIRD...is the wisdom that comes from wise counselors. Most counselors these days have received special training. Many persons  have special gifting having learned from the above two sources, but have also gained insight into the ways of living and responding to trials through failures and successes of their own lives. Proverbs 11:14 makes a powerful statement with regard to this. Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

We must always be aware that this wisdom may become mixed with elements not fitting well with God's wisdom. For example, bitterness can work its way into the wisdom developing from trial or failure. Pride can work its way into wisdom coming from success. Because of this, each one needs discernment from the Holy Spirit in receiving wisdom from others. As we hold others before the Lord, we pray the Lord will remove from them any ideas from the counsel of others that do not fit with the wisdom from above.

Know this: counselors need the constant help of the Holy Spirit. Often there are things the one seeking counsel cannot, or will not, tell. But there are no secrets kept from God. Therefore, by the gifts He gives there come answers no counselor equipped only with educational degrees can fully give.

There are various schools of thought with regard to counseling. All of them hold value, however, unless they are balanced by the first two principles regarding wisdom, they hold the danger of giving unwise counsel with wisdom that is tainted.

I thank God for counselors who have impacted my own life. More often than not, their influence has come on me through some simple conversation in which they made a statement or two that struck me as wise. But I have learned to wait and see if the advise, or wisdom, imparted to me bears witness with the Holy Spirit at work in me, and if it is in line with the principles of God’s Word.

Let us hold our hearts open before the Lord, yielded to His Word and His Spirit, that the wisdom from above might find its release in us. We can know this: there is no darkness, no distress, no painful situation, no hopeless day but that our Heavenly Father sees it all and will release into us the wisdom—and revelation—to walk through it in triumph. This helps make an overcomer.

FOURTH...Is the wisdom that can grow in a person simply by the living out of life. As we continue praying for the spirit of wisdom to be released, the Holy Spirit will help us—and those for whom we pray—to receive lessons from the very living of life. He will touch trials and encounters that are not profitable and make them into fountains from which can flow wisdom that is profitable. Mistakes and failures can become valuable when they are sanctified in us by prayer to become points of wisdom and understanding.

FIFTH...is the wisdom that descends not from above (James 3:15). This sometimes sounds good to the human ear and appeals to the flesh, but proves to be fruitless in the end. It has no place in the Kingdom of Christ. James says it is earthly, which means it flows out of the order of life opposing Christ. It is sensual, which means it flows from the soul of fallen human nature, and opposes the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. It is devilish, which means it is inspired by demons and principalities and is in opposition to the Kingdom of Christ. We pray for the removal of this and its replacement by wisdom that is pure. We might note that this seems to be the prevalent brand of wisdom at work in our secular society and world governments today. It despises the wisdom from above and would seek to destroy those who abide in it.

We have watched people become confused when the  wisdom from above begins working in them because the Holy Spirit sets up conflict with the way they have become accustomed to thinking. Some even suppose they are losing their ability to make decisions. As people who pray, we are learning to press on when we see this confusion coming. We pray on because we know a fountain of pure wisdom can be set to flowing.

The question may arise as to whether we should pray for the release of wisdom in the lives of those who do not know Christ. Yes, indeed! The spirit of wisdom can help bring a soul to repentance and to acceptance of Christ. This is the greatest movement of wisdom anyone can make.

And remember,

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  James 1:5, 6.

This prayer from Ephesians touches more than just wisdom. It also includes request for the spirit of revelation. Revelation is the making clear of something once hidden. Even though it is a powerful and good thing, like wisdom, its work may begin a process that is painful. But eventually it opens the way for the entrance of Christ's healing power. We are learning to ask for the spirit of revelation in four dimensions.

FIRST...we ask for the revelation of the actual condition in one's own soul. This painful process begins with the unveiling of one's own sinful—and sometimes pitiful—condition. Most people live with more spiritual corruption in them than could be imagined, until the Holy Spirit lays it bare. But, mercifully, He does this gradually. No one can bear the full revelation of his or her own spiritual condition all at once; it would be too great a shock for any soul. The joy of this operation is that it prepares us for the next revelation.

SECOND...comes the revelation of the living Christ. As a soul grows in knowing Him, the corruption that has worked before moves out to make way for His purity and power in a close and personal relationship with Christ. He will work His way into the same areas of life damaged by sin and hurtful past experiences. He will take the materials of corruption and turn them into useful elements for His Kingdom. Only He can perform this miracle of redemption and restoration. And Oh!  His redemption can work its way into every area of corruption in any life. What a revelation of Christ! Here Paul's testimony of Galatians 2:20 takes on meaning to us who pray for ourselves and for others. Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

THIRD...is the revelation of truth as it unfolds from the Word of God. This may come from a word heard in passing. It may come from a sermon or lesson. It may come from a book. Or it may come from one's own study. This kind of revelation generally comes as a sudden burst of light shining its way into life. We pray for this operation in our own lives as well as in those for whom we care. 

FOURTH...is the supernatural revelation the Holy Spirit brings. Paul describes this in I Corinthians 12:8 as the gift of knowledge. It is the making known of things that cannot be known except by a divine exposure. This can run a broad range, all the way from the making known of high spiritual truth about the Kingdom of God, to the revelation of what is working in another person, to the unveiling of what is Satan's work. Whenever there is a spirit of revelation at work, it requires an accompanying release of a spirit of wisdom so one may know how to respond to the revelation.  Following is one example of how the spirit of revelation called for the spirit of wisdom.

Let us hold our hearts open before the Lord, yielded to His Word and His Spirit, that the wisdom from above might find its release in us. We can know this: there is no darkness, no distress, no painful situation, no hopeless day but that our Heavenly Father sees it all and will release into us the wisdom and revelation to walk through it in triumph. This helps make triumphant overcomers and children of the Kingdom.

© Berean Ministries