We now know that the universe continues to expand. Growth is a biblical principle that has ever-increasing implications.
We begin our earthly life as a fetus in the womb and we continue to grow both physically as well as intellectually.
This is also true spiritually, as the Apostle Paul wrote: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
We know that the Corinthian church moved in all the gifts of the spirit, but the remarkable thing is this: Paul said that they were still babes in Christ.
Moving in the gifts of the spirit is not an indication that one is mature in God. Gifts are just gifts and while powerful, they do not indicate that the one moving in those gifts is a mature Christian.
Now, if we do not continue to grow spiritually we will stagnate. Through the ages, God has measured out the flow of revelation and understanding.
The prophet Daniel said that in the last days knowledge would increase; this is true regarding intellectual knowledge. We live in a digital age that is beginning to unveil an understanding, to some degree, about the universe we live in.
The internet has accelerated this secular knowledge in an exponential way. However, our understanding of the Scriptures and the eternal purposes of God will continue to expand.
ISAIAH 28:13 13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little.
This generation is beginning to have an understanding in the ways of God that few have had in the past. Revelation is increasing in such a way that we are gaining a greater insight into the eternal purposes of God.
Just as darkness is increasing across this planet, light and revelation are also increasing. Jesus is making Himself known to many in a way that He has seldom done before. This is only possible because of the grace of God.
PROVERBS 4:18 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
The phrase sons of God refers to mature sons and daughters who have come to a place in God where they have reached sonship or a level of maturity that can be described as friends of God. As we have seen, the birthing of these people is described in the Book of Revelation in chapter 12
As I have said before, the charismatic movement from the early seventies into the eighties was a remarkable move of God which saw thousands of people from many different denominations baptized in the Holy Spirit.
This was a glorious time where God was pouring out His Holy Spirit across all denominations. However, as glorious as this was, there was something missing: the early Church experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire.
LUKE 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
ACTS 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This element of fire was generally missing during the charismatic move of God in the seventies. The fire that purifies the soul was absent, and because the soul was not touched by the fire this move finally declined.
A new level of worship was birthed during this period; however, this also waned. Nevertheless, the fire of God will be restored to the Church, and this will result in a transformation, preparing the way for a whole, new, dynamic life-changing move of the Holy Spirit.