Text: Ezekiel 47:1-5
(1) Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
(2) Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
(3) And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
(4) Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
(5) Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
There are levels to the anointing of God.
It is one Spirit, but many depths.
The depths often display a maturing that takes place in the believer.
2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
“The more we behold this brilliant and glorious light, the more do we reflect back its rays; that is, the more we contemplate the great truths of the Christian religion, the more do our minds become imbued with its spirit.” – Bloomfield
One degree of glory – anointing – to another.
Glory is the fullness of God.
His manifest presence: His character, nature, ability, provision, the weight, the splendor of His majesty, and beauty.
All that He is & All that He has
And He has given it to us.
Not like Moses, whose face eventually lost the glow of the anointing of God’s glory.
“All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory” (GNB).
Glory to Glory[1]
Level 1 – spectator level, mere observers, foot deep experience. This level is in introduction to the experience of salvation, which makes them a glory-carrier of the Spirit of God. Many are content to stay at this level.
Level 2 – ankle deep experience. At this level, many have been born again, but rarely go beyond Acts 2:38 & John 3:5. God would take them deeper into His glory, but some are content with just a trickle and miss the overflow.
Level 3 – knee deep experience. Here, those who are hungry for more venture out into seeking deeper knowledge and experiences. This is the level where people begin to learn how to pray, but there is more glory to experience.
Level 4 – waist deep experience. Here, influence begins, and reproduction takes place as the believer becomes active in church and its ministries. They contribute to the edification of the body of Christ and the harvest of souls, but they are not completely immersed in the glory of God.
Level 5 – waters to swim in. People are immersed in the glory and anointing of God. They have learned to walk by faith and not emotion. Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” They are now fully immersed in the power and anointing of God’s glory they are now a glory-bearer. This level moves from carrying God’s Glory to now showing His glory by bringing blessing, life, hope, joy, and healing to those in bondage. BUT, to get here it takes hunger, desire, and passion.
You need a daily dose of fresh oil to remain immersed in the glory of God:
- Num. 11:8, “And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.”
- Psalm 92:10, “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”
- Give us this day our daily bread – Every Day!
David progressed through these levels:
- Shepherd boy anointed by Samuel
- Killed a lion and a bear, which prepared him for Goliath
- Kills Goliath and promotion came and he was brought to live with king Saul
- Psalms 75:6-7, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
- “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).
- He led armies, won battles and Saul became jealous to the point of trying to kill him.
- Saul has killed his thousands…“If people come against you, do not fear them, because the One who anointed you is going to preserve you.” –MVMUTHU
- David’s great test in this period was to keep himself from a spirit of bitterness
- David’s anointing kept him from harm even though Saul pursued him.
- King of Judah and then King of all of Israel.
- David still had to struggle before becoming King in this level
- David went through 5 levels, but he had one moment where the anointing came upon him and he grew from there.
- He did not touch God’s anointed and stayed covered.
Go beyond your initial empowerment and move from glory to glory:
- Acts 2:1-4 – initial outpouring
- Acts 2:41 – 3,000 souls
- Acts 3 – feet and ankle bones
- Acts 4 – the believers knelt and prayed and were filled with anointing and power
- Acts 5:12-16, “(12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. (13) And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. (14) And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) (15) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. (16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”
That same glory is here tonight and you can take it with you.
[1] Levels based on evangelist MVMUTHU’s book River of God’s Glory.
The Pillar and Ground of Truth 