4 For thus says the Lord: To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths and choose the things which please Me and hold firmly My covenant--
5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial and a name better [and more enduring] than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord to minister to Him and to love the name of the Lord and to be His servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath so as not to profane it and who holds fast My covenant [by conscientious obedience]--
7 All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:4-7
As we have determined previously, until all prophecies come to pass, Jesus cannot return:
Jesus said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Luke 24:44
Far more than simply including eunuchs (including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people) in the congregation of the Lord, God is also promising to accept our offerings and sacrifices on His altar. He promises to make us joyful in His House of Prayer, and promises His House shall be called a House of Prayer for all people. It is clear from this that until gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are affirmed in God's House of prayer, Jesus cannot return. But God goes on to share another important part that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people fulfill in the Body of Christ. This includes keeping the Sabbath sacred, choosing the things that please God (like the Holy Spirit, and sexual purity through celibacy or faithful single gender marriage as ordained by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9), and to take firm hold of His Covenant (Jesus Christ) as believers that Jesus is the Son of God and was crucified to wash humanity clean of sins. But there's yet another expectation God shares in this prophecy: accepting our offerings and sacrifices on His altar.
This is important, because when viewed through an allegorical lens, another passage of Scripture also mentions offerings and sacrifices. While today we understand this to mean financial contributions to the work of the local Church, it's important to notice that the exact same phrasing appears in 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, and serves as an allegory of the Return of Jesus Christ:
1 When Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
2 The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.
3 And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Brothers and Sisters, this tells me that not only does God promise to accept the offerings and sacrifices of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender believers on His altar, it also tells me that unless we are actually giving financially to the work of our local house of prayer, Isaiah 55:11-56:8 is not completely fulfilled! This tells me that this is more than just the Church opening the door to God's House of Prayer wide enough for all people to worship, but that it also requires gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to contribute our treasure, time and talents to the overall work of the local Church as well.
Many people may immediately say, "I knew it! The Church just wants gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to come to church to bring them our money!"
It would indeed be difficult to argue with such a skeptical outlook and assumption, given the emphasis so often placed by many ministers of the Gospel on money. That is until we as gay people understand not only our place in God's House of Prayer as our prophetic destiny towards the return of Jesus Christ, but also to understand that financially contributing to God's House of Prayer is a form of worship. While Christians are not bound to tithe 10% as under the Old Covenant, we are to give as we purpose in our hearts, and are reminded that as we sow, we will reap; either sparingly or generously:
6 [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].
8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Notice that whether we sow sparingly or generously, God does indeed promise we will reap! As many ministers tell Christian congregants that 10% is the ideal amount to give, it also limits God's ability to bless our giving. Why limit it to only 10%? I believe this is why Paul said we should give as we purpose in our hearts. I also believe that as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people often have larger amounts of disposable income than our heterosexual counterparts (who often have children to support), perhaps we will be the best gift the Church has ever seen in terms of growth--not only in memberships--but in financial blessings as well!
In my estimation, many churches (especially those preaching the so-called "Prosperity Gospel," which are more accurately referred to as "Word of Faith" churches) have focused a lot of time on why we give (which are all Biblically supported). But many Churches have not seen how prophetically mandated the return of Jesus Christ is upon not only the inclusion and Biblical affirmation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in God's House of Prayer for all people, but also our own offerings and sacrifices being accepted on God's altar!
As many of these same Churches spend great amounts of time in prayer and supplication seeking the glory of the Lord to manifest in their houses of worship, they have seemingly neglected the prophetically mandated necessity of the presence of offerings and sacrifices from gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as well. As such, the Glory of the Lord has also been prophetically prevented from full manifestation...at least to the extent we see described by God in 2 Chronicles 7.
Another interesting thing to note is how offerings are commonly received in most churches today. The Pastor’s wife comes up and reminds everyone how Malachi 3:10 promises God will open the windows of heaven and pour congregants out a blessing if they’ll just be sure to give 10% of their income. The truth is (as we’ll examine more closely in a bit) is this is taken from part of Malachi’s message addressed to the preachers themselves, beginning in Malachi 2:1. After that, the ushers begin sending around the collection plates (or buckets), the music starts playing, and after a few minutes, the Pastor starts his message...and the tithes make their way to the receiving room--before Pastor even has a chance to pray over them.
But as we have just examined, that’s not the pattern God set up for us (or for His Own Glory to manifest). We see from Solomon's example that the tithes were collected, placed on the altar, then Solomon PRAYED, and THEN the fire came down from heaven, consumed the offerings, and THEN the Glory of the Lord filled the temple. Of course there is no guarantee that God will send fire from heaven each time an offering is received at church, but it would be interesting to see what would happen if Pastors began to follow the pattern God Himself illustrates in His Word. It would also be interesting if Pastor’s wives (or whomever exhorts the Congregation prior to offering collections) would explain how Malachi 3:10 says that although God promises to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, that it’s also dependent on all people’s offerings being included on His altar, including those from the blessed eunuchs God prophesied to in Isaiah 56, which would include offerings from gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Some Pastors may be thinking this passage is telling us that the offerings being "consumed" by the fire from heaven means they will be "burned up." But I believe the word "consumed" is more like saying "infused." I don't believe it means the offerings are "burned up," but more likely (knowing how God works), it suggests to me the offerings would be infused by God's Glory, and then multiplied, just as Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 20,000 people, and not only was there enough to feed everyone, but there was plenty left over as well!
Imagine what would happen if the Glory of the Lord showed up at YOUR church next Sunday! Imagine if your entire Congregation was able to heal sick people just by their shadow falling on people they passed by! I bet THAT would bring folks to your Church! What if handkerchiefs of people in your Congregation became infused with God’s Glory and just laying them on people would heal them! I bet THAT would bring folks to your Church too! Imagine if after offerings were collected, a solemn moment was taken by Pastor as they were placed on the altar and he prayed over them, and just gave God a chance to show up and show out, instead of just immediately sending the offerings to the receiving room. I believe it’s entirely possible, but I also believe we would need to return to the patterns God Himself set up for such manifestations of His Glory, as well as ensuring your Church presents no stumbling block to LGBT Believers trying to get their offerings on the altar as well. I suppose for some churches we may need to build some altars too.
Many modern churches have removed any semblance of an altar in God’s House of Prayer. While anyone can imagine that the steps leading up to the platform can serve as a substitute for an altar, I do wonder if it would be that much trouble to install physical ones instead. I also wonder if perhaps an altar is as critical an element of God’s House of Prayer, as bread is to Holy Communion. The question is, do we want to keep risking it? After all, what if the sole purpose of God’s Glory filling the temple in the first place is to provide physical, emotional and spiritual healing to God’s people?
That’s something each Congregation must decide for themselves, and I have no doubt that being made aware of this will cause the light to go off in the minds and hearts of many Church leaders, and steps will be taken to correct these oversights on all the levels it exists, as this message from God's Word continues to pull back the veil of homophobia, and reveals that indeed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people play a vital role in the Return of Jesus Christ, and in His glory manifesting from time to time in houses of worship all over the planet, as the Great Day draws nigh!
To verify this, let's look at some similarities of the prophecy from Isaiah 55:11-56:8 and the manifestation of the Glory of the Lord in the House of Prayer that help us receive insight, concepts and ideas regarding God's plan for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and our God ordained place in His Kingdom:
*****************************
We've already compared the connection to offerings and sacrifices on His altar, so now let's take a look at the connection to prayer:
7 All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:-7
Compare to:
1 When Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 Chronicles 7:1
*****************************
Now let's take a look at the connection to the Lord's House:
5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial and a name better [and more enduring] than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
7 All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:5, 7
Compare to:
1 When Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
2 The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.
3 And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 2 Chronicles 7:1-3
*****************************
Now let's take a look at the connection to the Lord's Everlasting Covenant and Mercy:
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign [of jubilant exaltation] and memorial [to His praise], which shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:13
5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial and a name better [and more enduring] than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. Isaiah 56:5
6 Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord to minister to Him and to love the name of the Lord and to be His servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath so as not to profane it and who holds fast My covenant [by conscientious obedience] Isaiah 56:6
Compare to:
3 And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 2 Chronicles 7:3
*****************************
Now let's take a look at the connection to the Lord's Glory:
1 Thus says the Lord: Keep justice, do and use righteousness (conformity to the will of God which brings salvation), for My salvation is soon to come and My righteousness (My rightness and justice) to be revealed. Isaiah 56:1
1 When Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
2 The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. 2 Chronicles 7:1-2
*****************************
If we read further into 2 Chronicles 7, we'll also begin to see a connection to sacrifices (not just offerings), and also yet another connection to both house and prayer:
7 All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Compare to:
4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:4
12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a houseof sacrifice. 2 Chronicles 7:12
15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:15
16 For I have chosen and sanctified (set apart for holy use) this house, that My Name may be here forever, and My eyes and My heart will be here perpetually. 2 Chronicles 7:16
*****************************
Finally, let's look at the connection to the ministering priests, and the blessings God promises to both gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, but also the "son of man" hold takes hold of this:
Blessed, happy, and fortunate is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold of it and binds himself fast to it, who keeps sacred the Sabbath so as not to profane it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah 56:2
(The "man who does this" are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and the "son of man" includes the ministers in church who work to remove man-made traditions in order that the prophecy may be fulfilled).
Compare to:
2 The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. 2 Chronicles 7:2
6 The priests stood at their posts, and the Levites also, with instruments of music to the Lord, which King David had made to praise and give thanks to the Lord--for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever--whenever David praised through their ministry; the priests blew trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 2 Chronicles 7:6
*****************************
With so many connections between these two passages of Scripture, it's hard to simply ignore the similarities, as well as the analogous concepts resulting of doing all we can (both as a gay community and a faith community) to remove any traditional teachings that prevent the fulfillment of Isaiah 55:11-56:12 specifically. Many theologians would respond by reminding us that 2 Chronicles 7 is speaking of Israel, and not the Christian Church. I would agree. However, as we see the main person being spoken of here is Solomon, (who was David's son), let us now examine another comparison:
3 Incline your ear [submit and consent to the divine will] and come to Me; hear, and your soul will revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercy (kindness, goodwill, and compassion) promised to David.
4 Behold, I have appointed him (Him) [David, as a representative of the Messiah, or the Messiah Himself] to be a witness [one (One) who shall testify of salvation] to the nations, a prince (Prince) and commander (Commander) to the peoples. Isaiah 55:3-4 (just 7 verses prior to God's prophecy to eunuchs, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people).
Compare to:
11 Thus Solomon finished the Lord's house and the king's house; all that [he] had planned to do in the Lord's house and his own house he accomplished successfully.
12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
This is clearly a generational blessing the Lord transferred from David to Solomon, (both of whom were ancestors of Jesus Christ Himself). We'll recall David originally intended to build the house of the Lord (the Temple in Jerusalem), but God passed the task to Solomon instead. We see Solomon complete the task of building the temple, but we also see there could have been no eunuchs allowed within the temple, (nor would they have been allowed to be baptized), because Moses had forbade them from the Congregation of the Lord in Deuteronomy 23:1.
We saw in Isaiah 55:11-56:8 that God prophesied of a day the eunuchs would be included, and we saw Jesus recognize there were 3 types of eunuchs in Matthew 19:11-12. Finally, we saw the Holy Spirit lead Philip to baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch (whom had returned from worshipping in Jerusalem, but had not been allowed to be baptized) in the only account of Christian evangelism God chose to include in the Bible in Acts 8:29-40. We also learned that the same Scriptures Philip read to the Eunuch to evangelize (and subsequently baptize) him, were the same passages of Scripture that contain God's prophecy to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from Isaiah 53-56. (See Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 of The Bed Keeperfor a thorough examination of this account).
So although we see Solomon had indeed completed all the work of building the house of the Lord, he was not obliged to include eunuchs at the time. Now that Jesus has come, those eunuchs (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people) who keep the Sabbath sacred, choose the things that please God, and take hold of His Covenant, are now not only to be included in God's House of Prayer for all people, but also must bring our offerings and sacrifices to be accepted on His altar, or the glory of the Lord cannot fill His House of Prayer as He did in Solomon's day. Again, Solomon was not obliged to include eunuchs under the Old Covenant. Today's Christian Church IS under the New Covenant. And that brings us to yet another prophetic connection:
5 According to the promise that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit stands and abides in the midst of you; fear not.
6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake and make tremble the [starry] heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land;
7 And I will shake all nations and the desire and the precious things of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts.
8 The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts.
9 The latter glory of this house [with its successor, to which Jesus came] shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place will I give peace and prosperity, says the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:5-9
Compare to:
2 Blessed, happy, and fortunateis the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold of it and binds himself fast to it, who keeps sacred the Sabbath so as not to profane it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah 56:2
4 For thus says the Lord: To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths and choose the things which please Me and hold firmly My covenant Isaiah 56:4
7 All these I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:7
So it appears from these Scriptures that part of making the glory of the latter house greater than the glory of the former house is the all important inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, AND our offerings and sacrifices being presented and accepted on God's altar in His House of Prayer for ALL people....because Thus says the Lord God, Who gathers the outcasts of Israel: I will gather yet others to [Israel] besides those already gathered. Isaiah 56:8
So how do we make all this come about? I believe the answer is contained within these passages of Scripture, and apply not only to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, but also to ministers who have heretofore been blindsided to the importance of the fulfillment of God's prophecy to eunuchs.
First, let's see what God said about these blinded shepherds in this prophecy:
10 [His] watchmen are blind,they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, they love to slumber.
11 Yes, the dogs are greedy; they never have enough. And such are the shepherds who cannot understand; they have all turned to their own way, each one to his own gain, from every quarter [one and all].
12 Come, say they, We will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink! And tomorrow shall be as this day, a day great beyond measure. Isaiah 56:10-12
And now let's see what happens when both the blind shepherds' eyes AND the eyes of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are opened to this new thing God is doing in the Body of Christ as the day of Jesus' return draws nigh:
14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray,seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
16 For I have chosen and sanctified (set apart for holy use) this house, that My Name may be here forever, and My eyes and My heart will be here perpetually. 2 Chronicles 7:14-16
So it's little wonder the Lord considers our offerings and sacrifices (forms of tithes) as holy:
And all the tithe of the herd or of the flock, whatever passes under the herdsman's staff [by means of which each tenth animal as it passes through a small door is selected and marked], the tenth shall be holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:32
It's interesting that studies reveal that about 10% of the world's population identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. It would seem the Church's traditional teaching against us would be akin to 'tithing' 10% of the flock itself; Jesus' very own sheep! As God has shown the very holy role gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people play in the Body of Christ through Isaiah 55:11-56:8, it seems that as the Church has traditionally rejected us, they have also prevented our offerings and sacrifices from being accepted on God's altar. In doing so, it seems not only is exclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in God's House of Prayer for all people preventing the return of Jesus, but also preventing the Glory of the Lord from manifesting Itself in the House of God.
The question is: Do we have the courage to address this issue, correct the Church, right the ship, and prepare the Church to receive the ingathering of those whom God Himself prophesied He would....or do we let Satan continue to cloak this understanding with fear and ignorance to God's very Own Word?
1 Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy (a pleading contention) with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness, love, pity and mercy, or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land.
2 There is nothing but [false] swearing and breaking faith and killing and stealing and committing adultery; they break out [into violence], one [deed of] bloodshed following close on another.
3 Therefore shall the land [continually] mourn, and all who dwell in it shall languish, together with the wild beasts of the open country and the birds of the heavens; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall [perish because of the drought] be collected and taken away.
4 Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove [another--do not waste your time in mutual recriminations], for with you is My contention, O priest.
5 And you shall stumble in the daytime, and the [false] prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother [the priestly nation].
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. Hosea 4:1-6
Now beginning at the start of the prophet's message from Malachi 2:1, let's compare Hosea 4:1-6 to Malachi 3:10 (the Scripture so many preachers use to encourage people to give 10% of their income instead of giving as they have purpose in their hearts as Paul instructed Christians to do in 2 Corinthians 9:7):
Malachi 2
1 And now, O you priests, this commandment is for you. Malachi 2:1
NOTE: Recall in Hosea 4:4, God is also addressing the priests, and here we see he does so again.
2 If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to My name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yes, I have already turned them to curses because you do not lay it to heart.
3 Behold, I will rebuke your seed [grain--which will prevent due harvest], and I will spread the dung from the festival offerings upon your faces, and you shall be taken away with it.
4 And you shall know, recognize, and understand that I have sent this [new] decree to you priests, to be My [new] covenant with Levi [the priestly tribe], says the Lord of hosts.
5 My covenant [on My part with Levi] was to give him life and peace, because [on his part] of the [reverent and worshipful] fear with which [the priests] would revere Me and stand in awe of My name.
6 The law of truth was in [Levi's] mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness and turned many away from iniquity.
7 For the priest's lips should guard and keep pure the knowledge [of My law], and the people should seek (inquire for and require) instruction at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
8 But you have turned aside out of the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction [in the law]; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi [with Me], says the Lord of hosts.
9 Therefore have I also made you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept My ways but have shown favoritism to persons in your administration of the law [of God].
10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then do we deal faithlessly and treacherously each against his brother, profaning the covenant of [God with] our fathers?
11 Judah has been faithless and dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah [that is, Jewish men] has profaned the holy sanctuary of the Lord which He loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god [having divorced his Jewish wife].
12 The Lord will cast out of the tents of Jacob to the last man those who do this [evil thing], the master and the servant [or the pupil] alike, even him who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts.
13 And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering any more or accept it with favor at your hand.
14 Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows].
15 And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.
16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].
17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, In what way have we wearied Him? [You do it when by your actions] you say, Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord and He delights in them. Or [by asking], Where is the God of justice? Malachi 2:2-17
Malachi 3
1 Behold, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant, Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts.
2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap;
3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
4 Then will the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in ancient years.
5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against the false swearers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and who turn aside the temporary resident from his right and fear not Me, says the Lord of hosts.
6 For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
7 Even from the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, How shall we return?
8 Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:1-10
NOTE: Doesn't that sound like "the fire came down from heaven and consumed the offerings and sacrifices and the glory of the Lord FILLED THE TEMPLE" from 2 Chronicles 7:1?
Again, it's important to note just how often congregants hear this verse quoted to encourage people to give 10% of their income, when in fact, it wasn't even addressed to the congregants, but to the priests! These priests, (who have traditionally excluded gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from the House of Prayer for all people), were inadvertently preventing our offerings and sacrifices from being accepted on God's altar....and thus were "robbing God by robbing the tithes!"
11 And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11
NOTE: Doesn't that sound like God will rebuke Satan's past attempts to keep a large portion of tithes out of God's Storehouse by using homophobia (a type of fear) to keep gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender out of Church, away from God, and keep our offerings and sacrifices from reaching God's altar? Doesn't it sound like God is saying that when the Church comes to finally fully affirm LGBT people in Church according to Scripture, that "all the tithes" will finally be allowed access to God's altar, and that through His rebuke of Satan, he will no longer be allowed to devour (or eat away at) Church membership of not only LGBT people, but also our parents and friends who feel just as shunned by church as LGBT people themselves?
12 And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:12
NOTE: Compare that to Isaiah 56:2 from God's prophecy regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people: Blessed, happy and fortunate is the man who does this (LGBT people) and the son of man (priests and preachers) who do this and binds himself fast to it......
13 Your words have been strong and hard against Me, says the Lord. Yet you say, What have we spoken against You?
14 You have said, It is useless to serve God, and what profit is it if we keep His ordinances and walk gloomily and as if in mourning apparel before the Lord of hosts?
15 And now we consider the proud and arrogant to be happy and favored; evildoers are exalted and prosper; yes, and when they test God, they escape [unpunished].
16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.
17 And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure). And I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. Malachi 3:13-17
NOTE: And did not God promise to give gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender a "memorial in His House and within His walls?" Did He not promise to accept our offerings and sacrifices on His altar? Has not the Church rejected or ignored these promises and blessings?
While these questions would have to be addressed on a church-by-church basis, I think it's fair to say that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are indeed talking often one to another concerning the matters presented in The Bed Keeper, and that indeed we are beginning to:
18 ..... return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who does not serve Him. Malachi 3:18
And fortunately, we're discovering there truly are some churches out there who are beginning to listen, and are reaching out to embrace gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people exactly as God has expressed in His Holy Word:
...just as we are...
He has told even gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people:
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Jeremiah 29:10-12
In closing, let me just add that while Christians are not obligated to give 10% of their income (or any other set amount except what we purpose in our hearts to give), there is nothing saying that Christians can't indeed purpose in their hearts to give 10% to follow the example of Abraham. There are unquestionably many Biblically sound reasons for giving 10% of our income, but honestly, they serve as mere examples--not mandates--for Christians. God loves a cheerful giver!
If you're not CHEERFUL about giving 10%, but you ARE cheerful about giving $10,000.00 (and have purposed in your heart to give that amount), then THAT is the amount you give if you want God to be pleased with it. Other Christians may differ with that observation, but then again, God calls us to be Christians, not Clones.
But it should be clear to all that it is imperative for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to be included and affirmed in Church, and that is also prophetically mandated for us to help contribute to the financial support of our local church. And it's not to bless Pastor, or even to "appease God." No, it ensures our own joyfulness in God's House of Prayer for all people for not only our own, but EVERY subsequent generation of LGBT people! It also appears to be the only way any of us will see the Glory of the Lord manifest Itself in the full measure described in 2 Chronicles 7....and it's the only way any Christian will be resurrected unto eternal life with Him....
....and wasn't that the point?
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16
___________________________________________
The Math
World population: 8,000,000,000 (8 Billion)
LGBT percentage of world population: 10%
Total LGBT people God wants in Church: 800,000,000 (800 Million)
If each LGBT person in the world donated only $50.00 per month = $400,000,000 (400 Million Dollars per month)
Multiply $400,000,000 by 12 months per year =
$4,800,000,000 ($4.8 Billion Dollars per year)
So what are we waiting for?
Just a church with the courage to call it in!
___________________________________________
10% of all donations received by this ministry are tithed to my personal Home Church.
The Math
World population: 8,000,000,000 (8 Billion)
LGBT percentage of world population: 10%
Total LGBT people God wants in Church: 800,000,000 (800 Million)
If each LGBT person in the world donated only $50.00 per month = $400,000,000 (400 Million Dollars per month)
Multiply $400,000,000 by 12 months per year =
$4,800,000,000 ($4.8 Billion Dollars per year)
So what are we waiting for?
Just a church with the courage to call it in!
___________________________________________
THANK YOU for your generous support of this work!
Let him who receives instruction in the Word of God share all good things with his teacher, contributing to his support. Galatians 6:6
10% of all donations received by this ministry are tithed to my personal Home Church.
The remaining 90% are used exclusively to purchase necessary equipment, to cover fees related to funding our ministry website, to produce, advertise, publish, and distribute teaching media, books, and videos, and to fund regular operational costs incurred in the process of reaching out to Churches and Pastors to share these teachings with their Congregations.
We couldn't do it without YOU!
__________________________________
