Columnist Minister Deborah Esther Nyamekye

In addition to the last days' biblical prophecies of increased wickedness, and that there shall be wars and rumours of wars, there are also prophetic words about the last days being a time of God's Mountain (His Dominion, Kingdom of remnants, true saints) being "exalted above the hills" and all the nations will advance towards God's mountain and partake of it (Isa.2:2).

This exalted "Mountain of the Lord's house" I gain the revelation is a type of the Kingdom of God represented by the true church of our Lord Jesus Christ, depicted as the Faithful church in the book of Revelations. It is a place where all believers in Christ should aspire to be and call others to join in also; A place where God's truth prevails or is elevated over and above deceptive mounts or "hills" in relation to interpersonal relationships as well as church structure or system.

This true Bridal church is awaiting her Bridegroom Christ's return and the partakers of it are the true remnants; those who have been through a journey as believers in Christ that has resulted in preening through testings and chastening by God.

They are exalters of God who walk in the Spirit of God not the flesh and therefore know that "the weapons of their warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinth. 10:4-5 KJV).

The remnants are those who have overcome in the tribulations of life by God's gracious enabling through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37/Rev 7:9). In this place they have graciously been given the ability to discern what the building blocks of a kingdom church entails and how it is truly the only means through which God's people "the Saints" will be effectively equipped for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-14).

The "Mountain of the Lord" type of Church is where all believers in Christ should aspire to be in these last days. It has the Kingdom paradigm as opposed to the denomination paradigm. The following quote is by Apostle George Akalonu from his book "Discover and Fulfil your Ministry":

"The critical difference between a kingdom minded church and a denominational one is the concept of ministry. A Kingdom minded church is where the Church is presented as the Body of Christ. Since it is a Body, the real head is Christ and every one of the redeemed is gifted by the Holy Spirit to function optimally in order to contribute to its health. This by no means implies that there will be no leadership. Rather the kingdom minded Church is conscious of the need to live according to the Word of God. The Word specifically pinpoints the Ministry root of leaders - the fivefold:apostles, prophets,evangelists,pastors and teachers as that of "equipping the Saints" or perfecting them for the work of the ministry.

11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph.4:11-12)

In other words the work of the ministry is to be done by all members of the household of faith rather than just the leaders. This establishes the fact that the Church is designed to function as a living, loving, Holy Spirit filled and led organism rather than an impersonal human or religious organisation.

Until this simple truth is discovered and put into practice, the Church of Jesus Christ will remain immature and an ineffective witness of the risen Christ before a sceptical world. Where this truth is given its place, Saints will mature quickly, able to discern truth and error, be immunised from various winds of doctrine and above all function optimally in receiving the grace of God and releasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in them. This in turn will lead to a united body which reflects Christ, its head.

13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Eph. 4:13-14).

Irrespective of age, gender, educational attainment, wealth or size of congregations, true leaders called by Jesus Christ, will be recognised by how close their ministries are structured to empower Saints using the Ephesians 4:11-16 model. True leaders therefore will focus intense attention on the empowerment of the Saints they are maid overseers of, over and above every other thing! Finances,acquisition of property, broadcasts on radio and TV are all good but but none is anywhere near the need to systematically empower the Saints to come to a place of knowing who they are in Christ, who he is in them and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in them. This is what defines their callings, gifts and ministry to God and other members of the Body."

Remnants who are living in the realm of the "mountain of God" as part of the Kingdom Church, having overcome the restrictive mindsets and attitudes are prospering in all things. They have a knowledge of Christ that is genuine because of their close relationship with the Holy Spirit and are therefore blessed with all that partains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). Being in the truth, they are therefore fulfilling their destinies as ones with the promises of God who partake of the divine nature.

In this place, the remnants who are the Kingdom Church's "Saints movement" are burdened for their brethren in Christ who are deceived or spiritually unable to advance in the purposes of God because of the restrictive system of church they are confined to.

Those on the "Mountain of the Lord" or in the Kingdom paradigm are therefore Christ's burden bearers. They must remember they are mandated spiritually and respond to this mandate which is to pray and beckon such brethren saying "come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord"...oh house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isa.2:3,5 KJV).

This phrase in Isaiah is relating to walking in the fullness of God's true light as opposed to deceptive light or partial true light of heresies and blasphemies, because God's people are not called to walk in mediocracy but excellence. We have "all things that pertain to life and Godliness" through the knowledge of Christ. We are treasures in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power maybe of God and not of us.

This is what the true dominion or kingdom of God for which we are called as ambassadors through the Kingdom church looks like. Indeed if you are not there yet, I say "Come let us go to this "Mountain of the Lord", this place of His glorious elevation and greater heights and deeper depths in Him, Adonai the Sovereign God of all!

"3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isa.2:3-4 KJV).

It is a place where the unadulterated Word of God is taught so that God's children will be able to live righteously and victoriously. The fulfilment of their destinies is therefore guaranteed.

Those who are taught will therefore be equipped to teach and evangelise effectively as God requires. The effective co-labouring for God and His wisdom and knowledge in manifestation will affirm God as judge and mediator for peaceful co-existence among His people.

Indeed the Bridal Church of overcomes remnants is a reflection of the new Jerusalem that John saw "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." A place where God tabernacles with His people (remnant Saints). A place void of sorrow or affliction. It is a place of peace and joy in God's glorious presence.

Are you ready? Are you calling others to "Come, Let us go to the Mountain of the Lord"?

©10Mar2017 December 2017