The Ministry, Vol. 10, No. 08

Book excerpt: This issue of The Ministry presents the last nine messages given during the 2005 spring term of the full-time training in Anaheim, California. The general subject of this series of messages is entitled "Noah, Daniel, and Job--Patterns of Living an Overcoming Life on the Line of Life to Fulfill the Economy of God." Noah, Daniel, and Job were selected to be the subject of this series of messages based upon two verses from Ezekiel 14. Verse 14 says, "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in the midst of it, they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness, declares the Lord Jehovah." Verse 20 is similar: "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in the midst of it, as I live, declares the Lord Jehovah, they could not deliver even a son or daughter; they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness." It is clear that these three men are singled out for their righteousness. There are four aspects of righteousness, all of which are deeply and intrinsically woven into what is signified by the lives of these three persons. First, righteousness is to be right with all things, matters, and persons according to God's righteous requirement. Second, righteousness is the expression in our living of the Christ who dwells in us as the life-giving Spirit. Third, righteousness is a matter of being altogether right with the throne of God's administration. God's throne is established upon righteousness (Psa. 89:14). Fourth, righteousness is a matter of our being constituted with the righteousness of God, of our becoming crystal clear and transparent. We are becoming the righteousness of God in Christ. This righteousness in its four aspects is directly related to the Triune God Himself and, in particular, to the Triune God in the carrying out of His divine economy. Last of all, we include a report concerning the Lord's move in Romania.