FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” He was greater than any other man up to that time because of the Spirit which he had from his mother’s womb. It was clear from Gabriel’s prophecy to Zachariah that John was going to be the prophet foretold in Malachi. Of course, this influenced his up-bring- ing and training. Yet there is no indication that he was commissioned into this calling until he was of age which was thirty years old in the Jewish culture, six months before Jesus also came of age. Jesus himself went through stages in his ministry. Of course, he was called to redeem mankind long before His birth. His coming was prophesied, there was a spiritual battle surrounding his birth and childhood, he was tempted in all ways, and grew through the stages. If Jesus did receive a commissioning, it would most likely be that given to him by his Heavenly Father at His baptism. Luke 3:21 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." 23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age... ” So even though God certainly had called Jesus from before his mother conceived Him, he was not commissioned, and in His case, had not even received the Holy Spirit until he was baptized. Ephesians 1:11 “ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will... ” Jesus, John, and Jeremiah were all predestined to accomplish what they were called to accomplish and all were preordained by God into their calling and ministry. Yet each had a commissioning to step into their ministry calling upon the earth. In Jeremiah’s case it is clear he did not know of this calling until the Lord told him about it. In the case of Jesus and John, it was the parents and others who would have

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