Pastors Jim and Marie Watt
Day One. HIGH WORSHIP: JUDAH - PRAISE.
“Judah (meaning Praise), your brothers will acknowledge you, your hand will be on the neck of your enemies, your father's sons will bow down before you. … Judah is a lion's cub; my son, you stand over the prey. He crouches down and stretches like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to provoke him? … The scepter will not pass from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his legs, until he comes to whom [obedience] belongs (or: until Shiloh comes); and it is he whom the peoples will obey. … Tying his donkey to the vine, his donkey's colt to the choice grapevine, he washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. … His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk” (CJB, Genesis 49:8-12).
“Of Judah Moses said: 'Hear, ADONAI, the cry of Judah! Bring him in to his people, let his own hands defend him; but you, help him against his enemies” (CJB, Deuteronomy 33:7).
“ADONAI will send your powerful scepter out from Zion, so that you will rule over your enemies around you. … On the day your forces mobilize, your people willingly offer themselves in holy splendors from the womb of the dawn; the dew of your youth is yours” (CJB, Psalm 110:2-3). David spoke these words for his greater son: -- “ADONAI says to my lord (the Lord Jesus to come), 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool'” (Psalm 110:1). Jesus is of the tribe of Judah, with whom there was no priesthood, which was in the tribe of Levi. But under the priestly order of Melchizedek, Jesus is NOW High Priest forever of a new creation. The One New Man, Jew and Gentile together, is now under the Kingship and Priesthood of Jesus - the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. No wonder exalted praise comes forth in abundance from this fourth son of Jacob! The prophecies of Jacob and Moses concerning Judah take on added significance when read in this context. To further confirm this, see Genesis 29, which records the birth of Judah and gives the Hebrew meaning of his name as 'Praise'! Moses had the name of Judah inscribed upon the beautiful and precious red Sardius in Exodus 28. And note - Judah is now the number one tribe of Israel. He leads the other 11 tribes in their 38-year march through the wilderness. The other tribes were happy to send Judah (Praise) first. Any movement that fails to put “Praise” in a significant and foremost position - will fail to be significant.
The first 4 sons of Jacob in the order of Genesis 49, bring us into the Outer Court of Moses' Tabernacle. The next 6 bring us into the Holy Place - but the last two - Joseph and Benjamin - bring us into the Holy of Holies. Yet Judah as Praise, and as the tribe from which the Kings of Judah and Jesus spraing, continues to affect the last two areas of the 60 and 100-fold also.
Next I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: 'How blessed are the dead who die united with the Lord, from now on!' “Yes,” says the Spirit, 'now they may rest from their efforts, for the things they have accomplished follow along with them'” (CJB, Revelation14:13).
God ushered me into His Kingdom in 1944 while a sailor in the Canadian Navy. Very soon following this event, someone placed into my hands a book entitled, “Forty Years of Signs and Wonders in the Life of Mrs. Maria Woodworth-Etter.” It made a profound impact upon me. The description of “The Heavenly Choir” made a special imprint upon my spirit. I sensed the Holy Spirit speaking in His still small voice, “In the not too distant future, you will experience this event.”
Mrs. Etter was a frail little woman of the nineteenth century, who fellowshipped in the Holiness Movement. God called her to be His evangelist. She didn't believe in women preachers - and it wasn't until God took a number of her children home to heaven - that she finally surrendered to His call.
It has been estimated by some that close to two million souls entered the Kingdom of God through the faithful preaching and ministry of this handmaiden of the Lord.
Kenneth Hagen Junior has reprinted one of her dozen books, which is still in print. The absolutely amazing accounts of the signs and wonders that God sent to confirm His word through Mrs. Etter - should encourage anyone to search the “Net” and procure this book.
“But we do see Jesus - who indeed was made for a little while lower than the angels - now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God's grace he might taste death for all humanity. … For in bringing many sons to glory, it was only fitting that God, the Creator and Preserver of everything, should bring the Initiator of their deliverance to the goal through sufferings. … For both Jesus, who sets people apart for God, and the ones being set apart have a common origin - this is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers … when he says, 'I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise” (CJB, Hebrews 2:9-12; Psalm 22:22). “So, what about it? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind” (CJB, 1 Corinthians 14:14). “ADONAI your God is right there with you, as a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you and be glad, he will be silent in his love, he will shout (sing) over you with joy” (CJB, Zephaniah 3:17). “Don't get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit - sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to each other; sing to the Lord and make music in your heart to him” (CJB, Ephesians 5:18-19). My darling speaks; he is saying to me, “Get up, my love! My beauty! Come away! … For you see that the winter has passed, the rain is finished and gone, … the flowers are appearing in the countryside, the time has come for [the birds] to sing, and the cooing of doves can be heard in the land” (CJB, Song of Solomon 2:10-12).
In 1945 I shared with Ern Hawtin, brother of George, what the Holy Spirit had revealed to me concerning the soon restoration of the Heavenly Choir. Because Mrs. Etter became weak through the heavy burden of preaching and ministry, she stayed in bed until the service started, and then was helped to the platform to minister. She had a tent that sat over 4000 back in the early days of the 20th century. While the congregation waited for the service to start, they would gather an hour or more ahead of time to get a seat. They would start to sing in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit would fall upon them, and antiphonal singing, solo voices, and angelic joining in took place, that exceeded even the highest oratorio productions. The literal Shekinah glory of God could often be seen outside resting up the top of the tent. Remarkable visions and healings accompanied all of this. Mrs. Etter called the conversions, “Bright Conversions,” because they corresponded with 2 Corinthians 5:17, and lasted years beyond the initial event.
Ern Hawtin asked me, “When do you suppose God will restore this?” I assured him that I had no idea, but I felt it would be soon. Then in February of 1948, we all knew the time of restoration was at hand.
In October of 1948 in Edmonton, the Hawtins asked if I would preach and teach on “The Heavenly Choir”. Upon conclusion I was about to sit down, but was unable to do so because Ern Hawtin's arm held me to the pulpit. I looked at him inquiringly. “Do it,” he said. “Do what?” I asked. “Do whatever it takes right now to see God restore it.”
I asked the congregation of some 400 or so to sing the old chorus, "Hallelujah,” and then to launch out by faith in singing corporately in the Spirit. Within moments we listened together in amazement as hundreds of voices were played upon by the Lord in His Spirit, like an Aeolian Harp. It was staggering.
Several blocks away two businessmen heard it, for it was Indian Summer, and the windows of the Apostolic Lighthouse were open. They couldn't determine whether it was a choir, an organ, or both. So they followed the sound to the church, and both were converted!
This became one of the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of the 1948 Visitation. Some of the Scriptures I used to tell about this in Edmonton are listed at the top of this section.
Day Four. HIGH WORSHIP: AFRICAN-AMERICANS.
“They defeated him (satan) because of the Lamb's blood and because of the message of their witness. Even when facing death they did not cling to life" (CJB, Revelation 12:11).
God births meaningful songs out of times of great discouragement, poverty and persecution. Our African-American citizens have drunk this cup to the dregs. But from these times, God has birthed songs through them that have blessed the entire body of Christ. “Swing Low - Sweet Chariot - Coming to carry me home,” is one of these. Or remember the words that touch the cords of all hearts - “We shall overcome - We shall overcome - We shall overcome some day - O deep in my heart - I do believe - We shall overcome some day.”
If any one of these 12 Embryonic Revival principles can be identified with a particular nation or culture - our African-American friends can be identified with deep worship springing from the heart. My wife Marie and I pastored Baptist churches in the Chicago Metroplex from 1949 to 1962. Oftentimes when we felt the need of a lift, we slipped down into “Bronzeville” and attended a Black Baptist Church. I can still hear and remember them singing - “Sing - till the power of the Lord comes down.” And as they sang - sure enough - God graced them with His presence so strongly that many found their feed responding in spiritual dance!
Dr. E. Stanley Jones has set a wonderful Christian example in his attitude to all races, colors, nations and peoples. He found ALL precious in God's sight. Father and mother give body and soul to their offspring - but at the time of conception God imparts the spirit. All races share equally in this gracious gift - making us ONE in spirit. At the same time God has made of one blood all nations of the earth. We can all safely receive blood transfusions from any other race.
We thank God for the divergencies found among all races, colors, tongues and peoples - but we acknowledge that there is UNITY in diversity - as well as DIVERSITY in unity!
Thank God for both the deep and high worship contributions our African-American friends have given to the whole body of Christ!
Day Five. HIGH WORSHIP: SONG OF MOSES AND OF THE LAMB.
“Those defeating the beast, its image and the number of its name were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps which God had given them. … They were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb; 'Great and wonderful are the things you have done, ADONAI, God of heaven's armies (Amos 3:13, 4:13)! Just and true are your ways, king of the nations! … ADONAI, who will not fear and glorify your name? Because you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed” (CJB, Revelation 15:2b-4).
In this state, the soul of the believer can well sing the song with a wonderful harmony; God is doing the tuning within, having placed this one in the perfect order of His creation. He sings a twofold song, that of Moses which is a song of deliverance and that of the Lamb which is redemption's song. It is the more wonderful because those who sing it know how beneficial this redemption has been for them. Oh, if the mystery of redemption were well known (and the sacrifice of the Lamb), not a single Christian would be unwilling to die a thousand deaths.
Rack your brain by studying, get busy meditating as much as you please, you will not understand and know these great mysteries unless you count yourself as nothing.
An emptied soul receives such a pure knowledge of all that concerns God, of God Himself without study, with or without meditation; nothing is left to him. He gains with simplicity what others have learned so painfully. Ah, do not tire yourself studying as you do! Love, truly and purely, and you will learn more than in any other way.
But what is this song that these saints sing? If we are filled with all the words of it, we will easily notice the purity of their love, the eminence of their knowledge.
In the knowledge that is given them about the works of God, they say: Great and marvelous are your works, oh Lord. The outward and inward works of God are uncovered and manifested to them with an unimaginable delight. They see everywhere, and in everything, the attributes of His power and the grandeur of God. By what they see they are overwhelmed with joy.
Oh God, how wonderful Your ways! However, men are so blind that they wish to measure God's ways by their thought. All which they do not clearly understand with their mind is, therefore, impossible to them!
Oh, blindness and folly! Did not the apostle, admiring God's ways, say they were past finding out? His ways are “just and true,” for all is just and true in God's conduct.
The whole earth will be converted to Jesus Christ and united to Him. All nations shall come and worship Him. Happy are those who will live then.
The above notes are from “James, 1 John & Revelation” by Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717). She came from an unsettled childhood and loveless marriage to her controversial years of ministry in France, Switzerland and Savoy. What was it that motivated this noblewoman, keeping her faithful to her unpopular beliefs and causing her to rest joyfully in God's will - even in the shadow of dungeon walls?
Jeanne Guyon was a woman who understood the cost of the words: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
The influence of Jeanne Guyon has never wavered with the passing of centuries. Her writings have influenced movements such as the Moravians, the Quakers, the Methodists and the Little Flock. Three hundred years later she is still one of the most influential people in the lives of those who seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
In reading this book, you will notice that Jeanne Guyon presents a more inward, Christ-centered perspective than is usually found in our present-day concept of Christian commentaries.
Here is her commentary on the above three books as seen from the principles and dynamics of the deeper Christian life. This and some 15 other of her books and commentaries, most of them written in prison and dungeon - can be obtained from “The SeedSowers,” PO Box 3317, Jacksonville, FL 32206 -- www.seedsowers.com - call for a free catalog 800-228-2665
Day Six. HIGH WORSHIP: A NEW SONG.
“Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over times gone by; … I am doing something new; it's springing up - can't you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland. … The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I put water in the desert, rivers in the wasteland, for my chosen people to drink, … the people I formed for myself, SO THAT THEY WOULD PROCLAIM MY PRAISE” (CJB, Isaiah 43:18-21). “From there they went on to Be'er [well]; that is the well about which ADONAI said to Moses, 'Assemble the people, and I will give them water.' … Then Israel sang this song: 'Spring up, oh well! Sing to the well … sunk by the princes, dug by the people's leaders with the scepter, with their staffs” (Numbers 21:16-18).
Isaiah 43:18-21 was one of the Scriptures that attracted attention in 1948. Stanley Frodsham used it, but so too did the North Battleford brethren. Especially after the Edmonton Convention in October, this Bible portion seemed to express what many felt in their hearts the Spirit was saying to the churches.
In March of 1998, 50 years later, God quickened this same portion to my wife Marie, as we sensed His leading to start Congregation Beth Chesed in Tacoma. We sensed God saying, “I want a people united in Me in the spirit of Rees Howells and Madame Guyon. It is easy to quote verses such as Galatians 2:20 - but it is death to the self-life to turn individual and corporate lives over to Jesus to build His church according to Matthew 16:18-19. Some starting out with us in March left the following year because of this high cost. Pastor Tom Isenhart, our host with Puget Sound Christian Center, made it possible for us to obey the leading of the Lord, and prevent the flesh from taking over. Also because of Pastor Tom we have been able to send at least several thousand dollar a moth to Israel. Two of our ten interests are Christian Palestinians. God has promised to bless Ishmael as well as Isaac, and is doing so.
The same prophetic song that broke out in the time of Abraham and Isaac in the digging of wells, is also a factor in decreeing by the Spirit the goals of God, and seeing Him bring them to pass.
Day Seven. HIGH WORSHIP: A WARFARE SONG.
“The next morning, they rose early and went out into the Tekoa Desert. As they left, Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Trust in ADONAI your God, and you will be safe. Trust in his prophets, and you will succeed. … After consulting with the people, he appointed those who would sing to ADONAI and praise the splendor of his holiness as they went out ahead of the army, saying, Give thanks to ADONAI, for his grace continues forever” (2 Chronicles 20:20-21).
Pastor Joe McIntyre of the Seattle Metroplex has given a “Corporate Warfare Prayer” to the Body of Christ at large. But oftentimes that Warfare Prayer bursts forth into Warfare Song! In his day, Jehoshaphat King of Judah, sent singers forth ahead of the army, and God used their prophetic Warfare Song to defeat the united army of 3 nations arrayed against Israel!
In Washington, DC a group of black children in a church named “Evangel” - sang a song with 20 verses on this theme. They would sing, “The Battle is won by Praising the Lord.” A schoolteacher asked them if they didn't know any other songs. Their response was, “But teacher, the battle IS won by praising the Lord!”
Some time, read your Bible through, marking carefully each incident where Warfare Songs carried people through to victory.
CONCLUSION: The 12 Embryonic Revival Principles brought together in 1948 are not “either-or” - but “both-and.” Just as Israel needed all 12 tribes moving together under God in unity (including Benjamin in the book of Judges) - so the church in these latter days needs all 12 Embryonic Revival Principles emerging into Maturity - to protect this last day revival with parameters for the return of the King.
Judah is a high point in the midst of these 12 principles, yet it is but one of the 12. Master this and the other 11 - stand for their full maturity - and together we will experience Ezekiel's river with waters to swim in.
All 12 principles appear on our Website <2rbetter.org>, and much more is being added besides. God bless us each one as we cooperatively move under Him to realize the fullness of His purposes through us.