FIREBRAND OF GOD: by Karen A Roth

FIREBRAND OF GOD by Karen A Roth

The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. ~MARK 6:2-3

Jesus baffled the religious rulers of His day. They demanded to know the source of His power—by whose authority did He do miracles? Or, how can He forgive sins? Who does He think He is—God? Within themselves they called Him a blasphemer. But Jesus knew their thoughts and said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’” But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…”

Jesus turned His attention back to the paralytic and said, “’Arise, take up your bed and go to your house.’ And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitude saw it, they marveled and glorified God who had given such power to men.” ~MT 9:3-8

Unknown before He began His ministry, Jesus appeared on the scene as an ‘upstart’—one who suddenly rose into power. They’re amazed at the power of God in this young ‘upstart’ and questioned His credentials, saying, “Isn’t He the carpenter’s son?… Does anything good come out of Nazareth?” They berate Jesus because they’re unaware of prophesies indicating the appearance of an ‘upstart’ or ‘firebrand’ in scripture.

= FIREBRAND

In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a furnace of fire amongst wood, and as a firebrand amongst the hay: and they shall devour all the people round about, to the right hand, and to the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place in Jerusalem. ~ZC 12:6 DRB

In the years following their return from Babylonian captivity, Israel added a ritual to the Feast of Tabernacles. Torches were lit and set in the chambers of the temple and in the booths that the Jews erected for celebrating the feast. They celebrated what they didn’t fully understand—its significance would one day be replicated the Body of Christ.

Zechariah called Israel the ‘firebrand’ of God. The Old Testament reference to ‘FIREBRAND’ means—a piece of burning wood/torch, a person who creates unrest. Jesus spoke, “I came to send fire on the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled.” LK 12:49

Jesus fulfilled prophecy. He arrived as a ‘FIREBRAND’ or ‘UPSTART,’ declaring, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” He’s equating Himself to the ‘Pillar of Fire’ that guided them in the wilderness—a ‘TORCHBEARER’ still guiding us today.

= NEW TESTAMENT FIREBRAND

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ~Acts 2:1-4

God ignites the earth through His Firebrand. He set the Jews apart so that the rest of the nations might see Him working through them.

Evidence of His ‘FIREBRAND’ can be seen in the Upper Room on the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem: The disciples spoke in other languages as the Spirit of God gave evidence that they were in Him and manifesting the anointing of God in the Earth. They replicated the fire escaping from the altar of God and landing on them.

The disciples of Jesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. (MT 3:11) Each one became a burning torch of fire, ‘FIREBRAND’ or ‘UPSTART’ or ‘TORCHBEARER’ of a new message for a new age.

=MODERN DAY FIREBRAND

Charles Parham founded Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas with one textbook: The Bible. “Their concerted purpose,” said Parham, “was to learn the Bible not just in their heads but to have each thing in the Scriptures wrought out in their hearts.” It led to one concern— “when the baptism in the Holy Spirit came to the early disciples, the indisputable proof on each occasion was that they spoke with other tongues.”

Parham called a watch-night service on December 31, 1900. He assembled about 75 people. Just after midnight, Parham laid hands on a student and she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. From that moment forward “we all got past any begging or pleading,” said Parham, “we knew the blessing was ours.”

That New Year’s Day was the birth of the Great Revival that covered the globe. In 1905, people traveled to Azusa Street in California to see the phenomena. Many people called the fire dept. because they saw the roof on fire. The miraculous power of God happened in each meeting.

= CHRIST ANOINTING

In a heavenly vision, I saw the Angel of the LORD moving …clothed in brilliant/sparkling white with specks of golden color, like fire torches—but more ethereal than actual cloth. Asking for an allegory, God showed me an image of tongues of fire on heads from Acts 2:3.

The vision portrays us in Christ, as a ‘FIREBRAND’—the collective little torches lit with “tongues of fire” as the image of the Risen Christ. We manifest because we’re “in Christ.” It’s not local bodies or churches manifesting separately in the Earth, but rather—all those in Him participate and manifest collectively as the Body of Christ. Jesus manifests whether there is one or trillions in Him.

All those with the Christ Anointing replicate Jesus’ ministry—a ‘FIREBRAND,’ ‘UPSTART’ and ‘TORCHBEARER’ as the Risen Body of Christ.

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Karen Roth is the wife of Dr. Roger Roth Sr., and a ministry son of Dr. Mark Hanby. They are the set ministry of a local church in Northeastern Wisconsin, and oversee the Bloodline Network Newsletter. They consider it an honor to work with Dr. Hanby for many years, helping to oversee the ministry of Papa Mark’s extended family—”The Father’s Heart.”

Any questions or comments please contact them at rogerandkaren@live.com