ANOINTING TO FUNCTION;YOUR BEST IS YET TO COME

  PREAMBLE AND SYNOPSIS OF THE ANOINTING                                     

1.1 PRAGMATIC PREAMBLE

The major reason for failure in ministry, education, vocation, politics, etc. is simply because so many people embark on their assignments by ambition without the requisite Anointing {grace}.

The anointing is the principal thing you need to succeed in any sphere of life, for it is not by might, not by power, but by my spirit says the lord {Zechariah 4:6.}

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; …. Eccl 9:11 (KJV)

Elisha and Solomon knew that it was the anointing they needed for a successful ministry, as the opportunity came they asked for the anointing, by asking for double portion and wisdom respectively and not for wealth or fame, in contrary to what most of our new generation ministers and leaders would do today.

Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the courage to ask the blessings {anointing} of Heaven. -Lichtenberg

Seek God first and those thing you desire will seek you.

He  who  sacrifices His conscience  to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes.

1.2 Definition and Delineation of Anointing

Anointing (aleipho, chrio, myrizo) in the NT has two main aspects: aleipho is used of external, physical anointing, while chrio is employed in the higher sense of anointing by God. The former is used in Matthew 6:17 as a sign of joy, in Mark 6:13 and James 5:14 as a means of healing the sick, in Mark 16:1 as a service to the dead. In Luke 7:38 and chapter 46 it is an expression of a woman's love of Jesus and in John 11:2 and 12:3 the two functions of love and burial (12:7) are joined in Mary's anointing the feet of Jesus. The variant term myrizo, perfume, is used in Mark 14:8 in anticipation of Jesus' burial.

The more theological term chrio is the origin of the title Christ, which means Anointed One, a translation of the Hebrew mashiah or messiah, the title of God's agent in the time of his saving intervention. In Jesus' inaugural sermon (Luke 4:18) he cites Isaiah 61:1, "the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me". In Hebrews 1:9 another OT text (Ps 45:7) is cited in relation to Jesus as God's Son. Acts 4:27 and 10:38 refer to the anointing of Jesus as messiah. In II Corinthians 1:21 Paul refers to the anointing (RSV: commissioning) of Christians in a baptismal context along with other effects of baptism (v. 22). Similarly I John 2:20, 27 uses the noun chrisma to speak of the anointing which Christians receive, understood as the gift of the Spirit.

The word anointing can be best explained by experience than by definition because it may mean different things to different people, the preacher needs anointing to preach, the musician need anointing to sing, the   politician needs anointing to lead and administer, the scientist needs anointing to invent.etc. nevertheless one common factor is the  rear availability of the manifest presence of God.

I will try my best to describe what it is.

Anointing can be divine or demonic, but in this book I will concentrate on the  divine anointing. Thus:

1. Anointing is  the authentic approval of the almighty on a life, and  ministry.
2. Anointing is what maketh not ashamed in the ministry.
3. Anointing is what advertises the anointed.
4. Anointing is ministry without annoyance.
5. Anointing is the anchor for divine amour.
6. Anointing is the advantage for advancement.
7. Anointing is what makes you an actual ambassador.
8. Anointing is the advertisement for church attendance.
9. Anointing is what sets aside the anointed.
10. Anointing is what abolishes and alienates affliction.
11. Anointing is the accelerator of the assignment
12. Anointing is the attitude that attests your altitude
13. Anointing is what  annihilates the accuser.
14. Anointing is what avenges the adversary.
15. Anointing is the silencer of abuses.
16. Anointing is what  affirms the assignment of the 
17. Anointing is the visible manifestation of God’s presence and backing of a life, a work and a ministry.eg, Moses, Elijah, Jesus etc.
18. Anointing is the Grace to challenge difficult situation and succeed where others                eg. Daniel in the Lion’s Den, David and Goliath, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.1 Sam 17,,Dan;3&6,Benaiah, 2 Samuel 23;20-23
19. Anointing is what silence of insult.
20. Anointing is the grace to successfully embark on a difficult task despite      eg Joseph, Daniel etc.Gen,41,
21. Anointing is the Gift and expertise to do a thing excellently well without or with little training. Bezeleel EX;31;2.35;30,36;1
22. Anointing is the propeller to enthusiastically learn and study a course or craft with ease and come out excellently, The scripture says study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth 2 Tim 2:15 (KJV)

 The end and aim of all education is the development of character. –Parker

The world is in dreadful need of men who will have the courage of their own visions and who will recognize clearly that we are only at the beginning of the voyage, and have to learn an entirely new system of seamanship. -Van Loon

We are in a new age information and global transformation...We have no choice but to prepare for this new age in which the key to success will be the continuous education and development of the human mind and imagination. Bishop Dr.Prosper Ayawei

1. Anointing is the invoker of compassion and sympathy from the shepherd to the flock.

Next to love, sympathy is the divinest passion of the human heart. -Burke

There is sacredness in tears.  They are not the mark of weakness but of power.  They speak more eloquently than then thousand tongues.  They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, of unspeakable love. -Irving

Our sympathy is never very deep unless founded on our own feelings.  We pity, but do not enter into the grief that we have never felt. -Landon

There are none so tender as those who have been skinned themselves. -Spurgeon

We ought not to treat living creatures like shoes or household belongings, which when worn with use we throw away. –Plutarch

1. Anointing is the provocation to uphold justice for the Righteous .

 Justice renders to every one his due. -Cicero

 Justice is truth in action. -Disraeli

1. Anointing is the enabling grace and sudden strength to overcome temptation in an area of calling and assignment.

Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory. -Faber

 God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers. -Penn

 No one can ask honestly or hopefully to be delivered from temptation, unless he has himself honestly and firmly determined to do the best he can to keep out of it. -Ruskin

 No degree of temptation justifies any degree of sin. -Willis

1. Anointing is the inspiration to despise shame and bear the cross{TRIALS}

God has one Son without sin, but he never had a son without trial. -Spurgeon

 A trial is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith. -Henry

When life becomes all snarled up, offer it to our Lord and let Him untie the knots. -Book of Days for Christians

 The greatest affliction of life is never to be afflicted. -Anonymous

Not they who have studied much but they who have suffered much are the deliverers of mankind. -Anonymous

It is the crushed grape that gives out the blood-red wine: it is the suffering soul that breathes the sweetest melodies. -Hamilton

Sometimes God makes his people's troubles contribute to the increase of their greatness, and their sun shines the brighter for having been under a cloud. -Henry

There are no crown-wearers in heaven that were not cross-bearers here below.

-Spurgeon

As sure as God puts his children in the furnace, he will be in the furnace with them. -Spurgeon

Patience cannot remove, but it can always dignify and alleviate, misfortune. -Sterne

Great trials seem to be necessary preparation for great duties. -Thompson

Heb.12;2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {author: or, beginner}

Ps 110:1; Lu 24:26; Php 2:8; Heb 1:3,13; 8:1; 1Pe 1:11; 3:22

Job 8. 7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.Job 42:12

Zech 4; 9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth

‘Impossibilities vanish when the  anointed man and His God confront any mountain’{Robert Schuller}

1.3 The Yoke is broken by the anointing

Let me briefly explain what yoke is before concentrating on the anointing.

(1.) A yoke is an instrument fitted on the neck of  a pair of oxen for the purpose of binding to them the traces by which they might draw the plough, etc. (Num 19:2; Deut 21:3). It was a curved piece of wood called _'ol_.

(2.) In Jer 27:2; Jer 28:10, 12 The word in the Authorized Version rendered "yoke" is _motah_, which properly means a "staff," or as in the Revised Version, "bar."or hinderance

These words in the Hebrew are both used figuratively of severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection (Lev 26:13; 1Ki 12:4; Isa 47:6; Lam 1:14; Lam 3:27). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denote servitude (Mat 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal 5:1).

(3.) In 1Sa 11:7; 1Ki 19:21; Job 1:3 the word thus translated is _tzemed_, which signifies a pair, two oxen yoked or coupled together, 1Sa 14:14

And it shall come to pass on that day, that his burden shall be removed from upon your shoulder, and his yoke from upon your neck and the yoke shall be destroyed because of oil{fatness}. Isaiah 10:27:{ NKJV}

The NIV translates this passage as, "the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat." {growing in size and strength}.The context of this passage refers to the yoke of Sennacherib, and how his oppressive nature is overturned by  Hezekiah who was said to challenge his authority   with time by reason of growth as a oxen becomes of age  to break off any yoke..

Isaiah 10:27: 27. his burden--the Assyrians oppression (Isa 9:3). Judah was still paying tributary to Assyria; Hezekiah had not yet revolted, as he did in the beginning of Sennacherib's reign.     because of-- (Ho 10:15).

This is a figurative illustration from the Jewish cultural perspective, where a yoke in the neck of an oxen can break off naturally as the oxen grows in the size and strength and the oxen sets itself  by reason of growth ,if the yoker  was complacent in  not noticing the growth of the oxen and consequently removing the old one to put another yoke stronger and sizable with reference to the present size and strength of the oxen.

God expects us to grow to a appoint to break off any yoke of sickness, poverty, sin etc off our necks by reason of growth occasioned by the study and meditation on the word and prayer accompanied with  selfless surrender for the service of the kingdom.

Secondly it was a figurative use of the coming messiah, Jesus Christ

   The anointing--mainly, referred to the  fatness"; an image of the Assyrians fierce domination and control resisted and broken compared to a well fed bull  breaking off from the yoke by reason of fatness(De 32:15).  Isa 10:16  Isa 5:17, .

As  regards the ""Messiah" (Da 9:24). Just as in Isa 9:4-6, the "breaking of the yoke of" the enemies' "burden and staff" is attributed to Messiah, "For unto us a child is born,.

1.4 The Anointed one."

Mashîah?" Anointed one."{the oiled or fattened one} A word that is important both to Old Testament and New Testament understandings is the noun mashîah, which gives us the term messiah. As is true of the verb, mashîah? Implies an anointing for a special office or function. Thus, David refused to harm Saul because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (1 Sam. 24:6). The Psalms often express the messianic ideals attached to the Davidic line by using the phrase "the Lord's anointed" (Psa. 2:2; Psa. 18:50; Psa. 89:38, 51). Interestingly enough the only person named "messiah" in the Old Testament was Cyrus, the pagan king of Persia, who was commissioned by God to restore Judah to her homeland after the Exile (Isa. 45:1). The anointing in this instance was more figurative than literal, since Cyrus was not aware that he was being set apart for such a divine purpose.

The New Testament title of Christ is derived from the Greek Christos which is exactly equivalent to the Hebrew mashîah For it is also rooted in the idea of "to smear with oil." So the term Christ emphasizes the special anointing of Jesus of Nazareth for His role as God's chosen one.

 Matthew 1:1

Matthew 1:1

1.5 The Christ

Properly an adjective, not a noun, and meaning anointed (to anoint). It is a translation of the Hebrew Messiah, the king and spiritual ruler from David's race, promised under that name in the Old Testament (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25, 26). Hence Andrew says to Simon, "We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, Christ (John 1:41; compare Acts 4:27; 10:38; 19:28). To us "Christ "has become a proper name, and is therefore written without the definite article; but, in the body of the gospel narratives, since the identity of Jesus with the promised Messiah is still in question with the people, the article is habitually used, and the name should therefore be translated "the Christ." After the resurrection, when the recognition of Jesus as Messiah has become general, we find the word beginning to be used as a proper name, with or without the article. In this passage it omits the article, because it occurs in the heading of the chapter, and expresses the evangelist's own faith in Jesus as the Messiah.

Anointing was applied to kings (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1), to prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and to priests (Exodus 29:29; 40:15; Leviticus 16:32) at their inauguration. "The Lord's anointed" was a common title of the king (1 Samuel 12:3, 5; 2 Samuel 1:14, 16). Prophets are called "Messiahs," or anointed ones (1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15). Cyrus is also called "the Lord's Anointed," because called to the throne to deliver the Jews out of captivity (Isaiah 45:1). Hence the word" Christ" was representative of our Lord, who united in himself the offices of king, prophet, and priest.

It is interesting to see how anointing attaches to our Lord in other and minor particulars. Anointing was an act of hospitality and a sign of festivity and cheerfulness. Jesus was anointed by the woman when a guest in the house of Simon the Pharisee, and rebuked his host for omitting this mark of respect toward hint (Luke 7:35, 46). In the Epistle to the Hebrews (1:8, 9), the words of the Messianic psalm (45:7) are applied to Jesus, "God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

Anointing was practiced upon the sick (Mark 6:13; Luke 10:34; James 5:14). Jesus, "the Great Physician," is described by Isaiah (61:1, 2; compare Luke 4:18) as anointed by God to bind up the broken-hearted, and to give the mournful the oil of joy for mourning. He himself anointed the eyes of the blind man (John 9:6, 11); and the twelve, in his name, "anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them" (Mark 6:13).

Anointing was practiced upon the dead. Of her who brake the alabaster upon his head at Bethany, Jesus said, "She hath anointed my body afore hand for the burying" (Mark 14:8; see, also, Luke 23:56).

1.6 The need for Radical Change: From a Slave or child to a Son (Galatians 4:1–7)

This generation is waiting for sons of God{the anointed ones} not children of God.

 In John 1:12, the Bible says, but as many as received him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  (KJV)

As many as received him (hosoi elabon auton). An open cheque for all.

To them (autois). Exceptional privilege exclusive for only those who believe, depend, rely on him

The right (exousian). In John 5:27  exousian means authority but includes power (dunamis). Here it is more the notion of privilege or right.

To become (genesthai). to become what they were not before.

Sons of God (tekna theou). In the full spiritual sense, not as mere offspring of God true of all men (Acts 17:28). Paul's phrase huioi theou (Galatians 3:26) for believers, used also by Jesus of the pure in heart (Matthew 5:9), does not occur in John's Gospel (but in Rev. 21:7). It is possible that John prefers ta tekna tou theou for the spiritual sons of God whether Jew or Gentile (John 11:52) because of the community of nature (teknon from root tek-, to beget). But one cannot follow Westcott in insisting on "adoption" as Paul's reason for the use of huioi since Jesus uses huioi theou in Matthew 5:9. Clearly the idea of regeneration is involved here as in John 3:3.

Figuratively the name is used for those who are ignorant or narrow-minded (Mat 11:16; Luke 7:32; 1Co 13:11). "When I was a child, I spake as a child." "Brethren, be not children in understanding" (1Co 14:20). "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro" (Eph 4:14).

This process of growing from children of God to becoming sons of God is the determinant factor whether we will make impact in our generation or not.

 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 By much slothfulness the building{family, church, nation}  decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house{family, church, country}  droppeth through. Eccl 10:16-18 (KJV)

 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? Eccl 8:4 (KJV)

Where the word of a king is, giving orders to seize a man, there is power; there are many that will execute his orders, which makes the wrath of a king, or supreme government, like the roaring of a lion and like messengers of death. Who may say unto him, What doest thou? He that contradicts him does it at his peril. Kings will not bear to have their orders disputed, but expect they should be obeyed. —Matthew Henry Unabridged

In Gal 4:1-7 (NKJV)Now I say that the heir{to the throne}, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, thast we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal 4:1-7 (NKJV)

What is the scripture saying here is this, that as long as the child of the King who is the rightful heir to the throne is still a child {young}, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate and the throne. 2He is tutored and subject to the servants that should be serving him and going on errand for him until such a time he had fully grown and capable of taking the needed responsibility of the heir.

In Romans 8: 19-22, the Bible says, for the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (KJV)2Pe 3:13; 1Jo 3:2

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (KJV)Genesis 3:19; Ro 8:22

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 

Paul spoke of the corrupted, frustrated, abused and miserable creation {universe, the earth, trees, Waters. Air, Fire, Night and day, moon and stars, planets, Animals etc  earnestly and seriously waiting for the emergence ,revelation, the manifestation of the sons of God, who are the anointed ones bringing deliverance to themselves and entire creation.

Currently, however, the entire universe is in travail as if it were giving birth. As in childbirth, the pain is not meaningless but “carries with it the hope of the revelation of you as the hope of this generation.”Likewise, also heaven groans in waiting   for your manifestation to cap the final phase of our adoption—the redemption of our bodies and the creation.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you Romans 8:11 (NKJV).

{a }The Anointing of Sonship goes with awesome  authority, rights and privileges.

You can be the next generation Gods general,

Great men pay great price to become great and small men pay small price to remain small, greatness is not in stature but the price we are willing to pay

{b} The Mystery Of Child And Son

Is a mystery to note that both in Hebrew and Greek, Search, The word (child) is often used interchangeably with (son), but is never applied to Christ. (The First Epistle General of John on 1 John 3:1.) Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

While in there is commonly implied the passive or dependent relation of the children to the parents, fixes the thought on the person himself rather than on the dependence upon his parents. It suggests individuality rather than descent; or, if descent, mainly to bring out the fact that the son was worthy of his parent. Hence the word marks the filial relation as carrying with it privilege, dignity, and freedom, and is, therefore, the only appropriate term to express Christ's sonship. (See John 1:18; 3:16; Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:13, 15.) Through Christ the dignity of sons is bestowed on believers, so that the same word is appropriate to Christians, sons of God. (See Romans 8:14; 9:26; Galatians 3:26; 4:5, 6, 7.)

17  And if children, {sons} then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (KJV)

Act 14:22; 26:18; Galatians 4:7; Philippians 1:29; 2Ti 2:11-12

Ver.17. In these words the apostle describes a fourth illustrious branch of the happiness of believers, namely, a title to the future glory. and the authority, rights and privileges of sponsorship, for as the adoption of sons entitles us to that glory, so the disposition of sons fits and prepares us for it.  If children, then heirs, Rom 8:17. In earthly inheritances this rule does not hold, only the first-born are heirs; but the church is a church of first-born, for they are all heirs. Heaven is an inheritance that all the saints are heirs to. They do not come to it as purchasers by any merit or procurement of their own; but as heirs, purely by the act of God; for God makes heirs. The saints are heirs though in this world they are heirs under age; see Galatians 4:1-2. Their present state is a state of education and preparation for the inheritance. How comfortable should this be to all the children of God, how little so ever they have in possession, that, being heirs, they have enough in reversion! But the honour and happiness of an heir lie in the value and worth of that which he is heir to: we read of those that inherit the wind; and therefore we have here an abstract of the premises.

1. Heirs of God. The Lord himself is the portion of the saints' inheritance Ps 16:5, a goodly heritage, Ps 16:6. The saints are spiritual priests that have the Lord for their inheritance, Nu 18:20. The vision of God and the fruition of God make up the inheritance the saints are heirs to. God himself will be with them, and will be their God, Re 21:3.
2. Joint-heirs with Christ. Christ, as Mediator, is said to be the heir of all things Heb 1:2, and true believers, by virtue of their union with him, shall inherit all things, Rev 21:7. Those that now partake of the Spirit of Christ, as his brethren, shall, as his brethren, partake of his glory Josh 17:24 shall sit down with him upon his throne, Rev 3:21. Lord, what is man, that thou shouldest thus magnify him!  Now this future glory is further spoken of as the reward of present sufferings and as the accomplishment of present hopes.
3. As the reward of the saints' present sufferings; and it is a rich reward: If so be that we suffer with him Ro 8:17 or forasmuch as we suffer with him. The state of the church in this world always is, but was then especially, an afflicted state; to be a Christian was certainly to be a sufferer. Now, to comfort them in reference to those sufferings, he tells them that they suffered with Christ--for his sake, for his honour, and for the testimony of a good conscience, and should be glorified with him. Those that suffered with David in his persecuted state were advanced by him and with him when he came to the crown; see 2Ti 2:12. See the gains of suffering for Christ; though we may be losers for him, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end. This gospel is filled with the assurances of. Now, that suffering saints may have strong supports and consolations from their hopes of heaven, he holds the balance Ro 8:18, in a comparison between the two, which is observable.
4. In one scale he puts the sufferings of this present time. The sufferings of the saints are but sufferings of this present time, strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer than the present time 2Co 4:17), light affliction, and but for a moment. So that on the sufferings he writes tekel, weighed in the balance and found light.
5. In the other scale he puts the glory, and finds that a weight, an exceeding and eternal weight: Glory that shall be revealed. In our present state we come short, not only in the enjoyment, but in the knowledge of that glory 1Co 2:9; 1Jo 3:2: it shall be revealed. It surpasses all that we have yet seen and known: present vouchsafements are sweet and precious, very precious, very sweet; but there is something to come, something behind the curtain, that will outshine all. Shall be revealed in us; not only revealed to us, to be seen, but revealed in us, to be enjoyed. The kingdom of God is within you, and will be so to eternity.
6. He concludes the sufferings not worthy to be compared with the glory-- ouk axia prov thn doxan. They cannot merit that glory; and, if suffering for Christ will not merit, much less will doing. They should not at all deter and frighten us from the diligent and earnest pursuit of that glory. The sufferings are small and short, and concern the body only; but the glory is rich and great, and concerns the soul, and is eternal. This he reckons. I reckon-- logizomai. It is not a rash and sudden determination, but the product of a very serious and deliberate consideration. He had reasoned the case within himself, weighed the arguments on both sides, and thus at last resolves the point. O how vastly different is the sentence of the word from the sentiment of the world concerning the sufferings of this present time! I reckon, as an arithmetician that is balancing an account. He first sums up what is disbursed for Christ in the sufferings of this present time, and finds they come to very little; he then sums up what is secured to us by Christ in the glory that shall be revealed, and this he finds to be an infinite sum, transcending all conception, the disbursement abundantly made up and the losses infinitely countervailed. And who would be afraid then to suffer for Christ, who as he is before hand with us in suffering, so he will not be behind hand with us in recompense? Now Paul was as competent a judge of this point as ever any mere man was. He could reckon not by art only, but by experience; for he knew both.  He knew what the sufferings of this present time were; see 2Co 11:23-28.  He knew what the glory of heaven is; see 2Co 12:3-4.  And, upon the view of both, he gives this judgment here.  There is nothing like a believing view of the glory which shall be revealed to support and bear up the spirit under all the sufferings of this present time. The reproach of Christ appears riches to those who have respect to the recompense of reward, Heb 11:26.

(2.) That the creatures groan and travail in pain together under this vanity and corruption, Ro 8:22.  It is a figurative expression. Sin is a burden to the whole creation; the sin of the Jews, in crucifying Christ, set the earth a quaking under them. The idols were a burden to the weary beast, Isa 46:1.  There is a general outcry of the whole creation against the sin of man: the stone crieth out of the wall Hab 2:11, the land cries, Job 31:38.

De 7:6 , 1Sa 2:10 , 2Ki 9:6, 1Ch 29:5, Ps 23:5, Isa 61:1, Ezek 43:26, Lu 7:37,38, Ac 10:38, 2Co 1:21 , 1Pe 2:4

Isa 61:1   The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (KJV)

 Ps 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  (KJV)

Mt 1:16, Mt 16:16, Mt 14:61, John 1:41, John 4:25, Ac 10:36, Ac 17:3

1Ki 18:38; 1Ch 21: 29 1Ki 18:26; 1Co 11:4-5

1.7 The Birth of the new testament Church

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (KJV) Le 23:15; De 16:9; 19:9; Ac 1:14; 20:16

 ACTS 2

1. The descent of the Spirit upon the apostles, and those that were with them, on the day of Pentecost, Ac 2:1-4.
2. The various speculations which this occasioned among the people that were now met in Jerusalem from all parts, Ac 2:5-13

(1.) That it came suddenly, did not rise gradually, as common winds do, but was at the height immediately. It came sooner than they expected, and startled even those that were now together waiting, and probably employed in some religious exercises.

(2.) It was a sound from heaven, like a thunder-clap, Re 6:1.  God is said to bring the winds out of his treasuries (Ps 135:7), and to gather them in his hands, Pr 30:4. From him this sound came, like the voice of one crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord.

(3.) It was the sound of a wind, for the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind (Joh 3:8), thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes nor whither it goes. When the Spirit of life is to enter into the dry bones, the prophet is told to prophecy unto the wind: Come from the four winds, O breath, Ezek 37:9. And though it was not in the wind that the Lord came to Elijah, yet this prepared him to receive his discovery of himself in the still small voice, 1Ki 19:11-12. God's way is in the whirlwind and the storm (Na 1:3), and out of the whirlwind he spoke to Job.

(4.) It was a rushing mighty wind; it was strong and violent, and came not only with a great noise, but with great force, as if it would bear down all before it. This was to signify the powerful influences and operations of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men, and thereby upon the world, that they should be mighty through God, to the casting down of imaginations.

(5.) It filled not only the room, but all the house where they were sitting. Probably it alarmed the whole city, but, to show that it was supernatural, presently fixed upon that particular house: as some think the wind that was sent to arrest Jonah affected only the ship that he was in (Jon 1:4), and as the wise men's star stood over the house where the child was. This would direct the people who observed it whither to go to enquire the meaning of it. This wind filling the house would strike an awe upon the disciples, and help to put them into a very serious, reverent, and composed frame, for the receiving of the Holy Ghost. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make way for his comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind prepare the soul for its soft and gentle gales.

1. Here is a visible sign of the gift they were to receive. They saw cloven tongues, like as of fire (Ac 2:3), and it sat --ekayise, not they sat, those cloven tongues, but he, that is the Spirit (signified thereby), rested upon each of them, as he is said to rest upon the prophets of old.

"There was an appearance of something like flaming fire lighting on every one of them, which divided asunder, and so formed the resemblance of tongues, with that part of them that was next their heads divided or cloven."

The flame of a candle is somewhat like a tongue; and there is a meteor which naturalists call ignis lambens--a gentle flame, not a devouring fire but made a tremendous impact in there lives and church till date;

In the old testament the anointing was momentary but in the new testament , the anointing was residual, it your time to get the resident anointing, get it now your world awaits you.

1.8  Anointing, synonymous with the Blessing

Money is not the blessing, fame is not the blessing they are products of the blessing {anointing}, a man can be wealthy and be famous and may not have the blessing, but if you have the blessing, wealth and fame would eventually come because the blessing{anointing} of the lord maketh rich and addeth no sorrow.

You would not need to realize so lately that the riches and wealth you acquired were void of the blessing and that you needed the blessing to take you to the next level so that you can have endurable riches and fame.

May I ask you the question? The money, houses, and cars you have, were they by your own human intrigues and smartness or by the blessing? It is high time you seek the blessing which will certainly make rich in his time and that without sorrow.

So many funny things ministers of this generation do to make name or money, are not necessary, if we seek God through his word, in purity, prayers and fasting, We will surely have the blessing{anointing} for it is the anointing that breaks the yoke. Isaiah 10:27: and maketh rich without sorrow.

Many of us want to succeed and yet do not know how to succeed.

Success is defined to be an adequate and anointed  preparation meeting opportunity.

Another man defined it to be doing the right thing at the right time in the right place with the right people.

This implies, if you do the right thing at the right time in the wrong place with the right people you will fail. So right location or environment is needed.

Or if you embark upon the wrong assignment at the right time in the right place with the right people, you will still fail. You need to align yourself with the right calling and assignment.

A man can be called into a very difficult location where others are failing and yet can succeed, if he anointed and commissioned for that location for that assignment. 1 Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground, Isaiah 53:1-2 (NKJV)

12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. 13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. Gen 26:12-14 (NKJV)