Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. NKJV
I marvel at the impact one Scripture can have in our lives. Encapsulated in a few words are the wisdom and understanding we all need to carry on with our lives. I believe each of the aspiring overcomers, the remnant, the elect, want to walk in purity of intent. Purity is determined by Divine Intent. If Our Heavenly Father says it’s pure, it is certainly pure.
When Our Heavenly Father speaks to you, you can be sure HIS Divine Intent is behind those words. The problem arises when we make assumptions outside the Word spoken to us. Throughout Scripture, we read stories about men and women who are given a Word, add there own commentary to it, then fall into a ditch. The ditch is part of the corrective process in learning to understand the importance to be led by THE SPIRIT, not just an occasional “consult”. We must trust the fact that all things work together for them that Love Christ during our time in the ditch. Failure is part of the training regimen. It provides perspective when success or fruitfulness arrives. Observing how not to operate provides perspective on proper execution of your calling.
We do not know what impact or implications the Second Census will have on the big picture. Hopefully we will receive revelation and be able to observe the fruitfulness of the seeds planted. I do expect to see fruit and in several varieties. Those who gave extra coins displayed Love toward those who were in need. Those in need did not let pride keep them from participating. My assistant displayed exacting discipline in assuring all coins were properly accounted. My job was to complete the task as given, to cross the finish line.
Our Heavenly Father selected a subset of the aspiring overcomers to participate, not unlike Gideon’s 300, the 12 Disciples, or the 153 fish. Inclusion or exclusion from this Census did not change your gifts or your calling. It did not establish a club, elite organization, or exalt any individual. Those who participated simply responded to Our Heavenly Father’s Divine Intent. As a witness or confirmation, in HIS great Grace and Mercy, Our Heavenly Father chose a number as a confirmation that HIS Hand was in this Census. To be open about it, this was comforting to me. I didn’t select my childhood address of 532, my parents did. Our Heavenly Father encouraged me when this number ended up as the “official” tally at the lawful endpoint of the Census.
As we move toward purity of intent, the purification process is a requirement. The dross must be removed. In Psalm 12:6, we are given the formula. Silver represents redemption. To be acceptable as pure, it must go through the furnace (trials and testing) seven times. The number 76 is the factor bringing a person from Cursed Time (414) to Blessed Time (490): 414 + 76 = 490. Thus the process of becoming pure is associated with 532 (7×76).
If we are to “carry” the Word of THE LORD as one of the Elect, we must do so in a pure fashion. It must be above reproach and must be done with Love as the primary intent. As we are purified, we will see the intent behind all of creation. We will receive wisdom from Above and with wisdom, understanding. We will be able to minister with pure hearts, without any idols. One of most subtle idols is money. The moment that money is included in an act, men’s hearts are revealed. Conducting a Census without a coin would have been unlawful (See 2 Samuel 24). It appears that this Second Census included a theme of purification of the heart:
Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
How important is it to be purified? Our Heavenly Father spoke the following Scripture to me while on an airplane headed to Chicago in 1987 on a business trip:
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
It is still on HIS Mind and it is still on my mind. Think about it.