Brunstad Summer Conferences

The DKM Forum at Brunstad was opened during the conferences this past summer. It is a center where you can experience unbelievably interesting things such as 4D films, among other things. There visitors can become acquainted with the church’s history and the God-fearing men and women who have been a part of building it and making it into what it is today. One fairly young sister said, “I am not the same person after visiting the Forum.” She thought it was a stirring experience to visit this place, and she was definitely not the only one.

God’s Church

“And the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Eph. 5:31-32. Jesus’ longing is to be one flesh with the church. He shed His heart’s blood for us. The church was born on the cross, and each one who truly belongs to the church is crucified with Him. “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal. 5:24. He who does not live a crucified life can belong to God’s people, but he does not belong to the church of God.

In the church we enter into a cleansing by the blood of Jesus, being sanctified and conformed into the image of God’s Son. Those who truly belong to God’s church love God’s laws with their mind. They are bound to experience that they have indwelling sin, but they are in a constant cleansing so that the body of sin is gradually destroyed.

In Acts 20:28 we see that the church of God, which Jesus purchased with His own blood, must be shepherded. It must be shepherded so that no frivolous spirit or modern idolatry can enter in that can draw us away from the cross. It is not so much a question of doctrine, but a question of life. The life we live must be the basis of the authority in which we teach. Yes, we need to be filled with a holy seriousness so that we aren’t left with a doctrine that is only a form.

We need to be radically separate, as we read in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18: “Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” Then He will receive us as His church. So many people have had their spiritual vision corrupted by having fellowship with fleshly relatives and worldly friends because they have not taken the matter of separation seriously.

Not all those who come to our meetings and conferences belong to God’s church. However, through the light of the Word and the preaching everyone’s ear can be awakened. They have full opportunity to become members of the body of Christ—the church. We also read about the church in 1 Peter 2:9. It is a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy people. Everyone who belongs to this church proclaims the virtues of Christ by his life. They partake of the salvation of which the prophets prophesied: “Who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.” 1 Pet. 1:10-11. Now we must make use of this grace and not permit the spirit of worldliness and unbelief to enter the church. There must not be any duplicity in our life, as we can see from the example of Ananias and Sapphira who acted as if they had forsaken everything for the Lord’s sake but who secretly kept something for themselves.

In Ezekiel 43:12 we read that the whole area around the mountaintop shall be most holy. “Behold, this is the law of the temple.” The entire area for which we are responsible must be a most holy area, wholly dedicated to the Lord. Everything we say and do must be as unto Him. Then our life is truly a testimony to men.

“To Him be glory in the church . . . .” Eph. 3:21. Yes, we must view this matter seriously since because of the Fall we are by nature permeated with a desire to take the honor for ourselves. On the other hand, when we live a holy life before the Lord’s face, we are permeated by God’s good laws—by His wisdom. And thus the church is built on the rock; everything becomes firm as a rock and invincible. That is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. We must always support the truth, and whenever we pass judgment in a matter the judgment must always be absolutely just without respect of persons. The church is also called “the assembly of the upright,” and “the congregation of saints.” Ps. 111:1; Ps. 149:1. The church is crucified together with Christ. Yes, let us truly be “the church on the cross.” Then Paul’s testimony will also be our testimony: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me . . . .” Gal. 2:20.

Virtues of Christ=Wisdom

In Hebrews 2:10 Jesus’ work of salvation is described as follows: “Bringing many sons to glory . . . .” It is also written here that the way went through sufferings, but he main point of the message is that many were led to glory. What is this glory? It is the virtues of Christ. Even today He leads all those to glory who are willing to be saved and led. The intention is that His glory, His virtues, His divine nature is to radiate from us in life’s various situations. He wants to lead us to this glory.

The sum total of all the virtues of Christ is wisdom. We have no more wisdom than we have virtues in our personal life—our life in our family and in the church. Not many wise according to the flesh and not many noble are called. 1 Cor. 1:26. If these noble people are to partake of God’s wisdom, they would have to go down to “the lower parts of the earth.” The wise and learned rule in this world, but they cannot make peace in the world and quite often cannot do so even in their own family circumstances. They lack God’s glory, the virtues of Christ.

If we realize that we lack God’s wisdom in our home in raising the children, etc., then we should know that a lack of wisdom is a lack of the virtues of Christ. We need to be filled with mercy, goodness, gentleness, etc. Yet we can be so arrogant in our folly that we do not even listen to those whom God has placed in the church to help each one to attain to this wisdom. If we display such arrogance already in our youth, we will be fools in our old age. You, who are young, seek help from the brothers and sisters who have gone before you and have received wisdom—the virtues of Christ—in their lives.

The God of this world does his utmost to prevent the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ from shining on people. 2 Cor. 4:3-4. The minds of the unbelievers are blinded so that they would rather seek earthly things, i.e., money, the honor and adoration of men. Let us, on the other hand, pursue the virtues of Christ and receive wisdom in life to live to the glory of God.

God Keeps His Promises

In Hebrews 1:2 we read that God speaks to us by His Son who is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person. The Antichrist seeks to hide from the people the tremendous message with which Jesus came. This is the message of the greatest and most precious promises, that we can partake of the divine nature, of His glory and person. 2 Pet. 1:3-4. However, we really have reason to shout as the prophet Isaiah did in Chapter 53:1: “Who has believed our report?” Satan wants to hide these truths and these promises so that people will view them as unattainable—for their own personal lives.

For believers as well as unbelievers the Antichrist hides the fact that Jesus was tempted and yet overcame, that He was tried in all things like we are and thus can come to our aid when we are tempted so that we, too, can overcome. In Hebrews 2:16 we read that He does not give aid to angels, but to the seed of Abraham. He gives aid to those who are tempted. It shall succeed for you. No doubt about it! He sympathizes with our weaknesses. He knows how easily we are tempted. We find grace to help in time of need from Him, our heavenly High Priest and Mediator with the Father, so we can overcome! Heb. 4:14-16. Therefore we can safely lay hold of the hope that awaits us. God, who cannot lie, has promised! He keeps His promises. Heb. 6:17-20. After we have cleaned up our life and have received forgiveness for our sins, the fight of faith begins. We need to run this race with patience. Let us therefore bind the Word firmly to our mind in the hour of temptation, and we will experience that it will succeed for us.

Pursue sanctification. Heb. 12:14-17. In life’s various circumstances we must see to it that no bitter root grows up and defiles many. Esau is pointed out as an example of where a bitter root can lead. Bitterness can become so great that it takes up the entire place in a person’s heart and mind; it can even take up so much space that there is no room left for repentance. Then the person has ruined his entire life. We can see how important it is in the trials of life to surrender our soul with all its feelings and questions to the faithful Creator in doing good, as we are exhorted to do in 1 Peter 4:19. Our soul needs a Shepherd and Overseer, namely, the Lord.

In Zechariah 13:1 we read about an open fountain against sin and uncleanness. This fountain was opened by Jesus’ life and work. Now each one of us can draw from this fountain and become such a fountain himself. It is so edifying to read in Ezekiel 47 about the two rivers. V. 9. They were seen in the lowly place (underneath the threshold of the temple) and became deeper and deeper. There was life and blessing wherever they went. All this testifies to the grace and power we can receive to live a life to God’s glory. “A fountain of water springing up into everlasting life,” we read in John 4:14. There is no limit to what we can attain to.

It Has Been Granted to Us

Our calling is to live a life that is worthy of the bride of Christ, to make ourselves ready for the wedding of the Lamb. Rev. 19:7-8. We read that it was granted to her to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, “for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” It says, “To her it was granted.” At the same time it is a matter of the righteous acts of the saints.

Paul testifies that it was given to him to preach the gospel. Eph. 3:8. Salvation is a gift of God. We are saved by grace through faith; it is the gift of God. Eph. 2:8. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10. God has prepared them; everything is a gift. However, our responsibility is “that we should walk in them” after we have received the gift.

Many people know that they have to receive the forgiveness of sins as a gift. But we also need to have an interest in the works that He has prepared. God has prepared the works, but it is our responsibility to clothe ourselves in pure, bright, and shining linen by doing the works that have been prepared for us. We need humility to find these works, for we will not have a bridal garment to wear if we enter into other works than the ones that have been prepared for us.

When Paul says that it was given to him to preach the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ, it cost him something to enter into such a work. It cost him hard labor, imprisonment, nightwatches, etc. But in all these things the works were transformed into this fine and pure linen—a glorious bridal garment.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Col. 3:17. We can be tested, as Paul was, through tiredness and laborious work, but let us do everything in Jesus’ name and with thankfulness. In all these various circumstances we have opportunity to put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, etc. V. 12. This will become pure and bright and fine linen—the bridal garment. Yes, this is Christ’s garment of a servant. It is the righteous acts of the saints!

Let us put great emphasis on righteousness. “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness [unrighteousness]!” These will be the Lord’s words to those who have done good works in His name, but who nevertheless were not righteous. Matt. 7:22-23. Their unrighteousness was that they, in the midst of serving, did not understand to live the life of Christ; they did not put on the bridal garment.

A Better Hope

In Hebrews 13:21 we can see what the God of peace can do for us: “Make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.” Jesus is called our “High Priest of the good things to come.” He is the Mediator of a new covenant, our forerunner into the sanctuary where He found an eternal redemption. He went into heaven itself “now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Ch. 9:24. In Chapter 7:19 we read that a better hope was brought in. That is the hope of coming to perfection, which is the whole point of the new covenant, or as we read in Chapter 9:10, “the time of reformation.”

If we live under the law, which according to Chapter 7:18 is described as being weak and unprofitable, we will usually do the things we are supposed to do, although the mind is in earthly things. This is not the life of the bride of Jesus Christ. The bride of Christ runs to meet Him rejoicing.

The church is God’s field. All the labor is aimed at getting a good crop from this field. It is not the intention that this field should bear thistles and thorns. In this field spiritual sacrifices are brought that are acceptable to God. Here are some examples of these spiritual sacrifices: having joy and thankfulness in the sufferings, living for the others, being set free from all egotistical thoughts, sharing with the others, etc. All this is acceptable to God. The Lord knows that He has a field, the church, from which He expects spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to Him. Therefore let us work out our salvation. Our field must produce nothing but good.

Laws in God’s House

“Whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” Heb. 3:6. The church is the house, and each one of us must have a living interest in the laws that pertain to the house. Judging, criticizing, and backbiting are totally inconsistent with the laws of the house. The person who lives in these sins is not part of the house.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another . . . .” Rom. 12:10. These are the words of the Scriptures, and they are some of the laws of the house. Quite often there is a lack of saying good words to and about each other, a lack of honoring each other. Much evil will fall by the wayside if we have a living interest in honoring each other.

According to God’s Word, backbiters do not have a rightful place in the house, which is the church. If such people do not repent they are to be expelled together with fornicators, those who are covetous, and extortioners. These are the words of Scripture. 1 Cor. 5:9-13. Backbiting is to speak disparagingly about a fellowman who is not present. It can even happen that people speak mockingly. That is diametrically opposed to honoring each other or exhorting each other in love.

The older women in particular are seriously exhorted not to slander. See Titus 2:3, ff. The Scriptures describe those who live according to their lusts as being dead while they live. 1 Tim. 5:6. On the other hand, God-fearing women have the testimony of good works. They wash the saints’ feet. V. 10. All of us are on a journey and can, figuratively speaking, get “dirty feet.” Then it is blessed to be with such people who wash away what is not so good instead of adding more dirt.

In verse 13 we read about women who are “gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” The apostle Peter writes about being a busybody in other people’s matters. 1 Pet. 4:15. In this area all of us need to learn what is 1.) my business, 2.) other people’s business, and 3.) God’s business. If there is something that is not my business, it is not my concern, and I must desist from saying anything in the matter. Those who get involved in other people’s business and backbite others pollute the atmosphere and must be kept out of the house and the church. The woman is to adorn herself with a quiet and meek spirit. This is truly beautiful and in harmony with God’s laws for the house. “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Jas. 1:26. This is how important it is when it concerns the matter of the tongue. Just imagine having your entire life written off as “Useless” just because you did not bridle your tongue. Yes, all of us have a tremendous responsibility in this area, first and foremost in our homes, and then in our local churches. Read Psalm 101 and let us learn from David’s zeal against all guile and injustice. He is the one who said, “I will walk within my house with a perfect [innocent] heart.”

Our Forerunner’s Steps

If we were to sum up mankind’s sin with one word, it would have to be: “pride.” The source of evil can clearly be seen in the account that we read in Isaiah 14 where it says (among other things): “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven; . . . I will ascend above the height of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” “I will ascend.” Here we can see an example of what madness it is to exalt yourself, to want to be someone, to be visible, to seek to be someone of great importance, etc. All these things are the source of evil. Some people become total wrecks in their attempts to be more than what they actually are. Their secret pride is the cause of it.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:4 we read that the Antichrist “opposes and exalts himself.” Everyone who wants to follow Jesus will experience that he/she will be resisted and contradicted. This is how it is in the fallen world. The Fall is the reason why people either consciously or unconsciously seek to exalt themselves. Even the Preacher (in Ecclesiastes 4:4) points out that ambition is the root cause of much toil. Jesus testified that He is the light of the world. John 8:12. He became the light of the world on the way of humiliation. He is our forerunner on this way, and we will also become a light in this world if we follow Him. In Philippians 2 we read that He took upon Himself the form of a servant and humbled Himself, being obedient until death. It is impossible to be a light in the world without following Him, our forerunner, on this servant’s way. You can have a name of being zealous, but if you do not humble yourself in life’s situations, you are not a follower of Jesus. Our calling is to be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle. We receive spots and wrinkles if we do not cleanse ourselves when our conscience has been enlightened in one area or another. Let us always have Jesus, our forerunner, in mind and always humble ourselves on this blessed way of humiliation, which made Him the light of the world.

All the trials we have are opportunities God has given us to humble ourselves and be saved from our arrogance. In Philippians 2:13 we read, “For it is God who works in you.” He works in us to humble ourselves. Therefore we are, at the same time, exhorted to “do all things without murmuring and disputing.” V. 14. Jesus is our forerunner on this way, and if we follow Him we will be set free from that demonic power—pride—that has kept people in bondage from the day of the Fall. And then we can be a light in this world just as He was!

The Holy Spirit and Fire

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11. Fire indicates sufferings. He prunes every branch in Him that bears fruit, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2. This is done through sufferings. It will be difficult for us if we have any demands when the sufferings come, but if we desire to be cleansed to a deeper degree from our pride and our demands, then the fire is for our very best. We need the fire, and we need power to be able to endure the fire when pride is to be removed from our life. But if we seek the power of the Holy Spirit without wanting to enter into the fire, we will not experience any progress in our Christian life.

Job received the testimony that he was a blameless and just man. Yet it was not easy for this God-fearing man to understand God’s leading in his life. The fiery trials he had to endure were given to him to lead him into a deeper cleansing. “In order to conceal [eradicate] pride from man,” we read in Job 33:17. God opens our ears through tribulations. How else can we possibly come to a deeper cleansing if we do not exercise our ears more? We may have a good conscience but at the same time be totally blind to the hidden pride in our nature. We are not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us, as though some strange thing happened to us. No, the exhortation is that we should rather rejoice (1 Pet. 4:12-13), because now we are being cleansed so we can bear more fruit and thus become a greater blessing for our fellowman. If we have not experienced fiery trials, it can simply be that we are so conceited and self-righteous that the following word applies to us: He [the Lord] does not regard a conceited man. Job 37:24. Conceited people will not remain in the church.

Hold fast to the Word when the fire comes into your life. Hold fast to the Word when your human reasoning cannot follow along. Let yourself be saved! Then you will bear more and more fruit as time goes by.

Spirit, Power, Life, Glory

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? . . . You are the light of the world.” Matt. 5:13-14. In the natural when salt comes into contact with the earth, it loses is flavor. In a figurative sense, this is also true in the spiritual. Therefore the God-fearing—both young and old—are exhorted not to love the world, or the things that are in the world. 1 John 2:15. We must see to it that we keep the power, and even increase it.

In the parable of the Ten Virgins we see that five of them lacked oil in their vessels. They were also in the church, but they had lost their power. The word of the cross, which is the power of God, had not managed to do a more penetrating work in them. The religious masses are far from the power that is in the word of the cross. In 2 Timothy 3:5 we read about those who have an appearance of godliness, but deny its power. We lose power if we hear and know the Word, but are not obedient to it.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear [discouragement], but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim. 1:7. It is impossible to proclaim the glorious truths of the gospel in a spirit of discouragement. Jesus brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. V. 10. Life and immortality! This cannot be brought to light by means of a dry doctrine. We are constantly being renewed in our spirit by this life and this immortality. This enables us to be ready to do all good works and speak in season and out of season. Then we will also experience what we read in John 7:38: “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

“How will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?” 2 Cor. 3:8. Therefore it is vital that we drink of the Spirit that is in the Word. Let us not “drink letters,” but rather drink of the Spirit in which the Word is proclaimed in the church. Do not live in the world of letters, but in the world of the Spirit. The letter kills. The letter can kill family life as well as church life. Many people are not blessed in their work. They want to have a good conscience by slaving away under the letter, but their life is heavy, and they live under a dark cloud. However, he who lives in the Spirit that is in the Word in which God’s men speak is filled with living water. The result is spirit and life, as well as a good atmosphere, glory, and joy. We are being filled with the Spirit that was and is in holy men and women of God. All the heavy clouds will vanish, and we will receive power to do the works of the Lord wherever He has placed us.

Perfectly Joined Together

The church is built by the Spirit of revelation that was in the apostle Peter and in all of God’s men and women. The gates of Hades cannot prevail against it. And Paul exhorts us that we must be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Cor. 1:10.

The church, which is the body of Christ, consists of elect members who have their particular ministries. And the God of patience and comfort grants us to have one mind and one mouth. Rom. 15:5-6. This oneness results in tremendous power in which everyone finds his place and his appointed field of labor. See Romans 12:4, ff. All the members of the body of Christ are immeasurably valuable to each other, just like the members of the natural body. Therefore we must not consider our brothers and sisters as if they were only “grindstones.” The body is to be joined and knit together by what every joint supplies and shall grow up in all things—in all things—in all the virtues, up to Him who is the head, Christ. It shall grow and increase until we are without fault in holiness before His face.

Arild Tombre