Revelation on Holiness and Authority. Holiness is a central tenet of the Gospel and means, literally, to be "pure" and "separated" or "cut off" from that which is profane. A holy one ('saint') therefore lives a pure life, is consecrated to God, and is separated from a worldly life-style. This is the calling of all New Covenant Christians. Authority is used inthe Scriptures in both a personal and an official way. The spiritual authority of a Christian is based on the Holy Spirit within him and is without external credentials like ordinations or certificates. Official authority concerns a Christian's position in the Church to which he belongs. The New Covenant Church is governed by the Priesthood which has authority over its members. But all come under the authority of Jesus Christ who has "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Mt.28: 18ff; Jn.17:2) [Oppsal, Oslo, Norway].

1. These things saith He who is holy, even He who hath the Key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth:

2. Holiness is My Name, saith the Lord, and holiness1 I desire of My people.

3. I, the Lord, have called the saints of the New Covenant in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people.

4. I am the Lord, and My glory I will not give unto another, whether in the likeness of the flesh or in the likeness of the Spirit.

5. Forget not thy first love, O Israel, or thou wilt fall, and thy voice shall be heard no more.

6. Ye are highly blessed, for I have laid many precious things upon you; see that ye do not go awhoring after the idols of the flesh.

7. Exalt no man, for man is as the fading flower that whithereth away.

8. Therefore remember thy humble2 station, O man, and exalt none save the Lord God of Israel.

9. Try those who call themselves after My Name, they who lie that they might get gain and the praises of men;

10. Hate that which is evil, and all the deeds of the Nicolaitans3 whose spiriteven now is abroad in the land and in the churches (Rev.2:6).

11. My Spirit is not of man but of Heaven. Therefore seek not My Spirit of {from} men.

12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that all authority4 is given unto Me, and whatsoever I do, I do without regard formen, or the leaders of men, or for churches, nations, and tongues.

13. Whosoever doeth My will is of Me and hath My authority, for I am in him, and he is in Me.

14. All authority is spiritual, for My Father is spiritual (Jn.4:24); and I am of the Father.

15. Therefore if any ask you, saying: By what authority do ye act in God's Name? Ye shall say unto them:

16. By what authority did the Son of God preach, and heal, and bring salvation to men? Was it of men or of God?

17. And ye shall say unto them: Have ye been obedient unto the commandments?

18. Have ye sought a Kingdom fashioned in Heaven or by the hands of men?

19. I [the Lord] am Authority, for I am the Author of Salvation;

20. He who hath the Son hath authority, and hath been saved, for he who hath the Son loveth the Son and obeyeth His commandments, and varieth not from the path of holiness, but is true.

21. He who is unrighteous hath no authority, having no power, but is as a reed in the wind that bendeth and break- eth.

22. Fear the words of no man, but fear God, for He is Omnipotent5 and Omniscient6, and hath power over all things.

23. One is thy God, and thou shalt love and serve Him all thy days, letting none stand between thee and Him.

24. I am the Mediator between man and the Father, and if any man setteth himself up as a mediator between man and God, he is antichrist, for one is your Mediator, even He who died for you, and is glorified.

25. Let the holy portion of thy heart be an oblation unto Me, and I shall make all of thee holy. Even so. Amen.