August 30 - Heavenly Glory

 Read today’s texts first:  Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The Foursquare Gospel is based on a perfect Gospel: balanced, solid, steadfast and facing squarely
in every direction. 

On this day a few years ago we received news that Jan’s mom passed on to her reward in heaven. Helen McGaffin was saved and called to be a pastor, along with her husband, Bob, thanks to Bob’s sister, Ruby, who was influenced directly by Aimee Semple McPherson, the founder of the Foursquare Gospel Church. Many of their family members became ministers, pioneers in Foursquare, planting and pastoring churches in BC and Alberta.

 “Coincidentally,” both readings today feature similar visions by Ezekiel and John, who lived hundreds of years apart. They both beheld heaven’s glory, seeing “living creatures” with four distinct faces (10:14,15; 4:6-8). These images became the inspiration for the beginnings of the Foursquare movement. What follows is an excerpt from our history from the Foursquare website:

 The term “Foursquare Gospel” came about during an intense revival in the city of Oakland, Calif., in July 1922. To a crowd of thousands, Aimee Semple McPherson explained Ezekiel’s vision in the book of Ezekiel, chapter one. Ezekiel saw God revealed as a being with four different faces: a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. To Sister Aimee, those four faces were like the four phases of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the face of the man, she saw Jesus our Saviour. In the face of the lion, she saw Jesus the mighty Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and fire. In the face of the ox, she saw Jesus the Great Burden-Bearer, who took our infirmities and carried our sicknesses. In the face of the eagle, she saw Jesus the Coming King, who will return in power and victory for the church.”

“It was a perfect, complete Gospel. It was a Gospel that faces squarely in every direction; it was the “Foursquare Gospel.” The four symbols perhaps most identified with Foursquare today are the cross, cup, dove and crown which stand for Jesus the Savior, Jesus the Healer, Jesus the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus the Soon-Coming King, respectively.”

 The complete work of Jesus affects each one of us, as illustrated by the incredible life of my beautiful mother-in-law. She was dramatically rescued and turned around by her Saviour. The Great Physician kept her healthy and strong physically and spiritually for almost a century. I can still picture her bustling around Courtyard Terrace taking care of her family as we gathered to celebrate her 98th birthday. Her baptism in the Spirit led to her call into ministry late in life. My wife Jan was conveniently born on Easter break so Helen didn’t have to miss a class at LIFE Bible College. Now after 6 decades of devoted pastoral ministry, Helen has been born on eagle’s wings to be reunited with her husband, together with their King for eternity. “Lord, the inspiration of seeing You in Your glory continues on down to all of Helen’s family, including my own. Her hope is ours - and we can’t wait to join her and finally see You face to face!”