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 PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD - VOL. II

 

 

 

 

WHO SHOULD RESPOND?  

 

 

 

All through the Bible we run into the truth of a "remnant” who are willing to give themselves wholly to the Lord and not follow the ways of man. It is the "remnant" that God has used time and again to fulfill His purpose for a particular time and age. God told Elijah: "I have left me seven thousand inIsrael, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal.” (I Kings 19:18). Hezekiah's revival came through the "remnant" that escaped after the Assyrians had overrun both Israel and Judah up to the neck of Jerusalem . (II Chron. 30:6; Isa. 8:6-8). Only a "remnant" returned from Babylon to rebuild the "house of God." (Ezra. 2:64). There was the "remnant" in Jesus' day who remained faithful after many others had turned away. (John 6:66-69). Other illustrations could be given.

 

One of the most interesting "remnants" we find in the Bible is that of Gideon's 300 men. They were those who "re­mained" (remnant) out of 32,000 who were CALLED. Even so it is true that "Many are called but few are chosen." (Matt. 22:14). Gideon said: "Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return." So today many who have begun to see a glimpse of an end time glorious church which is going to overcome all the powers of the enemy and liberate the people of God, are turning back into the safety and security of their ways, tradi­tions and churches. There was no condemnation to those who turned back; they were just not qualified for what God wanted to do through Gideon's band. Then there was a TESTING at the water, where those who were drinking only to satisfy themselves, without being ALERT to be used, were told to go back to their homes. For God said: "Bring them down to the water and I will try them for you there (Judges 7:4). So God is now TESTING us to see if we are seeking the things of the Spirit (water) just to satisfy our own desires and needs, or whe­ther we are WATCHING for His purposes, ALERT to the enemy and EAGER to be used for His glory in this end time. Accord­ing to the pattern we are seeing a separating and sifting in this hour that a BODY (a Gideon company) may come forth to ful­fill all God's will and be used as a mighty instrument in His hand.

 

 

 

 


A MIGHTY MESSENGER AND A LITTLE BOOK

 

 

In Revelation 8:1-2 we read the following: "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trump­ets." Seven is the number of the church; therefore when the seventh seal is broken matters concerning the church are con­tacted. This is also shown by the fact that when the seventh seal was broken there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. All heaven standing in raptured silence at that which is about to be revealed concerning events which will lead up to the final setting of the stage for the "mystery of God" (concerning His church) to be consummated.

 

After six angels have sounded (recorded in chapters 8 and 9), all things are ready for the master stratagem to un­fold—for the "mystery of God" to be finished. So great is this final chapter in the age-long history of the church that a special "mighty angel" is dispatched from heaven to reveal the contents of a special "little book" (as recorded in Rev. 10:1-2). WHO is this mighty "angel "and WHAT is in this "little book?"

 

The Greek word for "angel "simply means a "messenger" and can refer to anyone of earth or heaven with a special mis­sion or message. When we read John's description of this mighty "angel" (messenger) in Rev. 10:1-3, we realize that none other than the LORD JESUS HIMSELF could be described thus.   It is HE, the Covenant (Rainbow) God, the mighty "messenger of the covenant" (Malachi 3:1) coming down to reveal to John the end-time message for the church.

 

 

[prophecy]

 

"Hear my words my people; listen to that which I make known to you in this hour. For am I not coming to you even now as a mighty messenger to REVEAL to you that which has been hidden for ages and generations? For even now I would reveal to those who have ears to hear that which I have prepared for my body in these end-times. Do you think that I will leave you without direction and knowledge of my purposes for you in this end-time? Do you think that I am un­able to choose special messengers through whom to reveal my message and my purpose for you at the consummation of all things? Hear my words . . . again I say, listen to that which I speak to you in this hour. For I now have a little book in my hands and I am making known the contents of this book to my specially chosen servants.

 

"And what [does it say]? It says this. My people, I am com­ing to you in an end-time message and purpose which shall be the consummation of all that I have prepared for you even for many generations and ages. And I will cause you to come into the fulness of that which I have prepared, even the ful­ness of that which I consummated on the cross when I poured out my life's blood for you, to confirm the everlasting COVE­NANT to you—even a covenant of perfection for my people; a covenant which embodies all the fulness of my glory and power for those who are especially prepared to receive. For I say to you that a few, yes a remnant, are going to be prepared to receive this end-time revelation and purpose which I am now making known. For it is too potent to be re­ceived except by a prepared company, even a "little flock" which shall receive the fulness of the covenant. For you shall walk in these last days in the fulness of that which I have prepared for you. For even now I am giving you a revelation of that which was sealed (ratified) and made available and ready when my life's blood flowed on Calvary. For is it not written that I spoke the words, ‘It is finished.' (John 19:30). What was finished? The fulness of my covenant was finished; even then fully wrought out for the full deliverance from all the power of the enemy, and the full entering in of all that I am ready and able to impart, including the abolishment of death. Yes, the full power to overcome all the works of the enemy, and the full glory prepared even from the foundation of the earth for those who are ready to receive and enter in.

 

"But is it now also written that they "limited the Holy One of Israel?' (Psalm 78:41). Am I not the "Holy One of Israel?" Am I not the one who spoke through the prophet Isaiah saying, "Consider that which I have done and understand' (Isa.41:20), and ‘is it not prepared for you' (lsa.64:4), says the Lord? But men have limited me. They have hard­ened their hearts to BELIEVE ALL; and thus have failed to fully appropriate all that I have made ready and sealed (rati­fied) on Calvary's cross. Yes, I say to you that all things were ready then. But where could I find a people who were ready—who were prepared to fully believe? Yes, none were found save those like Joshua and Caleb. (He that has ears let him hear! For even here I perceive that your ears are heavy and I cannot fully reveal to you at this time what this means; but you shall understand before too many days are past). But now I shall reveal as much as you are ready to receive. For the little book contains much for this day and time. But I must reveal it a little at a time, for even now many of you are as babes just weaned from the milk and are not ready for meat. Others will understand more of that which I speak. So let me prepare you and circumcise your hearts completely to receive this end-time message. For to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). For would you know the contents of this little book? Then prepare your hearts to receive. For little by little shall it be revealed to you as you are ready to receive.

 

"For even now I am preparing a people who shall fully possess the land prepared—who shall cross over Jordan's tide—who will laugh at the forces of the mighty descender; even he whose coming is with mighty signs and wonders, and whose working is like to the rushing waters of the Jordan. Consider this my people! For is it not written that the dragon will come as a mighty flood of death and destruction. And shall not that same dragon come against my people with a flood of lies and deceptions in this day (Rev. 12:15). But you shall not be overcome, for I will cause the waters to be damn­ed up while you cross over by my mighty hand to possess the land prepared for you. For truly this is a good land. And my people have wandered in the wilderness of spiritual deso­lation long enough. I say to you that the ‘forty of test­ing’ has been consummated and a second time my people are coming to the Promised Land. Even now I am preparing you to cross over in spiritual power. Listen and consider what I say to you. For the little book which I hold in my hands contains all the secrets and mysteries which I would have you to know in these days." (end of prophecy)

 

 

[commentary on Rev. 10:1-4]

 

Going back to our vision in Revelation Chap. 10, we see in verse 2 that the mighty messenger with the little book "set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the earth." Is it not written that he shall subdue all things under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25-28)? And are not we, the members of His Body, the feet—the last ones of this age (in time) to come into that Body. Even so shall the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Body, bruise Satan under the feet of His Body, and we are those feet. (Rom. 16:20).

 

In Daniel, the second chapter, we have the record of the image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream. In Dan­iel's interpretation of that dream, the feet of the image re­presented the last stage in history of the system which began with the head (Babylon). Even so, according to the same PATTERN, the church began with the HEAD (Jesus) and will be consummated IN TIME by the FEET. We, in this end time, are the feet of the Body who are going to bruise the Serpent. In Revelation, Chap. 13, we see a "beast" arising out of the "sea" (Rev. 13:1), and then a second "beast" arising out of the "earth" (Rev. 13:11). The "mighty messenger” of Rev. 10:2 sets His right foot on the "sea" and His left foot on the "earth." He is standing triumphantly over both that which would arise out of the "sea" and the "earth." And so shall the "feet" of His Body in these end-times triumph over the beast and his false system.

 

In Rev. 10:1, John says he saw the "angel's" feet as "pillars of fire." The Greek word for "pillar" here is the same word used in Rev. 3:12 where the "overcomer" is to be made a "pillar in the temple of my God." The same word is also used in Gal. 2:9, and 1 Tim. 3:15 in connection with the church. The Lord is going to make us "strong ones" in this day as "pillars" in His end-time "Temple" (Body), tested and refined in the fire.

 

In Rev. 10:3 the "mighty angel "cries with a loud voice as when a lion roars. Only the "lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5) could thus roar. It is not as a meek, sacrificial lamb, who is dumb (Isa. 53:7) before the shearers, as at His first coming, but as a roaring lion (KING of beasts) of the tribe of Judah (the ROYAL tribe). "And when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices." (Rev. 10:3). The "seven thunders" represent the church RESPONDING TO HIS CRY. It is even those in this hour who have ears to hear the Lion of the tribe of Judah now CALLING. The apostle John (who received and recorded this vision) IN TYPE repre­sents the end-time church. And was not John called a "son of thunder" (Mark 3:17). Even so shall the end-time "sons of thunder" HEAR the voice of the mighty messenger as He "roars" and shall RESPOND to the message of the "little book."

 

In Rev. 10:4 we read that when the "seven thunders" uttered their voices, John was about to write, and the voice from heaven said: "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not." WHY was not John permitted to write what he heard? Because the VOICE (mes­sage and ministry) of the Seven Thunders was RESERVED UN­TIL THIS END TIME. It is NOW being revealed. What John was told to "seal up" is NOW BEING MADE KNOWN. This parallels a word given to Daniel, the prophet, who was told to "seal up" his vision to the "time of the end." (Dan. 12:4).

 

 

[prophecy]

 

"Oh my people, have I not waited longingly for this hour, that I might reveal to you that which has been hidden? Is not this the hour that all history has waited for? Is this not that which was spoken of by the prophets, though they themselves understood it not? Oh my people, have you con­sidered the honor and glory accorded you to live in this hour and to partake in this end-time ministry? Oh that you might be awakened from your lethargy to behold the glory that has been prepared for this hour. Why will you say in your heart that the time is not yet? Why will you wait and not enter in with all of your heart and soul ? I say to you, NOW IS THE TIME TO SEEK ME WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, that I may speak to you in the inner chamber of your heart, and make known to you my counsel for this hour. Listen not to those who would seek to discourage you and blind you to that which I speak.

 

"Where are those who have the courage to STEP OUT on the waters of difficulty and testing and WALK TOWARD ME WITH FAITH, knowing that I am able to sustain and up­hold in this hour, so that you may walk triumphantly above the waters of tribulation and disturbance which shall try all men in this day. WALK, I say, fixing your gaze steadfastly on me, looking neither to the right nor to the left; looking neither to those around you nor to the turbulent waters which would seek to engulf you. For I say to you, that you will never make it to the end-time calling and awakening until you are willing by FAITH to step out of the boat of your pre­sent ease and security and INTO THE STREAM OF MY DI­VINE PURPOSE, letting not the waves of doubt and fear overcome you; neither letting those who prefer to stay in the boat deter you. But COME MY PEOPLE, for I will have those who dare to walk on the waters of that which has never been done before, and meet me as I come to you in power and glory in this day. Did they not see that it was a BODY walking on the water and not a spirit as they had suppos­ed? (Matt. 14:26). And did not Peter, in his BODY, walk on the waters? (Matt. 14:29). Even so my people, it is NOT just the spirit, but A BODY OF FLESH which shall be brouqht to me in this day, to do exploits above the waters of human confusion and distress. Are you not the BODY of Christ; are you not my flesh and my bones? (Ephes. 5:30). So shall you be one with me in this day; so shall we be joined to­gether ON THE WATERS, to go forth in this day, says the Lord. And so shall you be in the coming days, says the Lord, a BODY OF OVERCOMERS—those who have overcome all the emotional defilements of the watery recesses of the enemy and who are walking triumphantly in overcoming power." (end of prophecy)

 

 

[commentary on Rev. 10:5-10]

 

Going back to our vision in Revelation Chap. 10, we read in verses 5 and 6 that John sees the mighty messenger lift up his hand to heaven and "swore by him that lives for­ever and ever . . . that there should be time no longer." The Berkeley version translates it, "There shall be no further delay." That is, there would no longer be a time of delay or waiting for the CONTENTS of the little book to be revealed, for the "mystery of God" to be finished, and for the end-time church of the "seven thunders" to enter into her ministry. This is further indicated by the seventh verse which says: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants, the prophets.” The "mys­tery of God" is none other than the "mystery" revealed to Paul concerning the church (Ephes. 3:3-11) much of which has been veiled until this end-time.

 

This "veiling" is shown by Rebekah (The BRIDE of Isaac—a TYPE of the church) who was veiled until she was taken by Isaac into the tent (Gen. 24:63-65). Even so our Isaac (Christ) shall LIFT the veil (of mystery) from off His Bride as He comes to meet her. And then there shall be "mysteries" no longer as the Lord unfolds His purposes during the DAYS (plural) of the voice of the seventh trumpet, indicating that the seventh trumpet "blows" over a period of time, AFTER the mystery has begun to unfold. This is further indicated by the words "when he shall begin to sound." If the seventh angel begins to sound, then he must continue to sound for a period of time. The final blast of this seventh trumpet will see the fulfillment of I Cor. 15:51-52 and I Thess. 4:14-17, when the dead in Christ shall be raised and the living in Christ shall be chang­ed. The consummation of this sounding will be that recorded in Rev. 11:15 "And the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."

 

In Rev. 10:9-10, John is instructed to take the little book from the hand of the angel and "eat it up." The angel then said: "It shall make your belly bitter, but it shall be in your mouth sweet as honey." John obeys and "eats" the book. He then says: "It was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." Those who are willing to accept the call to this end-time revelation and ministry must be willing to accept the "bitter" with the "sweet." That which God is revealing is SO SWEET to the taste, as we "taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8). But the Lord must PROVE us, and the testings necess­ary for the perfecting of God's end-time remnant seem so bitter at times. But God must be certain that there will be no failures during the critical times just ahead. For the words to John AFTER he had "eaten" the little book were: "You must prophesy again before many peoples and nations, and tongues, and kings. HERE is the evidence that God's WORD will go forth during this end-time, during the "days of the voice of the seventh angel," once again with mighty power to all nations as at the beginning. For JOHN in this vision stands for the end-time "remnant "which shall "prophesy" be­fore many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

 

 

[sickness of Leland Earls: a prophetic type]

 

In connection with John's symbolic experience of "eat­ing" the "little book", let me share with you that which came to pass in my own experience AFTER I had received from the Lord and "ate" the end-time message and ministry which the Lord revealed to me from this "little book." I share this only because I believe the Lord WROUGHT OUT in my life a PATTERN to depict the condition of the church in these days, even as the ancient prophets enacted by life drama, PATTERNS (similitudes) to depict the condition of the people and God's dealings with them. In Hosea 12:10 we read these words: "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multi­plied visions, and used similitudes (patterns) by the ministry of the prophets."

 

Shortly after the Lord began to reveal to me this end-time message, and made known to me that I had been called to a ministry, I suddenly became very ill. For over a year I was down most of the time, and came very close to losing my life. If the Lord had not intervened I would not be alive to­day. The root of all my trouble was in my stomach. Before this I had never had any stomach trouble. But after I had "eaten" (received and assimilated into my life) what God had revealed to me, which was so "sweet" (wonderful), I went through the most "bitter" (trying) experience of my life. I AM NOT saying that everyone who receives this end-time mess­age must go through such an experience, although everyone will be tried in one way or another. But God chose to EN­ACT A PATTERN through my life that it might SPEAK to others.

 

The fact that my illness was from a stomach ailment was not known until after several months of progressively getting worse, even to the point of death. I was in four hospitals and had several medical doctors who were unable to correctly diagnose my trouble. It was finally discovered that my system was not producing the necessary hydrochloric acids so that my stomach could function properly, and without these acids in my stomach it was impossible for my body to assimilate the vitamins, minerals and proteins from the food.

 

In that which God allowed to happen to my physical body, we find many parallels in the church world today. I would like to compare the SYMPTOMS which my physical body experienced, with the CONDITIONS we find in the "body" of Christendom today. In the first place, my body was STARVING TO DEATH, in spite of the fact that I was constantly consuming more and more food. I was getting no nourishment from my food. The food was just fermenting in my stomach. I became what I call a "foodahollc." I wanted to eat all the time and I consumed enormous amounts of food, but it wasn't doing me any good. And here is the truth con­cerning most church people today: THEY ARE STARVING TO DEATH (spiritually), and what food is being fed to them is doing them very little good. There is a FAMINE IN THE LAND for that which will really nourish and build up. (Amos:8:11). Church people are consuming much, but it is not the true LIFE GIVING WORD of God. Generally speaking, the church world IS SICK NIGH TO DEATH! They are "spend­ing money for that which is not bread, and laboring for that which satisfles not." (Isaiah 55:2.)

 

 

[prophecy]

 

"My people, hear my words! Are not the acids in the stomach a type of my workings in your midst? Can you get nourishment from that which is not bread and from that which does not satisfy? I say to you, the workings of My Spirit are necessary for you to receive that which is life-giving. For am I not able to take that which is vital from my Word and cause it to be assimilated into your being, so that you shall receive that nourishment which you need? But why will you feed on that which is not my Word? Why will you seek that which you know will not satisfy your innermost being? I say to you, if you will not seek me wholly and let my Spirit vitalize that which you take into your system, you will find yourselves in a condition spiritually similar to that which is described herein. The workings of my Spirit are necessary. Otherwise you are taking only that which is dead, and which will do nothing to bring spiritual vitality to your innermost being. Therefore heed that which you are reading, for it is true to the pattern of that which is happening to my people today. For it is impossible in the present condition of the church world for me to work by my Spirit in such a way that my Word will give life and health and deliverance to all who are in need. Therefore, again I say . . . seek me and let me give you that which is necessary for you to live a spiritual life that is vital and full, says the Lord. " (end of prophecy).

 

 

[commentary on sickness continued]

 

In the second place, in this terrible condition I was get­ting fatter, but also progressively weaker. Yes, I was actu­ally gaining weight while starving. I came to the place where I had "pernicious anemia." Even so, there is a certain "fatness" evident in the church world today, but at the same time spiritual anemia and weakness. I was not only weak from lack of nourishment, but during the months of suffering I had experienced a complete nervous collapse. I was so completely devoid of nervous energy that at times I was un­able to utter a word; even to try to whisper was more than I could manage. In order to communicate to those who were caring for me, I would have to scrawl a few words on a piece of paper.

 

Do we not see a church world today almost completely devoid of real spiritual energy (power)? We have a picture in Rev. 3:17 of the "fatness" of today's church: "Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;" but the spiritual weakness and poverty is des­cribed by Jesus in these words: "and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." "Fat" (in material things and in self-sufficiency) but "weak" spiritually is certainly a general over-all picture of today's church.

 

Another strange phenomenon which occurred during my illness was the fact that everything I took into my stomach would turn to "gas." After eating or drinking, gas pressure would build up and I would "bloat" until at times I would al­most die. Water was my worst enemy. Even a little sip of water would turn my stomach into a raging inferno. Because of the gas pressure I had to stop drinking water altogether. For over two months I drank no water whatever. What liquid I got came through drinking vegetable juices. Does not the scripture teach that WATER is a type of the SPIRIT (John 7:37-39)? Even as my body could not take water, the church world, as a whole, cannot "take" the things of the Spirit. Try to put a little water of the Spirit in the church "bodies" (organizations) and "gas" pressures build up to where the sit­uation usually becomes intolerable.

 

After being in four hospitals and having the best medi­cal doctors available, and after undergoing all kinds of tests, I was only getting worse. What I say here is not meant to be a "broadside" against the medical profession, or in any way intimating that the doctors which treated me did not do their best. Neither does it mean that I do not appreciate their attempts to help me. The fact remains, however, that they did not get at the root of the trouble. I feel that in the pro­vidence of God their "eyes were blinded" that THAT which He purposed to portray might be fully wrought out. As a mat­ter of fact, I later found out that what they were prescribing was actually making me worse, and was just the opposite of what I needed.   

 

After being released from the hospital for the fourth time and getting progressively worse, the Lord finally led me to a man who found the trouble. After being in the finest hospitals available, with the most modern equipment and the best of doctors, the man who discovered my trouble and start­ed me on the road to recovery was a little-known physician in a small house, on a side street, in a small city. He took a test on my stomach and told me I had no acid. He gave me hydrochloric acid in tablet form to take when I ate. I was in such terrible condition by this time that if the Lord had not directly intervened I would never have lived, even though the diagnosis was correct. But at this point the PATTERN had been wrought out and God began to restore life and health.

 

WHAT does this tell us? The patient "Christendom" is sick. And WHERE is the answer? It is not in the modern church systems with their elaborate and imposing structures, their modern equipment, their highly organized programs, and their well-trained ministers and other professional help. As a whole, our modern "doctors" of divinity do not have the answer. Much which they are prescribing is only making the patient worse. By this I do not mean to imply that it is wrong to have a nice building and modern equipment, or that formal education and training are wrong in themselves. Such can be used for the glory of God. I am only saying that generally speaking THE PATTERN IS TRUE. Those to whom God is re­vealing the solution to today’s spiritual dilemma are usually small groups meeting in "out of the way" places in unimposing structures or in homes.

 

One final parallel. During the prolonged illness, my glands were seriously affected, especially the adrenal glands. My body could not function properly because these glands were not functioning properly. The adrenal glands are a part of the "endocrine" system of which there are five main glands. These glands regulate all the functions of the body, and their proper functioning is absolutely essential to the health and vigor of the body. The Lord is showing us in these days that it is impossible for the "Body of Christ" to function properly unless the five ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are restored to their proper place in the Body. These ministries, functioning as God has ordained, are necessary "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Ephes. 4:12-13).

 

I feel led at this point to add a word of caution lest some jump to unwarranted conclusions because of what I have written concerning my experience. The Lord could have healed me miraculously without any medical help if He had chosen to. He could have used the medical doctors with their modern equipment and techniques. I have no quarrel with any of these things. I think it is wonderful that the Lord has revealed so many things in this day in the realm of medical science What I have written does not mean that we should be for or against any thing just because of an experience. I would not use what happened in this particular experience as a basis to determine what I would do in some future exper­ience of illness.

 

On one particular occasion Jeremiah had to make and wear a "yoke" (Jer. 27:2) on his neck to portray a truth to the people of his day, concerning the coming Babylonian "yoke" to which they were to submit. But that does not mean he had to wear it all his life, that everyone else had to go around wearing them, or that the use of a yoke was not right in its proper place. Ezekiel had to be bound and had to lay on his side for many days, and had to eat his food weighed out in certain portions (Ezek. Chap. 4), again to portray a truth for his day and to his people. But this does not mean that others were to go through such an experience. Even so God chose to portray through me, by physical means, that which would speak of today's spiritual condition among his people. Let us take it for that and nothing more.

 

There are other factors in my experience which also portray important lessons, but the Lord has not given me lib­erty to share these at the present time. At the proper time I will share the experiences of the final stages of my illness and the unusual way in which I was raised up for good. Beloved, the Lord has caused some of us to go through much that you might be TAUGHT, and that you might be LIBERA­TED from that which has bound you INTO the glorious pur­pose and ministry which the Lord has for His church in these last days. Do you have ears to hear?

 

[Ed. note: for a larger description of the physical ordeal through which Brother Earls passed, please see his biographical article called “A New and Living Way.”]


 

 

SET IN BATTLE ARRAY

 

 

[prophecy]

 

 

"Gather my saints together, says the Lord, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. (Psalm 50:5). I say to you, the gathering is drawing near; and I will take out from the midst of my people a company of consecrated ones who have made a covenant with me to forsake all and follow after me. Yes, they have followed me as stated in Revelation 14:4, for wheresoever I have led them, they have gone. And they have heeded my Word, and have followed my way, and have not contaminated themselves, says the Lord. Therefore, says God, I will redeem them from the earth into a ministry on the other side of the veil, even as I shall redeem a company on the earthly side of the veil who shall be loosed into a ministry and into a battle for me in this last day, says the Lord. For they shall not be limited by that which they have known before; neither shall they be limited by the weak­nesses and inabilities they have known before. For they shall be strong ones in the Lord to go forth with mighty power in this day. Yes, they shall be redeemed, liberated, into an end-time ministry of power, says the Lord. And those I am gathering to myself as one man (Body) shall go forth to do exploits in my name.

 

"Those that I shall gather to myself to be taken out of the earth, even as a firstfruits to their God (Rev. 14:4), shall also be liberated into a ministry and into a battle. For do you think I am to take them out just so they can have a time of ease and waiting. I say not! For they are redeemed from among men so that they may be fully liberated from all the limitations of the flesh in a battle which is taking place on the other side. For this is the standard that I shall raise up to my people when the enemy shall come in like a flood (Isa. 59:19). It shall be a standard of glorified ones who shall be used in the battle on the other side of Jordan, even in the realms of the Spirit, to bind and cast down to the earth the Satanic forces which dwell in the upper realms. I say, they shall be cast down (Rev. 12:10) and they shall be bound. And who shall do the binding? I say to you, my glorified ones shall bind the power of the enemy. Even so shall they be used mightily in the battle of the great day of Almighty God as the enemy seeks to send out a flood to con­sume my people on the earth (Rev. 12:15). But is it not writ­ten that the earth helped the woman in the wilderness? (Rev. 12:16). And who shall be in control of the elements of the earth at that time, that all of the forces of nature will be used to help those that are under the attack of the enemy? Yes, I say to you, those glorified saints, even that firstfruits company, shall be in charge. They shall have entered into the first stages of that which shall eventually be an absolute mastery over all the elements of the earth.

 

"So my people, listen! How shall I raise up a standard and protect you against the enemies' flood? I will take out of your midst 144,000 of the choicest of my people, even those who have been faithful and have been perfected by me. And they shall be loosed away into that power and ministry awaiting them. For they have been faithful and they have walked with their God; and so like Enoch, they shall be tak­en, says the Lord. They shall be caught up to my throne (Rev. 12:5), and there they shall be invested with power to do only that which a tested and tried people can do, even those who have overcome in the flesh all the wiles of the enemy. Having overcome the enemy in the flesh, they shall be used to overcome him in his own realm and drive him out even to its borders, where he shall be hemmed in. Then as a roaring lion shall he go forth to consume and destroy on the earth. But those I have raised up to me, and have been glorified by me, shall then be used to stem the tide of ang­uish and destruction which he would bring against my people yet on the earth. For a mighty chain shall be used to bind the power of the enemy, and that chain which I will gradually ensnare him in and bind him with, is none other than the might and power which my glorified ones shall have. And then shall the battle rage in its fury as the maddened demons of the nether world see their domain being stripped from them, and the chains of bondage being wrapped about them. And in great fury shall they make their stand in that day, says the Lord.

 

"So you see, says the Lord, in that day of the battle of the Lord God Almighty, I will have two companies: even the one on one side and the other on the other side of Jordan. One on the west, corresponding to my glorified ones, even the firstfruits, who will be battling the enemy into submiss­ion in his own realm; and one on the east side of Jordan, which corresponds to my anointed company of overcomers who will still be on the earth. They too shall be given great power over the enemy to drive him out of the realms where he has operated heretofore, and they shall be helped greatly by that Standard which I have raised up, even my glorified saints, to myself.

 

"And shall I not be in that day as a wise military strate­gist who puts the enemy in a vise, even into a giant pincers movement, that I may crush him in between the two—one operating from the earthly and the other operating from the heavenly? Even so shall the enemy be overcome and defeat­ed in the battle of that day, says the Lord.

 

"And did I not portray this in my temple of old, even Solomon's temple, says the Lord? For out in front of the temple I placed two mighty pillars—even pillars of brass, re­fined in the fires. So do these pillars represent those who shall be pillars in my end-time temple (Rev. 3:12), one on the one side (of Jordan) and one on the other (symbolically speaking). For the first was Jachin (1 Kings 7:21), and I will establish in power those I raise up to myself, and they shall be used to establish the Kingdom in power. And then I shall raise up Boaz (1 Kings 7:21), even those who have been left on the earth, and they also shall minister in power in that realm which shall be committed to them. Even so shall my purpose be accomplished, that THAT which I have ordained by pattern be fulfilled in this day, says the Lord. Now you understand why I must remove some from your midst, for the battle array must be set in order and prepared; and then shall I consummate all things even as I have determined from the beginning, says the Lord.

 

"Are you ready, says God? Are you ready to be used in the battle of the great day of God Almighty? I say, you shall be used if you will let me equip you now with my armor, and let me train you in my ways of warfare and if, like a good soldier, you will obey me implicitly; for this is what I demand of those who will be used of me to rout the enemy in these last days, says the Lord." (end of prophecy).

 

 

[commentary]

 

The foregoing prophecy began with the statement from Psalm 50:5, that the Lord is gathering together His saints, even those who have made with Him a covenant by sacrifice. This gathering is two-fold. First, it is a gathering together into one the end-time Body of Christ, which is going to go forth on this earth to do exploits in His Name. Secondly, it Is the gathering, or taking out, of the firstfruits company just before the time of Great Tribulation. To each it is a "redemption" of a kind. To the "firstfrults," it is a "loosing" from the earth­ly into the heavenly realm for a ministry and a battle "on the other side." To that Body being joined together on the earth, it is a "loosing" from certain limitations, weaknesses and in­abilities, into a ministry of power. In either case it can be said that we are to "look up, and lift up our heads; for our redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28).

 

Jesus speaks in John 6:40, 44, 54, of those who are to be "raised up" in the "last day." We usually take this to mean the resurrection of the dead. Certainly the thought of the resurrection is included, but we need not limit the mean­ing to this. There is a "raising up" from the earthly to the heavenly realm without the experience of death, even a translation or change from the physical to the "glorified" body. Such will be the experience of the firstfruits before the tribulation, because the Lord has a work for them to do on the "other side." Translating them into the "heavenly" is a part of His strategy and battle plan. They are that STANDARD spoken of in Isa. 59:19 which shall be "raised up" at the cru­cial moment when the enemy begins to come in like a flood. And from their vantage in the heaven lies (Satan's own realm), and with the newfound powers of their "glorified bodies," they shall be able to "strike a death blow" to the forces of Satan. At the same time the Lord will empower His end-time Body still on the earth to go forth and "press the battle" from this side of the veil. And great victories will be won for the Lord because we will have the help and protection of the "glorified ones" on the other side.

 

These two end-time groups are symbolized by the two great pillars which stood in front of Solomon's temple. We read about them in the 7th chapter of I Kings. They were cast out of brass. This reminds us of John's vision as recorded in Revelation, Chap. 1, where he sees "one like to the Son of man "whose feet were like to fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace." Also, the feet of the "mighty messeng­er" of Rev. 10:1, were seen by John as "pillars of fire." And those who "overcome" are to be made "a pillar in the temple of my God." (Rev. 3:12). "Brass" is a type of the physical or "fleshly" nature of man. Thus we see the picture of the purging, refining, and transmuting of the base characteristics of our "carnal nature" so that they might be cast into the image of Jesus Christ.

 

Reading the 7th chapter of I Kings, we notice that these two pillars were ornamented in a certain way. This ornamentation pictures that adornment and beautification with which the end-time Body of Christ shall be graced—the beauty of holiness, godliness, humility, glory, victory, boldness, overcoming power, etc. For it will be a "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephes. 5:27). We also see that on each "pillar" were hung the semblance of "pomegranates"—200 on each pillar. Even so, does this picture the fruitfulness which shall be brought forth by those who are "pillars" in the end-time church. The 200 on each pillar shows that separation (2 = division, discernment and screening) has done its complete work, reaching into the placement of SPIRIT. Are you willing to let the Lord make you "a pillar" in His end-time temple?

 

 

 


HIS WAYS UNTO MOSES

 

 

In Psalm 103:7 we read these words: "He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel." Notice the difference! His "acts" were made known to the entire nation; but His "ways" only to Moses. His "acts" were His mighty deeds—signs and wonders wrought by His mighty power. All the people of Israel saw the miracles which God performed for their deliverance and preservation. They saw the Red Sea rolled back for them to cross over; they saw the Egyptians destroyed by a mighty act of God; they saw the miraculous cloud which led them by day and the fiery pillar by night; they saw the heavenly manna provided for their sus­tenance, and they beheld the water surge forth from the rock by the mighty hand of God. These and other "acts" they constantly beheld as God performed mighty miracles in their midst. But ONLY MOSES ascended the "mount of God" to have made known to him the "ways" of God—the "ways" in which God wanted the people to WALK, in obedience to His Word, that they might be prepared for that which God wanted to do THROUGH them according to His foreordained purpose. His "acts" the people beheld, that their needs might be met, and that their faith might be quickened, as they realized their mighty God and Savior was in their midst. But His "ways" they had to learn. And God had to have a man to whom He could reveal His Ways, and that man was Moses. Moses, thereafter, made known God's Ways to the people. But the tragedy of the situation was simply this: the people were constantly clamoring for a demonstration of the mighty "acts" of God, but they did not want to learn His "ways."

 

How much Christian people are like this today! Multi­tudes are willing to seek after the "acts" of God, but only a few (a Moses company) are willing to fully learn His "ways." This does not mean that His "acts" are not important, but we should be primarily concerned with His "ways." In Psalm 77:11-13 we read: "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate also of all your work, and talk of your doings. Your way, O God is in your sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?" We are to remember and talk of all his doings (acts), but His WAY is in the sanctuary. The Hebrew word translated "sanctuary" means a "separation "or a "separated place." In the Old Testa­ment the "sanctuary" was the tabernacle or the temple built by command of God as a separated place where the priests ministered to the Lord on behalf of the people, and where the "presence" of the Lord was manifested that He might speak to His specially chosen servants, Moses and Aaron. In the New Testament the "sanctuary" is a separated people, the very Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 3:16, 6:19; Ephes. 2:20-22); a royal priesthood that ministers to God (I Peter 2:5,9), and to whom God speaks and makes known His ways.

 

"Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary." This means two things. First, the sanctuary (tabernacle) built by Moses in the wilderness is actually a divinely ordained picture or pattern (in symbols of materials, structure, measurements, and objects) of GOD'S WAYS for His people. (This is too great a subject to go into at the present time and is beyond the scope of this article.) Secondly, it means that HIS WAYS are being made known TO and revealed THROUGH that "sanctuary" or "separated people" He is calling to Him­self in these last days—a people who are willing to learn His ways.

 

 

[prophecy]

 

"Oh my people, are you willing to learn my ways, says God. How long have I waited for a people who will give themselves wholly to me, that I might teach them to walk in that which I have foreordained for this hour. For I say to you, that even before the foundation of the world I de­termined that a people should show forth my glory in these last times, even that which is the consummation of many ages and generations. But my people, how much are you willing to give yourselves to me that I might teach you my ways? Are you just Interested in beholding my wonders, of seeking after signs, and in rejoicing only in that which I can do for you? Are you not rather willing to be an instrument in my hand, that I might show forth my glory to this world? I say, if you are willing to learn my ways; if you are willing to subject yourselves to me and to one another in the body of Christ; if you are willing to take my Word and study that which I have revealed through my servants of the past; if you are willing to forget your ways and seek my face; then, and only then, shall you become my sanctuary—even that body in which my ways shall be made known, says the Lord. For is it not written that my ways are not your ways and my thou­ghts are not your thoughts? (Isa. 55:8). Why will you then continue to insist on following your ways? Are not my ways, which are high as the heavens, revealed only to those whose minds are set on the heavens, to do that which has been revealed from heaven? And is not that voice from heaven heard only by that Spirit which has come from heaven to show my ways? Listen then to His voice, for He will show you my ways and glorify me in your midst says the Lord. Why will you then seek only after signs and wonders and not seek ME, says your God. For did I not say that I AM your way, your truth, and your life? (John 14:6). Am I not He that revealed myself of old to Moses my chosen, even as I spoke to Him on the mount? And do I not call you to my "holy mount" in these last days, that I might speak to you as it were "face to face", and to speak to you concerning my ways? Listen to my voice, for I will speak to you once, yes twice, but if you are not willing to hear, will I continue to speak to you says the Lord? Must I "badger" and "buffet" in order to get you to listen? Will I "bargain" with you and "beg" you says the Lord? I say "nay"—I will not! But I speak to those who have ears to hear and hearts to receive, and I will call you to myself even as I called Moses to my mount; and I will deal with you to bring you into my way, that you may be a witness to my people in this day, says the Lord." (end of prophecy).

 

 

[commentary]

 

Again, let me quote Psalm 77:13, "Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary." During the forty days that Moses spent with the Lord in the mount, the Lord revealed to him the de­tails for the building of the sanctuary (tabernacle). The Lord then admonished Moses: "And look that you make them after their pattern, which was showed you in the mount." (Ex. 25:40). In contrast to this temporal tabernacle which served the Israelites in the wilderness, in Heb. 8:2 we have reference to "the sanctuary" and "the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." This true (real) sanctuary or tabernacle is the church, which the Lord Jesus said He would build (Matt. 16:18). The temporary tabernacle in the wilderness was but a TYPE of the real and permanent.

 

Now the question is simply this: Is it not foolish to think that God would be so meticulous about detailing the PATTERN for a temporary tabernacle in the wilderness made out of perishable materials, and yet fail to give a PATTERN for the reality of which it was a type, even the true taber­nacle (church) which the Lord Jesus is building? And yet most Christians fail to realize that there is a DIVINE PATT­ERN and ORDER for the church given in the New Testament. After Moses had made all things "according to the pattern," the tabernacle was erected and everything was "set" in its proper order. We read of this in Exodus Chap. 40. Notice God's instructions to Moses: "And you shall put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the veil. And you shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order on it; and you shall bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. And you shall set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testi­mony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle, And you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And you shall set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shall put water there." (Ex. 40:3-7). Not­ice that everything had to be brought in and "set” in the pro­per place as God commanded. Beginning with Verse 19 of this chapter we see how Moses carries out God's instructions. The phrase "as the Lord commanded Moses" is used seven times in the rest of the chapter showing Moses’ obedience. Following this we read: "So Moses finished the work. Then a cloud cov­ered the tent of the congregation and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode there­on, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."  (Ex. 40:34-35). Of this I am convinced: the glory of the Lord would never have filled that tabernacle, if Moses had not made all things "according to the pattern," and if he had not "set" every article in its proper place according to God's divine order. How much more important is it that the "true tabernacle" (the church) be "set" in "divine order" by our Moses (Jesus) that it might be filled with the glory of God.

 

The "glory" of God is the "presence and power of God in the midst of His people"—manifested in one way or anoth­er. In the Old Testament His "glory" is primarily associated with the visible "glory cloud" which filled the tabernacle, and which led the Israelites through the wilderness. In the New Testament the "glory" of God is the reality of His pres­ence and power through the Holy Spirit. The result of this presence and power is the manifestation of the divine attri­butes and perfections in His people, such as love, joy, peace, victory, deliverance, miracles, wisdom, knowledge, faith, revelation, divine utterance, etc. The "glory of the Lord" in His Body is to bring that Body into His own perfection and ful­ness. Now brethren, the Lord wants to fill His Body with His Glory, not just in part, but in fulness; and this will happen only as we submit ourselves to His divine order for His chur­ch ... letting Him "set" each member in the Body as He chooses. This IS going to happen, and God has patterned it in His Word as follows:

 

 

[Saul vs. David]

 

The KEY is found in a statement made in Acts Chap. 13, by the apostle Paul as he preaches in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. Recounting the history of their people, Paul says: "And afterward they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul, the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up to them David to be their king; to whom he gave testimony, and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will." (Acts 13:21-22).

 

"Saul" means "asked for." God allowed the people to have Saul because they desired a king and "asked for" him. In time God removed Saul and raised up David, because in him God saw a man after His own heart, who would fulfill all His will. God is now "raising up" a David company who will fulfill God's perfect will and order for His church in these last days. Saul represents, in type, the old order of man-controlled churches which are a result of the desires of the people; and what the people "ask for" God gives, so that they might learn by experience the folly of their own desires and ways.

 

One of the first things that David wanted to do after He was raised up to the throne was to bring the ARK back to Jerusalem. He said, "let us bring the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul." (I Chron. 13:3). Just think, during the entire reign of Saul, the ark, which symbolized the very presence of God in the midst of His peo­ple, was not in its rightful place, nor was the Lord enquired of at it. It was in the land of the Philistines for seven months after the Philistines had captured it, and when the Philis­tines sent it back it was placed in the house of Abinadab (1 Sam. 6:1, 7:1-2). In type, the ark represents Christ, the head of the church which is His body (Ephes. 1:22-23). In the man-controlled churches represented by Saul, the ARK (Christ the HEAD) is not in His rightful place. But David de­sires to bring the ark back. Even so there is a "David com­pany" that God is raising up who are willing to fulfill all His will and see that the ark (Christ) is restored to His rightful place as HEAD OF THE CHURCH.

 

 

[David's errors in order]

 

But here we need to walk carefully, seeking the face of the Lord and examining His Word daily, for David made some mistakes, even though he wanted to do what was right. His first mistake was in consulting the leaders and the people instead of the WORD of God. "And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every lea­der. And David said to all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good to you, and that it be of the Lord our God. . . let us bring again the ark of our God to us ... And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people." (I Chron. 13:1-4). We should not do something because it is right in the eyes of the people or because some leaders we have counseled with say so. We should seek God and His Word, and let Him teach us by His Spirit.

 

Next we read that "they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart." (I Chron. 13:7). This was contrary to God's Word because only the Levites were to carry the ark with the specially made poles slipped through the rings on the ark. Not realizing this, David was bringing the ark back on the cart. "And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalterles, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trum­pets." My, what a glorious meeting they were having; a real "Pentecostal" campaign. Everything went fine until they came to the "threshing floor of Chidon." There the oxen stumbled, and Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark. "And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark; and there he died before God." (I Chron. 13:10). Numbers 4:15 shows that none but the priests and Levites were in any way to approach or care for the ark, so that Uzza was the victim of inexcus­able ignorance of God's Word. We might think that God was unreasonably harsh, and yet we must realize that God was teaching them a necessary lesson, as well as enacting a TYPE or PATTERN for us that we might learn.

 

Notice that God did not intervene until they reached the "threshing floor of Chidon." A threshing floor is a type of JUDGMENT: a place where the wheat is separated from the chaff. Such was pointed out by John the Baptist in his words recorded in Matt. 3:11-12. "He (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his (threshing) floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The "threshing floor" repre­sents a place of humbling and breaking (the grain trampled), a place of separation (wheat from chaff), and a place of test­ing and purging (fire). Even so is the Lord putting us through fires of testing and purging, separating from our lives those things which hinder His working, and causing us to be broken and humbled before Him in a way that we have never known before.

 

Just as in the TYPE God overlooked the Ignorance and carelessness of David and the people UNTIL they reached the "threshing floor of Chidon," even so the Lord has over­looked our ignorant and wayward ways regarding His church, BUT NOW JUDGMENT HAS BEGUN TO INTERVENE. God is causing us to realize that He will not allow that which He has allowed before if we want the fulness of His blessing. We must take our hands off of the ark. God caused the oxen to stumble at the "threshing floor of Chidon" as a TEST. And the reaction of Uzza portrays that which is so characteristic of human nature. It is so human to want to put forth our hands and try to PROTECT what God is doing. We feel we have to organize, systematize, programize, publicize, offi­cialize, etc. what God is doing so that it will be protected and preserved and propagated. Uzza putting forth his hand symbolizes the attempt to rely on the "arm of flesh" which was the great sin of the Israelites, and has also been the great sin of the church. God spoke through Jeremiah thus: "Cur­sed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord." (Jer. 17:5). God wants us to keep our hands off what He is doing.

 

In I Chron. 13:11, we read that "David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach [against] Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. " "Perez-uzza"' means "breach of Uzza." It means a "breaking forth or thr­ough." Later David realized that God had made a "break through" [against] them by killing Uzza because they were not bringing the ark back according to His divine order. Hear his words in I Chron. 15:13: "The Lord our God made a breach [against] us, for that we sought him not after the due order." People, God is going to "break through" in judgment on the church in this day because Christendom is not seeking His divine order for His church. We need to realize that the Lord cannot sanctify with the fulness of His glory an end-time "tabernacle" or "house" until we get that house in divine order.

 

 

[David's success in order]

 

In I Chron. 15, we have the record of David's success in bringing the ark back to Jerusalem. This time he is care­ful to do it God's way, for he said: "None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them has the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever." (1 Chron. 15:2). "So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord." (I Chron. 15:14-15). As the ark was returning, we read that certain priests "did blow with (seven) trumpets before the ark of God." (I Chron. 15:24). In its final application the return of the ark to Jerusalem is a picture of the personal return of Christ to this earth. Going before (preceding) that return we have the seven trumpets of Revelation, Chapters 8 through 11. Christ's return is at the consummation of the 7th, or last, trumpet. BUT FIRST, Christ (the ark) must "return" to His rightful place AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH, that He might bring the BODY into His perfection and fulness. Even so, there is now a "trumpet ministry" which is "going before the ark" to HERALD ITS RETURN, and to sound forth (trumpet) a MESSAGE of preparation and sanctification, saying "sanctify yourselves, both you and your breth­ren', that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. " (I Chron. 15:12).

 

 

[study of the word "breach"]

 

Previously we mentioned that David said, "The Lord our God made a breach [against] us, for that we sought him not after the due order." (I Chron. 15:13). The word "breach" used in this passage is the same Hebrew word used in Nehemiah 6:1 where Nehemiah says that he had "built the wall, and there was no breach (break) left therein." In ancient times a WALL was a city's protection. It was absolutely necessary in those days of marauding bands of robbers and constant threat from hostile tribes and nations. After the Jewish "remnant" had returned from Babylon, they began to rebuild the temple of God as recorded in the book of Ezra, but the wall was still broken down. God then raised up Nehemiah to return from Babylon to lead the people in the task of rebuilding the wall, as recorded in the book of Nehemiah. Not until the wall was built was there real success in that which the Lord had commissioned the people to do. THE WALL is a type of divine order. It is our protection, both from the enemy (Satan), and from a "break through" of the righteous judgment of God. Divine order for the church is absolutely necessary for the success of that which God has commissioned us to do.

 

Another example of the use of the word "breach" is found in the 13th chapter of Ezekiel. God accuses the "prophets" of failing to fill in the breaches and build up the wall in preparation for the "day of battle." Hear the words spoken through Ezekiel the prophet: "Son of man prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say you to them that prophesy out of their own hearts. Hear [ ] the word of the Lord; Thus says the Lord God; Woe to the foolish pro­phets, that folIow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. You (prophets) have not gone up into the gaps (breaches), neither made up the hedge (wall) for the house of Israel TO STAND IN THE BATTLE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD."

 

God's judgment on present day prophets (preachers) is that they are not filling the gaps (breaches) nor building up the WALL OF DIVINE ORDER so that the people may be pre­pared to STAND IN THE BATTLE OF THE DAY OF THE LORD. The "battle" of the "day of the Lord" IS AT HAND. Instead, the preachers of today are building up the walls of their own kingdoms and organizations and telling the people that "everything is all right." (peace). They are thus ful­filling the words of Ezek. 13:10: "Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others plastered it with untempered mortar (or, as the Berkeley translation puts it, "plaster it over with whitewash"). Beloved, this is a hard word, but it is true. Preachers as a whole (there are notable exceptions), whether they realize it or not, are engaged to a great degree in a big job of whitewash of the manmade walls (systems) which have been erected before them, and of which they have become an integral part. The Lord God has com­missioned us to "say to them which plaster it with untempered mortar (whitewash), that it shall fall: there shall be an over­flowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall [tear] it [down] (a picture of the JUDGMENT which is coming).

 

“Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said to you, Where is the [mortar with which you plastered] it?. . . So will I break down the wall that you have plastered with untem­pered mortar." (Ezek. 13:11-14). God says in Ezek. 22:30, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge (wall), and stand in the gap (breach) before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." God found none in Ezekiel's day, but we can be thankful that He is finding men in this day who will stand in the breaches and BUILD UP THE WALL OF DIVINE ORDER, that we may stand in the "day of battle."

 

People, we can talk a lot about "divine order," and there is a divine order for everything—our lives, the home, the church, the nation, etc., but unless we have the willing­ness to obey in our hearts, then all of our talk will avail no­thing. Divine order begins in the heart, with a willingness to set our own house (inner life) in order first, that the spirit of reason and righteousness may RULE instead of the soulish desires and emotions. Having begun in the heart, we can then see that willingness to have all things conformed to His divine will and plan extend to all of our other relationships.

 

We have not sought in this article to set forth the many "ways" of God; we have sought only to show you how impor­tant it is to seek and learn His "ways." Do you not see how important it is in this hour to seek God and His divine will in everything; and to abandon everything that is not of Him, as you would flee from a building that is about to collapse? Will you not be among that "Moses company" that the Lord is CALLING up into His "holy mount" to teach them HIS WAYS? "Oh my people, listen to the voice of your God in this hour; for time quivers in the balance, and the very heavens and earth quake in anticipation of His appearing.” But first, He will "appear" in spirit and power in a Body that He is preparing, to show forth His glory; yes, a people who will walk in HIS WAYS."

 

 

 


REBUILDING IN TROUBLESOME TIMES

 

 

 

[prophecy]

 

"Shall you not warn my people, says the Lord? For a sword [is coming] on the land. Yes, and a terrible scourge is on its way. Even now it comes while the people are uncon­cerned about my ways and seek to walk in the stubbornness of their own heart. Yes, I say, is it not time for the Lord to judge the earth and not pass it by any more? (Amos 7:8). I say, the time has come and judgment comes swiftly; it is com­ing! Oh my people, prepare, for it is even now at the doors. Your time is short. Oh that you would redeem the time and make your preparation! (Ephes. 5:14-18). For the Lord God of the whole earth arises to bring judgment, and to purge and cleanse the earth.

 

"Is it time, says God, to build your own houses and to consume yourself on your own pleasures, and yet consider not that my house lies [in ruins]? Where are those who will abandon their own pursuits and turn from their folly and give themselves to me? For my house shall be built. My people shall come forth and return to Zion with everlasting joy and singing; for that which has lain [in ruins] shall be built. It shall be built in a time of trouble and in a time of great lamentation for the inhabitants of the world. But my people shall be joyful even in the midst of tribulation. For the power of their God shall be on them. And the joy of their God shall uphold them. Yes, even in a time of great tribulation shall my house be built. For I will have a glorious house in these last days, says the Lord. And the glory of this latter house shall outshine the glory of the former, says the Lord. For in a time of grief will my people arise to build that which has been torn down—that which has been destroyed by the hand of the enemy—because my people have turned from me to their own ways, and have not sought me after my due order. [Do you think] that I have not revealed in my word that which I desire for my house? Am I not the master builder, and have I not laid down the plans for that which I will build? Why then do you seek to build with your own plans and your own ideas, when my plan is given to you? Have I not said that you shall search and seek out that which I have given in my Word? Why will you then not seek that you might find, and ask that you might receive, and truly I will give you instruc­tions on how to build my house. I say, that which you build must be built according to my plan and purpose or it shall surely fall, says the Lord." (end of prophecy).

 

 

[commentary]

 

The Lord is not speaking about some house or building of wood and stone, but rather of the spiritual "house" (temple) of God. Even as Peter says: "You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2:5). In Hebrews 3:6 we read: "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confi­dence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end." Paul says in Ephes. 2:20-22, that we are "built on the founda­tion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone: In whom all the building [being joined] together grows into a holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are built together for [a dwelling place] of God through the Spirit."

 

But men have neglected the true house (temple) of God and have sought to build their own "houses" (denominations, organizations, groups, etc.). A picture of this is seen in the writings of Haggai the prophet. Haggai was one of the pro­phets God used to stir up the people to finish rebuilding the house (temple) of God after the return from the Babylonian captivity. The people had begun to build, but because of opposition from without and difficulties within, the work had ceased. The house of God was then neglected for about six­teen years, during which time the people turned to their own pursuits, became interested in building their own houses, and letting the house of God remain in an unfinished state of ["ruin."] At this time God raised up Haggai to admonish the people to once again build the house of God.

 

 

[prophecy]

 

"Oh my people, will you not build my house? Can I alone do that which I have decreed shall be done by my cho­sen servants, even those whom I have ordained to build it in this day? Where are those who will come forth to declare the Word of the Lord in this hour? For my house must be built. The scripture must be fulfilled. Think not that one jot or tittle shall pass away which I have spoken to be fulfilled in this age. For did I not say that my church would be built? (Matt. 16:18). And can I return to my temple when that tem­ple lies in ruins? I say to you, you must be built together according to my will and purpose, even for a holy dwelling place for my spirit, and for an instrument of my glory in this day. Why, oh why, will not my people build according to my plan and my way, says the Lord?" (end of prophecy).

 

 

[lesson from Haggai] 

 

Let's listen to the admonition of Haggai the prophet, for truly his words are appropriate and relevant to the condi­tions which we find today. "Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying. Is it time for you [yourselves] to dwell in your paneled houses, and this house (temple) Iie [in ruins]? Now therefore thus says the Lord of Hosts; Consider your ways. You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not fllled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but there is [no one is] warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus says the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways ... You looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought home, I [blew] on it. Why? says the Lord of hosts., Because of my house that is [in ruins], and [every one of you runs] to his own house. Therefore the heaven over you [withholds the] dew, and the earth [withholds] her fruit." (Haggai 1:1-10).

 

Yes people, we need to consider our ways, and realize that our ways are not His ways, and that our ways are an abomination to Him. Our failure to build the true spiritual house (temple) of God has resulted in consequences similar to those described by Haggai, except to us they are primarily spiritual rather than physical.  And what are these conse­quences? We have "sown much" with all of our multiplied efforts, campaigns, drives, programs, publicity, spending of time and money with all the modern media at our disposal, yet we have "brought in little." And much that has been brought in has been put into a bag with holes in it. In other words, it has not lasted. God has "blown" on it with His testings and provings and it has been scattered. We have looked for much and it came to little. WHY, yes WHY?" Because of my house that is [in ruins], and [every one of you runs] to his own house." Yes, every man is interested in building up his own denomination, organization or group, and the true spiritual temple of God is not built.

 

How divisive and sectarian have been our ways! How selfish have been our motives! How much we have sought to build for ourselves that we might boast in that which we have done! How we have [ ] “paneled" our own organizations while the house that the Lord wants to build lies neglec­ted. When will we awaken and come to repentance? When will we quit trying to do something for God, and just be obe­dient vessels to be built together in that true spiritual house which He is erecting. Yes, we need to consider our ways!

 

We see a further consequence in the words of Haggai: "Therefore the heaven over you [withholds the] dew (the "lat­ter rain" is withheld), and the earth [withholds] her fruit" (the "harvest" of this age is delayed). (Haggai 1:10). We need to understand that the present move of the Spirit of God in all denominations is NOT the "latter rain" promised in God's Word. The "latter rain" will far exceed anything we see now. The present move of the Spirit is a preliminary move of God to STIR UP the people of God and cause them to SEE that which God wants concerning His true temple, and to call out a "remnant" in preparation for the "latter rain." For we read that "the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel .... and the spirit of Joshua . . . and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came (out of their own houses) and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God." (Haggai 1:14). We have been "stirred up" by God's moving in our midst. NOW is the time to have our eyes opened to SEE God's plan for His house (church) and begin to BUILD accord­ing to His pattern.

 

When we see what seems to be such an insignificantly small group today who understand this vision of an end-time church filled with the glory and power of God, we may feel much like those to whom Haggai spoke these words: "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do you see it now? Is it now in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? (Haggai 2:3). The temple which they saw being rebuilt didn't seem like much compared to the glory of Solo­mon's temple which had been destroyed, and which some of them remembered. Even so that which we see today doesn't seem like very much in comparison with what we read about in the book of Acts concerning the glory and power of the early church. But hear the words of Haggai: "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua . . . and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work: for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts . . . my spirit remains among you: fear [ ] not . . . and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts . . . The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the Lord of hosts." (Hag. 2:3-9).

 

 

[Solomon's temple vs. Zerubbabel's temple: type of the early vs. latter day church] 

 

In TYPE, Solomon's temple represents the "former house" or church of the first century, which was "filled with glory" on the day of Pentecost. Just as there were 120 disciples gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, so in the type there were "a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpet," at the dedication of Solomon's temple (II Chron. 5:12). As they were in one place and in one accord on the day of Pentecost, so in the TYPE we read, "It came to pass, as the trumpeter and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord . . . that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." (II Chron. 5:13-14). Even so, on the day of Pente­cost, the "glory of God" (the Holy Spirit) "filled" the house (people) of the Lord gathered in the upper room.

 

If Solomon's temple, as the "former house," is a type of the early church, then certainly Zerubbabel's temple, the "latter house" of which Haggai spoke, is a TYPE of the church of these last days, which will be filled with greater glory than the "former" or early church. Yes, we can expect more of the "glory" and "power" of God in these last days than has ever been manifest before.

 

According to Haggai, this "glory" is to be manifest at a time when the Lord will be "shaking" all things. "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:7). This "shaking" process is now going on and will grow in intensity until we see the fulfillment of Heb­rews 12:26-28, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that may be shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God accep­tably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consum­ing fire." God is "shaking" the religious "heavens," the political "heavens," the financial "heavens." He is shaking all the earth (organizations and systems of man); and all of these "rumblings" are the prelude to the great "earthquake" (Rev. 6:12, 11:13) which shall see the complete collapse of all that "can be shaken." Even so our God is now arising to "shake terribly the earth." (Isa. 1:19-21).

 

NOW is the time to heed the voice of the "Haggals" that the Lord is raising up to trumpet this call for a "remnant" to REBUILD the house of the Lord in these troublesome times. In the prophecy at the beginning of this article, the Lord said that His house (church) would be RE-built during a time of difficulty and tribulation. A pattern of this is seen in the difficulties encountered by the "remnant" which returned out of Babylon to rebuild the house of the Lord. There were many internal obstacles to overcome, as well as tremendous opposi­tion from surrounding peoples. Read the books of Ezra and Nehemiah for the details. Even so, according to this pattern, the latter-day house (church) is going to be REBUILT during times of extreme difficulty. We are now in the very incep­tion of this rebuilding.

 

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