God is decreeing to begin some new and great period in His Church, even to the reforming of the Reformation itself.
- John Milton
Dicken's "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…" it the spiritually quantum truth of our generation. Today's advantages and excesses, in many ways the very blessings of God, have faith reeling, if not on the ropes.
Modern Christianity has seen holiness and spiritual disciplines plummet. Biblical ignorance is pandemic. Even among regular church attenders. The average believer dedicates less than ten minutes a day to serious prayer. Unbelief, disobedience and immorality within the Churchianity is quickly becoming the rule rather than the exception.
Yet Succumbing to the tyranny of the urgent is common. Spiritually even more so. It’s easy to neglect what’s not clamoring for attention. Who want’s to stress out today over what can wait till a more convent time? For that matter, when it comes to the subjectivity of faith, who’s to say what’s important? Something, even if not everything, is better than nothing. Can doing good ever be a bad thing?
Apparently. If it’s not good enough.
The most frightening passage in all of Scripture demonstrates this very principle. In His terrible parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus warns that as many as half the genuinely saved and sanctified may forever perish for simply the lack of extra oil:
“God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. “In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’ “The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’ “They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’ “They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked. “Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.” “He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’ “So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.” Matthew 25:1-12 The Message
In regards to the failing lamps, Strongs’ Greek concordance renders the phrase (λαμπάδες ἡμῶν σβέννυνται) translated lamps are “gone” or “going” out, suggesting the five foolish had run out of oil as they slept, or upon waking their lamps were flickering. Jesus warns that in this heartbreaking case, good wasn’t good enough to merit eternal life.
The need to buy extra oil in this passage is eerily reminiscent of a glorified Jesus’ warning against the all to common condition of spiritual lukewarmness. Consider again Christ rebuke of lukewarm Laodicea, the last of Revelation’s seven churches, of whom Churchianity seems a modern refection:
“Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!” Revelation 3:18-19 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
Both passages are meaningful for all, throughout every circumstance of life. Even so, Laodicea’s placement as the seventh or last church is noteworthy. It’s reasonable to assume this is a fitting description of many believers in the last church age, just prior to and/or during the rest of the Book of Revelation’s Great Tribulation period. The same might be said for the parable of the Ten Virgins, given its placement in Christ’s Olivet Discourse of end time events.
In any case, since Jesus warns the lack of oil is a deal breaker, even among “virgins” with otherwise identical track records, understanding its symbolism and manner of procurement is vital. Oil is often used in Scripture, both literally and figuratively. From the anointing of priests and kings, to the fellowship and power of the Spirit.
Given the dialogue between the foolish virgins and their wiser counterparts, it may be a resource better purchased than shared. Some have even speculated the refusal by the wise to give of their own, lest they themselves not have enough, suggests Christ may be referencing scarce commodities during a prolonged period of hardship. Perhaps in keeping with Revelation’s account of Jesus breaking the first four of seven seals, and thus unleashing the infamous Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
While somewhat of a mystery, what is obvious is the need for extra oil. Over and above what may have seemed perviously sufficient. Just one more example of how costly, rather than cheep grace, wins the day.
It’s self evident that both the foolish virgins and Laodicea were invested in the Kingdom of God. But like so many, only up to a point. Likewise Christians often fail to appreciate the subtle, and not so subtle, spiritual demands of the times in which we live. Modern Christianity is filled with believers from every walk of life. Many give of their time, energy and money. Yet, taken as a whole, we’ve largely opted for the ease of peace and comfort over and against the more strenuous demands of Biblical health and vitality. Assuring ourselves that all is well, we continue doing whatever we feel like. Regardless of the spiritual risk. Yet according to Scripture, all is far from well. Spiritual and characterological apathy and anemia, all but endemic in modern Christianity, are telltale signs of worsening spiritual abnormality and disease.
It’s been noted that one difference between medicine and poison is the dosage. Equally important is the correct diagnosis. For example, chest and shoulder pain caused by overexertion may be treated with Tylenol. Such symptoms, when precursors to a heart attack, require a more invasive remedy. This begs the question, what’s the right diagnosis and treatment for what ails First World believers?
Again, judging by over 6 billion Bibles and 2.5 billion adherents, hundreds of thousands of beautiful sanctuaries and dedicated missionaries, inspirational music and uplifting sermons, helpful ministries and outreach programs the average church attender might well imagine Churchianity is doing quite well. In many ways this is true. Unfortunately, Scripture and statistics alike reveal another story. So the next question then becomes just how far from Biblical Christianity have we fallen?
Tens of millions admit we could use some renewal, a reinvigoration of attendance and programs. Millions more feel full fledged revival is called for, believing an overhaul of current Churchianity is sorely needed. Unfortunately, only a tiny percentage of either camp will pledge the sufficient time, energy and/or money to meet even these insufficient objectives. After decades of strategic research and service, it's QC's position that we long ago passed the spiritual line of demarcation in regards to needing simplistic renewal or even revival. We offer this solemn assertion on the following grounds:
Levels of worldliness within Churchianity are pandemic.
Spiritual apathy is at record levels.
Modern temptation is ubiquitous.
Deception is rampant and increasing.
Sins of gross, much less subtle, commission abound.
Sins of omission go increasingly unnoticed.
Innumerable doubtful acts and habits are commonplace.
Biblical ignorance is the new norm.
Serious prayer is all but passé.
Throughout the ages, believers have sought and served the Lord in a variety of ways that set them apart from their contemporaries. No doubt each generation felt somewhat confident their service and relationship to God was reasonable and acceptable. Yet in hindsight, particularly as recorded by Scripture, such seems to be more the exception than the rule.
One explanation may be along the lines of group perception. Christians may fail to notice the subtle momentum of change. In the same way, secular and religious societies tend to overlook even large scale changes when introduced gradually over decades.
Borrowing again from the sailing analogy, besides setting an appropriate course, a society and/or church must also be sea worthy. Even should a vessel be built to within 95% of the designer's specs in regards to size and shape, materials and water tightness, a hull missing 5% is literally a sunken ship waiting to happen. A far more generous percentage than is true for most modern congregations and denominations.
The above represent only two of many reasons God so seriously warns His people of judgment, should they fail to discern the signs of the times:
"The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." Matthew 16:1-3 New International Version
"You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God’s Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that’s wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons? You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds. You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You build granite tombs for your prophets and marble monuments for your saints. And you say that if you had lived in the days of your ancestors, no blood would have been on your hands. You protest too much! You’re cut from the same cloth as those murderers, and daily add to the death count. You can’t squirm out of this: Every drop of righteous blood ever spilled on this earth, beginning with the blood of that good man Abel right down to the blood of Zechariah, Barachiah’s son, whom you murdered at his prayers, is on your head. All this, I’m telling you, is coming down on you, on your generation." Matthew 23:23-24, 27-32, 35-36 The Message
Of course that could never be said about us. Modern Christianity may have its flaws but we're good ole church goin’ folk. Besides, we have the righteousness of Christ. We're under grace not law. And we're definitely not guilty of shedding innocent blood. Yet, one need only revisit Christ's parables of the Ten Virgins, Lord, Lord and Vine and Branches to appreciate the seriousness and frequency of the Bible's warnings to believers. Add to this the Book of Acts’ quantumly awful, yet awe-filled, story of Ananias and Sapphira, as well as Revelation's account of Jesus judging His church, and it becomes apparent our Me-ism theology just doesn’t hold water.
As with everything, the extent of damage determines the cost of repair. Is Churchianity merely cracked or broken? The terrible question is easily answered in two ways. First, our growing and shocking laundry list of sins of commission. Second, an equally telling and swelling record of sins of omission. In regards to the former, a quick perusal of Barna's site, the preeminent Christian polling organization, reveals a decades long decent that has left much of Churchianity often statistically indistinguishable from nonbelievers.
As for the latter, the same generation or two that allowed abortion's slaughter to turn the womb into the world's most dangerous place has also been all but AWOL as millennia of morality has been inverted. On our watch, the quantity and quality of society's sins have skyrocketed, with hardly a fight from those commissioned by Christ to be the salt and light of the world.
Inside and outside the church, functional prayerlessness and Biblical illiteracy, along with complacency and worldliness, are at all-time highs. Such indicators, coupled with ever decreasing levels of doctrinal accuracy and ethical integrity, can only mean personal discipline and community service have and must continue to plummet.
The aforementioned evaluation of Churchianity is beyond reasonable dispute, being a matter of sad yet easily verifiable facts. The question is how does such shameful behavior actually square with Scripture? For such gross apathy and sin to be forgiven, they must be replaced by godly repentance and good deeds. Yet, neither our attitudes or behavior show the slightest sign of movement in that direction.
The charges arrayed against us would be damaging enough if we had lost these battles on our knees and/or carrying our cross. Unfortunately, the straw that may well break the camel’s back is that we’ve done no such thing. A camel, far too busy enjoying the copious pleasures afforded by the best of times, to concern itself with the inherent difficulties of passing through the eye of a needle. A worsening state leaving the vast majority of lost spiritual/social battles altogether unfought. As has been succinctly stated "We wrestle not..."
Again, this is not to suggest that over the last few decades modern Christianity has not performed countless acts of service. Given its hundreds of millions of members and trillion dollar budgets, many programs and charities have been made available to those in need. Yet remember the warnings of Jesus and Paul concerning yeast "A little leaven leavens the entire lump." When it comes to record levels of temptation and deception, apathy and sin, it would seem there's far more than a little leavening going on.
Along these lines, Joseph Foreman, a founding member of "Operation Rescue” with over a hundred “rescues” to his credit, penned the following hypothetical dialogue in his book, “Shattering The Darkness.” Written from jail while serving a sentence for non-violently blocking the entrance to yet again another abortion clinic. His first chapter envisions a conversation between God and Satan, akin to that recorded in the Book of Job:
Shattering The Darkness: Chapter 1: The Challenge to God's Name
In 1960, there was a day when the Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Him, "From where do you come?"
So Satan answered Him, "From going to and fro on the earth and from walking back-and-forth on it."
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant the American church, how there is none like them in all the earth for seminaries, missionaries, budgets, buildings and programs to advance my kingdom, how they fear God and shun evil?"
So Satan said, "Do they fear God for nothing? Look at them. You have given them everything they could possibly want. You have hedged them about. They do not love you, they love the things you have given them. They worship your blessings."
"Yes?"
"I will not say that I can get them to curse you to your face – I failed with Job. But, I will say this: your people are incapable of even the most basic acts of Christian faith and charity – acts by which you yourself said that others could determine the difference between your children and My children, your sheep and My goats."
“Yes?"
"Yes," said Satan."You say your people follow you like sheep? Within 30 years, you will not be able to get so much as one Christian to follow you across the street to save a babies life. Then you will have to turn, remove their lamp stand, and visit their land with a curse."
In 1973, Row vs. Wade struck down all antiabortion laws in America, creating the "right" of all women to hire a doctor to kill their children at any time during the full nine months before birth. It's companion decision, Dow vs. Bolton, on the same day decreed that a woman could do so for any reason. And no Christian could be found to so much as cross the street to physically intervene for these children. And the slaughter quickly grew to 4,500 a day. It became a slaughter carried out in most hospitals and in publicly advertised clinics, established to make the killing quick and easy for everyone. So acceptable did it become, that Christians would go to child murdering hospitals, or buy every day necessities – from phone calls and Cheerios to toilet paper – from companies who helped promote child killing organizations. Most Christian women thought nothing of having the children delivered by the same doctor who would be just as willing to kill their children. Pastors feared rebuke from their congregations if they mentioned the "A" word too often – or at all.
Again, in 1989, there was a day when the Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to him, "From where do you come?"
So Satan answered Him, "From going to and fro on the earth and from walking back-and-forth on it.
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant the American church? 50,000 crossed the street and physically protected a generation yet unborn, though you incite Me against them to destroyed them without cause."
"Skin for skin!" answered Satan. "Touch their houses, their church buildings, their families, their careers, their savings. Threaten them physically with beatings by police, long jail sentences, beatings and aids infested urine from pro-abortion demonstrators. Then you will see them abandon your command to love and serve you only, as they scramble to abandon their neighbor to save themselves. They are My children, not yours. You will see the very Christian who spoke the loudest in defense of rescuing the babies become the leaders in justifying, in your own name, why they should no longer physically protect them, but seek some other way to 'rescue' them. You will see them worship the same God's the feminists, the mothers seeking abortion, and the doctors worship – the gods of Respectability, Autonomy, Career, Self-preservation. They will cry out to these new gods to preserve their organizations, reputations, and bank accounts – even those of the rescue organizations themselves. In that day your people will knowingly allow My doctors to offer Me sacrifices of the fruit of the womb. Your people will allow these sacrifices to buy the peace, prosperity and blessings they crave – blessings they will never trust you to bestow. To preserve their way of life at all cost, they will make peace with Me."
Spiritually speaking, abortion is currently the most telling issue of our day. Having dealt with the subject of abortion extensively elsewhere, one additional point remains. If the modern church is insensitive to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit in regards to the ongoing slaughter of clinical, not to mention contraceptive abortion, to what degree are we overlooking a myriad of more subtle failures?
Again, some have argued “The Devil's in too deep.” This phrase, popularized by the famous and prolific 20th century Welsh minister Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, is a commentary of the account of Christ's disciples inability to cast out a particularly troubling demon from a boy:
"When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:14-20 New International Version
"Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” Mark 9:17-18 New King James Version
"He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth." Mark 9:19-20 New King James Version
“Faithless” might describe his doubting disciples, since in the Matthew account Jesus pinpoints their lack of pure faith.
Again in Mathew, Christ utters one of the most amazing statements in all of Scripture when assuring “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
In Matthew Jesus adds "perverse" to his indictment. This hardly seems fitting of any, much less all nine of His disciples. Judas a possible exception.
Christ may have been berating the desperate father and/or his entire generation. This appears a better fit, since those outside the twelve orbiting within the immediate and constant influence of Jesus were more likely to be described as perverse.
One the other hand, disparaging a despairing dad hardly seems a seeker friendly ministry model.
"So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Mark 9:21-22 New King James Version
"If You can do anything, have compassion..." This familiar refrain echos throughout the ages.
"Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 New King James Version
"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Mark 9:24-27 New King James Version
From desperate seekers to honest intercessors, myriads approach and petition God for everything from daily provision to miraculous intervention. Often doing so while expressing this father’s sentiment. Such a verse resonates throughout millennia. Or at least it used to. Does it today? The recently deceased David Wilkerson didn’t think so. Pastor Wilkerson is rightly famous for his true life acts of faith popularized by the book and movie “The Cross And The Switchblade.” Towards the end of his life Wilkerson persuasively lamented the disappearance of the prayer of anguish.
"And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?" Mark 9:28 New King James Version
When comparing 1st and 21st century believers, it's important to note that modern apathy was unknown to Christ's disciples. They were thrown headlong into the deep end of the sea of Jesus. A glorious ocean of living water fed by continual miracles. An Artesian well "gushing fountains of endless life." Hearing and seeing, touching and tasting the Kingdom of Heaven day after day, month after month, year after year. Such an overwhelming adventure in real time instilled a confidence not to be overcome by hardships and trials. This experience, sadly the opposite of our own, infused a certainty of the invisible and eternal realities of which Jesus taught and demonstrated. Such training literally made them as hungry for the Holy Spirit's presence and power, provision and protection, as for their daily food.
"So He said to them, This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29 New King James Version
Faith, Prayer and Fasting
As noted, in the Matthew account Jesus explains the nine were prevented from casting out the difficult demon by lack of faith. In Mark, we are told what is needed is prayer and fasting. Thus equating the increase of the former as predicated by means of the latter. Literal and metaphorical inferences from this passage suggest our immediate problem is three fold:
An accurate accounting of our situation reveals a level of 24/7 entrenched and fortified temptations and deceptions unparalleled in human history. Ubiquitous and sophisticated in both form and function, the sheer quantity and quality of technologically enabled challenges to morality and faith are staggering.
Equally problematic is our lack of genuine and appropriate response. The average Christian is unable to quote ten Bible verses in a row. Much less accurately interpret and implement them. Churchianity is Scripturally illiterate. Add to this an unwillingness to daily dedicate more than a handful of minutes for quality prayer, and it becomes apparent we are anything but disciples of Christ. The original meaning behind the adoption of the name Christ-ians.
Perhaps more worrisome than our lack of spiritual discipline, if that were possible, is our growing worldly behavior. As repeatedly demonstrated by every indicator.
Discerning the full reality and repercussions of Satan's existence and nature is a tall order. All the more so when Biblical revelation is marginalized or relegated to mythological status throughout the modern world. In this case, a fault as foolish as it would have been for occupied France to have dismissed or denied Hitler as a threat during the Nazi invasion. The fact that modern civilization prides itself on spiritual ignorance is evidence, in and of itself, of the Evil One's nefarious and sinister art and craft.
As the original and supreme master manipulator, the Devil's impressive resume includes inciting ancient and advanced, holy and glorious angels to rebel within Heaven itself. Not to mention his firm track record of deceiving God's anointed. At the root of modern Christianity's greatest failures is the presumption that we are above archaic notions of devilish resistance and deception. A commonly held conviction rendered all the more ridiculous given Christianity's hundreds of sects, various Christ and versions of Gospel. A false assumption infiltrating a linty of crucial doctrines ranging from God's unconditional acceptance to sanctification, appropriate worship to spiritual gifts, eschatology to salvation itself.
Such a mindset has proven disastrous for God's people down through the ages. The original sin of spiritual pride and entitlement greatly affected the lives and legacies of even such notables as Samson, David and Solomon. All mightily anointed men extraordinarily empowered. While Samson become a byword for foolishness, David for faithfulness, and Solomon for wisdom, they and their sacred trusts were all but unseated by Satan.
As Israel’s thirteenth Judge, Samson, a real life Hercules, failed to overthrow Israel’s oppressors. A feat accomplished by several of his far weaker counterparts during their service as Israel’s deliverer and judge. As Israel’s second King, David, while a uniquely successful warrior and leader, psalmist and prophet, failed to protect Israel’s spiritual and national unity. Gains he’d spent a lifetime achieving. An unfortunate heritage handed down to his son Solomon and many of his decedents. In regards to deceiving God’s anointed, there are interesting differences and similarities between them:
- Samson: Birth heralded in a pair of theophanies, arising from two separate visitations by the Angel of the Lord. An Old Testament title denoting the pre-incarnate Christ. In fact, there are more instructions pertaining to Samson’s birth and upbringing than any other personage in all of Scripture. Born and raised under oppression, his anointing was largely waisted. Through a lustful fiasco with Delilah, the name Samson became synonymous with gullibility. Failed to lead Israel into freedom from its oppressors.
- David: Unremarkable birth. Remarkable childhood as a young shepherd dispatching lions and bears. Anointed by Samuel before slaying Goliath. Conquered all enemies and lead Israel into its golden age. Instigated the ruin of much of his family and life’s work through unbelievably out of character capitulation to first ludicrous adultery with Bathsheba (given he had multiple wives and could have taken any and many virgins in Israel), followed by the orchestration of the traitorous murder of her husband Uriah. Inconceivably, having failed to learn his lesson, Satan successfully tempted David to take a forbidden census, resulting in a death sentence for 70,000 Israelites by means of God unleashing a deadly a 3-day plague.
- Solomon: Gracious birth to David and Bathsheba. Born into the opulence of David’s household and kingdom. Anointed to succeed David as Israel’s third king. Bequeathed exceeding wisdom and wealth directly by God. Allowed to construct the first and only temple of Yahweh on Earth. Oversaw the incredible temple’s dedication. A ceremony lasting two weeks with a sacred assembly sandwiched in the middle. Solomon sacrificed twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats, which occasioned not only fire from Heaven, but God’s glory so filling His temple that the priests themselves could not enter. During which time Solomon experienced a second theophany by God. Nevertheless, while an indirect result of David’s sin, unthinkably Solomon built several idolatrous worship sites in later life. A repeated offense, that given the circumstances, may represent the most atrocious act of its kind throughout the annals of Scripture. One that insured the kingdom of Israel would be torn in half, thus speeding the nation’s decent into destruction.
“Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God’s fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God’s wonder and grace didn’t seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased. The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—“First the people partied, then they threw a dance.” We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them. These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 The Message - Emphasis QC's
Unsurprisingly, most persist in ignoring or reinterpreting such warnings. Even those penned by by the likes of Paul, the Apostle of Grace. Often affectionately regarded as the New Testament author who softened the edges of the harsher saying of Christ. Not to mention those of Christ’s half brothers James and Jude.
As noted, prophetic advice abounds regarding the need to meet these and other growing challenges. Both spiritually and locally, globally and locally. In fact, it might well be said the entirety of both Old and New Testaments are nothing short of a call to arms. Such notables as Isaiah and Joel, Zephaniah and Amos explain when and why to bring out the big guns by planning and implementing what Scripture calls the Sacred Assembly. The Book of Ezra exemplifies how.
The Sacred Assembly
Prophetic Christians of this day and age need be found, and that in sufficient quality and quantity, to instigate and facilitate the kind of deep and abiding repentance necessary to spark and fan into flame genuine revival. Once accomplished, the crucial groundwork of planing and praying for an authentic Sacred Assembly can commence.
The Prayer of Jabez has received much notoriety. While the prayer was fine for it's day, and the spirit in which the recent book by Bruce Wilkinson was written is admirable, the prayer is not a good fit for our society given our unprecedented quantity and quality of sin. Additionally, the prayer itself is easily corrupted into just another form of Me-ism. No such risk with the Prayer of Ezra.
While the Prayer of Jabez is relegated to only two verses, the Prayer of Ezra, and it's aftermath, fills two chapters. It also sparks the Bible's best description of a complete Sacred Assembly. It was occasioned by Ezra’s discovery that the people of God had repeatedly broken the commandment not to intermarry with gentiles. And this on the heals of God's great judgment against Israel that saw 1/3rd of the church of their day killed by plague or famine, 1/3rd killed by the sword and 1/3rd scattered to the wind by enemy pursuit.
As high priest, Ezra, along with his contemporary Nehemiah, were instrumental in rebuilding the ruined walls, city and customs of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel:
"After all this was done, the leaders came to me and said, "The People of Israel, priests and Levites included, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring people around here with all their vulgar obscenities—Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, Amorites. They have given some of their daughters in marriage to them and have taken some of their daughters for marriage to their sons. The holy seed is now all mixed in with these other peoples. And our leaders have led the way in this betrayal. When I heard all this, I ripped my clothes and my cape; I pulled hair from my head and out of my beard; I slumped to the ground, appalled. Many were in fear and trembling because of what God was saying about the betrayal by the exiles. They gathered around me as I sat there in despair, waiting for the evening sacrifice. At the evening sacrifice I picked myself up from my utter devastation, and in my ripped clothes and cape fell to my knees and stretched out my hands to GOD, my God. And I prayed: 'My dear God, I'm so totally ashamed, I can't bear to face you. O my God—our iniquities are piled up so high that we can't see out; our guilt touches the skies. We've been stuck in a muck of guilt since the time of our ancestors until right now; we and our kings and priests, because of our sins, have been turned over to foreign kings, to killing, to captivity, to looting, and to public shame—just as you see us now. Now for a brief time GOD, our God, has allowed us, this battered band, to get a firm foothold in his holy place so that our God may brighten our eyes and lighten our burdens as we serve out this hard sentence. We were slaves; yet even as slaves, our God didn't abandon us. He has put us in the good graces of the kings of Persia and given us the heart to build The Temple of our God, restore its ruins, and construct a defensive wall in Judah and Jerusalem. And now, our God, after all this what can we say for ourselves? For we have thrown your commands to the wind, the commands you gave us through your servants the prophets. They told us, 'The land you're taking over is a polluted land, polluted with the obscene vulgarities of the people who live there; they've filled it with their moral rot from one end to the other. Whatever you do, don't give your daughters in marriage to their sons nor marry your sons to their daughters. Don't cultivate their good opinion; don't make over them and get them to like you so you can make a lot of money and build up a tidy estate to hand down to your children. And now this, on top of all we've already suffered because of our evil ways and accumulated guilt, even though you, dear God, punished us far less than we deserved and even went ahead and gave us this present escape. Yet here we are, at it again, breaking your commandments by intermarrying with the people who practice all these obscenities! Are you angry to the point of wiping us out completely, without even a few stragglers, with no way out at all? You are the righteous GOD of Israel. We are, right now, a small band of escapees. Look at us, openly standing here, guilty before you. No one can last long like this."' Ezra 9:1-15 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
"Ezra wept, prostrate in front of The Temple of God. As he prayed and confessed, a huge number of the men, women, and children of Israel gathered around him. All the people were now weeping as if their hearts would break. Shecaniah son of Jehiel of the family of Elam, acting as spokesman, said to Ezra: "We betrayed our God by marrying foreign wives from the people around here. But all is not lost; there is still hope for Israel. Let's make a covenant right now with our God, agreeing to get rid of all these wives and their children, just as my master and those who honor God's commandment are saying. It's what The Revelation says, so let's do it. Now get up, Ezra. Take charge—we're behind you. Don't back down. So Ezra stood up and had the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel solemnly swear to do what Shecaniah proposed. And they did it. Then Ezra left the plaza in front of The Temple of God and went to the home of Jehohanan son of Eliashib where he stayed, still fasting from food and drink, continuing his mourning over the betrayal by the exiles. A notice was then sent throughout Judah and Jerusalem ordering all the exiles to meet in Jerusalem. Anyone who failed to show up in three days, in compliance with the ruling of the leaders and elders, would have all his possessions confiscated and be thrown out of the congregation of the returned exiles. All the men of Judah and Benjamin met in Jerusalem within the three days. It was the twentieth day of the ninth month. They all sat down in the plaza in front of The Temple of God. Because of the business before them, and aggravated by the buckets of rain coming down on them, they were restless, uneasy, and anxious. Ezra the priest stood up and spoke: "You've broken trust. You've married foreign wives. You've piled guilt on Israel. Now make your confession to GOD, the God of your ancestors, and do what he wants you to do: Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives. The whole congregation responded with a shout, "Yes, we'll do it— just the way you said it! They also said, "But look, do you see how many people there are out here? And it's the rainy season; you can't expect us to stand out here soaking wet until this is done—why, it will They also said, "But look, do you see how many people there are out here? And it's the rainy season; you can't expect us to stand out here soaking wet until this is done—why, it will take days! A lot of us are deeply involved in this transgression. Let our leaders act on behalf of the whole congregation. Have everybody who lives in cities and who has married a foreign wife come at an appointed time, accompanied by the elders and judges of each city. We'll keep at this until the hot anger of our God over this thing is turned away." Ezra 10:1-14 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
Ezra, having discovered God's people and their leaders had married foreign wives tore his clothing, pulled hair from his head and beard and sat down appalled.
Ezra begins his prayer by saying he's too ashamed to look up because their sins were higher than the heavens.
While he continued praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God a crowd gathered and wept bitterly.
Ezra accepts their offer and fasts three days while a proclamation is sent throughout the kingdom for all the people to gather for a Sacred Assembly. Any not arriving would loose their place in the kingdom.
Nearly to a person, those who gathered admitted their guilt and pledged to divorce their foreign wives and be forever separated from them and any children produced by disobedient marriages.
Within an appropriate time the kingdom was purged of this practice that the blessings of God might be restored.
“The memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. It was the month of Kislev in the twentieth year. At the time I was in the palace complex at Susa. Hanani, one of my brothers, had just arrived from Judah with some fellow Jews. I asked them about the conditions among the Jews there who had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem. They told me, “The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven. I said, “God, God-of-Heaven, the great and awesome God, loyal to his covenant and faithful to those who love him and obey his commands: Look at me, listen to me. Pay attention to this prayer of your servant that I’m praying day and night in intercession for your servants, the People of Israel, confessing the sins of the People of Israel. And I’m including myself, I and my ancestors, among those who have sinned against you. We’ve treated you like dirt: We haven’t done what you told us, haven’t followed your commands, and haven’t respected the decisions you gave to Moses your servant. All the same, remember the warning you posted to your servant Moses: ‘If you betray me, I’ll scatter you to the four winds, but if you come back to me and do what I tell you, I’ll gather up all these scattered peoples from wherever they ended up and put them back in the place I chose to mark with my Name.’ “Well, there they are—your servants, your people whom you so powerfully and impressively redeemed. O Master, listen to me, listen to your servant’s prayer—and yes, to all your servants who delight in honoring you—and make me successful today so that I get what I want from the king.” I was cupbearer to the king.” Nehemiah 1:1-11 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
“The local officials had no idea where I’d gone or what I was doing—I hadn’t breathed a word to the Jews, priests, nobles, local officials, or anyone else who would be working on the job. Then I gave them my report: “Face it: we’re in a bad way here. Jerusalem is a wreck; its gates are burned up. Come—let’s build the wall of Jerusalem and not live with this disgrace any longer.” I told them how God was supporting me and how the king was backing me up. They said, “We’re with you. Let’s get started.” They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work.” Nehemiah 2:15-18 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
“So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: “Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:13-14 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
“Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, “This day is holy to God, your God. Don’t weep and carry on.” They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation. He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!” The Levites calmed the people, “Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don’t be upset.” So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.” Nehemiah 8:9-12 The Message - Emphasis QC’s
“Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?” One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me. Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task. I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.” Nehemiah 19:23-31 New International Version - Emphasis QC’s
Difficult Questions
1. Q) Have modern church leaders responded like Ezra or Nehemiah did to far lessor sins than the litany of our own, up to and including the abortion of millions in the U.S. and well over a billion globally in just a few decades?
A) No
2. Q) Do we tremble at the words of God enough to call for a summit meeting?
A) No
3. Q) Given that the quality and quantity of modern sins make those of Ezra's day pale in comparison, do we tare our clothing, pull out our hair, sit appalled and begin our prayers with expressing our shame over our guilt and by refusing to look up?
A) No
4. Q) Should our leaders repent as Ezra did, would the Western Church agree to an act of repentance commensurate with even just a few of the greater sins we daily commit?
A) Unlikely
5. Q) Are there New Testament Scriptures and examples of acts of repentance? Are there numerous verses clearly stating that we will be judged by our actions?
A) Hundreds
6. Q) Is it possible an individual or group may call America (and other nations) to a Sacred Assembly? Could the price for not attending be exile from the Kingdom?
A) Yes...
While it's true that God may once again call His people to a Sacred Assembly, the call would have to come from a person or organization that could rightfully and clearly make such a demand.
Unfortunately, there are no present candidates with the understanding and clout, spiritual mandate and miraculous power necessary to do so.
Should this change, there are many factors to weigh before attempting such an important act. Still, recognizing Scripture’s prophetic advice and how it could be applied is a step in the right direction. And as such should be a matter of the utmost importance to Christians everywhere.
Yet is it? Among the more dedicated, almost all are rightfully busy serving the Kingdom of God, often in crucial and costly endeavors. Yet this raises the question who is wise and willing enough to recognize the glaring need for a restoration of the linchpin of Biblical Christianity? Were are those willing to pay the cost of radical discipleship and obedience necessary to revive authentic and miraculous power evangelism and discipleship?
Prophetic Christians, equipped and practiced in correctly discerning and judging the times and season, are needed to embrace pre-revival repentance. Biblically accurate churches and fellowships must arise with missionary zeal, commissioned with the critical task of researching and planting the seeds of an authentic Sacred Assembly.
Such an ambitious directive would include, but not be limited to, adequately addressing following issues:
1. Cessationism: While cessation theology is Biblically inaccurate the question remains as to why the truly effectual gifts of the Spirit have all but ceased?
2. Charismatics: Given the majority of charismatic claims exaggerate if not falsify results, what hinders hundreds of millions espousing such beliefs from honestly evaluating and re-doubling their well intentioned Biblically sanctioned efforts?
3. Immorality: In the aftermath of the 1960’s sexual revolution’s tsunami creating a Waterworld of immorality, what level of holiness might be required of Prophetic Christians in the areas of thought and word, action and lifestyle? Not to mention more subtle issues including dress and entertainment?
4. Abortion: Globally having killed well over a billion, more than 60,000,000 in the U.S., through clinical abortion and an unknown number through contraceptive abortifacients, what conditions and/or commands might the Holy Spirit issue in regarding repentance. Keep in mind were modern Christians authentically pro-life we could have easily ended clinical abortions in a single day, 365 days a year, since 1973’s Roe vs. Wade supreme court decision. We need only send 1% of church attenders to have a friendly pro-family picnic in front of the entrance of abortion clinics. Such a simple rescue technique could hardly be thwarted by arrests given the sheer numbers involved. Certainly not for more than a day or two.
5. Wealth: Science and technology’s meteoric raise has enabled a variety of unprecedented blessings to create a society of wealth within First World Nations all but unimaginable throughout human history. Given Christ’s unheeded warnings regarding wealth, such as the Rich Man and Lazarus as well as the Rich Young Ruler, what standards might be imposed on those fully committing to pre-revival repentance and a New Pentecost?
6. Entertainment: Clearly in time and money, entertainment ranks high among modern idolatries of choice. This raises the question just how extensive would cutbacks need to be to effectively sanctify modern life? Should God’s grace open blind eyes, as in the Book of Acts, how many magazines and books, CD’s and DVD’s if not TV’s and computers might be fuel for the fire? “Many of those who thus believed came out of the closet and made a clean break with their secret sorceries. All kinds of witches and warlocks came out of the woodwork with their books of spells and incantations and made a huge bonfire of them. Someone estimated their worth at fifty thousand silver coins. In such ways it became evident that the Word of the Master was now sovereign and prevailed in Ephesus.”
7. Brokenness: Given the weightiness of the above challenges to a reformation of doctrine and lifestyle within modern Christianity, much less society at large, what would Biblical brokenness look like? Might it be along the lines of the unique yet nearly universally ignored step by step prescription for worldliness from the Book of James?
8. Fellowship: There are few if any fellowships or organizations, churches or denominations interested enough in authentic Biblical Christianity to seriously discuss much less act on the glaring need for renewal or revival, not to mention costly reformation. Prophetic Christians are called to carefully discern and appropriately respond to the paradox that Churchianity is simultaneously the greatest hope and hindrance to an authentic and global move of God.
9. Relationships: Quantum Christianity was carefully and compassionately designed as a Scriptural commentary for the purpose of providing a bridge between 1st century Biblical Christianity and 21st century modern Churchianity. Seeking to embrace “every word that comes from the mouth of God” rather than ignoring problematic passages and principles is a radical commitment that is both daunting and taxing on individual and group relationships.
10. Self Worth: Taking the road far less traveled presents a serious of challenges most find far too difficult. Wrestling with and on behalf of ourselves and families, friends and neighbors, believers and unbelievers, can be as costly as it is isolating. Walking the spiritual and emotional tightrope between inflated and deflated self image is a lonely and thankless endeavor. Nevertheless, if there is to be any realistic opportunity to restore the New Testament’s irreplaceable power evangelism and discipleship through pre-revival repentance and a new Pentecost, someone must be willing to bear such a cross.
Prophetic Christians, equipped and practiced in correctly discerning and judging the times and seasons, are desperately needed to embrace pre-revival repentance and pay the price of radical discipleship. Biblically accurate churches and fellowships must arise with missionary zeal, tasked with the sole and critical purpose of researching and planting the seeds of renewal, revival and reformation.
Rarity is the defining characteristic of pricelessness. Rare indeed are those today capable and honest enough to admit the obvious nature of the need for immediate and drastic change. Far rarer still are those willing to engage in what may well be the greatest challenge/opportunity to yet face the Kingdom of God.
Food for thought.
An old adage notes, “If you’ve got the vision, you’ve got the job.” And as Randy Stonehill and Phil Keaggy sing in their insightful song Save The Children, “If it isn’t now then tell me when. If it’s you then tell me who…”
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