VW: Man of God: Stand Your Ground!

A Voice in the
Wilderness

" Man of God: Stand Your Ground! "

"But you, O man of God, flee [greed] and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, lay hold on eternal life, TO WHICH YOU WERE ALSO CALLED and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you KEEP THE COMMANDMENT WITHOUT SPOT, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will reveal in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1Ti6:11-15)

"Therefore I remind you to STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD which is in you... For GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF TIMIDITY, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND. Therefore DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE TESTIMONY OF OUR LORD... but PARTAKE IN THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE GOSPEL according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2Ti1:6-9)

As is the case with most of these articles, this article, while designated for "November" (as things are mailed to the subscribers) is being written in July. As quickly as things are moving along politically and economically in the world this year, who knows what the set of realities will be when November arrives. As of July, there have been a multitude of meetings of global leaders at the UN, G8, G20; visits by President Obama to Saudi Arabia, Russia, France, Egypt, etc. There have been pontifications and statements by the various world leaders as well as the latest Encyclical "Caritas in Veritate" from the pope. Essentially -everybody-; the Vatican, world leaders, politicians, UN, etc; are on the same page, heading for the New World Order, the one-world government, a global rulership of government controlling the lives of people...also using mother-earth worship and the green-sustainability agenda as a motivator to bring the masses in line.

Along with politics, global pagan spirituality and immorality increases and progresses. Scandals of infidelity abound; it doesn't seem to matter which side of the political spectrum is involved. Those with some semblence of morality and decency, if they speak of their values publicly, get crucified in the media; such as when a beauty contestant dared to speak to the rightness of male/female marriage. And we could go on and on to describe the wickedness of this present evil world.

But what of those who stand as "watchmen"? What is God's call to the watchmen?

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear the Word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, You shall die the death, and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul." (Ezk3:17-19)

This article is written to actually a paltry -few- of you who are reading it. While there are many who are called "reverend" or "pastor", most of them were not called by God, but are functioning "out of their own heart" when they "have seen nothing". (Ezk13:2-3) In most cases, they are false prophets, they are "blind leaders of the blind" (Mt15:14) If you fit that category, this article is not to you. You can just-as-well stop reading right here.

This article is written to you whom God has called, because you actually truly -do- know Him, for whom God's Word has been "like a fire" (Jer23:20) and you have not been able to keep it in (Jer20:9), but God has called you to...

"Cry aloud, do not spare; lift up your voice like a shofar, and declare to My people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins." (Is58:1)

I am on several mailing lists and read the writings of many people. Some of the contributors are pastors. Some are not pastors, but it is obvious from their writings that God's -CALL- is upon them to "cry aloud"; they come from backgrounds in entertainment, law enforcement, athletics, scholars, attorneys, doctors, etc. For the most part it seems the non-pastors have more of God's "fire" in their hearts than the pastors do.

But a sad and disappointing thing I have observed this year. As global and national events seem to progress at lightning speed, so too has been the vehemence of the "watchmen" warning against the onslaught. So far, so good. But also, in some cases, as the enemy strikes back, I have noticed a couple who have faltered. In one case, the person actually even withdrew the articles that had been written, and issued an 'apology' to his readers. Some future articles then changed from spiritual and moral matters, to politics. He got 'stung', and drew back from the fight. Others have also written some 'whiny' articles ("what about meeee?"), as a 'change' was then also visible in their writings.

"If you faint in the day of distress (adversity/trial/troubles), your strength is small." (Pr24:10)

Is the man-of-God a 'superman'? Even Jesus, when en-route to the cross, implored the Father with vehement cries and tears (Heb5:7), "if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me" as in great agony He also sweat drops of blood, but submitted, "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Mt26:39)

Elijah had proclaimed a great victory against the prophets of Baal. Then Jezebel issued a warrant for his death. Elijah went on the run, as the ravens also fed him, but whines, "I alone am left; and they seek my soul, to take it away." (1Ki19:10)

Just who was Elijah? He did not die, but was taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind. It is Elijah who was promised to Israel "before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Jehovah." (Mal4:5) When John was sent to announce Jesus, it was said that he was the "spirit and power of Elijah" (Lk1:17) When Jesus took the three up into the mountain, when Jesus was transfigured before them, it was Moses and Elijah who came to visit with Jesus. (Lk9:30) Elijah was 'up there' (in greatness) with Moses. And yet Moses was not allowed into the promised land due to a lapse in judgment and faithfulness before Israel. Moses was not perfect. And Elijah was also a "man with feelings like ours" (Ja5:17)

So, as Elijah is whining (in his humanity, likely with good reason?) to God, what does God respond? "There, there, you poor thing!" ?? No.

Get up! You've got more work to do: Go anoint a couple of kings. Anoint Elisha to follow you. There's gonna be more trouble ahead. (1Ki19:15-17)

God "knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (Ps103:14) and He nurtured Elijah along, hiding him, feeding him. God knows that we sometimes need to have a good cry, heave some huge sighs, while our insides are in utter turmoil. He sees what is going on with our enemies; but also knows that we do not. But neither does God 'coddle' us endlessly. When we have had enough time to recover, He says, as if to say: Enough resting; time to get back into the game! Go get'em!!

But then, God also lets us know a little of the reality that is not always readily visible.

"Yet I have left in Israel seven thousand, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (1Ki19:18)

Yes, there's lots of enemies out there. Some that would like to do the prophet in. There is going to be a lot a barking, yelling, hissing and anger against God's message. God promises the messenger: the audience is rebellious, stubborn and hard-hearted, and you will not be popular among them. They will be like briers, thorns and scorpions. (Ezk2:6)

But also, for all the noise that comes back, there actually -are- True Believers out there, who have not bowed to satan. For the however-many-million that might have been Israel's population, 7000 is a paltry tiny percentage. Israel was supposed to be God's people. Today, that's like: the Church. 7000 in Israel was likely less than .07% of the population? Transfer that to today's church... supposing we were talking about a mega-church with 10,000 members, .07% would be like "7" True Believers. A church with 100 members? Not even "1". 1000 members? Still, not even "1"

You see, dear reader... when we speak regularly of the "few" who are on the path to Life (Mt7:14), do you understand just -how- "few" that is? And if these are the percentage realities for that which is called "church", what about the pagan world! See why it is sooo intensely wicked out there? Like the days of Noah...

"And Jehovah saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all day long." (Ge6:5)

And also...

"All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil." (Ps56:5)

And so, dear man-of-God... do you now understand your audience? If you are a 'true' man-of-God, and are declaring the wickedness of sin for what it is, you will NOT have "hundreds and thousands" of people responding to your call, up the aisles, for Salvation. You -WILL- have arguments coming back at you, condemning and criticizing you for your 'harsh' words of 'hate', and chiding you to 'temper' your words with more 'wisdom' and 'luuuv'. You may have thought those people were Believers? If they are grumbling against God's holy message, they are not. You have just made discovery of more who are on their way to destruction. If they are True Believers, and you, man-of-God, are being faithful to God's message, they will 'hear' you.

"We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error." (1Jn4:6)

They might attack you, you may become fearful, injured, tired...you might need to recouperate and refresh yourself in God's Word...but do not change or compromise the Message! Don't you dare! If you do, you are "accursed" (Ga1:8-9) As Jesus said...

"Whoever therefore relaxes one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven." (Mt5:19)

If God called you, He called you to a pit of scorpions...

"And you will be hated by everyone on account of My name. But he who endures to the end will be kept safe... A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more those of his household!" (Mt10:22,24-25)

Since Jesus led the way, we know where we are going. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, following in Jesus' footsteps. We cast off the burdens and onslaughts of the enemy, and "looking unto Jesus" (Heb12:2) we forge ahead.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on all the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. Therefore take up all the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND." (Eph6:10-13)

"For consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners against Himself, that you not become weary and faint in your souls." (Heb12:3)

Amen!