Tags
called by God, church, experience, glory, joy, Michael Clark, prophesy, resurrection power, suffering, T.A. Sparks, the cross
My thoughts on this issue were inspired by Michael Clark with whom I had an exchange regarding the time we might live in now, about 2,000 years after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Even if we merely look at the circumstances around us, the political situation of so many run-down countries, the increasing number of trouble spots in the world, and the not even remotely comprehensible approaches of “truths” in religion, science, and pseudo-scientific fields (such as esoteric and occult doctrines), we might begin to feel uneasy by the threat of chaos closing in on us.
There may be people who are still insecure about how to seek and serve God the best way. Therefore, they are mulling over joining a church which offers a default way of approaching the Divine for money or, in contrast, over choosing the more difficult way of searching for God on their own… but for free. Yes, free of charge (tithes/church taxes/donations), however, not pain-free. Seeking and finding God through Jesus Christ means getting to know His sufferings, too, when we have taken up our cross of dying to our self-will. Nonetheless, what should not be kept secret is that the reverse side of the coin of suffering with Christ is knowing the heights and the glory of a powerful spiritual life as well (i.e., the power of His resurrection).
As for the church age being over (or not), I found an interesting excerpt in one of T.A. Sparks’s articles where he reflected upon God’s pending judgment which always ends one specific age by bringing in its wake destruction and chaos before the new age begins.
“The last call of God, as judgment is pending, is a call to Himself. Here then is the call of God in our time. The last movement of the people of God is to Himself: not to a movement as such; not to a teaching or interpretation of truth; not to a sect or party; not to an enterprise or mission – but to Christ. The final true and Divine movement is to the Lord Himself. The sheer pressure of the conditions in the gathering storm and tempest will demand a leaving of all lesser interests and objects, however good a purpose they may have served hitherto, and a moving toward the Lord Himself. ‘Things’ divide; the Lord unites. ‘Things’ must pass; the Lord abides. The time comes when all the means and accessories which the Lord has sovereignly used will cease to avail. This includes all the organized side of Christianity, and the Lord will force the issue as to how much there really is of Himself.” (1)
Could it be that some of us already heard that call of God to Himself and that they therefore left the former traditional gathering places in order to be part of a “not-yet-fully-established” new order God has had in mind? Could it even be possible that God prophesied such things before? For it is written,
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Is 43:18-19 ESV)
Have we not observed that the mainline churches started to fall apart due to more and more revealed scandals? Is that not a sign that many churches – not all, perhaps – have not been focused on Jesus Christ but merely on this-worldly things and on how to keep the “system” going? 🙄
(1) http://www.austin-sparks.net/english/002100.html
“In keeping with T. Austin-Sparks’ wishes that what was freely received should be freely given and not sold for profit, and that his messages be reproduced word for word, we ask if you choose to share these messages with others, to please respect his wishes and offer them freely – free of any changes, free of any charge (except necessary distribution costs) and with this statement included.”
Fred Thoren said:
I have found it easier to seek GOD on my own that is for sure.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
I am glad to hear that, Fred. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Fred, don’t forget that, “…he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6, KJ2000). You are a blessing, dear brother!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Someone pointed out that God does not tell time in hours, days, or even years like we do, but in epics or dispensations if you will. One age lasted from the fall of man to the flood, the next one was from the flood to Moses and the age of the law. That age came to a close 2000 years ago on the Day of Pentecost when God poured out His Spirit on all flesh (Joel ch 2), not just an appointed few as in the Old Covenant.
With all this in mind, think of how traumatic it was at the end of each of these ages… a world ending flood, Egypt all but destroyed, the destruction of the temple and Israel as a nation and the Jewish worship and sacrificial system, etc. What do you think will be the sign of the end of the church age before God ushers in what I believe to be “The Age of the Bride and the Bridegroom”? Won’t it be a complete destruction of this false system built by men around the gospel of Jesus Christ?
For the past few years all denominational leadership have been striving to bring all their organization into reconciliation in a sort of man made unity and it is failing no matter how many doctrines they do away with to come into agreement with one another. Jesus came not to bring peace but the sword! All man made sects will be divided against one another just as it was at the tower of Babel and Babylon the Great is the end result of the man made religions that have formed around Christianity and God’s judgement is upon it. Why? Because He is ushering in a NEW dispensation!
Peter wrote,
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Pt 3:8 ESV)
A day is as a thousand years with God. We are also about to go into the third millennium of the church age, but not without a bang! Hosea prophesied,
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” (Hos 6:1-2, KJ2000)
Yes HE is tearing us, we the church! It is not the devil or ISIS or communism or anything else. These man made temples that Christendom is so focused on are coming to an end along with the political systems that support them. Nowhere in the Bible did Jesus command the apostles to go forth and build churches so Christians would have a place to worship! Quite the opposite! He pronounced that all worship would no longer be in holy places, but true worship of His Father would be in the Spirit and in Verity, truth in our inward parts, our hearts. He also said that the temple system would be torn down and that HIS temple would be made of LIVING stones, the very hearts of the true worshipers!
So, all that said, AFTER two days (2000 years) of Him taring us, HE will heal us and bind up our wounds. AND in the third day, not at the end of it, HE will raise us up THAT WE MAY DWELL IN HIS SIGHT! Jesus is coming back for His perfect bride, not a divided and self-destructive church system that is so focused on its own greatness that it can not see Him coming! Look up, dear saints of God who truly love the Son for your redemption draw nigh!
LikeLiked by 6 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
WOW! What an excellent blog article of your own you just posted on here, Michael! ⭐
Looking forward to seeing it published on A Wilderness Voice soon. 😉
LikeLiked by 4 people
Michael said:
Susanne, I got my blog article finished and posted. Thank you for your insights, the quote from TAS and that very graphic picture of the collapsing church. Once again God has used you to inspire me. You are such a blessing. Here is the URL to my blog… https://awildernessvoice.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/the-bridegroom-cometh/
🐻
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re very welcome, Michael. Thank you for having inspired me yesterday to write this small post of mine.
You are a blessing to me, indeed. 🐱
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael said:
Susanne, I love the way the Spirit uses us to encourage and inspire one another to go deeper into Christ. You are a wonderful blessing from our Father to me to whom I will be forever grateful. ⭐
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you, Michael. I am so grateful, too, to have come to know you and to experience more and more depths of the Spirit together with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anna Waldherr said:
Beautifully expressed, Michael.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Michael said:
Thank you, Anna.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Becky Johnson said:
Much of the church attendance requirement with Hebrews Scripture quoted has been much to my chagrin. Recently I was lamenting to my mother and said, “I have been captivated by Christ, my heart has been gripped by grace, and I have not one iota of a desire whatsoever to enter into a building and play that whole scene.” I know and have “met” many who do not comprehend that…but in recent months I have learned much of the Spirit and it is better to be led by that inner guidance than anything outwardly. Period. End of story. 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Yes and amen to your story, Becky! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
Becky, this might sound harsh, but what you have and what the church going crowd does (from their lack) are like comparing being married to and living with the one you love versus going once a week to be intimate with them at the local brothel. You have chosen wisely with your heart dear friend.
As for Hebrews 10:25 which they threw in your face to validate the shallowness of their relationship in Christ, you might want to read a study I did on this verse and its REAL meaning.
https://awildernessvoice.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/just-who-is-really-forsaking-the-assembling/
LikeLiked by 3 people
Becky Johnson said:
I have seen that article you wrote. It was good to read again. Thank you for your encouragement, Michael. I believe that if God wanted me elsewhere, He would let me know. Unless that happens, it is best for me to follow Him. As you know 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: The Bridegroom Cometh! « A Wilderness Voice
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you very much for the pingback to my blog, Michael.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
You are so welcome, Susanne. 🐻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you for being YOU, Michael. 🐱
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you for sharing your personal insights with us on here, Nancy.
What you wrote about Rev 3:17 was something I had to experience personally many years after I had left the church (eight years later, to be precise). The presence of the living God and His consuming fire made it very clear to me that I have nothing in my (old) self that would ever be worthy or useful to serve Him. Although it was a VERY painful encounter with Him, I think everyone inside or outside the system needs to go through God’s cleansing and purifying fire so that God can use us exclusively for His purposes. The apostle Peter confirmed,
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” (1 Pt 4:17-19 ESV)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Michael said:
Susanne, once again you stirred up the Spirit within me to share something from my heart.
You wrote, “I think everyone inside or outside the system needs to go through God’s cleansing and purifying fire so that God can use us for HIS purposes.”
Yes, dear sister, this is the way of the Lord and He has always required His offerings to pass through the fire. Everything and every work we propose to give must pass through His fires of purification including our own hearts. In the Book of Numbers we read a very telling commandment that the Jews who had come back from war had to strictly follow,
So many Christians come to Christ and are either unaware that they have NOTHING that God can use without it all passing through His fires of purification (the dark night of the soul and the wilderness) or they are willfully ignorant and use the powers of their flesh and their personal charisma to try and do His work for Him. The trouble is that soon the stinking smell of the flesh and their pride is all over it just like Cane’s sacrifice. God rejects it and they have to spend more and more human effort to prop it up and keep it going.
“And Abraham said unto God, ‘O that Ishmael might live before you!'” (Gen 17:18, KJ2000) and God’s answer to the works of the flesh is always the same, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac,” the miraculous child of God’s promise.
Paul wrote,
The arrogance and pride of the church organizations of men always make men and their works its foundation. Each of these organizations are founded by a man or a woman with lots of personal charisma that men blindly follow them. Instead of each person being founded ON CHRIST, they seek a following that will give them unquestioned authority and loyalty to THEIR vision who will do what they say! Well “the day shall declare” what manner of work each of us have built. We are in that final day of the purifying fire of God and all that man has done by and of the flesh is going up in smoke. Jesus said, “The flesh profits nothing!” The real question is what will be left of all our works when we stand before the piercing gaze of God? Those who have been purified by His fire, His sheep who wait for HIM to move in their midst, will hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” And the self-motivated and self-promoted goats will hear, “Depart from you who work inequity, I never knew you.”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Congrats, Michael! Another great blog post-to-be. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
totellthetruth1962 said:
You are absolutely Hilarious Jack! Thanks for being you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
totellthetruth1962 said:
I remember one time after having a spinal tap and I was spared of a humongous headache for a day and my brother took me to church many years ago. The preacher was preaching and I laughed out loud. I was the only one laughing and my brother just gave me a glare. Then when we left my headache came back! I didn’t go back to that church. In fact I rarely went to church. I hate rituals. I did however go to another church about 10 years ago maybe longer than thatago to a laughing church. I thought I missed a joke. I asked why is everyone laughing? The person that took me said it was the Holy Spirit laughter. And everyone was laughing and some were rolling around on the floor and acting strange and I just didn’t get it. I didn’t go back after that.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Ouchee!! That was Pentecostal charismatic stuff… “Holy” laughter and worse… 😛
LikeLiked by 3 people
totellthetruth1962 said:
Well we can all guess who the preacher was. I won’t name him though. I went to another like that when I was actually laughing at the people who were acting strange. And yet another person who took me there glared at me like I was disrespecting what was going on. I just said I had never seen anything like it before. Someone pretending to be a fish? It was funny!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Well, it was not funny when I finally realized that those demons who caused us to laugh and “more” were really EVIL and I suffered from paranoia after having left the cult. It was not fun at all, Stacey… 😦
LikeLiked by 3 people
totellthetruth1962 said:
Amen!!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nancy said:
Amen, Susanne! While I was an active member of an SBC church, I too was guilty of believing that we were the only ones within our community who remained in truth, and that included all the other SBC churches as well as other denominations. After all, our preacher sure can preach a powerful sermon, not like all the other lukewarm, worldly churches. Oh what arrogance! Again, it was this attitude of “we have need of nothing,” and that is a dangerous deception. Praise God, He showed me otherwise and I have since repented. Yes, God’s purifying fire hurts, but the new growth that follows is for His purpose and glory! A word of caution (to self), we can just as easily become arrogant and prideful having been “called out,” so knowing what we know now, we should have compassion and act in humility towards those who continue to remain in blindness within these buildings. We can warn and be a witness as we are led, but it is, ultimately, the Holy Spirit who will lead them out of “Egypt.” If this is so, they will not return.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Yes, indeed, Nancy, I think it is very easy to fall because of pride when someone thinks being called out would make us any “better” than other human beings (esp. those in the churches). We are all the same on the inside unless God saves us and brings forth a new creation with a new heart and a new mind.
LikeLiked by 4 people
totellthetruth1962 said:
I’m sorry Susanne. That was my first experience seeing something like that as I was used to being in a catholic and or more reserved churches. Looking back of course I realize just how demonic it was. And just how demonic that one church was with the “holy laughter”. And it is sad indeed if these people are still falling for it. I am cried out to be honest. When I finally stumbled on the truths I was horrified. Even some dreams left me feeling horrified to be sure. You’re right it isn’t funny but when I first saw that it was funny to me. Just being honest.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
No prob, Stacey. There were funny moments, indeed. I remember myself playing piano while kneeling on the floor. I could not “see” what I did there, but the outcome was a nice new song, though. 😉 And all were laughing about crazy Susanne kneeling and playing piano for a very long time. Sometimes we even played for hours! 🙂 By the way, the charismatic spirit moved through the Roman Catholic Church as well. May God help them all to seek and find The Truth. Amen.
LikeLiked by 3 people
totellthetruth1962 said:
Yes I am aware. I don’t even trust charismatic personalities in which my last husband was. I was crushed. That was a very hard lesson. And not worth talking about. That is why I choose to stay single and the Lord has removed that desire from me anyways. Praise the Lord!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: For Our God Is a Consuming Fire! « A Wilderness Voice
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you for the pingback to my blog, Michael. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael said:
You are welcome, Susanne. It is always a pleasure to point people to what you write and share in the Spirit. 🐻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Mmmhhh…. Thanks a bunch for saying this, Michael! ❤
I am always happy to see God moving through your writings as well. 🐱
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nancy said:
Becky, I too have had Hebrews 10:25 thrown in my face, I can’t tell you how many times. Interesting, if these people would continue to read a little further down, they would find that they have taken this verse out of context. Your experience with “church” has actually been a gift and that will become even more clear the longer you are away from it. For those with eyes to see and ears to hear – our Lord Christ Jesus will expose the condition of it. And once our eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit, you can’t go back in. I actually feel “safer” outside the “camp.” Which brings us back to Susanne’s question, Is the Church Age over? Blessings to you, Becky.
LikeLiked by 3 people