The Changing of the Guard

When the church of the Old Covenant moved off course, the Lord responded with a word of prophecy concerning His intent.

Isaiah 1:21

How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

The church of today has the same testimony. It has moved away from the faith and is in the midst of a great falling away from righteousness. The way of holiness has been replaced with the pursuit of wealth and notoriety. Satan has been given a seat in its sanctuaries and iniquities are common among the people. Gifts of the Spirit are prostituted, sexual and spiritual whoredoms and all manner of perversions can be found in the Body of Christ. Wantonness, lust, malice and the pride of life are the ruling principalities in the church today. Holiness and righteousness are meaningless clichés and perfection, through walking in the Spirit, is not even a matter of any interest in most circles. Indeed, the church today is playing the role of the harlot.

Isaiah 1:22

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

The precious souls that were saved having escaped the corruption that is in the world have now become as the world. The spirit is mixed with the flesh and the new creature has defiled himself. He vacillates, walking after the Spirit, and then after the flesh, seeking the things of this world. He has put the Christ in him to an open shame.

Isaiah 1:23

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Many leaders in the church have forsaken the way of the Lord and become even as Balaam in their quest for the good life provided by the preaching of the gospel. They have made merchandise of the people of God and counted them as stepping-stones to their own prosperity. The causes and purposes of God are either forbidden subjects or they are used as pawns to receive grant monies that are to secure the welfare of the leader. I speak not against receiving grants, but I do challenge the motivation of some leaders for pursuing them. These abuses to Christianity have caused the world to turn away from Christ. The church has made Christ a joke to the world. Nevertheless, there remain some of us who are set to contend for the faith.

Isaiah 1:24-25

24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

Those who walk in the lusts of this world have become enemies of God and the gospel. But the Lord, in His faithfulness to His Word, will purge the church of the filthiness of the flesh. He will allow the world to see the true Christ before the end. They will entertain real Christianity. All things that offend shall be taken from the Body. This means those who oppose Christ will be exposed for what they are. This will be done by the exaltation of the true Sons who walk in the fullness of the statue of the man Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 1:26-28

26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellers as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

The ministry of the apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist and teacher will be restored, as in the days of the early church. The gifts of the Spirit will operate in purity and the harvest will be harvested. The table of the Lord will be set forth in our churches, and the seat of Satan will be removed. This is the promise of the Lord. We can trust in it and wait on it by occupying until it is manifested. The Lord will vindicate righteousness.

Soon all will know the Sons of God. They will be identified by:

* Faith – They will walk in the faith of the Lord.

* Love – They will be willing to lay down their lives for others.

* Holiness – They are the righteousness of God in the earth.

* Suffering – They will walk in the fellowship of Christ sufferings.