167 – The way of the wayfaring men II

And a highway hath been there, and a way, And the `way of holiness’ is called to it, Not pass over it doth the unclean, And He Himself [is] by them, Whoso is going in the way — even fools err not.

ISAIAH 35:8 YLT

The way of holiness is an ancient way that few have threaded on since the fall of man. Hebrews 11:13-16 showed us wayfarers who had divorced themselves from the world, seeking a glorious city whose builder and maker is God. While many of these men hoped for a promise to be changed and put on God’s nature, God has reserved a better thing for the wayfarers of this generation that they without us, cannot be made perfect.

God’s intent is to build a church in the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus. Since the inception of the church, there has been major deviations, many of which formed the denomination and institutionalized systems we have today. However, these systems were not always in error. God inspired truths in Martin Luther, the wesleyans, the baptists and many other denomination. The issue began when these became monuments. How do we know a move has become a monument? When there is a new revelation, someone among a group who is seeking God catches it and brings it to those who are in the current truth. The idea is that this would be examined, judged and if true, added to the truth they know while we move on towards the fulness of God. Hebrews 13:14 says that here, we do not have a continuing city. However, what happens to monuments is that they hold on to the revelation they received as law and build an institution our of it. They also display a deep hatred and persecution against that which God is doing. This was the case between the Jews and Christian, Catholics and protestants, lutherans and reformers, evangelicals and pentecostals, etc.

Whenever a monument is formed, because God keeps moving His people towards perfection, He picks those who weep and cry for the atrocities in the movement and inspires truth, causing them to seek Him again for the true way, Ezekiel 9:1-4. There are major characteristics of this way.

First, there is no emphasis on any man but Christ. The idea of a ‘set man’ or one man head of a church was not God’s initial set up for the church. Jesus said in Matthew 23:7-8: But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. The current set up of a head and pew members is what is called the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Nico = conquerors, Laitans = Laity or people). With this comes the idea of title giving, creating men like King Saul who are head and shoulder above the people. God allowed this in the old covenant, though it was not the ideal, but His intent has always been a body where Christ alone is the head. While there are obvious graces in the body of Christ, calling men by titles like Apostle, Reverend, etc, simply creates a division between laity and the set men. These men quickly become what the bible calls, idol Shepherds, consciously or unconsciously stealing the affection of the sheep, so that men want to gain the approval of their pastors and not God, Zechariah 11:16-17. If you are in such a position, remember that you are dealing with a Jealous God who is a consuming fire. Save your soul!

The greatest name you can be called in the body of Christ is “brother or sister”. Jesus Himself is not ashamed to be called our brother, because we and Him are all of one God, Hebrews 2:11. He mingled so much with his disciples that they needed someone to point out who He was among them when they came to arrest Him in Gathsemene, John 18:3-8. There is an onslaught coming against the church, great persecution which Jeremiah 30:7 calls the day of Jacobs trouble. The visible church will be the first target, their leaders being the first. Beloved, for the salvation of both your life and your soul do not be called anything but brother or sister. God is king and we are all brethren. Hence, leadership in the new testament is plural with no one man leader. Ideally, a true minister of God should minister himself out of ‘relevance’. John ministered and left the scene for Jesus, John 3:30. Jesus did greater works and left the scene, allowing us to do greater works, John 14:12. This is the due order. When a man stands to ministers for 10, 20, 30 years and no one can be said to do greater works than he did, he has most likely become idol shepherd, ministering himself and not the true gospel.

The emphasis of this way of holiness is Jesus. The call is to move beyond, but not without Pentecost. That is going with the truths that God has passed down through the various moves from Luther to Seymour and secondly the priesthood of all believers where even the least among the church (the newest believer) can hear from God and be a blessing. This is the due order.

In conclusion, besides clear supporting evidence in scripture for the due order, there were notable prophecies given by prophets in previous centuries about the work of God in this time. One of this is by Jane Lead, a prophetess in 1679. You can find this here. Another prophecy to note was by Brother Seymour from the Azusa street revival:

Yet he prophesied, that in 100 years there would be an outpouring of God’s Spirit and His Shekinah Glory that would be greater and more far reaching than what was experienced at Azusa. Beloved God has begun to move again in our generation. May our hearts align to this new vision.

Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word and invitation to be a part of what You are doing in my generation. Father, we see the errors of the various moves that had gone before us, an emphasis on men being revered and becoming idols in the hearts of your children. Father, we know the root of this is pride, the lust of the flesh and the eyes. We do not want to become what we came out of. Father, flush out these tendencies from our hearts and help us not to deviate from the true path. Shows us your ways oh God and we will walk in Your truth. Amen.