The Cry God Waits to Hear - Part 2

We are in desperate times. Without God’s intervention, life itself hangs in the balance.

The apostle Paul recounts such a desperate time in 2 Corinthians:

For we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about the affliction and oppressing distress which befell us in [the province of] Asia, how we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead. [For it is He] Who rescued and saved us from such a perilous death, and He will still rescue and save us; in and on Him we have set our hope (our joyful and confident expectation) that He will again deliver us [from danger and destruction and draw us to Himself], While you also cooperate by your prayers for us [helping and laboring together with us]. Thus [the lips of] many persons [turned toward God will eventually] give thanks on our behalf for the grace (the blessing of deliverance) granted us at the request of the many who have prayed. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 AMP

Here we not only learn of the crushing weight upon Paul, but we come to understand God’s hand to deliver and His wisdom in drawing us from depending upon our own ingenuity to lean and fully rely on the only One who can truly deliver…the living God! At the same time we can readily observe that God uses the prayers of the Corinthian church to strengthen Paul and his team in their weakness.

We can learn from this that affliction has significant purpose in strengthening faith and rewarding obedience and faith. It also demonstrated to a young church God’s response to the unified cry of His people. God came to deliver.

How desperate must our circumstance become before we will cry out to God?

In John 11, we learn Lazarus, Jesus’ friend, is dead. After waiting four days subsequent to hearing of Lazarus’ condition, Jesus says it’s time to minister to Lazarus. Jesus knows the Father wants to raise Lazarus up. Upon hearing that the Lord had arrived near Bethany, Martha, the “worker,” comes and greets Jesus. She says, “I know if you had been here, Lazarus would not be dead.” She then begins a long theological argument about the last days, a final resurrection and the bliss to follow…someday. She’s obviously repeating what she had been taught. But what she had been taught was not correct. Jesus’ reply to Martha is, “I am the resurrection.” He is saying, “Now is the time for salvation.” She could not embrace or understand what Jesus spoke. She thought He was speaking of the resurrection on the last day. He wanted her to realize that He was the focal point of all God’s word and work! It was not too late for God to intervene as long as He was welcomed and trusted. She was intellectually analyzing the words of Christ, while Jesus wanted her to believe and trust in Him. While she intellectually said she did, her heart was numb and unresponsive.

He needed agreement because heaven and earth must work in cooperation. This is the way God set things in order since creation. God must have agreement and cooperation with man, because God gave man principle authority on this earth. God has voluntarily limited Himself in His work and will until He can find someone on earth to agree and cooperate with Him. Psalm 115:16 says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S; but the earth He has given to the children of men.” Matthew 18:18 states, "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Not finding in Martha what He needed to raise Lazarus from the dead, He sent for Mary (John 11:28). Mary sobbed at Jesus feet. She was groaning, distressed, broken and grieved. Jesus groaned as she uncontrollably sobbed at His feet. Mary, the lover, groaning in grief at Jesus’ feet, moved the heart of the Lord Himself to groan with the same empathic grief. The groan from earth was heard in heaven! Groan in this passage is translated from the Greek word (embrimaomai) which means “to snort with anger”. Divine retribution and indignation (justice) rose up in Him because of her cry of brokenness; the cry of the lover produced a groan from heaven. Jesus was touched so deeply by her cry that he wept (John 11:35).

After this joint cry/groan arises in agreement from Jesus and Mary (a type of the bride of Christ), Jesus then says, “Father I know you heard me,” What did the Father hear? There is no record of a prayer being spoken. The Father heard the combined cry of the bride and bridegroom (the groan of His Son). It was this groan, this sound, the Father heard and Lazarus was raised from the dead!

The “cry” is born from knowing who God is and what He can and will do when we turn to Him, rely and trust in Him. In every case they drew near to God. If we do not have a relationship with God and know the depth of His love, we will not turn to Him in our need. We will settle for counterfeits and substitutes.

Nehemiah’s Cry

Nehemiah was completely broken as he is apprised of the condition of the wall of Jerusalem. The burden he felt caused him to sit down, to weep, to fast, to pray constantly before God and to mourn for days. This was one who became very uncomfortable with the condition of the Israelites. He mourned for what his people had allowed to transpire. His demeanor caught the attention of the king who gave Nehemiah the provisions and authority to rebuild the walls at Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s humility and cry before God was answered with authority and favor to restore and rebuild what had been ruined.

The Lord is waiting to hear this cry from His people (2 Chron. 7:14). Will we answer?

The Cry God Waits to Hear – Part 1

And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Exodus 3:7-9 NKJV

It is the testimony of every move of God that He did not act until He heard a cry arise from His people. What is this cry? How is it that the God of the universe can be so moved that He will alter the destiny of a nation in a day, if He hears this cry? How could the living God be so stirred by the cry of His enslaved people that He not only set them free from the bonds of slavery but had them leave wearing and carrying their former masters’ most prized possessions? Now that’s deliverance! That is the greatness of our God! Why is it so imperative that we lay hold of the importance of this cry today?

The Israelites were in bondage for 430 years. God waited for a long time; He waited until this cry came before Him from His people. “Cry” in this passage means to shriek out with pain. These Israelites were desperate, without hope. They came together, assembled as one and cried out to God to be delivered from the intense pain of bondage. It was not just their prayer, but it was the cry coming from the hearts of the Israelites that drew God’s attention and released His compassion.

The Lord watches and waits until He hears this sound from His people. At just the right time, He comes with a swift sword to execute justice to deliver His people. A prophetic word released from Chuck Pierce of the Glory of Zion Ministries will begin to shed some light on the significance of the “Cry” from God’s people at this time.

"You are attempting to go up against an enemy with an anointing that you have already received instead of waiting for the anointing I am bringing and letting Me show you the enemy that you will be contending with...I am not asking you to address this enemy first with words. Rather, I have a sound you first must receive. This sound will go before you. The sound will come from the anointing and will cause the enemy to back off. This will give you a reprieve in your warfare. You are not defeating the enemy yet, but the enemy will back off to give you a reprieve to gain your authority. This is a time of reprieve for authority development. This is a time of new authority. I am raising you up. New assignments are coming. It will be as if you have just been called from the field, like David. I am not just calling the young for the new assignments. I am calling those that will enter in and operate the way I operate. First hear the sound that is confronting the enemy. If you use words (rather than sound) in the beginning, the enemy of the last structure will grab hold of you. I am setting the course for a new structure upon you. I’m calling you out and developing a new sound within you. I’m causing you to hear the sound. Allow the sound to mix with your anointing, and then I will send you forth to confront the word that the enemy is speaking."

I believe the sound mentioned here begins with a cry, a travail, a groaning from the depth of the human heart. We are much like the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt. Their slavery came about gradually. The Egyptians began to abuse them over the years. Because the Israelites accepted it and tolerated it for a long time, their condition became progressively worse until finally they shrieked from the pain. We are in this same apathetic state in America and daily His people are losing ground. God is waiting for us to turn to Him in our hour of need!

We do not understand the significance of the many changes that have taken place in the past several years and now in the past few months. We are heading towards economic collapse and the printing of more money will not deliver us. We are being stretched on every side. In addition to the wars already in progress, there are many more brewing worldwide. We have allowed the powers of darkness to rule business, government, education, the arts, media and even more sadly, the church. Our complacency has allowed us to lose ground. We have trusted in everything and everybody and turned away from God and His ways. What will it take for us to realize the seriousness of the times, or the condition of our hearts and turn wholeheartedly to God?

Psalm 107 reveals the age old progression where man turns away from God, suffers affliction, and then cries out to the Lord in trouble. Then and only then does God deliver.

Fools, because of their transgression,

And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.

Their soul abhorred all manner of food,

And they drew near to the gates of death.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

He sent His word and healed them,

And delivered them from their destructions. - Psalms 107:17-20 NKJV

How are we fools, today? We choose entertainment or chocolate to ease the pain, to bring comfort. We attend conferences, go to counselors, and seek prophetic words to deliver us or to avoid our own seeking of the truth. We have trusted in man or trusted in ourselves to pull us through our conflicts. Even the church has turned to the world to find solutions to problems that only God can bring. Individuals have recognized the seriousness of the problems we face and cried out briefly. However, when God did not respond in the timing or the way expected or demanded, discouragement set in and they became silent once more. It will take His corporate body joining together and seeking God wholeheartedly to reverse the condition of our hearts and the state of our nation.

In the New Testament, a woman of Canaan cried out.

And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. - Matthew 15:21-28 NKJV

“Cry out” here means to be crazy. Her daughter’s condition was hopeless and she knew without God’s intervention her situation would remain the same. Many would have been offended by what Jesus spoke to her. It did not deter her. She understood the desperation of her situation. She continued to turn to God, pursue Him and trust Him for the solution to her daughter’s condition. God heard the cry of her heart and was moved with compassion. The result: her daughter was made whole!

Another example of one “crying out” is recorded in three of the gospels. As Jesus and His disciple went out of Jericho blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. - Mark 10: 47-52 NKJV

People warned Bartimaeus to be quiet which made him cry out all the more. His cry got Jesus’ attention. He was a grown man and he had probably been begging most of his life. On this day, he wanted his condition to change. He let out a cry… a desperate cry from the depths of His being and the Lord responded. How desperate must our lives become before we will cry out to God?

What do all these “cries” have in common? In every circumstance the individual or the people needed a Deliverer! All were helpless and recognized their need for God’s intervention for change to come to their condition. The cry was born from knowing who God is and what He can and will do when we turn to Him, rely on and trust in Him. In every case they drew near to God. If we do not have a relationship with God and know the depth of His love, we will not turn to Him in our need.

I believe this is the very place America stands as a nation. Our independence and ingenuity has brought about a spiritual dearth! Can the impending judgment that awaits this nation be averted? II Chron. 7:14 provides God’s conditions to hear and answer our cry: If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Has Anyone Seen Jonathan? (Adapted from "Restoring the Ruins")

There is an inheritance that has been laid up for the body of Christ, reserved in a heavenly trust fund, that God is waiting to release to a generation who will trust, desire and obey Him. We are living in the day when the justice of God will be released on the earth and everything that has been stolen, destroyed, perverted or squandered will be restored, and it will be restored sevenfold. (Proverbs 6:30-31.) But it will come to a people who meet the criteria for possessing this inheritance. The first criterion for possessing the inheritance is desire.

We are living far below what the Lord has purchased for us! There is a generation arising, touched by the “spirit of wisdom and revelation” in the true knowledge of the Lord and His inheritance (Eph. 1:17-20), who are tired of sitting around waiting for a rapture or something else to happen. We have an excellent example of this in scripture in the life of Jonathan, King Saul’s son.

Jonathan, A Type of Dissatisfied Remnant

Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man's plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle; and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads. So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash. Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone (1 Sam. 13:19-14:3).

In the very land of their inheritance, the nation of Israel sat in bondage, due to the poor leadership of the self-centered, fleshly King Saul. When leaders in the kingdom of God exist to satisfy themselves, submit to the fear of man or focus on building their own little kingdoms, a religious spirit takes control of them and their ministries. They go through all the religious motions and say all the right, religious things, but there is little or no impact for the kingdom of God.

Saul, the kingdom leader at the time, was at ease in bondage. Whatever the reason, the status of things had reached the place that the covenant people of God had to turn to worldly methods to get even the necessary things for living and existence, instead of possessing, using and enjoying the bountiful blessings of God’s inheritance. Ichabod’s nephew, Ahijah, was Saul’s priest. Ichabod means “the glory has departed,” and the priesthood that was operating under Saul’s leadership was one devoid of the manifest presence, glory and power of God. Thank God there are some Jonathans who are fed up with going through the motions, with carrying out rituals that have no power or impact, and who are willing to take on the enemy, if necessary, alone!

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.” Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.” So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden.” Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.” Jonathan said to his armorbearer, “Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land. And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling (1 Sam. 14:6-15).

Jonathan (much like many in the present generation in the church) was tired of waiting on what God was going to do. It is very important that we have wisdom before making a move, but a demonic illusion often operates within the church, fostering a procrastination mentality that says, “Let’s just wait a little longer.” There may be character development on which God is working. But there is a subtle lie of the enemy that many have come to believe that keeps them from moving forward in faith, and it goes like this, “Just one more thing.” And after that is done, they hear again, “well, just one more thing.” It has been my experience that when the will of God is known, many, because of the fear of man, the fear of failure, and the fear of misunderstanding, fail to step out in faith and act on the revealed will of God. As John Wimber pointed out many years ago, faith is spelled R-I-S-K. If faith does not cost something and have something sacrificial attached to it, then it is probably not of God!

In the natural, what Jonathan did was foolish. But, in God’s eyes, Jonathan exercised great faith. The armorbearer in this passage of scripture represents the Holy Spirit who is with us to “take hold of, together with, against” the enemy (this is a literal translation of Romans 8:26’s description of how the Holy Spirit “helps us in our weaknesses.”) The armorbearer was very excited that Jonathan decided to activate the power of God by moving in faith. When we move in faith and obedience, the Lord moves. He does not act independently of His bride. When Jonathan moved, a supernatural work was released as the entire Philistine army was routed through the faith of this one spiritual warrior. The armorbearer first confirmed the word in Jonathan’s heart and then did the work as he pressed forward. God sent an earthquake and fear gripped the enemy because of one person’s faith. Jonathan was tired of the religious status quo. He risked everything to see the power of God released in his generation and the inheritance regained.

Saul and his army looked on and were amazed. (1 Sam. 14:16-20.) Until the breakthrough comes, most Christians do not have a clue what has been happening. And, unfortunately, many times they react in skepticism and criticism because something different from the religious status quo is happening. But, God’s grace and mercy abound! Even those who do not lift a finger to help in the battle, or who stand outside and criticize or mock, He will graciously allow to partake of the fruit of the victory. Saul knew this was a great victory and wanted it for himself because he was the king. In an effort to maintain his kingdom and his unrighteous authority, he placed an “anointed curse” on the people. (1 Sam. 14:24-26.) By the term “anointed curse,” I mean a curse that comes from the lips of a ministry leader that does not enable people to enter into God’s fullness, but disables, hinders or excludes them.

From the beginning, God gave the people the inheritance to sustain, refresh and empower them as they fought the Lord’s battles so they could drive out the enemies and fully possess the land. They were in their inheritance, given by God, and Saul had no right to keep them from partaking of the blessings while they fought the Lord’s battles.

But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened. Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint. But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?” (1 Sam. 14:27-30).

The people of God hunger for their rightful inheritance. Part of our inheritance includes the supernatural realm, the realm of the Spirit. This explains why it is very easy for people to be drawn into occultism and Eastern mysticism, or to accept all kinds of deceptive counterfeits if they are not shown, encouraged and allowed to partake now in what the cross has secured for them. There are some who have yet to hear that they cannot partake now. There are also some who were taught such nonsense, yet the hunger in their hearts drove them past the manipulations of man-centered theology to find the power and provision of their inheritance in Christ. The Lord never calls anyone into service for Himself without providing everything that is needed, but also to supply an abundance that overflows and brightens the heart and countenance. Jonathan had not heard that his inheritance was not supposed to be utilized and enjoyed NOW.

Honey symbolizes grace in scripture. When Jonathan felt weak and needed strength to sustain himself, he reached out and took what was needed. This was not so he could just consume it upon his lusts. It was to be a provision for carrying out God’s purposes. Let’s get this picture: what was needed to revive and empower him was literally running on the ground. No one else would partake of it, even though they saw and smelled it, because of the curse placed upon them by a deceived leader.

The kingdom of heaven is at hand, because the King lives within us. The honey (grace) gave Jonathan renewed strength, vision and joy with which to keep pressing in to see full victory come for himself and his people. It was never God’s intention to save us and leave us to get by and deal with things in our own strength, reasonings and resources. He intends for each of us to draw whatever is available out of His storehouse (Mal. 3:10), armory (Jer. 50:25) and treasuries (Col. 2:3). If the people of God do not have this revelation of the heart of God, then what happened next in this situation, with the people under Saul’s curse, will happen to God’s people again and again.

Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint. And the people rushed on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. Then they told Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood!” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day” (1 Sam. 14:31-33).

If the people are kept from their inheritance in and through Christ, they will return to the ways of the flesh and partake of the counterfeits Satan offers through the world. When they do, the Saul-like leaders will always blame the people, Hollywood, the government, the parents or the devil, and never accept responsibility in perpetuating a curse in the church. They become generational curses that hinder the people of God from experiencing their generational blessings, and anyone who would dare to explore the realm of the Spirit, operate in the power of God or see the full provision of the Holy Spirit released in their lives, becomes the target of “blame” for all that wrongly happens in the church.

And Saul said, “Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him. Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken. Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!” And Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.” But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die (1 Sam. 14:38-45).

Deceived leaders that are blinded by ambition and religious spirits will receive many false signs to prove the “Jonathans” are wrong and will try to stop them from partaking of their inheritance. If this does not work, they will seek to kill them by destroying their reputations. I refer to this as “the curse of Saul.” This curse can, indeed, be broken very easily with repentance followed by embracing the truth. But there is a cost that comes with it. The cost will usually be a stigma, misunderstanding and possibly castigation.

There is a transgenerational “Jonathan Company” arising in the earth today who are hungry, who will believe the Lord and are answering His call to become His “freedom fighters”. They are presently small in number, weak, broken, and certainly no match for the demonic army they face. But they are not trusting in natural weapons, abilities, wisdom, knowledge, methods or theology. They trust God alone and the certainty of His word. Because of this trust, God will cause the earth to quake and the heavens to shake before them, and the host of hell to fall. They have learned how to enter and partake of their inheritance in Christ - the communion, grace, anointing, revelation, provision, etc. – and fight from a perspective of victory. It is time for “the people who know their God” to “become strong” and “carry out great exploits” (Dan. 11:32).

The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord

Both the Old and New Testament foretell of a “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord” yet to come. This seemingly paradoxical description comes clearly into focus as we recognize that our position (either in Christ or not) will determine just what kind of day it will be for us. This “Day” is a period of time which is fast approaching. It promises to evoke a full spectrum of emotions ranging from spectacular awe to a terror that will drive even the hardest, most rebellious heart to hide in fear and dread of the approaching wrath of God. Can we know when this day is coming? Where we will stand? How we should prepare?

The Book of Hebrews provides important keys about this “Day” and how we are to approach it.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25

There is a serious warning here, telling us not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” Many think this is an admonition not to miss a church service. While there is a measure of truth in that interpretation, God is speaking about something far more serious. To “assemble” means to get in our proper place. This applies to the body of Christ individually and corporately. Each of us should know where we are called to be and what we are called to do, and then be diligent to follow through in both areas. This is critical because within each local body of believers, God has a person in mind to fill each position within that local, corporate body. He then has a plan for every local assembly to fit with the other local assemblies in a city or region, so that we literally become the body of Christ in an area. As we align ourselves in our proper places, the body becomes complete, and rightly fits together. 1 Corinthians 12:18 says: “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” God places us in the body where He desires us to be, for us to fulfill our individual purpose, and to also fulfill the needs of the corporate body of Christ. As this happens, His presence is released and begins to affect the entire area. Many believers do not know their place or their purpose, and therefore have not assumed the position to which God has called them. This is a very dangerous place for any individual to be in and it also poses serious ramifications for His body as we are approaching this Day.

The fullness of God’s presence can only be experienced when we are assembled. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." He overshadows those gathered (same Greek word/root – sunago - found in Heb. 10:25) in His name. His overshadowing glory comes when we are properly assembled, in place, in function, under His authority (see Psalm 91). The enemy continues in unprecedented, unchallenged destruction, death, perversion and evil simply because we have not assembled as the body of Christ. The promise is that if we assemble unto Him correctly, His overshadowing glory will manifest, and He will requite injustice. If the body of Christ were assembled, the enemy could not penetrate, and we would be under God’s protection. When we stop assembling, we take a dangerous step towards destruction. The question is, has the body of Christ ever been truly assembled since the first century? Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is a promise that this will be.

If we place this scripture in Hebrews 10:24-25 in an historical context, we see how serious God is about assembling. This was written in the midst of severe persecution of the early church. Being identified as a member of Christ’s body at that time could cost you your life, imprisonment, or a severe physical beating. God is warning them and us that their banding together in unity and purpose is what will bring His protection and His life. Clearly this warning shows the significance of knowing our place and our willingness to sacrifice to “get in place” within a corporate body of believers.

The Body of Christ’s Part in the Day of the Lord

This Day is fast approaching. How must we prepare to face this day? There is both an individual and a corporate preparation that is required. We must embrace whatever necessary discipline now. One of the first of these disciplines is getting settled and coming under proper authority. We can not stand alone. Eph. 6:12 says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand.” The apostle is admonishing the people of God to get prepared, because we won’t be able to stand if we have not allowed ourselves to be trained (2 Tim. 2:1-4).

What’s an evil day like? When the Father dropped the hedge about Jesus in the wilderness when He was tested, He took His stance aligned with the Father and His purposes anchored in His word. The enemy attacked Him and He won the victory through being completely aligned in character, intimacy and purpose with the Father…if you will, in the Father’s name. If we are not aligned with the Father’s heart and purpose, and aligned with one another around the Father’s heart and purpose, the enemy will have unprecedented access to afflict us, our loved ones, etc. We will have to stand, just as Jesus did. Jesus, our example, could not be detoured from His purpose. He knew who He was and what He needed to do. This is because He was completely surrendered and willingly embraced discipline to develop the character needed to fulfill His purpose. Hebrews 5:8 says: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

We must be willing to suffer, if necessary, for Jesus’ sake (2 Cor. 4)…suffer persecution, inconvenience, or loss of reputation. While we may not be challenged on every front, we will be challenged. When we examine the path Jesus walked, we begin to get a glimpse of what we could face. We all will have to submit to a process of discipline to attain the character to stand in our position. We can not stand alone and we can not stand if we are not prepared. How big is He in me? In us? That is what will bring the victory in the days ahead. It will be Christ in us that will bring His resurrection power and life, or bring the necessary wisdom and strength in our time of need. He is an ever present help in the time of trouble (Ps. 37:39).

In Ezekiel 13:3-9, the prophet rebukes the prophets and leaders of God’s people. The leaders had not prepared the people of God to stand in the Day of battle. Instead, they spoke pleasant words not wanting to cause any discomfort. The people became weak and were not ready for battle.

“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD. They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, “Thus says the LORD!” But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, “The LORD says,” but I have not spoken.’ Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.’” - Ezekiel 13:3-9

In Ezekiel’s day, as it is in ours, those who should be teaching and preparing others are not ready themselves. These prophets did not prepare the people for battle. But there are many emerging, such as Lou Engle and others, who are awakening the body of Christ to repent, put away the idolatry, immorality, etc., and get prepared. Yet, awakening is not enough. Assembling together for one day is not enough (see Isaiah 58:5 – is it just “a day” for us to do this?). Our church leaders must get the body of Christ prepared to stand in the day of battle. This must happen in our lives, families, churches and areas to see this preparation take place and to get prepared for a enforcing of the Lord’s victory of His finished works and resurrection. To answer this call, leaders must be prepared for many to leave who don’t want to face being offended or uncomfortable.

1 Thessalonians provides a clearer picture of how to approach the Day.

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thess. 5:1-11.

Those who do not apply themselves to discipline, “putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of hope which is salvation,” will not be able to stand. We must be listening and gathering the people together unto Him. As this word is proclaimed, as the ministry changes to one of preparation for “battle” (true ministry), we see two distinct groups of people emerge out of the church: children of darkness and children of the light. It’s God’s side or the other side; there is no in between.

Romans 13:12-14 says, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Once again, we are reminded that the end of time is near and in light of that, the seriousness of the choices we make. The armor of light is our protection and also His glory rising in and among us (see Isaiah 60:1-3). We have to put it on. How do we do this? We must prepare individually, but corporately we must also assemble as the body of Christ. As we assemble, His image and presence come to maturity (Eph. 4:11-16), His glory rises in us, and He commands the blessing where divine justice is released to restore what the enemy has killed, stolen or destroyed is restored.

The bride must make herself ready (Rev. 19:7-8). He’s given us the “Church” to foster development (Eph. 4:11-16) but this does not include playing “church games”. Mal. 4:1-6 says that the Day will be like an oven where all the proud will be stubble; they will be consumed. But for those who stay close and allow God to shape them, He will rise with “healing in His wings.” It will be a time of restoration, wholeness and victory. Those who are made ready will be doing signs and wonders. The prepared ones will be empowered and will participate in executing His judgments through worship, intercession, proclamation and demonstration.