Do what you know to be right!

Yesterday I was in conversation with the Lord and were discussing (as we often do) 'doubtful things'. Sanctification requires the surrender of all things sinful and doubtful. In other words if you can't justify a particular use of time or money then it has to go on the altar! The problem is that many doubtful things by their very nature are difficult to qualify. In addition where does one stop? If it is a 'doubtful' use of one's money to buy a daily newspaper what about having a TV? If it is a doubtful use of one's time to watch a football game what about participation in sport? The last thing I want to do is to become a prisoner to a cold form of ascetic holiness that has nothing whatsoever to do with God.

As we were talking the Lord said "why not focus on the things you know are wrong – start there!" This very obvious statement struck me like some esoteric revelation from on high.

How many of us struggle with God over whether we should or shouldn't take caffeine yet give into lust? How many of us avoid eating meat but indulge in gossip? The enemy loves to distract us with the minutiae of our faith in order that we never deal with the more obvious and pressing aspects of spiritual obedience.

In Isaiah 1:16-17 we read:

¹⁶ wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,

¹⁷ learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.

It seems to me that the emphasis here is absolutely right – 'stop doing wrong' – this is something we can do right away, we know what things are wrong, there is no debate that needs to be had here! Then, 'learn to do right', the doubtful things will be revealed to us with absolute clarity as we, through grace, live in the love of God. In addition, our lives will become concerned with social justice, for there is no holiness without a concern for social justice.

Today's scripture readings:

1 Chronicles 16:37 – 18:17

Is there a link between verse 18:6 and 18:11? I think so.

"The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went." (v6) "King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations." (v11)

Psalm 91:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

"²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."" (1:27-31)

"²For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. ⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, ⁵so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (2:2-5)

Grace and peace, A

Contradictory prophecy...?

Gerald Coates once imparted to a woman a prophetic word that he believed had come from God. Upon hearing the word the woman asked Gerald what it meant, his response was ‘Don’t ask I’m just the postman – the message is from God.’

Whilst there is some wisdom in the above response it is largely a cop out. On the whole God gives his prophets access to the meaning of the messages they are asked to deliver:

“The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…”

I recently posted two prophetic words on in the interner, one based on Isaiah 1 and the other based on Ezekiel 36 & 37. A couple of people have contacted me concerning the contradictory nature of these two words. I felt it therefore appropriate to respond.

First of all, let me say that Old Testament prophets gave many apparently contradictory words – just take Isaiah as an example. He constantly berates the people for their sins, calls the nation to repentance and talks of judgement yet almost in the same breath speaks about hope and restoration. Look at Isaiah 58 and 59 – Here (in chapter 58) we have a comprehensive and critical tirade against Israel and her sinful practices. However, hot on its heels comes chapter 60 an overwhelmingly optimistic chapter concerned with the restoration of Zion and her fortunes. (Incidentally I believe that all three of these chapters have significant relevance for TSA western territories.)

Secondly, there is an important question in the second word which by its presence makes the whole word conditional and backs up the threat of the first word.

“Salvation Army can you live, can I trust you once more with such a calling as this? You are so dry, look, walk up and down the aisles of your halls, and mingle midst your musicians and soldiers, look how dry you are – can you live again? Preach, prophesy, command yourselves in my name to stand up and fight again. I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”(37:1-6)

God has always struggled to express his hope for the chosen when so many of them are in open rebellion. Much of the bible is like a ‘good cop / bad cop’ transcript. Look at Isaiah 1 (the chapter which inspired the first word) all of that anger followed by ‘come now let us reason together… though your sins are as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.”

The two words published in JAC only appear contradictory if considered out of context.

The first word, I believe, is spoken to the wider Salvation Army; it is a dismissal of evil practices and a clear call to repentance. It reminds TSA of both the negative consequences of ‘sin in the camp’ and the positive consequences of repentance. It states that the next ten years are critical and will decide the future of the Army. This doesn’t mean that continued rebellion and disobedience will signal the end of TSA (in some form) – the world is full of fully functional discarded denominations that God uses as best he can (‘fully functional’ as a nominal denomination and ‘discarded’ only as long as they remain apostate). However, our collective response to this word will determine whether we become the cutting edge of the militant church in the centre of revival or a tired dysfunctional organisation whose evangelical effectiveness is akin to moving sand with tweezers.

Whilst the warning is unequivocal there is a ‘remnant’ who have tried to remain faithful to the Army’s true principles and it is to this remnant that the second word is directed.

As our repentance addresses corporate and personal sin and as we slowly begin to take ground in the spiritual realms so we hasten revival. This revival will come - of that I am sure - and it will come within the next 10 years (I am equally certain of that too.)

My certainty is based on two things – God wants revival and so do the remnant – as long as those two stay together then revival will happen.

However, the revival will deliver two things. It will wash away all that is superficial and unrefined (this is the threat contained in the first word). It will also refresh and strengthen that which remains (this is the hope expressed in the second word).

It is important (as stressed in the second word) that the credit for this revival is taken by God. The remnant needs to be made aware that the revival is not their doing. Repentance is not so much a virtue as it is a necessary evil. Like lancing a boil or sucking poison from a wound (in this case a self inflicted wound). If there was no sin there would be no need for repentance. If revival follows repentance then it is possible that an unpleasant self righteousness may develop among the remnant who might be tempted to see their ‘virtuous’ repentance, prayer and fasting as the means of revival. When God restores TSA it may be in response to the prayers of a few who have turned from sin and embraced holiness but the glory and praise will be his and his alone.

Another thing which I am reluctant to add but do so out of obedience! TSA is to be at the heart of this revival because God has chosen it not because of anything meritorious in its make up or members. TSA, even in the future glory years, will still be a leaky craft capable of corporate capsizing on a grand scale – just as it was in the 1880’s and 1890’s (see Railton’s criticism of the early Army’s burgeoning commercialism, the shift from evangelism to social work, the idolatry of music etc) The second word also makes it clear that just as the glory is not ours individually neither is it the property of the Army corporately– the glory will go to God and to God alone.

Finally, on a personal note, I have always believed that revival would be preceded by some enormous corporate humiliation, something that makes TSA look foolish and damages its undeserved reputation for good works and integrity. However, I have not had any confirmation on this point so I have not published it. It would though tie in with the calamity of the first word followed by the promise of the second.

As with all prophecy – both words are dependant upon the response of those who hear – those within the Army who cling to their dead works, reputation, social status etc will be subject to judgement. In the same way as those who find themselves at the heart of revival and take the credit for it will also be subject to judgement.

I have always felt that the word in Revelation to Sardis is most appropriate to the SA and it contains the spirit of both words published in JAC.

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. Those who are victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out their names from the book of life, but will acknowledge their names before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Yours set apart, by Christ for the lost, in the Army,

A

A prophecy for the Salvation Army from Isaiah 1

Comrades in Christ

Isaiah Chapter 1 - a prophecy for the western territories of the Salvation Army and for individual soldiers within the Salvation Army.

The following came to me today in prayer and I share it in humility – may God bless, redeem, sanctify and use the Salvation Army – Hallelujah!

“The Salvation Army is one of my favoured children. In your youth I gave you a multicoloured coat woven with a weft of marvellous signs and wonders, but over the years you have rebelled against me until you are no longer able to recognise the sound of my voice. It is bad enough when a parent and child refuse to speak but when one fails to recognise the voice of the other the situation has become tragic. I am speaking to you as much as I ever have done but you do not recognise my voice.

I am still calling you in the direction of the disenfranchised and friendless but you cannot hear me.
I will am still calling you to purity of living and holiness but you cannot hear me.
I am still calling you to stand between the oppressed and the oppressor but you cannot hear me.
I am still calling you to the mighty work of soul winning but you cannot hear me.
I am still calling you to poverty, persecution and victory but you cannot hear me.

The once covenanted warriors of my Salvation Army have become desensitised to my voice.

Like the early church you were born with a rush of Pentecostal fire and your early years were accompanied by salvation war and revival. You were persecuted because you made serious inroads into the devil’s territory and the narrow way that led to heaven was crowded with your converts. You found again the pearl of holiness and sold all that you had to possess it.

Now you have become a

“Sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! You have forsaken the LORD; you have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned your backs on him.” (Verse 4)

I have seen your suffering and I beg you to stop your wilful self-harm.

“Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted…” (Verses 5-7)

Your Corps are closing, your seats are empty, your halls are falling into disrepair and you have no money to rebuild them. Other denominations are trying to use the weapons I crafted for you – they are trying – but they are not you and their armour is ill-fitting and clumsy, they have not read the manual, they have not been properly drilled, your methods – the tactics designed for you are alien to them.

“Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.” (Verse 7)

Yet in spite of this breakdown in our relationship, in spite of your rebellion and your self-harm and poverty you continue with your religious ordinances. You march to deserted streets and preach to nobody. You feed the slave and clothe him but fail to break his chains. You polish your holiness tables but deny the possibility of purity. You hold music festivals that are nothing but concerts with an ‘amen’ at the end. You parade your good works like phylacteries ensuring that the world - along with your right hand - knows exactly what your left hand is doing. This offends me, I find it detestable, it is worse than the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah - I never asked for this.

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies.” (Verse 13)

You are praying and even fasting but I have blocked my ears – Salvation Army I am not listening to you.

“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen.”

Go and wash yourself, your hands are stained with blood for the road to hell is now crowded with the shuffling hopelessness of those I raised you up to save and their blood is on your hands – you think it is enough to feed them and clothe them and wash them but it is not enough. There is no greater contradiction than yours for your arrogant self obsession slaps a man on the back with a hearty ‘God bless you’ and then turns away as he falls into the fiery fissures of hell.

“Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.” (Verse 16-18)

Once you depended on me, you bought where you had no money, you attacked where you had no chance of victory and you opened fire on a wing and a prayer. Once heaven rang with the sound of your volleys and the angels wept at the audaciousness of your evangelism but now you have prostituted yourself. Now you have taken what is Caesar’s and failed to give me what is mine. You have taken Babylon’s money and bedded the heathen philanthropist. You have sacrificed your right to pray and preach for the chance to buy a building. Once you shouted ‘no compromise’ but now you are all compromise.

“See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!” (Verse 21)

What is my judgement to be? How will I treat you? What is my response to your individual and corporate sin?

“Come let us reason together…”

I am looking and waiting for you. Like the prodigal I can see you now feeding on the scraps of this unclean world. It is in this mess, that you have created, that you must come to your senses. Dear Salvation Army come back to me for I have a robe and a ring and a fattened calf all waiting for you. It is time to come home!

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Verses 18-20)

I have left for myself a remnant and if they will humble themselves and identify themselves in repentance and sorrow then I will unblock my ears and clear my eyes and let the ‘revolution now begin’.

The cost is repentance.
The cost is a full renunciation of the values and standards of this world.
The cost is a new and brave exposure to total dependence upon me.
The cost is a full consecration of all you have and are to me (all I have ever asked is that you love me with all your heart, soul, body and mind – I am a jealous God and will not share your love with another!)

“I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.”

The future of the Salvation Army will be settled in the next 10 years – it is a clear choice – repent and live or rebel and die.”

God bless you all,
Yours set apart by Christ for the lost, in the Army.

A