Fullfilling “The Golden Rule”

In our desire to be masters of our own destiny, we have strayed from Truth and Love becoming enticed and captivated by Darkness[1]. As darkness engulfed us, we became slaves to our passions and desires[2], losing our ability to walk the Way of Peace[3]. Christ comes as a Light[4] shining in this darkness, offering to free us and to reconcile us to that which we have lost[5]. Only as He reveals Himself to us do we begin to recognise His Love for us, which allows us to trust Him and to step out of darkness into the Light of His Love, recognising our pitiful state, submitting our lives to Him and becoming recipients of His lavish Grace and Blessings.    

It is the Blood of Christ which cleanses us from Sin and allows us to enter His Presence to once again enjoy Fellowship with Him[6]. Because God is spirit[7], the Holy Spirit aids us in imparting spiritual wisdom and revelation into our spirit[8], which we need to enter this spiritual dimension to have intensive fellowship with Him.

Our spirits become filled with His Light and as we are obedient to this Revelation, changing our own thinking and accepting the Truth revealed to us – often about ourselves, then the Blood of Christ continues to cleanse us from sin[9], which allows us to have unbroken fellowship with God and with each other. This fellowship is characterised by Love, Peace and Joy in the Power of the One Holy Spirit[10].

Those who belong to Christ are one of the numerous parts which constitute the One Body[11] of Christ on the earth. The dwelling place of God is not longer to be found in temples or buildings built by men[12], but in the hearts of those who have become reconciled with Christ, submitting themselves to His Lordship. It is the hunger[13] to know Him better and the willingness to allow Him to change and transform us, which increases our capacity to become carriers of His Glory on this Earth.

The more we walk according to the Light of Christ which shines in our hearts, the more we will understand about life and the more we will develop a deep love for all mankind[14]. We will be better men and women and children fulfilling our roles as teachers, parents and ambassadors faithfully. We will have deeper regard for our brothers and sisters in Christ and for those who do not believe.

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[1] Isaiah 9:2 (AMP)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined.

[2] Ephesians 2:3 (AMP)

Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behaviour governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.

[3] Isaiah 59:1-2 (AMP)

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

[4] John 1:9-11 (AMP)

There it was—the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person. He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him].

[5] Luke 4:18-19 (AMP)

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day [a]when salvation and the free favours of God profusely abound].

[6] Hebrews 10:19-22 (AMP)

Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, by this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, and since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by [a]that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.

[7] John 4:24 (AMP)

God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

[8] Ephesians 1:17-21 (AMP)

[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), and [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.

[9] 1 John 1:5-10 (AMP)

And this is the message [the message of [a]promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts].

[10] Romans 14:17-18 (AMP)

[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.

[11] 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (AMP)

The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord’s Supper] upon which we ask [God’s] blessing, does it not mean [that in drinking it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ (the Messiah)? The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the body of Christ? For we [no matter how] numerous we are, are one body, because we all partake of the one Bread [the One Whom the communion bread represents].

[12] Acts 17:24-27 (NIV)

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

[13] Deuteronomy 6:5 (AMP)

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.

[14] Matthew 22:36-40 (AMP)

Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light—which are heavy?] And He replied to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as [you do] yourself. These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Five phases of a spiritual migration journey

In his book “The House Church Book” Wolfgang Simson uses the diagram below to describe 5 phases in the spiritual journey from, what Martin Luther called the Babylonian captivity of the church, to an expression of true prophetic and apostolic biblical pattern:

Point -2: Our church is just great!

This is where most Christians are today: content with where they are in their church experience. When you talk to them about the need for a new paradigm, their response is basically, "I have no idea what you are talking about." They view their church and their faith as a safe religious haven. The new choir is great, the last conference was outstanding, the new pastor seems very promising, and the building and parking lot are almost paid off. Any talk of a Babylonian captivity is considered a joke at best.

But this ostrich mentality can quickly evolve into a dance on the tip of a volcano. Once the finances get tight and burnout strikes, people start leaving for the hip church next door; or once something happens to an idolized leader, the cards can quickly collapse. People at Point -2 need to hear a simple message: the days of old-time religion are over. It's time to get up and start moving, or keep drifting into a religious oblivion.

Point -1: The Balancing Act

This second phase in the process of apostolic migration represents people who are no longer satisfied with church as they have known it. These are people who have heard from God about more authentic expressions of church, but although they want something new to happen, they don't want anything to change. Their spirits have begun to move, but their bodies and their money have not. And so they begin to feel stretched as they attempt to maintain a spiritual balancing act. It's like realizing that you've gotten on the wrong bus but you choose to stay on that bus anyway. You see, the seat is nicely warmed, the neighbors are so very friendly, and the ticket has been paid. And after all, what would people think?

People at Point -1 are inwardly torn. A fresh vision has gripped them and left them hungry. With time the tension grows only stronger and stronger—until the pain becomes unbearable and they get up and press that red button to get off the bus. The message for folks at Point -1 is this: be honest with yourself, follow your heart, end the balancing act, and press that button.

Ground 0: Welcome to the desert

This is where people decide to get off the bus and suddenly find themselves in the middle of a desert. Alone and vulnerable, sweating in the day and shivering at night, they may face a time of thirst, dark valleys, and reorientation. Experiencing what the biblical kernel of wheat must feel as it falls into the ground to die (John 12:24), people at Ground 0 realize that the old must die in order to make room for the new. This is where pastors and other leaders start selling shoes and driving taxis again. Yes, they may have migrated from Babylon, but now the Babylon that is in them has to die.

Ground 0 is a place of quarantine: once people are out of the system, the system also has to get out of them. For this very reason God engineers the wilderness as a place of spiritual death to the old, a place of "religious detoxification" for dealing with baggage. In the desert, your religious ego, your fleshly, consumer-oriented Christianity has to be killed. And this cleansing process takes time, more time than most would think. As a rule of thumb, one month quarantine is required for each year of passive participation in traditional Christianity. For active members (like paid church/mission staff), double that!

The message for folks at this waypoint is this: die thoroughly! Don't linger at the oasis and force your survival with gimmicks or tricks. God has arranged for your self to die.

Point +1: The Jordan

This is the point at which people choose to leave the past and the wilderness behind and to cross over the Jordan into the new paradigm of what God is doing. This requires both a leaving (of the old) and a cleaving (to the new). It requires us to "uncovenant" with what has gone before, and to make a new covenant with God's new unfolding paradigm. Jonathan is an example, albeit a bad one, of someone who attempted to make this type of choice. Though he was the son of King Saul and the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, Jonathan covenanted twice with David, the new (apostolic) leader. But "(David) rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city" (1 Samuel 20:42, nasb). Jonathan was unable to "uncovenant" from Saul and his system—and he died with his father. Here at "the Jordan," where we can already smell and see the Promised Land, and where we can hear the cowbells in the "land flowing with milk and honey" on the other side, an ultimate step is required: leaving the old; doing better than Jonathan.

And as an added benefit, you will have met many new friends in the desert, fellow pilgrims and outcasts. After some time you realize that what once looked like a lonely group of losers looks more like a movement of pioneers. The message to folks at Point +1: say your farewell quickly—and get into the water. You will see it will part for you when you do.

Point +2: Apostolic Conquest

Once you have crossed that Jordan, it's time to take up your position along with the others and start taking the land for God.

Here you need to answer three key questions for your life:

·        What exactly is your personal calling?

·        Where (geographically) are you supposed to live and work?

·        With whom has God placed you?

A former question like, "What church is good for me?" begins to fade and is replaced by much more important ones like, "What kind of church can take and possess the land?" "What kind of church is good for God?" Like in the early days of Christianity, questions like these will lead to developing regional strategies, house-church networks, city churches, fivefold ministries, citywide servanthood, and much, much more. As the church is again functioning under God, so also we as individuals and families will find our places of godly destiny. If this is not worth dropping everything else for, then what is?

As the bible calls to us, “Come out of Babylon” – let us embrace the process and return to the kingship of our Lord: 

^{6 My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray [to favorite places of idolatry] on mountains [that seduce]. They have gone from [one sin to another] mountain to hill; they have forgotten their [own] resting-place.}

^{7 All who found them devoured them; and their adversaries said, We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the Lord [and are no longer holy to Him], their true habitation of righteousness and justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.}

^{8 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans; and be as the he-goats [who serve as examples and as leaders in the flight] before the flocks.}

^{(Jeremiah 50)}

^{Then I saw another angel descending from heaven, possessing great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his radiance and splendor.}

^{2 And he shouted with a mighty voice, She is fallen! Mighty Babylon is fallen! She has become a resort and dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every loathsome spirit, an abode for every filthy and detestable bird.}

^{3 For all nations have drunk the wine of her passionate unchastity, and the rulers and leaders of the earth have joined with her in committing fornication (idolatry), and the businessmen of the earth have become rich with the wealth of her excessive luxury and wantonness.}

^{4 I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.}

^{5 For her iniquities (her crimes and transgressions) are piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and [her] crimes [and calls them up for settlement].}

^{6 Repay to her what she herself has paid [to others] and double [her doom] in accordance with what she has done. Mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed [for others].}

^{7 To the degree that she glorified herself and reveled in her wantonness [living deliciously and luxuriously], to that measure impose on her torment and anguish and tears and mourning. Since in her heart she boasts, I am not a widow; as a queen [on a throne] I sit, and I shall never see suffering or experience sorrow—}

^{8 So shall her plagues (afflictions, calamities) come thick upon her in a single day, pestilence and anguish and sorrow and famine; and she shall be utterly consumed (burned up with fire), for mighty is the Lord God Who judges her.}

^{(Revelations 18)}

And not forgetting, that we need to get Babylon out of us :-)

Shall we stop praying for Revival?

Jesus said to Patrick Fontaine, “Stop praying for revival, because it is not a revival that I have for you, but a reformation”. As I read this I felt that it needed more clarification, since the boundaries were at the time not so clear to me. This post attempts to provide the justification for this statement and explains the different impact a Reformation will have.

To best highlight the differences between the two, I would like to paint the following Scenario:

Imagine a large Christian organizational structure that has a large building at its disposal. Every Sunday thousands of people gather in this building to hear professional entertaining Christian music. The music program is then followed by a Christian theater production, dancing performance or multimedia show – or a combination of some. Then an uplifting sermon follows where people are encouraged to be positive in their outlook and to trust in the Goodness and Grace of God. Finally people are prayed for by those with an anointing to minister healing, bring prophetic words or to demolish strongholds. People leave uplifted and encouraged with a sense that they have experienced the Goodness of God and enjoy His favor. The leaders become increasingly popular on a national and international basis, which increases the drawing power of the organization. This enables many to be involved in various ministries within the organization, which is their work of service to God. The members willingly make their financial contribution to extending the great work that God is doing. The whole venture is run as a very successful business and the leaders confess and assure each other, it is God’s Business!  

The Scenario sounds great, doesn’t it?  Well, it may be great but there could also be one fundamental problem which is not so apparent at a first superficial glance. This is the opinion of God to what is happening there.

Is it possible that God may look at such a business which is so well-run in His Name and say?:
“ Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning]”    (Isaiah 29:13 Amplified Bible (AMP))

Further, to those anointed ministers is it possible that He might say?:

“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].” (Matthew 7:21 - 23 (Amplified Bible))

As the Exodus (32) story of "The Golden Calf" makes clear, it's possible to sing, to worship, and to have a great time while being a million miles away from God!

These were the people of God after all; people who had been delivered by God's mighty hand; people who God was bringing to a better place. People who lost sight of God, and ending up worshipping a golden calf!  How does that happen?  They were worshipping a dead metal statue and actually thought that was a good thing to do!  They had no clue just how far away they had drifted- worship wasn't worship anymore.  It had turned into a party, a farce.  Moses said it best, "It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear!"  They had ceased from worshipping the one true God, and were now just having a big dance party, golden calf and all – under the blessing of their leaders!

Further the letters of Jesus to the Church in the Books of Revelations (3:17) seems to address just this kind of issue when He says: “For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” 

I am of the opinion that from a biblical perspective a Christian organization/ business described in this kind of scenario, can fall into the deadly deception of believing that all is well but having moved into a spiritually grey zone, described as “lukewarmness” by the Lord. I am not saying that this is always the case for these types of Christian organizations, but only pointing to the biblical possibility!

Let us now extend our scenario to see what would happen if Revival would suddenly occur. Let us define Revival as a time of spiritual awakening, where dramatic signs and wonders occur and many lost are swept into the Kingdom.

Due to its high profile our Christian organization will benefit immensely from a Revival. Many would arrive at the building seeking this God that they have encountered and whose touch they have felt. As they become members of this organization the prevailing system of Christian living would be imprinted upon them and they would accept that this is the Christian Life Style that is pleasing to God. Those affected by the Revival would soon learn by repetition what is acceptable and what is not acceptable (as defined by the organization). They would become good members, contribute to the now necessary new building program and probably bring forth many years of service in one of the ministry programs that the organization offers.       

Sadly, this may be the worst thing that could ever happen to them, if the Lord decides that their learned “Lukewarmness” leaves Him no other alternative but to spit them out of His mouth. (Revelations 3:16)

This could very well be why the Lord told Patrick Fontaine, “Stop praying for revival!”

Patrick explains as follows: “What we really need is a reformation! The very worst thing that could happen is a revival. Jesus is protecting us from a revival, because if we had a revival we would never question if what we are doing is right or not. We would think that we are living in God's favor. We would continue building on the tower of Babel and would draw even more people into living and working in the prison of Babylon. That is why the worst thing that could happen to us is revival. The best thing that could happen is reformation. Nothing else!”

Ellen White writing in 1902 described the difference between Revival and Reformation as follows:

“Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.”

So according to Ellen, Reformation has to do with a change in organization (Structure), a change in ideas and theories (Theology) and a change in habits and practices (Lifestyle). Interestingly, these three dimensions are found in the explanation of the Reformation that the Lord plans for this generation, as Patrick explained:

Jesus said, “I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity within one generation”. He reports that Jesus said He will first change the understanding and then the expression of Christianity. Further, “I will bring forth a reformation that has never been experienced on earth, because the reformation will be in 3 dimensions. There will be a reformation in theology”, because we really need that our thinking in what we believe be changed. Then a reformation in Lifestyle (how you live out righteousness), you will live differently because you believe differently. Finally after that, a reformation of the structure will occur, one that won't be of human origin.

Watchman Nee (The Spiritual Man (1928)) notes “Attempting to follow Him without denying the self is the root of all failures.” The denial of self is intrinsically related to destroying the power of sin in the life of a believer and the renunciation of the world.  (Romans 6)

Through this the works of the devil become ineffective and is for all practical intentions are destroyed. (1. John 3:8)

Correcting such a central problem that lies at the root cause of Christian organisations going astray needs to be done through sound and bold theology first, which will lead to a transformation of lifestyle and from this the body of believers (or rather disciples) will be fully submitted and surrendered to their King, who now shapes and moulds His Body according to His Will and Purpose.

Picking up on the scenario, a new transformed Church will be in position to assimilate new disciples into the organisation teaching them the theology and lifestyle which allows them to lead fruitful lives that are pleasing to the King of Kings.   

If what Patrick experienced is credible (Mike Bickle received the same word as he explains in “Growing in the Prophetic”, (Creation House, 1996) pp 29-30), then we have very good reason to pray according to the revealed Will of the Lord knowing that it is at the same time a very biblically sound request, that the Lord bring forth true disciples upon the earth to bring in the harvest – and that He is the One that will build His Church! 

Amen!