- Signs of the Kingdom, Part XII
We have been addressing how the weakening of the call to follow Jesus has produced weak followers. This is not the only contributing factor to this, but it is a big one. The teaching found in most churches in the West, which focuses more on the benefits and blessings of believers in place of Christ, is another.
These teachings may be true, but when out of balance, they only feed the self-centeredness from which the Lord has delivered us. We will not become who we are called to be by focusing on ourselves. Instead, we are changed by beholding the glory of the Lord “with unveiled face” (see II Corinthians 3:18). To see His glory through a veil will distort Him, and the biggest veil of all is our own ego. It is important to know who we are in Christ, but it is far more important to know who He is in us.
However, we should never base our encouragement or our discouragement on the current conditions of the church. Just as in Israel’s history, the church has had its ups and downs. When it has fallen to its lowest state, the greatest revivals, awakenings, and moves of God have emerged. Even in its low points, there were always some who lit the world on fire with their faith and exploits for the Lord. He has never stopped moving, even when very few were following Him close enough to see Him moving.
When the temple of the Lord lay in ruins, and a small, weak remnant of people returned to lay the foundations and rebuild it, those who had seen the former temple wept because the new temple seemed inferior. Still, the Lord promised the glory of the latter house would be greater than the former (see Haggai 2:9). Our encouragement should never come from the condition of the house, but from the One who lives in it.
Many lament that the church today is far from what it was or is called to be. Though this is generally true, even now we see some of the most extraordinary churches and movements ever, and the activity of the Holy Spirit is dramatically increasing. The present house may well be inferior to the early church, but it is the promised glory of the Lord that is our greatest need. Our message should not be about the house of the Lord but about the Lord of the house.
When the Lord is in His temple, the temple will not get our attention, no matter how glorious it may be. We signed up to follow the Lord, and He has a history of showing up in the humblest of places. In His presence there is fullness of joy (see Psalm 16:11). The lowest shack with His presence is far more wonderful than the most beautiful palace.
I came to the Lord during a great revival. The message we heard everywhere seemed like the fire that consumed the wood, hay, and stubble, and left only the gold, silver, and precious stones (see I Corinthians 3:12). It was challenging but glorious, and we were continually in awe of all that the Lord was doing. I think much of that had to do with the evangelists of the time. In their meetings, even the most zealous and mature Christians were convicted and challenged and consequently filled the altars. They were not only saving the lost, but also strengthening the believers. Such a movement is now rising again as the River of Life overflows its banks.
At times, evangelists tend to get the most press and the most attention. Even in the church’s lowest times, we have been blessed with great evangelists who challenged the church and the world alike. Even when the call was watered down by many and the teaching of the church was only milk, that was not true of all, and it is now changing.
As we prepare for another great wave of the Holy Spirit, let’s pray for the Lord to raise up laborers for the harvest. These include true shepherds who love the Lord and His people and will lay down their lives for them. We need teachers who are not only articulate but who also love truth and impart a love for the truth. We need teachers who will only serve the household of God the best and healthiest spiritual food. We need apostles and prophets who are builders, who don’t just gather people but build them into a temple in which the Lord can dwell. Above all, let’s never forget that it’s the presence of the Lord Himself who is our treasure.
© 2023 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.
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