Num. 16:1-3 π Num. 16:6-7 π Num. 16:26 π Num. 16:33 π Num. 16:41 π Isa. 5:20-23 π Isa. 5:24-25 π Mt. 3:12 π Mt. 12:25-26 π Mk. 3:24-26 π Lk. 11:18 π Gal. 5:17 π Gal. 6:8
A divided Kingdom cannot stand. ( Mt. 12:25-26 , Lk. 11:18 , Mk. 3:24-26; top )
Our present Church world is not nearly ready to stand in what the Lord plans on doing in this last hour. The world’s standards have invaded the compromising and anemic Church world, making it a divided kingdom.
The first preparation necessary for the Church to stand is a deep purging, cleansing and pruning. This first step cannot be evaded or eliminated. It is a “must” so that the Church will be delivered from the inward enemy of self-life, ego and compromise. We cannot minister in the power of the last hour until the inner enemy has been dethroned.
Our present state of rebellion in the Christian Church is led by the flesh-life (carnality), which is not ready to capitulate to God’s last hour outpouring. The flesh wars against the Spirit. ( Gal. 5:17; top )
A good example of this kind of rebellion is found in the camp of the Israelites under Moses’ leadership. The leader of the rebellious faction was a cousin of Moses’ by the name of Korah. He and Dathan and Abiram were priests and men of renown. These three, plus 250 other leaders, wanted to dethrone Moses’ authority, which was really God’s authority. ( Num. 16:1-3; top )
Although many well-meaning Christians have prayed for and are looking forward to the end-time outpouring of God's presence, they have no insight into the implications and ramifications of its fulfillment.
Moses told these rebellious men to bring their censors with fire therein and with incense, and bring them before the Lord the next day, and Moses replied, “We shall see who God has chosen as the holy vessels before God.” ( Num. 16:6-7; top )
These censors with fire and incense represented the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit, and these they carried, swinging them as they approached the Tabernacle the next morning. As this group came near the Tabernacle, Moses warned everyone to stand back from these wicked, rebellious men, to keep from being destroyed. ( Num. 16:26; top )
Suddenly the earth opened up and all these men, and their families and possessions, were all swallowed up alive. ( Num. 16:33; top )This form of judgment came to pass because a portion of priestly leaders of that day refused to be purged of their rebellious spirit. The presence of Almighty God had descended in awesome power, and the rebellious religious leaders could not stand because their hearts weren’t surrendered to Almighty God. Comparable things will be evident in this last hour, when God’s presence against will be evident in power. Profane discussions over the meaning of Scripture will be total futility in that hour. The Lord again in our last hour will make known what vessels have His living word standing up on the inside of them.
In order to stand in this last hour as God moves by the fire power of His presence, no flesh shall stand, only those who have crucified their flesh in the furnace of God’s purifying crucible will stand.
“For he who sows to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” ( Gal. 6:8; top )
The friends of the rebels ludicrously and erroneously exclaimed, “...You have killed the people of the Lord.” ( Num. 16:41; top )
The word became Jesus and His presence dwells in consuming power among us in this last hour.
This presence of God in this last hour will be an awesome display of judgment until the “mixed multitude” among the Christians will either be brought to their knees in total obedience or in their rebellion they will be consumed as Korah, Dathan and Abiram were in the Old Testament, and as Ananias and Sapphira were in the New Testament.
“His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He (God) will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” ( Mt. 3:12; top )
In Isaiah, God’s people were warned concerning their drinking, their pride, their lack of righteousness and their desire to compromise with (sin) wickedness. ( Isa. 5:20-23; top )
As a result, God said, “Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them and stricken them, and the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.” ( Isa. 5:24-25; top )
Daily, Lord, we appropriate Your mercy!
I’d love to hear comments and/or questions from you! Email me!