Line of Demarcation
There has been a shift in the heavenlies. Battle lines have been drawn in the spirit realm. These lines of demarcation are not based upon geographical locations, nationality or language but upon spiritual truths of faith. The Word of God is the plumbline.
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…( Hebrews 4:12) The line of demarcation is the sharp two-edged sword of the Word, and with it comes a test. Individuals, churches and nations will have to choose which side of truth they will stand. The choice is ultimately either to believe, adhere to and walk in the soulish realm of man’s wisdom or to believe God’s word and walk and live in the Spirit. Even nations will face the test to see whether they will support the Lord’s Word. For nations, the test is in regards to the nation of Israel. Individuals and churches will be confronted with situations where they will have to decide if they will honour their Bible based faith. The line of demarcation that is being clearly drawn is not just between believer and non-believer, but also within the church itself.
We have already entered the season where the Lord is not just creating new wineskins but He is creating situations that are making us willing for Him to destroy old wineskins. The Lord is challenging and even breaking the old moulds that have existed in our thinking, our behaviour and even in our “worship rituals”. Yesterday’s mould is too restricting for what God wants and needs to do right now in His Body. We have entered into such a time of history when the Antichrist hatred of God and the Word of God is rising up with an intensity that we have not known in the west before. We should not be surprised for the Scriptures are clear that in the last days, the Antichrist himself will appear. The urgency of the hour is intensifying and we cannot “play” church. This is a serious time to be the Lord’s ambassadors. Being His representative brings a responsibility for the church to ARISE to stand in integrity and for the truth. Speaking of the end time battle with the accuser of the brethren, John says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11) Are we prepared to stand even at the cost of our lives? Yet why should we who live in a western country like Australia have to consider such a question?
In Praise Alert Vol 4 Issue 1 March 2001, our main article began by quoting a warning from the Lord as given to Ps Danny Nalliah of Catch the Fire Ministries that an “evil tide is rising up against the church in Australia.” The warning was for the church to arise. The Lord said, “If the church does not arise, she shall pay a heavy price to get back her position in the land.” Two and a half years on and it is beginning to happen. In our state of Victoria, the dangerous Racial & Religious Tolerance bill that Ps Danny Nalliah was warning about is in force. These laws that Steve Bracks and his associates put in place to “prevent racial and religious hatred” are now operating and the main people being charged are Christians! Ps Danny Nalliah himself has been charged and is going through an expensive legal process because Catch the Fire Ministries did a seminar about Islam and quoted from the Koran. In a region of outer Melbourne, a councillor for the city of Casey, (who is a Christian I know personally) warned of witches who were standing for council elections. These witches are about to sue the councillor and mayor because the Victorian attorney General Rob Hulls recommended to the witches to “complain to our Equal Opportunity Commission under the new vilification laws” (Herald –Sun November 16th 2003 “Casting a Crazy Spell on Freedom” Andrew Bolt) There are freedoms that we have taken for granted and these are eroding quickly. If the church does not take a stand quickly and forcefully, we will have no freedoms left.
The demarcation lines are not only between believer and non-believer. Some of the severest tests are coming within the church itself. Late July 2003 the Uniting Church of Australia made a “historic” decision to drop all codes of morality for those entering the ministry. Although the arguments supporting the proposals were to allow homosexuals to be ordained, the wording actually only specifies sexual preferences so this could include pedophiles and the like. The line of demarcation for those in the Uniting Church is morality and what the Word of God says about it. Which side of the line one sits is dependent upon whether or not individuals accept what the Word of God says about morality. There is no middle ground in this debate and it has affected every age group. I have had encounters with animated teenagers in our house sharing about the search and discovery of what the Scriptures say about homosexuality. People that have previously sat passively have been provoked by the Lord to become active.
This line of demarcation is not limited to those in the Uniting Church. Immorality has become a prevalent “plague” upon all of Christendom since the sexual revolution of the 60’s. Pre-marital sex, adultery and divorce are nearly as rampant within the church as in the general community. Will we be doers of the Word of God or shall we be those who hear the Word of God and ignore it? Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) We have entered such a time in history where every believer and every denomination will be required to decide on which side of truth we stand.
In the letters to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3, the Lord commends all the churches on various aspects of their walk with Him. Yet for five of the seven churches there are issues that need addressing. Each of these five churches had a different sin that needed to be repented of; each had something that they needed to deal with. Perhaps this is a picture of the church right now.
When the Lord delivered Israel from Egypt, He judged every idol of Egypt with a plague. Perhaps the Lord is bringing deliverance to His body through the exposure and judgement upon the idols even within the church? In the Lord’s dealings with Israel He refers to their idolatry as spiritual adultery. So if the Lord is requiring us to deal with sexual adultery and immorality, surely He will also require it of our spiritual adultery. In 2002 the Sydney Herald reported that Freemasons indicated that 90% of their membership were Anglicans. While many think that Freemasonry is a “good Christian organization”, the reality is that this secret society, while hiding the fact from the majority of its members, really worships another god – Lucifer! Is it possible or even probable that in the very near future, the demarcation line for Anglicans will be over Freemasonry? If the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever, then His attitude towards Baal worship has not changed and He WILL deal with it within His church. This is not a matter of maybe or perhaps. If the Lord is faithful to His Word then He will deal with it.
What about other denominations? Are there other “hidden” idols that may be judged and bring a line of demarcation? The Lord has always dealt with His people over their love for Him. Adultery and idolatry are linked together and are often the foundation from which so many other sins spring. I am convinced that Pentecostal churches will also be required to make choices based upon the Word in regards to sexuality and idolatry. However, I believe that Pentecostal churches are beginning to be faced with a line of demarcation over music and worship. Pentecostals churches have predominantly been the forerunners and promoters of “contemporary worship”. While that is not “bad” per se, they have been the most willing to embrace worldly standards in music.
The Apostle James says that friendship with the world is adultery and makes us an enemy of God! These are strong words. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
Most believers would be horrified to think that they were “friends” of the world. But consider what happens in a friendship. We have views and likes in common and therefore have dialogue, exchange ideas and frequently embrace similar behaviour and thoughts processes. In other words the attitudes and thought processes of our friends often influence the way we think and do things. If our influence, inspiration and ideas originate from the world then maybe we really have a “friendship” with the world, and therefore are going to be at cross-purposes with the Lord‘s ways.
In the area of worship, do we want to hear, be inspired by and reproduce the sounds of heaven? Alternatively, do we want to hear, be inspired by and reproduce the sounds of the world, the flesh and the devil? Are the songs that “excite us” appropriate or welcomed in the throne room of God? Biblical worship reaches its peak in the book of Revelation. Why should anything else be our role model for worship?
Personally, we have been repeatedly tested in this area, and I believe this test will soon begin to affect all believers. Making a stand against soulish worship can be costly. Many get very angry when defending “their music.” Perhaps this will be one demarcation line that will create an “earthquake”. It was over worship that the Lord divided the Kingdom of Israel.
In the midst of writing this article, this demarcation line has fallen upon our denomination. Due to our stand on worship, we have been forced to leave the denomination we have been in for ten years and the local church we have been a part of for four years. We were not asked to leave, but because of our stand on worship, we were “disqualified” from leadership or doing what the Lord wanted us to do. Our choice was to remain standing on what God has shown us in regards to worship or else bow to the demands of men. We felt we had no choice. God has allowed this situation to be exposed and we believe that this and other Pentecostal churches will have to choose which way they will walk. Will we be a friend of God or a friend of the world? I tremble in stating that I believe we are entering a time not only of choices, but also the judgement of God. “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven…” (Heb 12:25)
The Lord is calling the church to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We cannot worship in the Spirit if we walk and live in the flesh. The flesh wars against the spirit. We cannot worship in truth if we defy the truth. We cannot live a lie and expect God to bless us with His Holy presence. He is holy and will not share His glory with flesh. He is holy and will not be mocked. If the Lord is faithful to His Word, He will not and cannot let these situations go on without His judgement or intervention. We simply have to look at how He dealt with Israel for their sins of idolatry and adultery. Immorality, Baal worship and friendship with the world are serious issues. There is a line of demarcation beginning to be drawn where individuals and churches will need to examine the Word of God and decide where they will stand.
The dividing line of the sharp sword of the Word is becoming a reality for every believer in Western Nations. Are we those who love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10)? Are we those who love the Lord and will therefore do whatever He asks us to do? Do we have ears to hear what the spirit is saying to the church or are we those who resist the Holy Spirit like those who killed Stephen. (Acts 7:51) Are we those whose knowledge of the Word is only intellectual or are we those who are hearers and doers of the Word?
Higher level of holiness & separation of the Lord
While the lines of demarcation are becoming obvious and new wineskins are being created, the Lord is calling His church to come up higher to a new level of holiness. It is a level of holiness that we have not experienced before. Things that were okay in yesterday’s season are not okay in this new season. Places we visited, shows we watched, books & magazines we have read, conversations that were okay in the previous season are becoming a problem now. Some of these things are not necessarily “bad” or “wicked”. Some things are just a distraction or a thief of our time, and robbing us of energy that should be invested in the Kingdom. The things of the spirit are more helpful and productive than the things of the earth.
In July of this year I was preparing for a series of meetings, and the presence of the Lord became so strong whether I was working at the computer, playing the piano or praying. Just prior to this time the Lord was revealing the need to come higher. Three times, in one week, I was “paralysed” and unable to do what the Lord showed me to do. After seeking Him, I discovered some areas that needed “cleaning up”. Some were generational areas that we dealt with in revelatory prayer. Others were simply choices I had to make. The Lord clearly gave me the choice of His presence or some of the TV programs I had been relaxing with. There really was no choice.
Recently when considering songs that made me uncomfortable to play, (and they were not “bad”) the Lord said to me, “would you ever consider playing these songs in My Presence in the throne room?” I replied with a definite NO. He said to me that “any songs that are doubtful need to be put to this test; can you sing them to Me in the throne room of heaven?”
Why is Holiness so important in this new season?
First is that Jesus is coming for a holy bride. The line of demarcation is a test of our love for Him. The Lord sent prophets, dreamers and even some signs and wonders to test the love of Israel. “…for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deut 3:1-3)
Isn’t it possible that He will also test His bride? He is coming for a pure bride without spot or wrinkle. He is not returning for a bride who has eyes for another lover. He is coming for a bride who is totally in love with Him and Him alone and has prepared herself thoroughly.
Preparation of the Bride.
In the natural, brides want everything to be beautiful for their special day and many are prepared to do or pay anything for that to happen. Therefore, companies who provide wedding services are in a profitable business. While wedding guests also go the “extra bit” to be well groomed for the day, the bride will go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that everything is just right. She makes sure that her dress is beautiful, fits perfectly, has no blemishes or creases, has all the right accessories and that her nails are correctly manicured and painted, make-up is the right colour and expertly applied to enhance her natural beauty, and the hair style, well that is tried and tested weeks before the big day. Many brides spend weeks making sure their bodies are tanned, shaved, cleansed and toned. And that is just the bride and her appearance. Then begins the accessories of jewellery, flowers, shoes, the reception and so the list goes on. If we know how to prepare ourselves in the natural then surely we can apply this process to our preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb?
The Lord Himself is holy - it is His character. It is the essence of His being. All of heaven bows and cries “holy, holy, holy.” The Father is Holy, the Son is Holy and the Spirit is Holy. The holy bridegroom will not be unequally yoked with an unholy bride. When we think of “holy” we often use one another as a measuring stick. However, when we measure “holiness” against others, we will fall awfully short of the Holy One. He is pure. We must measure ourselves against the one who is Holy. Holiness is not obtained by rules and regulations. It is obtained as we imitate Him and become like Him. We need to behold His glory for that will lift our vision so much higher. The Lord is calling us to a higher level of holiness because He is saying to the bride – “get yourself ready, it’s nearly time”.
Holiness is so important to God that He was willing to pay the highest price to make it possible for you and I. The greatest riches of the earth, like gold and silver, could not buy us holiness. The richest man on earth did not have enough wealth to purchase it. Only the precious blood of Christ was sufficient. (1 Peter 1:15-19) By this sacrifice we are made righteous, we are made pure and we are set apart to God. Being set apart to the Lord means we are exclusively His. Pursuing holiness pleases the Lord. The priority of a devoted bride is to please the one she loves. Jesus said if we love Him, we would obey Him. Holiness needs to be pursued because holiness is not an optional extra to salvation. Pursuing holiness is a prerequisite for seeing God. “…without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 13:14 NIV)
Pursuing holiness also makes us more effective in the end time battle against the spirit of Antichrist. Jesus was able to overcome the temptations of the devil, and at the cross, He overcame death and hell. As the Son of Man what separated Him from every other human? He was holy and sinless.
Choices will have to be made
A line of demarcation brings with it, a need for a choice. For some these choices will be tough, really tough. Consider some of the elderly saints in the Uniting churches who have been so faithful for so many years. Many of these dear saints have been the backbone of the church. Yet at a time when they should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour, many of these are now faced with the unenviable and daunting position of leaving well-established friendships. They now have to consider leaving the comfort of their familiar surroundings because of their love for the Lord and the devastation of compromising with homosexual clergy. Some find such a compromise repulsive but the alternative just too hard to do anything about at this stage of life. While many look at the alternatives and say “too hard,” doing nothing is actually making a passive decision. It is not just the elderly who face such struggles. Christian young people today face extreme pressures to conform to the pattern of the world in regards to behaviour and attitudes. For many the choice of walking in obedience to the Lord is too hard. As these situations escalate, you can begin to comprehend why the Lord says that for the sake of the elect the days will be shortened.
Whether the issue is morality or idolatry or seeking to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh, the church is about to be thoroughly tested. Some are faced with terrible gut wrenching choices where their loyalties are thoroughly tested. Do we stay loyal to our denomination, or our family or perhaps friends? Or do we remain faithful to the Word of God and the things He has taught us? It is not easy as there are so many things to weigh up. But when the Lord has revealed His Word clearly, there is no choice. Which side of truth will we stand?
When Hitler was in power, many who had been passively indifferent, were suddenly confronted with a situation where they no longer could ‘sit on the fence’. While writing this article I watched a film about a young couple during the war who hid a Jewish neighbour. During the war this was one of their struggles. Previously they had been able to live happily without any convictions about “politics”, but now they were forced even at the risk of their lives to make a choice. We too can agonize that the choice is too tough. We can even pout that it is not fair! However, the established church and denominations will face situations where one cannot remain indifferent. The line of demarcation is not just a line in the sand, but is fast becoming a vast chasm.
Many in the church have tried to have a foot in both camps. They have tried to please self and its flesh AND please the Lord. However, it is not possible. We can no longer sit on the fence. We cannot be friends with God and with the world. We will eventually love one and hate the other.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14) The church has come to a fork in the road and must choose which road it will take. It is a day of choices. Which way will we go? The way of the flesh or the way of the Spirit? Will we forsake the Lord and His ways or shall we cling to Him, seek Him and obey Him?
Choose this day who you will serve. Which side of the truth will you stand?
© Ruth Webb December 2003 Praise Alert Volume 6 No 2