God was not known as Jehovah to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He revealed Himself by other names, such as Elohim and El Shaddai. Just before the first Passover of judgment on Egypt, He called Himself Jehovah. Whenever He does business with His people in a present manifestation, He reveals Himself as Jehovah (YHVH), which means, “I Am That I Am.”
Today, Satan, the god of this present world, HAS and is being judged. When Jesus faced His crucifixion, just before the Passover, He said, Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 12:31. Today we are to enforce the victory that Christ won on the cross over principalities and powers.
In the Old Testament, we read the story of the first Passover and the judgments that came upon the gods of Egypt. The Passover was a deliverance for the Israelites and a judgment upon the Egyptians. The judgments took place because the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. (Notice that they cried with intense feeling as they called upon the Lord.) And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God saw the children of Israel, and God took knowledge of them. Exodus 2:23–25. It does not say that God first remembered His covenant and then decided to help them. It was after they cried to God that He remembered His covenant. As always, the initiative had to come from His people. There would have been no Passover if the Israelites had not cried to God.
The promises and covenants of God remain only a potential until someone claims them. A person may have many promises over their life, but they will never happen until they pursue them with all of their heart. If there is anything within their spirit that is passive, they will not walk in what God has for them.
Many times in the Word God gave promises to His people that they did not possess because they were not zealous to press in. In Joshua’s day there remained much land to be possessed; therefore God encouraged Joshua to possess that land. People must always be stirred to possess God’s provision, or they will not get it. You may believe that God has a predestined plan for His people and that He works it out regardless of what they do, but that is not necessarily so. It is true that God has a foreknowledge, but if He planned to fulfill our destiny fatalistically, He would not give us a choice as to whether or not we will walk in His will. God gives every opportunity, every promise and potential for reaching the goal; but we must be dedicated to actively possess that provision.
A hungry man with a loaded gun can walk into the woods to go hunting, but when he comes across the game, he must aim and shoot it or he will remain a hungry man. You have the potential of the answers in your hand, but you have to get busy and call upon the Lord. Only the violent in faith will possess the Kingdom of God (Matthew 11:12).
OUR HEAVENLY FATHERS NAME IS YHVH
In Exodus 3:11–15 God first referred to Himself as Jehovah (YHVH)(yehōwāh). He was talking to Moses, and Moses answered Him somewhat sarcastically: Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee: when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
One might think that Moses would remember this, but Exodus 6:2–3 records the fact that God had to remind him again: And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty (El Shaddai); but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not know God as Jehovah; they knew Him as El Shaddai, the great-breasted one, the comforting one, the sustainer. He presented both the father and the mother attributes, and the people served Him and loved Him on that plane. But Jehovah is the God who chooses to manifest Himself in the present—I Am That I Am.
The significance of this is made real in the book of John. The Jews asked Jesus, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? He answered, Before Abraham was born, I am. John 8:57–58. He did not say, “Before Abraham was, I was”; He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” The end of that chapter tells that the Jews tried to stone Jesus. They understood the full meaning of the phrase, “I Am.” It refers to the God who manifests Himself in the past, the present, and the future. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Any time that either the Father or the Son manifests Himself in this particular way, He assumes the characteristics of the name Jehovah.
In Exodus 6:4–8 we read that God told Moses to tell the Israelites that He would fulfill the covenant that He had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their sojournings, wherein they sojourned. And moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land which I sware to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am Jehovah.
As in Bible days, the name of God, Jehovah, is again being revealed in truth; however, religious sects have come forth with a false presentation of the truth. The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ presentation of the Kingdom message and their use of the name Jehovah has discouraged many sincere Christians who truly believe in the born-again experience, the blood of Jesus Christ, the baptism of the Spirit, divine order, and the restoration of the Church. These Christians have been spiritually deprived of the real message of the Kingdom. Fantastic false doctrines have been presented which lead everywhere but to the Kingdom of God.
The Mormon church has presented its concept of the restoration of the Church, claiming to have the restoration of the gifts. However, nutritional rules forbidding the drinking of coffee or tea cannot be considered to be the word of wisdom that comes through the true gift of the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 tells us that the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is not on a level of nutritional rules that are laid down by man. Through prophecy and revelation, God’s gift of the word of wisdom reveals the plans of His heart and each person’s place in His Kingdom. The Mormon church also claims to have apostles, but they are elected by man. The apostles in the Bible were not elected. Christ appeared to them and commissioned them to be apostles.
Some churches claim apostolic succession. The Greek Orthodox church claims divine succession from Antioch, starting with Paul. The Roman Catholic church also claims apostolic succession, starting with Peter in Rome. The two different divisions each claim apostolic succession. The concept of apostolic succession may sound acceptable; however, is it also acceptable if the one in authority knowingly commits a grave sin? Church history tells about the rule of the harlots. A true apostle of God would never be put in office through the influence of a prostitute; however, this happened in Rome.
Actually, there is no need for an unbroken apostolic succession. Christ can appear to any man or woman in any generation and say, “You are to be an apostle.” True apostolic succession goes back to the Lord Himself. How did Paul receive his apostleship? Christ revealed Himself to Paul (Galatians 1:1, 12, 15–17). After waiting on God for a long while in the deserts of Arabia, he came back with an apostleship to be fulfilled, which was vindicated and first declared on his first missionary journey. At the beginning of that journey Barnabas and Paul were called prophets; halfway through the journey they were called apostles. No one elected them to be apostles; God met them.
The message of healing has also been greatly distorted and commercialized among some Christian groups, but this does not mean that the present phase of the restoration will not see a wave of healing. We should contend for the gifts of miracles and healings. We should contend for signs and wonders to be done in the name of the Lord, all the more because a living Word is coming now. The Lord always confirms His Word with signs following (Mark 16:20). In the publicized healing campaigns in the past, it appeared as though the Lord was confirming a great deal of extravagant publicity with miracles, because there was not that much of the Word to be confirmed. It was primarily man’s money-raising programs. Most of the money went into the pockets of the leaders; it did not go toward the purpose for which it was raised. It did not go to see the gospel sent to the ends of the earth.
The time has come again in which there will be true witnesses of Jehovah (YHVH), a time in which the true Body of Christ will move in divine order with apostles and prophets. All of the foundational truths that have been maligned by church movements in the past one hundred years will now be seen in their reality. There would never have been so many counterfeits if the true were not to come. A counterfeit must look like the real thing. The devil knows that too!
God told Moses, The Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. Exodus 7:5. Do you believe that God is going to reveal Himself as Jehovah today? Peter spoke of the mockers in the last days who will say, “All things have continued as they were since the beginning of creation” (II Peter 3:4). They do not know what has been reserved for them. Judgments will be poured out; God is very actively engaged in bringing about judgment upon the earth.
Our way of thinking about the Lord must change according to the way He reveals Himself. If the Lord reveals Himself as a beautiful shepherd, then we should not fight or fuss. We should simply be good sheep, singing, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” while we enjoy the green pastures and the still waters. But when He reveals Himself to be Jehovah, as He did when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt, then we should sharpen our swords and get ready to fight. We must be violent and dedicated in our faith to believe that He will presently manifest Himself as Jehovah. We will be tested greatly on believing that He will act now.
Christians have been conditioned in their faith to believe for the fulfillment of God’s promises far off in the future. They say, “The Lord will come someday. Then we will see all of God’s wonderful promises come to pass.” If the prophecies that came through mighty men of God were true prophecies yesterday, then they have to become a reality today. This generation has been identified as living in the time of fulfillment. The prophecies have identified it. A man who is called to be a prophet does not say, “Well, maybe someday I will be reincarnated as a prophet.” When God tells him, “Now you will be a prophet,” that Word is not something to put away. He must either walk in that Word or succumb to the belligerence that says, “I am a total, absolute unbeliever in the sight of God.”
A man is divinely condemned if he professes to believe the Word of God and then does not make a valiant effort of faith to walk in it. Faith without works is dead. If you believe God’s Word, then act accordingly. A normal response and reaction that corresponds to your faith is required; otherwise, your faith is dead. Do you believe what He has spoken about you and about His Church and His Kingdom? Then fight for it! Walk in it!
Have you become so conditioned to your way of life that you do not realize how much you have been hindered? Do you plan your day for the Lord and then find that satanic assault comes to hinder you over and over until you finally accept the impasses? Do you accept the fact that your life drags on and you do not accomplish what you should because your days are eaten up by time-consuming and unproductive activities? That must end. Focus upon the essential thing—focus upon what God is saying. Forget the trivia.
On the other hand, do not be discouraged if the devil refused to budge the last time you resisted him. Sometimes it takes several plagues before the victory is manifested. It took ten plagues in Egypt; and each plague represented a god that they worshiped. When the children of Israel finally left Egypt, they did not leave like poor Israelites. They had plundered Egypt. They were delivered in a greater way than they would have been after the first plague. They would not have received all the gold, the jewels, the beautiful fabrics and other finery, if it had not been for the delays. These treasures were used later when the Tabernacle was built. Do not murmur about the delays. Sometimes God delays in order that your victory can be total. If you find it difficult to be an instant conqueror, accept God’s alternative—be more than a conqueror.
God is concerned about His people becoming acquainted with Him. He wants them to know Him by name. Those who love the name of the Lord Jesus Christ want to see that name exalted until it is honored as the name given above every name, until every knee bows to it (Philippians 2:9–10). However, it is a fact that the name of Jesus Christ is used far more in blasphemy than in prayer or blessing.
Set your heart to use the name of Jesus Christ in authority, to see Him glorified and honored. His name is not to be used as an object of curse. Be dedicated to believe that those who use the name of Jesus Christ in cursing and blasphemy will be brought up short. They are going to know that Jesus Christ is Lord, that Jehovah is God. If you were to hear someone use the name of Jesus Christ in cursing, would you have the faith and courage to say, “Let the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified, and every blasphemer be judged!” Or would you back off? Are you ashamed of Jesus? Are you ashamed of His name? The degradation of the Lord will never end until you believe to change it. Turn away from being a passive recipient of the harassment and degradation of the Lord. Do not passively accept this kind of tolerance and consider it a virtue.
God told Moses, In this thou shalt know that I am Jehovah: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall become foul; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink water from the river. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as Jehovah commanded. Exodus 7:17–20a. For seven days this plague was upon the land. (It is interesting to note that both the first and last plagues were plagues of blood; however, each one worked differently.)
And the magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. Verse 22a. These magicians were identified in the New Testament when Paul wrote in II Timothy concerning the conditions that would exist in the end time. And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be. II Timothy 3:8–9. The magicians could do some of the same miracles that Moses and Aaron did, but later their folly was manifested.
God has given His people authority to prevail over all the powers of darkness, over everything of Satan that comes against them (Luke 10:19). In the past, too many Christians succumbed to demonic situations. They accepted the conspiracy of international Communism; they were bluffed by the governmental regulations, by the so-called powers that govern the economy, and by having the rich harass the poor. Because of years of conditioning, they meekly accepted the way the world was going. However, you will see these things changing drastically as God’s people take faith to prophesy against the strongholds of Satan. Do not be afraid to prophesy the Word of the Lord. Do not be afraid to be a part of the Kingdom of God.
The people who love God, who honor the name of Jesus Christ and walk in submission, do not realize how much authority is committed to them or what they can do. They can change the course of nations. One prophet often did that in the Scriptures; therefore, one prophet can do it now. Do not be intimidated. Do not back down. Believe with active faith. Prophesy in the name of the Lord and loose God’s will in the earth.
World leaders will continue to fall into disfavor as God’s people determine to pray and speak the Word of God. Men who appear to be miracle men of the world will find themselves being exposed as the facade is ripped off. Much corruption in government has already been uncovered, but do not stop praying just because the veil that has covered iniquity is being ripped off. Continue to pray. Pray against the dishonesty in elections. Pray against the dishonesty in the press. Woe to them that call evil good and good evil. Bring down everything of Satan. Proclaim God’s judgment on the gods of this world.
Much evil exists, but a remnant of God is coming forth—not great in number, but a very powerful minority who will bring forth His will in the earth. The will of the majority has always been apostate, backslidden, and misdirected; but a minority can be very effective. Through a handful of true believers, God can change the destiny of this world, just as He changed the political and economic state of Egypt through Moses and Aaron.
God forbid that we should be anything less than violent in our prayers. God forbid that we should fail to realize who we are. We are instruments in the hand of the Almighty. He has made the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom (James 2:5). He is using the weak to confound the mighty (I Corinthians 1:27). He is using a remnant of believers to change the course of the world.
God is not bringing forth His Kingdom because the world has suddenly become enlightened. This is the greatest age of deception ever known to mankind. Supposedly this is the enlightened age of science, but deception in that field is greater than ever before. The sciences refuse to recognize the spiritual factor, claiming that today’s people are modern intellectuals with scientific minds. The concept of psychoanalysis states that a person’s nature cannot be changed; therefore, over a period of a few years he is persuaded to live with his iniquity, even if it involves perverse and abnormal behavior. The basic theory of psychology denies God, the human spirit, and the human soul. It deals only with the mind. That is deception. Many think that the answer to life’s problems and mysteries can be found through scientific knowledge; but they leave out the basic ingredient that actually makes things happen.
What should God’s people believe in? They should believe in what God says. He says that we, as part of Adam’s fallen race, can become the true sons of God; we can acquire a divine nature. We can be fused into a spiritual oneness with Him and become the Body of Jesus Christ on earth through which all authority and all power will be manifested throughout the world.
The following Scriptures contain some beautiful promises of Jehovah.
Exodus 6:7: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God, who bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exodus 7:5: And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
Exodus 7:17: … In this thou shalt know that I am Jehovah: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in my hand…
Exodus 8:22: And I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end that thou mayest know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth.
Exodus 10:2: … that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought upon Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know that I am Jehovah.
Exodus 14:4: I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah…
Exodus 14:18: And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
After the Passover had been completed and the Israelites were finally in the wilderness, manna and other evidences of God came to them; nevertheless, the children of Israel murmured. Therefore, God told Moses, … speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God. Moses and Aaron told the Israelites: At even, then ye shall know that Jehovah hath brought you out from the land of Egypt; and in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of Jehovah. Exodus 16:12, 6–7. Even after the Israelites had been released from Egypt, God was still trying to impress upon them that He was Jehovah—I Am That I Am.
As He did in Bible days, God desires in this age also to present Himself as the God who is—the right-now God! If you pray and it looks as though nothing is happening, do not be disappointed. It is happening, but first the cries have to come up to Him. Satan will do everything he can to discourage you and to cause you to fall just short of the answer. Therefore, you must be predetermined. Know in advance what you are going to do and how you will react. Do not be discouraged by circumstances. Do not react to what people say.
The Lord is great and He is to be served. He is manifesting Himself as Lord over the Church in this hour. He is not going to be the silent partner in divine order; He is going to be the aggressive one. It is a paradox: He becomes the aggressive one, if we insist upon it. Insist upon Him being Lord and dominating the scene. The Scriptures say that the Father has committed into His hand all the kingdoms of the world. The kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15). It will become evident when you insist upon it.
Do not pray for God to bless the nations; pray for God to loose them. Proclaim that the nations belong to Jesus Christ, that they will come out of the so-called post-Christian era and come into a pre-Kingdom era, a time of preparing for the Kingdom. Communist nations will turn against each other; in fact, nothing in the Word indicates that they should have progressed even as far as they have. The world empire that they are striving to establish did not exist in Daniel’s image (Daniel 2:31–45). The clay and the iron were mixed in the toes, but that was not to prevail as an empire. The stone cut out of the mountain without hands was to smite it and grind it to powder.
Scriptural prophecies give us the prerogative to believe that we can pray down Communism and loose the people behind the iron curtain. It is time to arise and pray down the walls and barriers that stand against the Word, the walls that stand against the Kingdom. The Word says that the gospel of the Kingdom is to be preached in all the world for a witness. It is not a weak, insipid gospel; it is the gospel of the King.
You may believe in Jesus as Savior, but remember also that He is King. He is the Lord of lords. He is the King of kings. He is the dominant one. The word Lord is used hundreds of times in the New Testament to refer to Christ, whereas the Greek word for Savior is used only twenty-four times. The New Testament does not only guarantee that sins will be forgiven; it declares that Jesus is Lord.
God does not want people merely to accept a religion; He wants them to change their allegiance, to stop serving the devil and commit themselves to Christ. He wants a committal of real discipleship. The commission in Mark says, “Preach the gospel to every creature”; but the Kingdom commission in Matthew says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” That is a command from God—pursue it!
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 12:31. Satan, the god of this present world, is being judged; and it is essential that we begin to participate in and execute the victory of Christ. We must be the army of the Lord. Our objective is not just to win personal victories. Each of us is a necessary instrument in the hand of the Almighty. We are rich in faith and the heirs of the Kingdom. Let us think like citizens of the Kingdom—like sons of God.
EXHORTATION
The prophecy about Christ in Isaiah 42:2–3 gives us a picture of the Lamb: He will not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street. A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth. Then in verses 13 through 15 we see Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah: Jehovah will go forth as a mighty man; he will stir up his zeal like a man of war: he will cry, yea, he will shout aloud; he will do mightily against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry out like a travailing woman; I will gasp and pant together. I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.
This is the time when the Lamb of God becomes the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). It is the time when God’s people must arise with an awareness of the hour. They must understand that they will be defeated if the battle of the ages continues as it has been. Satan rages; and if these days are not cut short, no flesh will be saved alive (Mark 13:20). Therefore, these days must be cut short for the elect’s sake. In God’s plan, nothing will move automatically according to schedule; it will only move according to the faith of those who make it happen.
The greater part of the religious world believes that judgment will come eventually. They are waiting for the great Judgment Day. However, it will not happen unless the saints of God enter into the manifestation of the sons, as described in Romans 8. They must loose creation from futility and bring the judgment of the nations. They must bring down the old age and bring in the new one.
During the first Passover the judgment of Egypt passed over God’s people. The Passover was a breakthrough for them, a passing from oppression into what God had for them. They did not receive a rapture out of judgment, such as some Christians hope for today. They did not leapfrog over the judgment; they simply kept the Passover, and the judgment passed over them. Some Christians believe that a rapture will come to solve all of their problems. What about the millions of Christians who have already died in China, in Russia, and elsewhere throughout the world for their testimony of Christ? They did not experience a rapture. There have been more martyrs in the last generation than in all centuries of Christianity. Yet we know that there will be more apostles and prophets coming forth in this generation than there have been since the dawn of history. More things will be done for the glory of God in this day than ever before. Solomon wrote, “Greater is the end of a thing than the beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
When Christ died on the cross for our sins, only a handful gathered around to watch the spectacle as the heavens were darkened. There He paid the price of redemption, the price which gave Him all authority in heaven and on earth. Hebrews 10:14 says, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Do you want to go through life satisfied with a Christian doctrine that embraces everything, and yet have a walk that embraces very little of what you profess? God has given a perfect provision; either we aggressively possess it or we will not possess it.
Violence in prayer should not be discouraged; it should be encouraged, for it will defeat Satan. In Revelation 12 we read that Satan rages, knowing that he has but a short time. Satan found no place in heaven. He has been cast out of the heavens and now he is raging against the inhabitants of the earth. There is only one place for him. Let us be dedicated to see God put him in the special place that He has prepared for him. The usurper has no place here; this world belongs to the Lord. The kingdoms of this world belong to our Lord and to His Christ. He is the Lord (Revelation 11:15).
Christ’s victory will not be manifested in this day by carefully planned methods of evangelism. The satanic powers which hold people in deception must first be broken. Instead of trying to win people who are under a veil, we must first bind the strong man and bring him under judgment (Mark 3:27). We must loose those who have been prisoners without hope. Otherwise, evangelism will never be successful. It will be as futile as mowing a jungle, which in a short time grows back.
Iniquity is abounding; it is even making inroads among Christians. Therefore, as Matthew 24:12 predicts, the love of many is waxing cold. The measure of fervor in Christians has diminished greatly and much deception exists among them. Like the Pharisees, many are intolerant of the truths in the Word that God is bringing today. In fact, the atheist who hears a true living Word believes it more readily than the Fundamentalist who names the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The main concern among many of the people of the Lord is their desire to be accepted by those who do not understand their intensity of faith. They want everyone to think kindly of them. They should not be concerned about that. Jesus said, “Beware when all men speak well of you” (Luke 6:26). In fact, you should refuse to be subjected to that type of fear which destroys your desire to serve the Lord and to please Him with all of your heart.
The fear of man has one unique aspect: it causes you to be ashamed of anything that is intense. In other words, you become fearful of expressing your own emotions or feelings. It is a part of the satanic bondage that has been upon the earth for many generations; however, it did not always belong to the human race. For instance, David danced before the Lord with all of his might (II Samuel 6:14). He did not care what anyone thought of him. When Absalom died, he lifted up his voice with loud weeping (II Samuel 19:4). In this day people do not do that; they bottle up their feelings because they are ashamed to express anything intensely, and they also are ashamed of anyone else who expresses himself intensely.
Do you need to be delivered from your great ambition for respectability? Do your best to serve God, but do not be ashamed of the cross or of the present way that Christ is manifesting Himself in the earth. Something within your heart must become wholly and totally dedicated to do whatever pleases the Lord, even if it means dancing before the Lord, as David did. It may not seem to serve any purpose; but if it expresses everything God wants, then do it. Shouting or repeating the word “amen” may not seem to serve any purpose either, if viewed from a human standpoint. However, at the leading of the Lord it can become a release of total faith within you.
Faith must be expressed. Faith is an activity. Faith is not a passive assent to a truth; it is an active laying hold upon God. Love also is an activity in which deep inner feelings are turned loose. Therefore, if you say that you love God, but you do not show it very much, then you do not love Him. If you say that you love your brother and yet you shut up your compassion from him and fail to help him, how dwells the love of God in you (I John 3:17). Everything that God puts in His people, such as His love and His faith, turns into action. It explodes! Anything of God’s own nature with which He touches you has to explode into action, into life, into faith, into that which says, “I believe; therefore I have spoken. I believe; therefore I have moved. I believe, therefore I do the will of the Lord with all of my heart.”
A pharisaic religious spirit tries to hold everyone under repression. That needs to be rebuked. We must voice a resistance to the passivity which is the trend of this age. The love of many is waxing cold, iniquity is abounding, and believers are being suppressed, causing them to become very passive. It is the age of slumber and sleep, but we are exhorted to be awake because we are not children of the night. We are not to be drunken or asleep as others, but wide awake and aggressive (I Thessalonians 5:6–8). A tide of passivity is sweeping over the earth. As a snare it will come upon all of those who dwell upon the face of the earth; therefore, we must watch and be alert (Luke 21:34–36).
As we worship the Lord in this hour, we dare not fall into a passivity that makes us unable to battle principalities and powers. We must become the army of the Lord and sustain a militant, driving, persistent faith that believes God. We must respond like soldiers as the Captain of our salvation leads us forward.
If you want to please God, love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30). Outwardly expressing your love for the Lord does not mean that you become fanatical. Believe for a deliverance from any reluctance to express yourself before God. Believe to be like this description of the Lord in Isaiah 42: Jehovah will go forth as a mighty man; he will stir up his zeal like a man of war: he will cry, yea, he will shout aloud; he will do mightily against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now I will cry out like a travailing woman; I will gasp and pant together. The first part of that prophecy seems contradictory in that it says: He will not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street. That aspect of Christ has been seen already; and although it is time for a change, some Christians refuse to accept the Lord as anything other than that “still small voice” (I Kings 19:12). But remember—God also caused a few things to rumble. He shook the mountains and brought fire and wind in order to prove that He meant business.
Isaiah 66:8 gives us an assurance that sons will come to birth as soon as Zion travails. God intends to raise up apostles and prophets in this day. Once they are established, multitudes of people, who had called their hope faith, will be released to really believe.