Spiritual Anarchy in the Remnant

             

Many have recognized that the "church" has conformed to the world, and is indeed in the fallen state that is prophesied in 2 Th 2:3, and have wisely left it in obedience to Rev 18:4. That is the first step toward entering into the Remnant of these end times. However, what we find too often is an undisciplined grouping of people who gather together into cliques based upon agreement of their interpretation of the Word of God. A natural urge to belong to a group, pride and ambition to be seen as more spiritual than others spur them on to ever more condemnation of those seen as less spiritual than themselves. A form of spiritual anarchy ensues, groups aren't anchored by the Word of God any longer, it is used out of context to prove their latest proclamation, but those who stand on the Word to demonstrate the error of their beliefs are at first dismissed with sayings such as "if you can receive it", or "your argument is with God, not me", or generally condescending attitudes. If that doesn't work then more hostile methods are used. Attacking the delusions of these self-proclaimed end time prophets isn't for the faint of heart. Some who see the treatment the dissenter gets from the group will keep their mouths shut and go along to get along. Those who truly wish to be in the end times remnant have to find a proper amount of humility and submit all so-called new revelations to our anchor in this mendacious world: The Holy Bible.

Having left the conformed to the world "church" there is a natural desire to leave behind all its trappings. This is an area where you need not only Holy Spirit discernment, but the Bible, the Word of God as well. The "church" has of course turned the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ upside down. Those that they still actually follow have been turned into opportunities to make merchandise (2 Pe 2:3) of those who remain inside. Water baptism and remembering the Lord's body and blood sacrifice are commanded in the New Covenant, but many will say these things are old covenant, or under the law type things, and want to throw the baby out with the bath water. These self righteous "spiritual" giants will search high and low for perceived "evil", from the story of Jack and Jill to Santa Claus, but ignore the weightier issue of denying the Word of God as the final arbiter in all matters pertaining to the Lord's commandments. For example, if the Word says:

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

or:

Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Act 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Then no one should say "water baptism is a lie, or false doctrine", "or of the Law or Old Covenant." And again regarding what is generally known as communion, many of these same regard it too as old Covenant. But the Word of God says:

Luk 22:19  And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

or:

1Co 11:23 - 26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

If we are commanded, as the original disciples were, then we do it, we don't spiritualize it away.

Another thing we hear a lot is "it's all spiritual, not physical." The Kingdom of God, is at this present time spiritual, but the believers are physical bodies, flesh. We cannot say to the needy "I'll pray for you and lift you up in my spiritual communion with God" and leave them empty-handed. If we desire to be obedient to the Word of GOD we cannot say to the Lord, "I obeyed you in my spirit," or "I fulfilled it spiritually." Indeed many who have left the worldly "church" can be even more hard-hearted than those still in it. What I see way too much of is the formation of little cyber buildings with love and fellowship for those who agree with them, and mocking and distancing for those that don't.

To amplify the message I'm trying to get across, many of us get what we believe are revelations from God. And many of us have been proven to be wrong about some of the things we used to believe (of course whether we admit it to ourselves is another matter). Does that mean we shouldn't study the Bible? We shouldn't fellowship with others, listen to voices in our heads, or share these revelations? No, it means we must have a firm foundation, a rock to build our faith and beliefs on, and that MUST be the Word of GOD! Not sister Susie or brother Billy, not our long-time friends, or the latest members of our "spiritually superior to you" clique, but again, the Word of GOD! Many who read this may simply dismiss this post and its author as simply spiritually, or even completely ignorant. That's OK with me, when you attack the delusions of a spiritually proud person you can expect a harsh response, but it must be done, regardless whether we offend some, lose friends, or our place in their group. No matter, we defend the Word of God without regard to the personal cost.

Joh 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.