Sunday 6 November 2016

The Purging of the Church


THE PURGING of THE CHURCH
by David Wilkerson

Who is the man or woman of God who has power? Is it the one who can heal the sick and raise the dead? Is it the one who can best talk in tongues and prophesy? Is it the one who draws the most people and builds the greatest church? No! The one with the power - is the one with the purity! "... the righteous are bold as a lion.. " (Proverbs 28:1 KJV)

The prophet Malachi prophesied of a supernatural purge coming to God's house. "... the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple...but who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap. And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."  (Malachi 3:1-3 KJV)

This is a dual prophecy. He speaks of Christ's first coming, and also of His second! He will come again suddenly, as a thief in the night. But first, He will purify His Church.

We are not ready for the coming of Christ! Is this the Church triumphant? Covetous. divorcing, depressed, worldly-minded, grasping for materialism and success, competitive, lukewarm, adulterous, rich and increased with goods, unaware of spiritual blindness and poverty, pleasure-loving, recreation-minded, consumed with sports, politics, and power - is this the Church Jesus is coming for? Simply coping, filled with fear and anxiety, satisfied only to have good health and happiness?

My Bible says He is coming back for an overcoming Church! A Church without spot or wrinkle! A people whose affections are on things above! A people with clean hands and pure hearts. A people who are looking for His coming! 

The question is no longer, "What can my faith get me? What miracle will He perform for me?" The question now is - "How shall I stand before Him? How shall I make it at the Judgment?" " . . .Who shall stand when He appeareth?" (Malachi 3:2 KJV)

The question is no longer, "How do I feel - how do I get happiness?  How do I get the desire of my heart?" The question is - "Can I withstand that moment when I stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ? How can I withstand when I've lived so carelessly, so selfishly, so neglectful of His great salvation?" The central issue now has nothing to do with this world at all. At issue is - "HAVE I NEGLECTED CHRIST in THIS MIDNIGHT HOUR?"

The purge is going to begin in the pulpit! " . . . He shall purify the sons of Levi... " (Malachi 3:3 KJV) God is going to accomplish that by "turning up the heat." God is going to make things so hot, so fiery, so intense, God's men will be driven to their knees! This is the fire of the Holy Ghost! It is the fire of persecution. It is the fire of tribulation. The fire of unbelievable hardships, ridicule, gossip, financial problems. He is going to shake everything that can be shaken! He is going to shake, and scrub, and burn, and purge - and purify!...

God also promises to bring down the strongholds of the enemy!  He is going to once and for all let the devil and the world know who has the power!

If God is about to do all that the prophets predicted He would - WHAT a GLORIOUS FUTURE JUST AHEAD!

o A purged, purified ministry!

o A Church that God is calling back to repentance and holiness.

o A people washed, cleansed - offering praises in true righteousness.

o A revival among our young people! Drug strongholds coming down!

o Alcohol and divorce no longer prevalent among God's people.

o The sound of prayer - intercession!

o A people of God who will discern between the holy and the unholy!

o Everywhere, God's people turning again to the Word.

o A tested, tried people, once again devoted to the Person of Jesus Christ!

o His Person being lifted up to draw all men to Him!

o Christ no longer the stranger in our midst, but CROWNED - PRE-EMINENT!

o A Pentecost that truly exalts the name and power of Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.


-Source-
http://www.tscpulpitseries.org/english/1980s/ts820001.html
(c) World Challenge, P. O. Box 260, Lindale, TX 75771 USA.