IT’STIME TO REBUILD THE HOUSE
I recently decided to read and meditate on the Book of Haggai, and I was immediately confronted with God’s concern about the House of God that it lay in ruins while the people were living in their lavish houses. Remember with much of the Old Testament we must pass it through the Cross and apply New Covenant truths and principles to it. Haggai writes in chapter 1:2-6 NKJV
Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ”
Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
Throughout history we have seen this lament, as the Church after fresh revelation and revival has slowly slipped back into a shallow potentially compromising position.
In the 20th century we say the awesome Pentecostal revival that truly swept the world, sadly like most revivals it brought it excesses and extremes, then we saw the Charismatic Movement that revived much of the old established church in the world, and corrected many of the extremes and excesses.
I read an article just yesterday saying the Pentecostal Movement in Australia is the fastest growing movement here, and its worshippers on any given Sunday is close to the numbers of Catholics who attend weekly!!!
So there are many positive things that have come out of the revivals of the 20th century, but speaking personally. I sincerely wonder where the Church is really at today.
The big emphasis these days is the importance of being CONTEMPORARY, especially to attract young people, but sadly I see COMPROMISE in many situations, I have written previously of the dangers of legalism that can flow out of HOLINESS teaching, but I long to see and hear the message preached, that a Christian has a glorious inheritance NOW, and we can live pure, victorious holy lives NOW.
My readers know my major burden is in the area of Biblical Discipleship and Mentoring, with someone walking with the new Believer, and the young aspiring ministry, and helping to lay strong Biblical foundations into their lives. There is so little emphasis on this today, so consequently, Christian “lifestyle” is really not very different to that of a non-believer (in many instances). I can hear some people saying I am a “grumpy (legalistic) old man” I sincerely don’t believe I am, I have had to work hard (the Lord helping me). to embrace and appropriate my inheritance in Christ now, so that I can seek to live according to the Word of God.
I have written often on the words of God to Moses and David, to build God’s House “according to the pattern”, and so I say with Haggai we need to return to the “old paths” and even if the world calls us “peculiar” people, we know we are walking in the blessing of God and growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God promises in Haggai 21:9 KJV that if God’s people would respond to God’s call and rebuild the House, both our “personal house” and the House of God the Church “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
So, the Lord said through Haggai CONSIDER YOUR WAYS, and come back to the old paths (and rebuild the house) and walk in holiness without which no man shall see God Heb. 12:14 KJV.
This is the cry of my heart, personally and for the the Church, let us seriously consider the words an promise in 2 Chron. 7:14 NKJV if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Please don’t consider this blog as negative and simply critical, but see it as the Lord seeking to draw us ever closer to Him amen. I would really appreciate your response and comments please ?
