In
the Old Testament, a standard was the identifying colors of an army or kingdom.
It was necessary to be able to identify allies and enemies. God's promise to
Israel was that He would stand with them against His enemies. This is a
necessary principle in our spiritual warfare today.
God
will set apart (sanctify) and identify as His believers in His Kingdom. How
is that going to happen? It is happening at this present moment! God is, by His
Spirit, lifting His Standard and His obedient followers are flowing to it, as
the enemy comes in like a flood. We are currently living in the time Isaiah
described in chapter 59. In verses 16-21, Isaiah writes by the inspiration of
the Spirit of God concerning the last days' restoration of the nation of Israel.
God brought salvation at the first Advent of Christ but Israel rejected Him. At
His second Advent or second coming He will judge His enemies and restore
salvation to Israel. The restoration of
Israel is at hand. The deliverance of the Body of Christ is even at the door.
Isaiah
59:19, “...When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD
shall lift up a standard against him.” The enemy has come in like a river overrunning its banks and causing great destruction and distress where ever it
flows. The flood gates are open and just as Aaron and the priesthood were
co-conspirators in the disobedience and idol worship of the Israelites at
Sinai, the leadership in Christianity must share the responsibility for where
we are today. The strong emphasis placed on the doctrine of inclusion in the
religious world has led to a departure from the faith which was delivered to
the saints of the New Testament. This doctrine must be reversed in the
churches.
Instead of inclusion, separation of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world must be preached again from our pulpits. Although the gospel message is one of inclusion and is to all men, there always has been and always will be the Divine standard to be achieved. God’s holy standard can still be achieved in the heart of the submissive, obedient believer through the work of the Holy Spirit living within us. Jesus said that He (Holy Spirit) will lead and guide into all truth. John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” The Truth is the standard but can not be achieved apart from the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in the heart of the professing Christian. (continued)
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