A Message to Christians
"He that hath an ear, let him
hear
what the Spirit saith to the churches."
In spring of 1987, I had a two-week
encounter with God that forever changed my life. It came after praying
intensively with others for about half a year for revival. The message God
gave me at that time was essentially this: God is grieved with the conduct of
His people (generally speaking) and is retracting His Spirit in stages
just as He did when He withdrew from the temple in Ezekiel 8-11. Moreover,
the Jew, who in past times rejected Him, are now before God in remembrance;
God's plan is to lift up them that were humbled, and to humble those that
have become lifted up in pride, so that they may again be lifted up with
those that were before times humbled, so that God may show mercy to both
those far and near---even upon all them that believe on Jesus as Messiah in
truth. Nevertheless, dark days lay ahead for both those near and far.
God sees what those who are called by His name are doing
in secret, and also what they are doing in the open---even on TV before the
whole world! God has made me witness to this withdrawing pattern in several
local churches since 1987 so that I might understand on the smaller level
what He was about to do at large. Remember the words of Jesus to the
first church (Ephesus), "Remember therefore
whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to
thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except
thou repent." Remember the great North American blackout.
I have witnessed this fearful event several times: When
the Spirit is departing, His power is wonderfully felt to all present---but
few understand what is happening. Grace is being shown before darkness
replaces the light! He is leaving, and not coming! This is the time
to repent, and turn back to the rudiments of the true faith, as recorded in
the New Testament. And it is the time to flee from any place once the grace
of God has finished pleading, unless there is genuine repentance
there.
How can you tell which way the Spirit is going?
If there is a genuine revival, then the fruits of
repentance will certainly manifest themselves. The Spirit of God is returning!
However, if holiness is not the result, but
rather the justifying (from the leadership) of things once considered
sinful---then the darkness is filling the void where once light shone.
(What once made us blush with shame, is now embraced as
'heaven-sent'. For many are taught that evil things are in fact 'good' if done in Jesus name!
What once was called 'compromising with the world', is now called,
'bold evangelism!' We have bowed before the idols of our nation [sports,
movies, and music]---and are conformed to this world in all
things. We have learned the ways of her who in past times slew us
by the millions---Rome! We have replaced God's word with secular
humanism under the Trojan horse of "Christian Psychology!"
And he that would be sober is considered
unspiritual, whereas spirituality is measured by ones humor! And
shepherds lord it over the flock, and the flock love it that way---as long as
their ears are tickled. And many fleece the flock for filthy
money, robbing them blind; "Praise the Lord!" they say,
"I'm rich!"
Moreover, most of those who oppose such hirelings
are themselves blinded by legalism, who "wean out a gnat and
swallow a camel." They see the bad but not the good. Hypocrites!
They worship the Book, but not the God of the Book! Having lost
their first love, they now love to slander. Not every ministry or
fallen leader is completely apostate. All have not sinned the sin
unto to death; "All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin
not leading to death," [1John 5:17]. Jesus came to
seek and to save that which was lost. "For WE ARE ALL
like sheep that have gone astray, everyone has
turned to his own way," [Isaiah 53]. Let us turn
back to the Good Shepherd, lest we be consumed with this world. Remember
Lot's wife! "Come out from her, MY PEOPLE, so that you will
not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues," [Revelation 18:4]. And let us bring forth fruits in keeping with true
repentance, else He will remove our candlestick.)
Hear what Jesus says to the seven churches
(of the Book of Revelation).
"Our God is a consuming fire!" (Heb.
12:29).
"He that endures to the end the same shall be saved,"
(Matt. 24:13).
And God is able to keep you until the end,
"for
greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!"
(1John 4:4).
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of
the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth
the will of God abideth for ever," (1John 2:15-17).
With fear and trembling,
Dean Coombs
(Toronto, Canada)
I know by the Spirit that if North-American churches do not repent, then God will
allow nuclear bombs to partly or wholly engulf this land.
His people holds back this evil by their intercession.
Where Has the Glory Gone?
What do I believe about the great falling away prophesied
to occur at the end of the age? (2Thess. 2:3.)
The revelation that the Spirit gave me back in 1987 and
confirmed repeated afterward was this: The Spirit of God is departing from
the outward professing Christianity just as He departed in stages from the
temple as seen in the book of Ezekiel (chapters 8-10). He is threatening to
remove Himself in stages (and has already began this process). He is
removing His glory ---His candlestick from most North-American
churches.
"But I have this against thee, that thou
didst leave thy first love. Remember therefore whence
thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come
to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except
thou repent." (Revelation 2:4-5)
His people "left" Him, therefore He will leave
them!
In what sense does He leave them?
That depends upon the over all state of things in that particular
church or individual.
Moreover, "He comes" (in glory) "to remove…"
His candlestick, and the undiscerning cannot tell in what direction He is
ultimately moving.
Is He coming or removing?
Only, "those that have ears to hear" know, (Revelation
2:7). And those too young to know their left hand from their right He safely
leads, though they understand not a thing.
But what I failed to understand then (in 1987) was that
the sword slays one as well as the other, and in my pride and conceit I was
soon compelled to learn that grace triumphs over judgment. And that,
"Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that
fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his
goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off," (Romans 11:22).
Now, according to the vision of Ezekiel, where did the
glory of God go when it left the established religion of the Jews? Where
did the glory of God go when it left those outwardly worshipping (though
inwardly their hearts were far from Him)?
Where did the glory of Christ go?
This is where it went…
The glory of God moved to those "exiles in
Babylon," where Ezekiel was.
The Glory is moving away from organized religion and is
moving over to where the broken and contrite are ---the broken and the
bruised ---and in His time He will bring them all back again to that which
outwardly appears to be something. He is moving into the chaos (exile) that
He might speak order and light into its darkness. He first forms than fills
that which He formed. For He comes to work a great work in the hearts of the
oppressed.
What is that noise in the quarry? And the sweat and the
tears?
But later those fitted into His Temple in heaven seen by
the eyes of God find their place on earth before the eyes of men. For the
proud tree is cut down and the humble bush is exalted. And after the inside
of the cup is finished then He will move back to the outside of the cup
---that which men do see. He desires a new creation and a new wineskin.
And why do you not understand what I am saying?
It is because you are not slowing down long enough to hear
Him speak.
And where are these "exiles" found ---those to
whom the Spirit has become "a sanctuary" in the desert, (though He
fills all in all)?
They are scattered in and out of professing Christendom.
This is where the exiles are!
It is not a spatial location that we speak, it is heart
location. For the kingdom of God is inward --- and outward manifestation
follows so that all may know that they and their works are from God. One
cannot say, "It is this group" or, "that denomination"
that God has moved to, as if you can put God in a box. Some are exiles
within the old. Some are exiles without. In one place there may be many, in
another few. But in every case the Holy Spirit groans to make men free in
Christ ---practically, and not just as a mere confession of the mouth, but a
circumcision of the heart.
Unless we understand the love of God we cannot understand
the way of God! ---His way toward both Jew and Gentile as He seeks to set
men free. Yet, our hope is not in our knowledge of the way,
but whether we are in the Way--- that is, in Jesus Christ,
God's Son. He knows we are weak. He will Shepherd us to the end---even if
you do not understand!
"For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that
he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the
riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are
his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! For who hath known the mind
of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? or who hath first given to
him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through
him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever.
Amen." (Romans 11:32-36.)
Please take the time to read the following verses from
Ezekiel. Especially note the letters in bold. Can you see what God is
saying?
Ponder carefully! (Yes, I know that the verses initially
applied to Israel, but the principle is alive today!)
Ezekiel 11:13 "While I
was prophesying, Pelatiah dropped dead. I threw myself face downward on
the ground and shouted, "No, Sovereign LORD! Are you going to kill
everyone left in Israel?"
Eze 11:14-15 The LORD spoke
to me. "Mortal man," he said, "the
people who live in Jerusalem are talking about you and those of your
nation who are in exile. They say, 'The exiles are too far away to
worship the LORD. He has given us possession of the land.'
Eze 11:16 "Now tell
your fellow exiles what I am saying. I am the one who sent them to live in
far-off nations and scattered them in other countries. Yet, for the time
being I will be present with them in the lands where they have
gone.
Eze 11:17 "So tell
them what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying. I will gather them out of the
countries where I scattered them, and will give the land of Israel back to
them.
Eze 11:18 When they return,
they are to get rid of all the filthy, disgusting idols they find.
Eze 11:19 I will give them
a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone
and will give them an obedient heart.
Eze 11:20 Then they will
keep my laws and faithfully obey all my commands. They will be my people,
and I will be their God.
Eze 11:21 But I will punish
the people who love to worship filthy, disgusting idols. I will punish
them for what they have done." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.
Eze 11:22 The living
creatures began to fly, and the wheels went with them. The dazzling light
of the presence of the God of Israel was over them.
Eze 11:23 Then the dazzling
light left the city and moved to the mountain east of it.
Eze 11:24-25 In the vision
the spirit of God lifted me up and brought me back to the exiles in
Babylonia. Then the vision faded, and I told the
exiles everything that the LORD had shown me."
God is calling His people out of all corruption. Some hear
and flee further than others. Some are like Lot who linger too long and too
close. Others are like Abraham who leave all behind desiring not so much as
a shoe-lace if it belongs to this world. But both Abraham and Lot have one
thing in common, they are both exiles in heart ---exiles in a strange land.
God is at work in both hearts, (2Pet. 2:7). And what we are we are by the
grace of God. There is no boasting. And we show grace and mercy to others
knowing that we also have received this grace. And our judgment, though
increasingly sharp, is yet increasingly merciful since we know that the
sword slays one as well as the other. And we are learning to live in Love.
For 2000 years, God's people have been on a journey from
Egypt to the Promised Land, moving from camp to camp as did the children of Israel.
"And they set forward from the mount of Jehovah
three days' journey; and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah went before
them three days' journey, to seek out a resting-place for them. And the
cloud of Jehovah was over them by day, when they set forward from the
camp.
And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that
Moses said, Rise up, O Jehovah, and let thine enemies be scattered; and
let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said,
Return, O Jehovah, unto the ten thousands of the thousands of
Israel." (Numbers 10:33-36).
So then, whenever the glory of the Lord rose to depart
from one camp (as He has repeated done over this past 2000 years), it was
only to eventually rest in a new camp. History is littered with camps! The
land is full of them! And most do not follow the cloud by day or the pillar
of fire by night. But the elect do. And some wonder why they are cold at
night and burned and blinded by day. "Come out of her my people!"
And we wait the day when we cross the Jordan unto our
final resting-place.
When will that day be?
Let us be ready, whether He come pre, middle, or after
midnight.
Let us be found clothed in white linen, following the
Lamb.
Letters to the Seven Churches
Rev 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus
write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand,
he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:
Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy toil and
patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that
call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false;
Rev 2:3 and thou hast patience and didst bear for
my name's sake, and hast not grown weary.
Rev 2:4 But I have this
against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen,
and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy
candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the
works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to
eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
Rev 2:8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna
write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again:
Rev 2:9 I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty
(but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and
they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 Fear not the things which thou art about
to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that
ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the
second death.
Rev 2:12 and to the angel of the church in Pergamum
write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
Rev 2:13 I know where thou dwellest, even
where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny
my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was
killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee,
because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught
Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things
sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also some that hold the
teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.
Rev 2:16 Repent therefore; or else I come to thee
quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of
the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a
new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.
Rev 2:18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira
write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of
fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:
Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and thy love and faith
and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.
Rev 2:20 But I have this
against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a
prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her time that she should
repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them
that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of
her works.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death;
and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and
hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
Rev 2:24 But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira,
as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as
they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:25 Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast
till I come.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and he that
keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the
nations:
Rev 2:27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron,
as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received
of my Father:
Rev 2:28 and I will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches.
Rev 3:1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis
write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the
seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and
thou art dead.
Rev 3:2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things
that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine
perfected before my God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received
and didst hear; and keep it,
and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 3:4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis
that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white;
for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in
white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life,
and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches.
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the
key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and
none openeth:
Rev 3:8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before
thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and
didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan,
of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will
make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved
thee.
Rev 3:10 Because thou didst keep the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour
which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the
earth.
Rev 3:11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou
hast, that no one take thy crown.
Rev 3:12 He that overcometh, I will make him a
pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I
will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God,
the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own
new name.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches.
Rev 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea
write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of the creation of God:
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither
cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither
hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have
gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the
wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined
by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest
clothe thyself, and that
the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint
thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten:
be zealous therefore, and repent.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if
any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to
sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my
Father in his throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith to the churches.
Also see: From Genesis to Revelation,
the Bible Teaches that God Hates Mixture!
(Mel Gibson's, "The Passion Of Christ.")
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