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A Prophet's Warning to the Church
4/4/91
The following message was written and delivered to
the leadership of the Worldwide Church of God, following our illicit
ejection from the church in December 1990. I was guided by the
Holy Spirit through the book of Isaiah to see how God predicted long
ago the spiritual subjugation of His people and of their consequent
spiritual demise. It was my hope that those who led the church would come to
see of their gross error and repent. The warning, however, was ignored.
Spiritual attrition and blindness inevitably sets in when God's warnings are
not heeded. The days of the Worldwide Church of God are now numbered!
Of all the Prophets of God, the words of Isaiah contain some of the most
scathing and penetrating indictments against, not only Israel and Judah, but
also towards God's people (His Church) throughout history. His inspired
language is vivid and poignant, "quick and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword..." (Heb 4:12). As he says himself under God's inspiration,
"He has made my mouth like a sharp sword" (Is 49:2).
THESE ARE THE WORDS OF THE LOGOS HIMSELF
— JESUS CHRIST, the all-powerful One (Rev
1:16).
Placed protectively and centrally in the
very heart of God's Word the book of Isaiah contains deliberately 66
chapters, 6 x 11. Eleven is the Biblical number denoting writings, (there
are 11 books in the Hebrew Old Testament classified as 'Writings', as
distinct from the Law and the Prophets), and 6 denotes evil. (The 'Beast' of
Rev 13:18 is depicted by the number 666. He represents the total embodiment
of evil in a human being).
In other words, God is revealing through
Isaiah IN WRITING the evil that permeates all nations, Israel, Judah and
even in His Church! The book contains God's written judgements upon evil.
God is speaking bluntly and boldly, as
incisively as only God can, to His people down through the ages as the
messages recorded here apply to them. Today, also, if the same messages
apply to His Church, God wants us to heed. If the shoe fits, we must wear
it!
The book begins as boldly as it ends.
Isaiah calls for the attention of ALL—the heavens as well—to listen and heed
the sure warning that man's rebellion against his Maker (1:2) will end in
sure death (66:24). But it is a message God has recorded for ALL TIME,
preserved for posterity, for us in this end time (30:8).
It is no mild rebuke, but a LAMBASTE of
INCRIMINATION against not only Israel and Judah, but 'Zion' (the Church
prophetically) as well! (1:8.)
Has God spiritually nourished and brought
up children who have turned on Him in rebellion? (1:3.) The ox knows his
owner, but do we KNOW our God? (1:3.) Who provokes God more than His
Church, if she turns away from Him? (1:4.)
Because some of the leadership in the
Church (or is it MOST of the leadership of the Church?—1:5) have failed to
heal spiritual wounds, bruises and putrefying sores, the daughter of
Zion (today) is left as a besieged city (1:8)—open to evil influences
of wicked spirits.
No wonder God
uses such strong language in likening us today to Sodom and Gomorrah, for
although the evidence of such demonic influence may manifest itself today in
different sins to those of Sodom and Gomorrah, they are nonetheless just as
despicable to God! (1:10.)
Who is bringing sacrifices (1:11)? Who is
this appearing before God (1:12)? Keeping the Sabbaths, the Festivals
(1:13-14)? Who is it that prays to God so much (1:15)?
It is Zion (1:8,21,27)—God's people—
unrecognisably derelict spiritually! It is the faithful city who has become
a harlot (1:21) by not seeking JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS, allowing things to
carry on in the Church that are not right instead of relieving the oppressed
(1:16-17). Murderers even lodge in her!
Oh, she has the truth all right! She knows
what she should do (1:11-15), but the problem is she doesn't do it (1:15).
It doesn't suit her to do so!
The Church as a whole has been asleep!
(Matt 25:1-5.) Now is the time to AWAKE to the changes that MUST take
place in our lives! Those who do (unfortunately, not all—see 1:27 margin)
will receive their reward when Christ comes.
Some who have associated with the Church
but never really been a part of it spiritually will in That Day be shown up
for what they really were and shall be consumed (1:28-31 and Rev. 3:9).
The message of Isaiah is DUAL. NOT only is
it directed towards Israel and Judah, but its primary spiritual impact at
this time is for the Church who should be in a spiritually receptive
condition, and be capable of receiving the strong meat it contains.
She is told to awake (Is. 52:1; 51:9 and
51:17), three times signifying the finality of the warning. We
MUST HEED! God will not contend forever (57:16).
Although we seek Him daily (58:2), do we
really change our ways? (vs 3-8.)
God has called, but we have ignored Him (Prov
1:24-26). We have rejected the words of His prophets, rejected His
correction because it might have come from an unexpected source. We have
rejected new revelation of truth because He chose to reveal it through
insignificant people (vs 29-30). Consequently God will REJECT those who
reject Him (vs. 26-28,31). Their complacency will destroy them (v 32)
because they lack true fear of God (v 29).
If you refuse and rebel you shall be
devoured with the sword (Is 1:20).
A Warning Against Complacency
Isaiah's contemporary Amos, also rebuked
God's people vehemently for their complacency (Amos 6:1). "Woe to them that
are at ease in Zion... you put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of
violence to come near" (6:1,3). Their sumptuous lifestyle has caused them to
become calloused toward the suffering of their brothers (6:4-6).
Because they hold the reigns of power,
they hate any who dare to correct them (5:10), even if such words are words
of righteousness (5:10). They will trample all over the powerless with
impunity, disregarding equity and justice (5:11-12).
Can God's prophets be silent when such
flagrant abuse prevails?
"The lion has roared, who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken, who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:8.)
God tells His prophets to speak without
fear or favour. "I am He who comforts you, should you be afraid of a man
that shall die?" (Is. 51:12.)
"For the Lord God will help me, therefore
I shall not be confounded; therefore have I set my face as flint, and I know
that I shall not be ashamed" (Is. 50:7).
You cannot silence those who bring truth
from God!
"The Eternal comes from far, burning with
His anger, and the burden thereof is heavy. His lips are full of indignation
and His tongue is as a devouring fire" (30:27).
"I know your works, that you are neither
cold nor hot... so because you are lukewarm I will spew you out of my mouth"
(Rev. 3:15-16). Why? Because of complacency, indecision and an unwillingness
to concede a need to change! (v 17.)
Spiritual Blindness
"Forasmuch as this people draw near me
with their mouth and their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart
far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men".
"Therefore, watch, I will do an incredible
thing to this people: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the
understanding of their prudent shall be hid" (Is 29:13-14).
God has allowed this because of corruption
in high places. Those who should have known better have compromised with the
plain word of God and deceived themselves into believing they could get away
with it (vs 15-16). The result is a spiritual blindness. Blurred vision and
lack of judgement akin to drunkenness (v 9), for God has blinded them (v
10).
Those in Elstree House who sought to
preserve the status quo and have not sought true justice have fallen into
this snare. Instead of "watching for iniquity" they have turned the tables
on those who do! (29:20.)
They have unwittingly fulfilled the words
of the prophet in making "a man an offender for a word, and laying a snare
for him that reproves in the gate and have turned aside the just for a thing
of nought" (29:21).
I am sad to say that the very headquarters
of God's Church has become the headquarters of the Synagogue of Satan (Rev
3:9).
That is why the prophet laments "Woe to
the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a
fading flower" (28:1) for those on the HEAD of the fat valleys have
become spiritually overcome with a drunken stupor.
"They have erred through wine and strong
drink, and are out of the way: the priest and the prophet have erred through
strong drink... they err in vision, they stumble in judgement" (28:7).
That is why the Church in Britain needs
Christ's intervention (v 16) to lay judgement to the line and righteousness
to the plummet, to sweep away the refuge of lies, and for the waters
to overflow the hiding place (28:17).
It should come as no surprise, then, to
learn of the fact that God views such rulership of His Church as
oppression—captivity! (Is. 52:2.) It is captivity to sin (v 1).
She must awaken and put on the beautiful
garments (v 1). But first the UNCIRCUMCISED AND THE UNCLEAN must be
expelled (ibid), then she can begin to be released from the bands of her
captivity (v 2). Those in the Church of the Synagogue of Satan must be
put out! Those who have obstructed truth and justice must be banished.
They are not ministers of God but ministers of Satan (I Cor 11), hindering
the progress of God's Work.
To leave such men in office is to leave
the foe within to do even more damage than that which they have done already
by excommunicating members willy-nilly on fickle charges, and ruling the
Church by a regime of FEAR instead of love.
God says through the prophet "What is
going on, that my people is taken away for nought? They that rule over them
make them to howl, and My name continually every day is BLASPHEMED"!
(52:5.)
Incontrovertible evidence of wrongdoing
and abuse by certain men in authority has been presented both to the
administration here and to the Pasadena office, but "WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR
REPORT?" (53:1.)
Do not think it strange that insignificant
people rise up at a time like this to make bold statements. God creates the
fruit of the lips (57:19), so His servants will cry aloud (58:1) without
sparing. One day, all those involved will know who it was who spoke (52:6).
We are not the only ones who bring reports
of thorns and briers to Zion (55:13), of blind watchmen, useless shepherds
(56:10) sons of the sorceress (57:3), men doing a job merely for financial
gain (56:11), enjoying their position at the expense of others (56:12,
59:13), accusing falsely God's chosen (58:9, 57:4-5).
The righteous will even die as a result of
such corruption (57:1), but few will really lay it to heart! The hands of
some will not only be defiled with iniquity, but blood too! For their
lips have spoken LIES (59:3). They don't know the way to peace, and there is
no judgement in their paths (59:8-9).
That is why the Church suffers! (59:10-11,
1-2.) Oppression! (59:13.) Falsehood! "Judgement is turned away backward,
justice stands afar off, truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot
enter!! (59:14.) And God saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no
judgement! (59:15.)
The prophet is told to heap it up (57:14
RSV) to pin the blame where it belongs, so that the STUMBLING
BLOCK can be removed!
God dwells with such a man—because of his
humility God can reach him (66:2.) He will revive the spirit of the
humble, and raise him up to speak out (57:15.) "My words shall not depart
out of your mouth" (59:21).
For Zion's sake no prophet can hold his
peace (62:1). "I will not rest until righteousness prevails". The prophets'
job is never to give up (62:6-7).
If God calls, we must not refuse (65:12).
Those whose self-righteous smugness precludes such admission are a stench in
God's nostrils! (65:5.) We have been hated and cast out for doing good (66:5
KJV), who's going to be ashamed?
Footnote
The article above was written in January
1991, as my spirit was moved by the Holy Spirit. I was led through the book
of Isaiah, and as I read the words, God's Spirit highlighted various parts
and moved me to write them down. When I read the final product I was
horrified at how strong and uncompromising the language was. I knew it was
meant to be sent to the leadership of the WCG in the UK which was wayward,
but I could not bring myself to send it until April 1991. (I vainly hoped
that the WCG leaders would come to see the error of their ways, obviating my
need to send it to them.)
Until 1990 I had been staunchly supportive
of the WCG. God called me into the church in the late 60s. I was a student
at Ambassador College from 1968-1972 and I gave my wholehearted support to
the organisation until my ejection in 1990, when a false minister conspired
to expel my wife and me on illicit charges.
The writing and opinions about the WCG reflect my bias at
that time. I was of the opinion that it was a tool in the hands of God, and
that it represented the Church of God .Only later that year, as God took us
on a 'tour' of Christendom, was He able to open my eyes to see the much
broader scope through which He has been working for so long. This
'discovery' formed the basis of A Message To Worldwiders which soon
followed, and later A Message to Law-Keepers, and A Message To
Sabbatarians. These publications are all available for £2.00 each from
the address below.
Malcolm B Heap
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