Rebuilding the walls and gates of Jerusalem
When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem he found that the walls were broken and the gates of the city had been burned up. And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. (Nehemiah 2:13) Nehemiah "arose in the night" to observe the city of God. He was in the city of Jerusalem three days (2:11). The first two days we understand to be typical of the two thousand years of the Christian Era. The "third day" typifies the Millennial Jubilee, the thousand-year Kingdom Age.
The Body of Christ will be perfected during the "third day" (Luke 13:32; Hosea 6:2). The fact that Nehemiah "arose in the night" (2:11,13) suggests to us that Christ will rebuild the defences of His Church during the dark hours just prior to the glorious Day of His appearing. The light of God will arise on the church—and even now is arising—as gross darkness begins to cover the nations of the earth (Isaiah 60:2). God had put it into the heart of Nehemiah to rebuild the city of Jerusalem just as God has put it into the heart of many today to build the Body of Christ.
The first thing Nehemiah came to was the "dragon well." As soon as the Church of Christ becomes serious about rebuilding the defenses against sin, the "dragon" will be "seen in heaven" (Revelation 12:3). When the "woman," the Church, travails in birth to bring forth the "male Son," which is Christ in the saints, the ancient dragon will appear.
We notice in Revelation, Chapter 12 that both the "woman" and the "great red dragon" are in the heaven. It is impossible that they both should remain there for they are eternal enemies. One or the other must be removed. The woman, the Church, is there by Divine right, having received the Son of God (John 1:12). It is the dragon who shall be forced to leave.
The next ruins Nehemiah approached was the "dung port." The Church of Christ is filled with garbage: gossiping, bitterness, hatred, lust, adultery, slandering, sorcery, envy, pride, haughtiness, arrogance, smugness, unbelief, and every other evil work. The Body of Christ must be cleansed of all this trash and corruption before the Lord appears. God has provided a "dung port" for His Church. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (Zechariah 13:1) The walls of Jerusalem were broken and the gates were consumed with fire (Nehemiah 2:13). So it is today. When the Church attempts to accomplish the work of the Kingdom of Heaven primarily by the efforts of flesh and blood, money, and building materials, without an accompanying righteous living, prayer, and faith on the part of the members of the Church, the spiritual defenses are destroyed. The walls against sin are broken. The gates are consumed by the fire of God’s judgment. The "gates" are the ability of the church to discern clean and unclean spirits, to admit the righteous and resist the wicked.
Today unclean spirits run wild throughout the city of God. Will you "arise in the night" and help rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem, the defenses of the Body of Christ?
First we must repair the walls and gates of our own life. We cannot build spiritual strength in other people until we ourselves have been built up in righteousness.
The ruined condition of the walls and gates is symbolic of the neglect of righteous, holy, and obedient service to the Lord. The walls and gates represent defense against sin and the maintaining of holiness and separation to God. Defense against sin and the maintaining of holiness are the purpose of God’s law. Notice that Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem come into view as soon as someone became serious about building the walls and gates of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:19). The moment we become concerned about holiness, about driving the sin out of our life, we will be opposed. "He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey" (Isaiah 59:15). The first stones that hit us may be those of scorn and despising (Nehemiah 2:19). Scorn and derision are designed to take the heart out of us as soon as we attempt to gain spiritual strength. The purpose is to discourage us before we are able to do anything about the ruined condition of the walls and gates of our personality. Apart from the walls and gates, Jerusalem is helpless before the enemy.
The building of the walls and gates of the city is described in the third chapter of the Book of Nehemiah. One can discover in this chapter some of the principal elements of God’s plan of redemption.
Notice that when Nehemiah began (2:13) he went out "by the gate of the valley." Today, we of the church may be at the gate of the valley. The valley is the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14), which is associated with the nearness of the Day of the Lord. The valley is the place of the very dry bones—the reminder of what at one time had been alive. The valley of decision. It is impossible to build personal holiness if there is indecision in one’s life. Many today are attempting to hold both Christ and the world.
Ananias and Sapphira attempted to please the Apostles and at the same time to hold on to their money (Acts 5:2). They were in the valley of decision. As the Day of the Lord draws near we must decide between Christ and Satan. We must make up our mind. We must choose to serve either Christ or the world. Indecision brings defeat and death in spiritual matters. "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8).
As soon as Nehemiah went out through the gate of the valley he was confronted with the dragon well and the dung port. As soon as we attempt to climb out of our valley of decision and serve Christ we are confronted with the red dragon and with the uncleannesses in our life. Then our eyes are opened so we can perceive the broken condition of the wall of God’s city (God’s city is our heart) and the consumed condition of the gates (the ability to enter the Presence of God and to enable other people to enter the Presence of God, and at the same time to keep out evil).
Our walls and gates have been weakened and sometimes destroyed by God’s judgment on our sin and self-seeking. When we shake ourselves, like Samson, we find our spiritual strength has departed. The Lord has departed from us but we did not realize it because we have been asleep in the lap of the world.
Nehemiah went on to the "gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool" (Nehemiah 2:14). Whenever there is a sin problem (broken walls and gates, and dung port not operating) in the churches of Christ, and whenever there is indecision concerning consecration and obedience to Christ (the valley of decision), the "gate of the fountain" and the "king’s pool" will be full of rubble. The waters of the Holy Spirit, the waters of eternal life, will not be flowing freely.
In many of our churches today there is a lack of the manifestation of the power of Christ. The Lord is raising up those with various gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit and they are traveling from place to place, encouraging and blessing the Lord’s people.
The reason why so many of our assemblies of saints are not at their peak spiritually is that sin is being practiced and the level of consecration and faith is not high enough. We are in a period of lukewarmness. We are neither hot nor cold and therefore are distasteful to the Lord.
The grace of God has been turned into immorality. Material gain is considered to be a sign of godliness. The conditions of discipleship are being compromised. God’s people are not being challenged often enough or emphatically enough to take up their cross and follow the Master. Therefore the showers of blessing and power are being withheld. In order for the "gate of the fountain" and the "king’s pool" to be restored to us we are required to do four things: We must confess and forsake our sins of the flesh under the guidance and enabling power of the Holy Spirit of God. We must consecrate ourselves to Christ with utmost sincerity.
We must pray without ceasing to God to restore His blessings and power to us,
We must act in faith according to the statements of Scripture, as the Spirit guides us.
If we will practice these four acts the Holy Spirit will be given to us.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14) In many instances the condition of the Body of Christ is a reproach. The world looks down on the Church with amused condescension and sometimes with hatred and persecution.
The world is not beholding the holiness and power of the resurrected Lord Jesus. Although the only hope for the salvation of the world is in the Christian Church, the Church often allows itself to be deceived by the world, the flesh, and the devil.
When we take heart and begin to rebuild the holiness and power of the Church, the true saints are encouraged. They say, "Let us rise up and build." They strengthen "their hands for this good work" (Nehemiah 2:18). When we turn again to Christ in sincerity of heart we may experience a derisive protest from those who have known the churches but have never known the Lord of the Church. Our answer to those who would turn away in scorn from the idea of repenting and humbling ourselves before Christ is as follows: . . . The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:20)
As soon as we begin to look to Jesus for revival He causes us to understand that one of His first concerns is the feeding and care of His sheep.
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. (Nehemiah 3:1)
The move today to restore the strength and defences of the Church is of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our heavenly High Priest is rising up with His "brothers" (Romans 8:29). The awakening of spiritual life is not taking place just in one area. The restoration of the Glory of Christ in the Church is occurring wherever Christian people desire the Presence of the Lord.
The "sheep gate" speaks to us of the need to strengthen the Lord’s sheep and His lambs. Before anything else can be accomplished the sheep must be fed. If we truly love Jesus we will feed His sheep. Also, the sheep of God must be alerted and prepared for the spiritual battles that lie just ahead as the Day of the Lord draws near.
The sheep gate must be sanctified—set apart unto holiness. Without holiness the Body of Christ is powerless. There never is a lack of power with God. The battles of the Lord never are lost because of a lack of power on God’s part. When the churches of Christ become dry and powerless it is because of the lack of holiness and obedience. In holiness and obedience there is power with the Lord.
The Lord’s sheep must be consecrated to the Lord’s service. We never will arrive at the full realization of our inheritance in Christ until we are willing to receive Jesus as Lord and to serve Him without question in every area of our life. It is in becoming one of Jesus’ lambs, one of His sheep, that we are able to obtain eternal life—and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
The doors of the sheep gate must be set up. Then we will be able to find our way into the green pastures. There are green pastures and quiet waters for each of the Lord’s sheep, but the "doors" in some instances have not been set up. The hour in which we are living is filled with voices and confusion of all kinds. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear. There is distress and perplexity.
God has a place of peace and safety for every person on the earth. It is the responsibility of the ministry of the Church of Christ to build up the Door (Christ) that leads to safety in God—to point to that Door and hold it up above every other that all may enter and find rest for their souls.
God is still the same. He has not changed. It matters not how the world may reel under the burden of sin and despair, green pastures and quiet waters are available for every person. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only true Shepherd. Whoever will choose to receive and follow the Good Shepherd may enter the Door to salvation and come in and go out and find pasture (John 10:9).
First, the Lord’s sheep must be strengthened. Then there are the "fish." But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. (Nehemiah 3:3)
The Lord Jesus desires to make us "fishers of men." Before Jesus returns, the Good News of the Kingdom of God must be preached to every nation. It is our understanding of the mind of the Holy Spirit that we now are in the beginning of the most powerful revival of the spread of the Gospel of the Kingdom ever witnessed on the earth. We believe this is the promised "latter rain" and that it is portrayed symbolically by the "two witnesses" of Revelation, Chapter 11. We envision the saints going forth under a double anointing of power and revelation, performing signs and wonders, working miracles of healing and deliverance, bringing the Spirit of revelation that unlocks the Scriptures so the purposes of God are made clear.
It is our firm conviction that this most stupendous of all outpourings of the Spirit of God will bring the power and message of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to every man, woman, boy, and girl on the face of the earth. The original Gospel of the Kingdom will be restored in the last days. The "two witnesses" (Christ—Head and Body) will perform signs and wonders, casting out devils, healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching the Gospel to the poor of the world, as well as performing acts of judgment and destruction.
They will cry: "The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News. Every person who believes in Christ and is baptized shall be saved."
Hopefully the Spirit-anointed testimony of the last days will result in the bringing of multiplied millions of "fish" into the Kingdom of God.
Notice the "beams," the "doors," the "locks," and the "bars." These speak to us of strength, of solidity, of security, of permanence. It was a time of repairing, just as today is a period of repairing that which has been destroyed during the Church Era.
Everything man truly receives must be given to him twice. First, God gives us a possession. Then, we lose it because we are neither worthy of it nor capable of maintaining it and profiting from it. After that we must set out to regain what we forfeited by our weakness and foolishness. We regain our inheritance one beam, one door, one lock, one bar at a time. As soon as we regain our inheritance in this manner we never lose it again.
This is the story of mankind, of Israel, of the Church, of Samson, of the prodigal son. We receive the gift, we lose it by foolishness, and then we regain it with the help of the Lord. Now it is ours for eternity. The work of building the Body of Christ that currently is progressing will produce a stability and permanence in the Body that has not always been true of past revivals.
The souls who are brought in during the unprecedented ingathering will be screened by a period of testing. The love of the majority of the believers will grow cold, resulting in the lawless rule of Antichrist. Yet it is true also there will have been created, as part of the last revival, a mature Church that will be ready to receive Christ and to share the inheritance with Him at His coming. The peoples of the world and the members of the Christian churches must have one last opportunity to see and hear the goodness and the severity of God.
When the nations of the earth witness the works of the resurrected Christ, and hear the Good News of the glorious Kingdom of God that even now is looming on the spiritual horizon, a multitude of "fish" will be caught for the Lord. It is hoped also many believers will stream out of the confused and deceived institutions that name the name of Christ today and come to love the truth that is in Jesus. The Christian churches are in a deplorable condition! When the whole world has seen and heard the testimony, and many "Laodicean" believers have purchased from Christ "gold tried in the fire," then our Lord Jesus will return (Matthew 24:14).
Notice in Nehemiah 3:5 that "their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord." It will do us no good to wait for the gifted and prominent leaders in the churches to take the lead. Each of us who has the call of God on his or her heart must arise and build as the Lord directs.
This is harvest time and we do not want our heavenly Father to be ashamed of us. Hopefully many of the leaders of the churches will put their "necks" into moving God’s people toward repentance, toward holiness, toward restoring the purity and power of the Body of Christ.
We must have the contribution of the ministries and gifts of every member of the Body of Christ in order for the work of building the body, and the work of bearing witness of the Kingdom, to move ahead as they should. The Lord Himself will appear in His Glory as soon as He builds up Zion. We fervently desire to hasten His appearing. Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. (Nehemiah 3:6)
The "old gate" must be repaired because we are returning to the apostolic doctrine and ways—back to the truth and anointing possessed by God’s heroes of old.
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16) We are seeking the "old paths" of the holy men and women of God so we may walk therein. These tested and proven ways will never be lost to us again because they are being established forever with "beams, doors, locks, and bars."
The graces and ministries of the first-century church were lost to us when the Apostles of the Lamb died. They have been in the process of being restored to the Body of Christ since the Protestant Reformers became aware "the just shall live by faith." "Beams" are giving the Divine truth permanent form. "Doors" are allowing the elect to enter by prayer and faith and obtain the fullness of the Divine redemption. "Locks" and "bars" are keeping deception, sin, and rebellion out of the Body of Christ forever.
As we return to God’s way, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and begin to construct the defences of the Church, we will receive increased spiritual strength for defence against the enemy.
No longer will the Church of Christ be a weak institution that begs pitifully for crumbs of assistance and comfort from the "uncircumcised." Instead the Church will be as Samson, tearing down the kingdom of darkness as the saints bow in worship before the Lord and die to the ways of the flesh and the world (Judges 16:30).
And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river. (Nehemiah 3:7)
The "throne of the governor" must become an important aspect of the Body of Christ. If we are determined to come to the unity and maturity of the full stature of the Body of Christ we must be willing to accept the direction pointed out to us by messengers sent from Christ. There must be a restoration of spiritual oversight and authority. It is not sufficient that we run about in every direction doing what is right in our own eyes, seeking to build the Kingdom of God as we see fit. The Kingdom of Heaven is a realm of authority—authority that is determined, appointed, empowered, and supervised by the Lord God of Heaven.
Apart from such Divinely ordered authority and discipline the Kingdom of God cannot be established in the earth. The Kingdom of God is a government that rules vigorously from the top down. God’s government will be established eternally in the earth in spite of the vicious opposition of fallen angels and self-seeking men. The Body of Christ is the government of the ages to come, and must itself be governed perfectly by the Lord Jesus Christ who Himself is governed by the Father.
Because the government of the Kingdom of God is near, because God is forming an army, and because military discipline is appearing on the horizon, there exists an intense temptation for well-intentioned men and women to attempt to get together and organize the army and the plan of attack.
This writer’s point of view is that all such efforts to organize the Christian army and develop plans of attack proceed from the human mind. The believers involved in this premature undertaking will resist Christ when He presents His own warriors. They will not understand how the Lord could pass them by when they had assured themselves that God is obligated to honor their schemes. God will raise up someone they never heard of. If this individual does not join their group they will not accept him. They will acknowledge only their own prophets and apostles, their own efforts to build the Kingdom.
It requires much painful experience before we are willing to take our hands off the Ark and allow the Lord to govern every step we take, every thought we think, every effort we make, and not to conclude from one visitation of the Lord that all future battles will be fought in the same manner. Think about the diversity of the battles fought under Joshua, under David. No two battles were alike. Joshua and David were God’s generals and whenever they sought the Lord they prospered.
We are in an hour of unprecedented danger and unprecedented opportunity. The danger is that we, having spiritual gifts and insights, will attempt to use them according to our own wisdom. The opportunity is that of entering the Kingdom of God. Many that are last in time shall be first in the Kingdom of God.
Let us cease our endless planning, our schemes to install the Kingdom of God, and wait on the Lord Jesus at every point. Let us cease joining hands with one another and take the Lord’s hand. Let us follow the Ark instead of attempting to carry it, instead of seeking to use the Glory of God to win the battles we ourselves are directing. It is time now for the Kingdom of Heaven to rise up and destroy the kingdom of darkness. One of the aspects of the coming battle is the creation of clear lines of command. The flesh and human mind are worse than useless in conducting spiritual warfare.
The Holy Spirit must come upon the members of the Body of Christ with power just as He did upon Samson. Only then can the Church take possession of the gates of the enemy (Judges 16:3). It is time now for the Lord to restore the holiness and power of the Body of Christ. It is time now to pray for the "latter rain" (Zechariah 10:1), to spend time each day in the Scriptures, to seek the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit, to dedicate ourselves to the service of Christ.
Behold, the Judge is at the door! Will we wait for His appearing without having taken the steps that will bring us into His will and favour?
If we bury our talents we may find it difficult to explain to Christ why we kept putting off into the future the praying and studying of the Scriptures that are necessary in order to establish His will in our life. It is time to seek Christ now!—today! There is no tomorrow when it comes to deciding to serve God. The battle always is today. The flesh, the world, and Satan understand this well. They will struggle without ceasing to keep us putting off until tomorrow what we should be doing now.
Let us arise and build. The Lord Jesus will strengthen us if we do. We must take that first step toward Him, and then He will encourage and assist us.
Will you labour in Christ with your tools in one hand and your sword in the other? If you do not arise and seek Christ today you will weep bitter tears when the Lord returns because you passed up your chance to strengthen the Body of Christ in its hour of preparation. You did not report for duty when the Lord needed help against His enemies (Judges 5:23).
Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall. (Nehemiah 3:8) Notice the mention of the "goldsmiths." As soon as we address ourselves to the business of building the Church’s defences against sin, the Lord begins to give us some of the "gold" of His Divine Nature.
Concerning salvation, redemption, deliverance, spiritual warfare, there is little or nothing we can accomplish by the wisdom and energies of the flesh of man. The flesh, as Jesus pointed out, "profiteth nothing." If we would escape the "corruption that is in the world through lust" we must become "partakers of the Divine nature" (II Peter 1:4). The Lord’s "goldsmiths" are ready to begin covering us within and without with Christ’s holy Substance.
The inclusion of the "apothecaries" reminds us that in order to construct the defences of the Church of Christ we must be anointed with the holy oil, the Holy Spirit, in all that we are, think, do, and say. And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. (Exodus 30:25)
Every aspect of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, including the priesthood, had to be anointed with oil. Only that which is anointed is of any use in building the Body of the Anointed One. And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. (Leviticus 8:10-12)
Much if not most of the activities of the Christian churches are not anointed with the Spirit of God. This is particularly true of music, including choir music and "specials." No matter how pleasing the music may be to our soul it seldom is anointed by the Holy Spirit. Most church music is entertainment and of little use in actually building the Body of Christ. In fact, it often is a hindrance because the music occupies the time that might be spent in activities that are anointed, such as the exercise of the gifts of the Spirit.
Music may be used, along with other activities, to occupy the youth in a harmless, Christian-oriented activity, or for some similar purpose. But music as it sometimes is used in the assemblies does not build up Christ in the believer. Children and young people are more able to participate in fervent discipleship than we understand. The youth need to be challenged!—not browbeaten or forced to sit quietly with their hands folded, but challenged to be disciples of the Lord. The children can participate in pageantry, dancing before the Lord, marching into the assembly with banners while praising the Lord, and playing musical instruments. There are things children can do that God will bless and anoint with His Presence.
The consecrated elders of today need to look to the Lord for the children and young people because the average Christian church is attempting to attract the young with social events and popular worldly activities, and wild, soulish, contemporary music instead of the holy practices of the Spirit of God.
Challenge the children with the rigors of discipleship and the fervent worship of the Lord and they will respond! You will build a holy, righteous army that will bear witness during the coming days of darkness. The younger children need lots of time for games and wholesome activities. But we need to present more of a challenge to the adolescents. The holy perfume of our fervent and Christ-filled supplications and worship is necessary in the work of the Body of Christ.
And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary. (Exodus 37:29) One of the greatest needs of today is Spirit-filled prayer and worship. It is God’s will that there be a powerful revival in our time, including repentance, increased spiritual strength and holiness on the part of Christian believers, and also the bringing of the witness of the atoning death and triumphant resurrection of Christ to every group of people on the earth.
Christ will not just "dump" revival on us either individually or collectively. We are required to repent and to consistently practice fervent prayer and praise if we are to realize the power and blessing God has available for us now. The fortification of Jerusalem to the "broad wall" signifies it is time for the Body of Christ to construct a broad "highway of holiness."
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isaiah 35:8) Every valley must be raised and every high place must be brought down until the way of the Lord is made straight, easy to find, and uncluttered. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: (Isaiah 40:3,4)
In our day the only broad road is the path leading to destruction. The way to eternal life is narrow and difficult to find and walk in.
It is the business of the saints of the Church to construct a highway of holiness that is wide, straight, and easy to find so all of God’s people can get to Him without falling into destruction. Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people. (Isaiah 62:10)
Let us through the Holy Spirit cast up the highway of righteous, holy conduct so those who follow us do not stumble or fall but go forward to the loving embrace of their heavenly Father.
There always is someone ahead of us in the Lord and also people who do not know the Lord as well as we do. Our task is to follow those ahead of us as they follow Christ, marching along in the same rank (Philippians 3:16,17). Then we are to reach back to those who are behind us so they can follow us as we follow Christ. By giving ourselves wholly to the things of Christ we save ourselves and those who hear us (I Timothy 4:16).
We are to live so people can follow us without stumbling, as we follow Christ. We endure all things for the elect’s sake that they may obtain the fullness of the Divine redemption. May our lives be the vision of the Lord so the souls hastening by can read the message easily and quickly.
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13) And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (Habakkuk 2:2) Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. (Romans 14:13)
We must have the fire of God if we are to perform His will. "Our God is a consuming fire." Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. (Nehemiah 3:11)
The "tower of the furnaces" must be repaired because the fire of God’s judgment always must abide in the midst of the Body of Christ. In many instances the fire of God is absent from our assemblies. There is little or no consciousness of sin on the part of the members of the Body of Christ. Yet, the sins of the flesh are clearly defined by the writers of the New Testament. The works of the flesh are practiced commonly and openly by the church people of today. Of all the needs of the Church of Christ in our time, one of the greatest is for the Christian people and all their works to be baptized with the Divine fire. Otherwise, adultery, fornication, spiritism, hatred, perversion, violence, gossiping, backbiting, envy, jealousy, spite, evil speaking, arrogance, remain unjudged among us.
There is more than a baptism with the Holy Spirit. There is a baptism with fire. It is time for the Christian Church to be baptized with the fire of God.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is more powerful than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11,12)
When we draw near to the Lord God of Heaven we are drawing near to the fires of judgment. If we would see the Lord and stand in His Presence we must be holy and pure of heart.
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14)
Let us run to the fires of Divine judgment. Let us pray for the Lord’s judgment on ourselves and our works. God will help us judge ourselves so we will not be condemned with the world (I Corinthians 11:31,32). The judgment of God upon us and our conduct is greatly to be desired in the present hour. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23,24)
The "furnaces" speak to us also of the energy, the power of God. The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power. Prayer and obedience are necessary on our part if we hope to witness the power of God working among us. There is no lasting strength in the efforts of the flesh of men. If we would have the power of the Kingdom of God we must pray fervently in the Spirit and be obedient to the Spirit of God at all times.
The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate. (Nehemiah 3:13) "The day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision" (Joel 3:14).
The "thousand cubits on the wall to the dung gate" speak to us of the coming Jubilee and the kingdom-wide fulfilment of the Day of Atonement—the removal of all garbage, all sin and corruption, from the Wife of the Lamb. Today the Lord Jesus is commanding all members of His Body, His army, to come to the place of resolution, to climb out of the "valley of decision."
"Choose you this day whom you will serve."
We must cast every idol out of our heart and mind and cleave to the Lord Jesus with singleness of purpose. No longer will the slightest deviation from Christ’s will be acceptable. In time past we may have stumbled along in a half hearted, lukewarm, consecration to Christ. Not any longer! All lukewarmness must be banished from our midst.
A separation is upon us now bringing an ever-widening gulf between the righteous and the wicked. Both righteousness and sin, the wheat and the tares, are coming to maturity and to harvest. The Lord’s people are to be holy—separate from all sin and sinners as far as personal behaviour is concerned. We are to "come out from among them."
There will be opportunity no longer to walk on the fence of indecision. The eternal roles and destinies are being established. If we do not allow Jesus to be the Lord of our life we will not inherit the rewards that have been assigned to the victorious saints.
The Lord Jesus is so wonderful! Can we do less than give Him all of our personality and ambitions? If we do not, we will not be able to stand in the days of trouble that are at hand. But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. (Nehemiah 3:14)
The repairing of the "dung gate" symbolizes the restoring of the ability of the Church of Christ to rid itself of the sins of the flesh. We need to learn how to wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. We wash our robes by confessing and forsaking our sinful practices and then by resisting the devil. There is to be no sin or rebellion in the Church of Christ. When the Lord returns He will be a consuming fire, the incarnation of the wrath of God against sin.
If we have been leading a careless life, not putting away our sins, we are heading for trouble in the Day of Christ. Let us repair the "dung gate" in our life, making ourselves ready for the Day of Christ that is just over the horizon.
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. (Nehemiah 3:15) The saints are "the king’s garden." They are the "elect" of the Lord in whom His soul delights (Isaiah 42:1). We are loved of the Lord God with an exceedingly great love and He takes pleasure in us as we make progress in the knowledge of Him. The Body of Christ is "a garden enclosed," a "spring shut up, a fountain sealed" (Song of Solomon 4:12). For nearly two thousand years the Lord Jesus has waited, knowing that the Father has promised that He will "see of the travail of his soul" (Isaiah 53:11). The history of the Christian Church may appear to be a confused mixture of stops and starts, of spiritual coldness and revivals. There exists a multitude of competing denominations. But these "clouds" are only the dust of God’s feet. The plan of God is moving along with precision. The end result will be a beautiful garden nourished by the sparkling, flowing fountain of the waters of eternal life.
Even today the Christian Church is "enclosed" and "shut up." The days are at hand when the winds of God will blow on the Church and the long-awaited maturing and perfecting of the Wife of the Lamb will take place. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. (Song of Solomon 4:16) The Christian Church of today is a "valley of dry bones." The four winds will yet breathe on the slain and they shall live! (Ezekiel 37:9).
The Word of the Lord to the Church is, "Repent"; and having repented, to "Rise!" to "Shine!" The Glory of Christ will abide on His Body throughout the darkest hour of the night that is just ahead. When the Lord Jesus returns, the Church will be prepared for Him in unity, in holiness, and in His image in every characteristic.
God understands clearly what He is doing. The time for the perfecting of the Bride of the Lamb is upon us. All that God has promised concerning the glorifying of His saints is nearly ready to be unveiled in the sight of the heavens and the earth.
The august Presence of the Father, the fullness of the resurrection power of the Son, and the governing influence of the Holy Spirit will abide forever in and upon the Body of Christ. One of the results of the abiding of the fullness of the glory of the Godhead will be the conversion of the nations of the earth—their turning to the Lord and His ways, as described by the Prophet Isaiah. Notice, in Nehemiah 3:15, the expression: "and to the stairs that go down from the city of David." The city of David was Zion. Zion was an area in the larger city of Jerusalem. Zion had been the fortress of the Jebusites from which they had defended the city of Jerusalem. David captured Zion and the location became associated closely with him.
So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built roundabout from Millo and inner. (II Samuel 5:9)
Zion is mentioned many times in the Book of Psalms, the Spirit of Christ in David indicating that Mount Zion is a major scriptural type of the Body of Christ—especially of the warlike remnant, the firstfruits of the Body. The Book of Hebrews informs us that we Christians have come to Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22). One of the first acts of David when he came into power in Israel was to bring back the Ark of the Covenant from the private household where it was being kept.
However, David did not restore the Ark to its familiar place in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. Instead, he erected a tent for the Ark and established praise and worship in Zion, the location of the tent.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the Tabernacle of the Congregation remained at the high place in Gibeon. It is our understanding that the separation of the Ark of the Covenant from the rest of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and the later incorporation of both the Ark and the remainder of the Tabernacle in the Temple of Solomon, are important symbolic representations of the manner in which the Lord Jesus is working with His Church.
We view the Ark of the Covenant as signifying the coming of the Lord Jesus with an army of firstfruits-saints, a victorious, Spirit-filled remnant, a forerunner of what the Christian Church will be like at the end of the thousand-year Kingdom Age. The firstfruits, the victorious saints, will govern the earth with a rod of iron. The Lord’s army is described in Joel, Chapter Two, Habakkuk, Chapter Three, Revelation, Chapter Nineteen, and in other passages of the Scriptures. This army of conquering saints consists of Christ’s "mighty men," foreshadowed by the mighty men of King David.
The conquering saints are members of the Body of Christ who are being prepared for war and ruler ship. The Kingdom of God will be established in the earth by violence and then maintained with the rule of iron discipline of the Spirit of God.
Those who ride with Christ in that day are called, chosen, and faithful (Revelation 17:14). After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. (Nehemiah 3:16) As soon as progress has been made in the building of the walls and gates, which is a symbolic portrayal of the creating of resistance to sin in the members of the Body of Christ, God’s "mighty men" commence showing signs of life in the "sepulchres" of the churches. The spiritual strength of the Church of Christ, the strength to overcome the devil, is revived.
Some have seen visions of a gigantic warrior who has awakened as if from sleep and who now is getting ready to perform the works of God among the peoples of the earth. One couple while on the way to service paused to watch the figure of an armed warrior in the sky. This sign, if we wish to term it that, was observed by both husband and wife for several minutes.
The warrior had no head. As we understand it, the Body of Christ is a "mighty man of valour" who now is being created in the Christian people. This is the fulfilment of the resurrection of Ezekiel’s "dry bones" (Ezekiel, Chapter 37). When God's warrior reaches the necessary level of maturity he will be caught away in clouds to be joined to the Head in the air. Then will Christ—Head and Body—fall on the forces of evil in the earth with relentless fury and unconquerable strength and wisdom.
As soon as Zion, God’s mighty man of war, has been built up by the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will appear in His Glory (Psalms 102:16). And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall. (Nehemiah 3:19)
Notice the involvement of many people and the adding of each piece by the (somewhat) dedicated Israelites who followed Nehemiah’s lead. Each person repaired straight before him. The architectural supervision and the perfection of the original wall were lacking. The rebuilding took place in a hurry and under harassment as the defences were thrown up by each Jew who had a heart to work and fight.
So it is today. If we wait for some "grand plan" to be set in motion it will be too late. The Spirit of the Lord is calling now on every member of the Body of Christ to rebuild the spiritual area set in front of him or her. We are to get busy now and follow the Spirit of God moment by moment. Nothing else can be accomplished in the Church of Christ, the Wife of the Lamb, until the enemy is thrown out of the Church and kept out.
The "armoury" is mentioned. An armoury contains defensive and offensive weapons of war. Even the strongest of warriors, the fiercest of fighters, does not rush into combat unarmed. The Holy Spirit has made provision for our warfare against the enemies of God and man: "The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (II Corinthians 10:4). At this point in history we are diligently building the Body of Christ. Our fighting is mostly of a defensive nature, holding off "Sanballat and Tobiah" while we construct the Church’s defences against the kingdom of wickedness. We are exhorted to take to ourselves the "whole armour of God" so we may be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).
We must be protected by the armour of "light" and of "righteousness on the right hand and on the left" (Romans 13:12; II Corinthians 6:7).
It is necessary that we put on the "breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet, the hope of salvation" (I Thessalonians 5:8).
Our loins are to be "girt about with truth" and our heart protected by the "breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14).
Our feet must be equipped with the "preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15). Having done all, we are to stand on the mountain of rock, Christ Jesus (Ephesians 6:13). From God’s armoury we are to obtain the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). The sword of the Spirit is living and powerful, sharp enough to divide asunder the soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow of bones. The living Word of God pierces to the discerning of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
In the present hour the Holy Spirit of God wields His sword through the hands of the saints in order to save people—to cut through their bondages so they can be released into righteous living and peace. In the Day of the Lord, the Spirit will thrust and slash with dreadful effect, destroying the forces of wickedness and slaying those who resist the will of the Lamb of God. The Word of God is the mightiest, the most terrible weapon in the universe. One thrust and the most powerful enemy is destroyed. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:21) We have arrived now, in our discussion of the rebuilding of the defences of the Body of Christ, at the "house of . . . the high priest."
After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. (Nehemiah 3:20) "Zabbai earnestly repaired." Earnestness and zeal are important virtues in the Body of Christ. Spiritual resources are available today. They will be assigned to those members of the Body who demonstrate diligence in pursuing the Lord. We find Christ when we ask, seek, knock, following after Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The Kingdom of God will be given to the earnest, the zealous, not to the half hearted, the lukewarm, the double-minded. The "house of Eliashib the high priest" is mentioned because our High Priest, Christ, will make His appearance as soon as we get into the armory of God and begin to equip ourselves to stand in the day of battle. The Lord will work with us as we bring the witness of the Kingdom of Heaven to every creature. He will confirm the Word of God with signs following. The fullness of the "high priest," of the Servant of the Lord (Isaiah, Chapter 42), of the Vine (John, Chapter 15), of the Anointed Deliverer who is to come in order to bring glory to Israel and justice and deliverance to the peoples of the earth, is Christ—Head and Body.
The Head of Christ is the Lord Jesus. The Body of Christ, of the "high priest," is the Christian Church. The Church is being brought to unity and maturity as the gifts and ministries of the Church travail in birth until Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19). As soon as the Lord builds up Zion, the Body of the High Priest, He will appear in His Glory. Today the members of the Body of Christ are moving toward maturity, through the grace of Christ given us by the Holy Spirit. Each member remains where he is located, as the Lord leads, just as the stones of Solomon’s Temple were perfected at the quarry before they were brought to the building site (I Kings 6:7). When the trumpet of God begins to sound, the Glory of God Almighty will come down from Heaven and cover every member of the Body of Christ—those who are living by means of His body and blood (John 6:56,57). Each faithful saint will arise in the Spirit and go to meet the Lord.
It is the Body of Christ, the Body of God’s High Priest, the eternal Temple of God. No authority or power in the heavens or on the earth can prevent the flowing together of the Body of the Servant of the Lord in that day. All the various church trappings will fall away, just as the forms that no doubt were used in the building of Noah’s Ark fell away when the Ark began to float.
We do not worry about the ability of God to bring the Body to oneness in Himself. The Body shall flow together just as the Spirit of God brought the animals from distant places to find their place of refuge in Noah’s Ark. The trumpet of God will sound, and the Church of Christ, already having been made one by the work of the Spirit prior to the appearing of the Lord, will be resurrected and will ascend to be joined with the Head—Christ. Then "all Israel," including the elect Jews, will be delivered and the Kingdom of God will be established in the earth. The unity of God’s High Priest was set forth by the Spirit of Christ speaking in David:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Psalms 133:1-3) The holy anointing oil of the Aaronic priesthood, which is an Old Testament type of the Holy Spirit, will flow down from the Head of Christ and continue on down to the "skirts of his garments." The glory that the Father has given to Christ will be extended to the entire Body of Christ.
The result of the Glory of God coming down on the Body of Christ will be the unity of the Church in Christ in God. Then the Lord in and with His saints will bring justice and deliverance to the nations of the earth. The Spirit of God is portrayed as "dew," the refreshing that comes just before the breaking of the day. When that "dew" descends on the mountains of Zion, the Lord God will command the blessing of eternal life for each person who will believe and receive and we shall know that the Day of the Lord is at hand.
The "high priest" reminds us also of the resurrected Lord Jesus of the first chapter of the Book of Revelation. The great High Priest is moving among the seven lamp stands (Christian churches), trimming and adjusting the wicks and replenishing the oil. The "wicks" are the saints through whom the oil flows, and the "oil" is the Spirit of God. The Lampstand of the Tabernacle was lighted each evening so the things of God could be perceived throughout the night. Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king’s high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh. (Nehemiah 3:25) It is possible while we yet are in this life to ascend to heights of glory with the Lord Jesus. However, "the king’s high house" always is located by "the court of the prison." It is only as we allow the Lord Jesus to confine us ever more closely that we are enabled to attain the fullness of the Life of the Spirit. It is only as we remain in the prison of the cross that life and release can come to us and to other people. The prison of the cross frees us form the prison of sin and self-will.
As soon as the Lord Jesus begins to work with us with signs following, as we are bearing witness to the Good News of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God, the "court of the prison" comes into view. The Church of Christ, when it is filled with the Spirit, has the authority and power to set free those who are being held captive by unclean spirits. The nations of the earth are groaning in bondage in the present hour, waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. The revealing of the sons of God will result in the destruction of all the works of the devil. The task of the Body of Christ in our time is to build itself up, under the guidance and enabling strength of Christ given us through the Holy Spirit, to the place where it will be prepared to go forth in the Spirit to destroy the bondages Satan has placed on the inhabitants of the earth. When the Body of Christ neither is tearing down the works of unclean spirits nor building itself up in preparation for the task of tearing down the works of unclean spirits, it is not in the will of God. The Holy Spirit is not being obeyed.
The mission of Christ, Head and Body, is to open the prison doors so the nations of the earth can be brought out into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:21) Both the members of the Christian Church and the peoples of the earth labour in the bondage of sin and rebellion against God. Through the cross, Christ has delivered us from the authority of the devil. The blood of the cross has made it possible for us to be accepted of the Father, even though our conduct on the earth reflects the condition of bondage from which we have not as yet been redeemed. As the saints pray, sing, and otherwise minister to the Lord, the power of God comes down and releases both the saints and those who are hearing the saints. Then everyone’s bonds are loosed. So it will be at the unveiling of the sons of God.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. (Acts 16:23-26) These many years the "jailor" has kept us "safely" in the bondage of sin. We have been in an "inner prison" and our feet have been locked in the paths of uncleanness and rebellion against the Lord God.
In the darkest hour ever to come to the world, during the reign of Antichrist, the Body of Christ will pray and sing praises to God. The prisoners of the devil will "hear" the Church as it ministers to the Lord. Suddenly the Day of the Lord will fall upon the earth. The "foundations of the prison," the throne of the evil princes of the air, the gates of Hell, will be shaken. All the doors will be opened. The irresistible power of the Spirit of God that will raise the bodies of the saints will spill over into the creation and loose the meek of the earth, just as the power that raised Christ from the dead spilled over to the "sleeping" saints so they arose from the graves and appeared to many in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:53).
Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out. After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. (Nehemiah 3:26,27) As we observe the pattern of restoration of the walls and gates of Jerusalem, it appears that at this point the end-time is being portrayed. We started out with the sheep and fish gates symbolizing the beginning works of the Church of Christ. Now we are dealing with such advanced areas as the house of the mighty, the armoury, and the high priest—types of spiritual activities associated with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven with His saints and holy angels.
The Hebrew prophets, particularly Isaiah and Ezekiel, reveal to us that the greatest outpourings of the Spirit of God will take place during the Day of the Lord. The types speak clearly that the thousand-year Kingdom Age will be a Pentecost of Pentecost's.
The "water gate" is "toward the east," that is, toward the morning of the Day of the Lord. Associated with the end-time outpouring is the "tower that lieth out." The Glory of God will be an enormous River of Life extending the Life and victory of Christ to the farthest reaches of the earth.
The Spirit of Christ, speaking in the third chapter of the Book of Nehemiah, mentions "the tower that lieth out" followed by "the tower that lieth out." The double emphasis here signifies the "greater works," the double portion of the Spirit made available to the saints during the days attending the coming of the Lord. A quantity of "fish" will be caught by the Lord as His Spirit flows from the saints to bless the nations of the earth. Notice that it is a "tower" that is projecting. The tower speaks of defence against the enemy. God is creating a defence that will protect all of His Glory. The revival that will fill the earth will be brought into being and maintained by warlike saints.
As marvellous as the past revivals have been they are not to be compared in power and effectiveness with the work of Christ yet to come. The whole earth will be filled with the Glory of Christ and the peoples of the earth will be turned to God. The Lord Jesus shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied.
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles [nations] shall come unto thee. (Isaiah 60:5)
In speaking of the conversion of the nations to God—and that is exactly what will take place—we are not stating that every individual ultimately will be saved. If any person rejects the redemption and lordship of Christ he will suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. Rebellion against the Lord God of Heaven never will be accepted. From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house. (Nehemiah 3:28) In the Scriptures the horse is thought of in terms of speed and strength. There are several references that associate the horse with war, particularly with the return of Christ and His conquering army (Joel 2:4; Habakkuk 3:15; Revelation 19:14; for example).
One of the outstanding passages concerning the role of the war-horse is found in the Book of Job: Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. (Job 39:19-25)
The characteristics assigned here to the war horse reflect the attributes of each soldier in Christ’s army. Christ’s soldiers are strong, and their "neck" is "clothed with thunder," meaning that the Word of God in judgment comes forth from their mouth with overpowering force.
The soldier of Christ is without fear of anyone or anything except God Almighty. His "nostrils flare with eagerness" as he goes to battle in the name of the Lord of Armies.
The strength of the saint comes from Christ and he hastens to the battle. He understands that his sword is greater than the sword of the enemy and so he is certain of victory.
The war horse "paws in the valley." Each of Christ’s conquering saints, the members of His Body, "paw in the valley." They do not want to remain at any time in the valley of decision. They desire to climb out of the valley altogether and to serve Christ with their whole heart, soul, mind and strength.
A soldier in a valley is at the mercy of an enemy who is on higher ground. The conquerors are not pleased with indecision. They wish to know who is on the Lord’s side. They desire that everyone "choose this day" whom he will serve. The victorious saints "paw" with determination and restlessness whenever they come near the "valley of decision."
The soldier of Christ goes forth to the Lord’s battles with such "fierceness and rage" against the enemy that he covers ground rapidly. He appears to "swallow the ground" because he is moving so quickly in Christ.
Fearful Christians hold back in the day of battle, and sometimes lose their position in God because of their timidity and hesitation.
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. (Judges 5:23)
God takes no pleasure in timidity and fear because these two attitudes are related to unbelief. It requires courage on the part of a believer if he is to press forward to the fullness of his inheritance in Christ.
When the conquering saint hears the trumpet of the Lord he is ready to go to war. He laughs with Christ, a strong, confident laughter. In Christ he is not afraid of the enemy. He knows that God has given all authority and power to Christ and that no power can harm a person who rests his faith in the Son of God.
The saint goes forth with Divine assurance to tread on all the forces of wickedness.
The overcomer "smells" the battle at a distance. The "nose" of the Body of Christ has not been working as it should. The "nose" refers to the discerning of spirits, which must be part of the weaponry of the conquering remnant. In some instances today it may be true that a substantial part of the activities of an assembly of Christians is of the flesh and of Satan. Yet the members of the congregation, for the most part, have no knowledge that such is the case. They suppose Christ and His Spirit are part of all they are doing.
Each of us should be calling on God to send to us the ability to discern what is of the flesh and Satan and what truly is of the Spirit of God. "Lead us not into temptation" is a prayer we must pray daily if we would avoid falling into the snare of the devil.
The soldier of Christ can "smell" when there is to be a battle. The Spirit of the Lord begins to move on him and he prepares himself or herself for the conflict. The true saint of God never will compromise with the spirit of this age, with his flesh or self-will, or with evil spirits.
To one of Christ’s soldiers, "the thunder of the captains and the shouting" is an inspiring sound. The saint hastens to the battle because he loves righteousness and hates sin and rebellion.
Whenever the Spirit of God begins to move toward the liberation of someone or a group of people, the overcomer is filled with Divine glory. He hears, as it were, the "thunder" of the voices and movements of Christ’s officers and the "shouting" of directions as Christ moves against the enemy. The saint rejoices in anticipation because he knows that righteousness, peace, and joy will proceed from the victory Christ always brings.
After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate. (Nehemiah 3:29)
The "east gate" is brought to our attention. Christ’s coming will be the rising of the Sun of the Day of the Lord. But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:2,3)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy [the Scriptures]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart: (II Peter 1:19)
Then there is mention of the "goldsmiths," and of the "Nethinims" (temple servants), of the "merchants," and of the "gate Miphkad" (Muster Gate).
After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner. And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants. (Nehemiah 3:31,32)
The "goldsmiths" speak of the pure gold, the tested, transparent faith and character of the saints of the holy city. The Nethinim (temple servants) remind us that "his servants will serve him" in His Temple, the new Jerusalem, for evermore.
The reference to "merchants" indicates that when the walls and gates of Jerusalem (the defences against sin of the Church of Christ) have been constructed, the Church then will be ready to do God’s business in the earth. The Kingdom of God will be established and ruled diligently by the Church.
The "gate Miphkad" (Muster Gate or Inspection Gate) represents the conquering remnant, the Lord’s army, which eternally will remain ready to carry out the judgments of God against all wickedness. It is time now for the Commander in Chief to inspect His troops and to muster the host for the battle!
The final mention of the "sheep gate" reveals that our Good Shepherd will be among His flock, gently and lovingly making them to lie down in green pastures and leading them beside the quiet waters (Isaiah 40:11).
Such are the walls and gates of Jerusalem. The gates of the holy city, the new Jerusalem, are twelve in number, symbolizing the whole family of Israel, the priestly nation.
Israel is the holy nation, the priesthood of God. Each of the twelve sons of Jacob was unique. The prophecies given by Jacob and Moses reveal the differences among the tribes. The result is that each member of the nations of the saved has a priest who is uniquely able to minister to his individual needs. The twelve gates bearing the names of the twelve sons of Israel provide access to God for every type of human being.
Sanballat and Tobiah became frantic and exceedingly angry as they saw the walls going up and the breaches being stopped (Nehemiah 4:7). They prepared "to come and to fight against Jerusalem" (4:8).
As long as the Church of Christ remains without defence against sin and uncleanness we can expect only scorn and derision from evil spirits and from the peoples of the earth. They understand that we have no more spiritual strength than they do.
As soon as the Christians become serious about true holiness, about sincere consecration to Christ, about separation from the spirit of the present age, there will be vicious persecution. Are you preparing yourself for the coming persecution of the Church? If so, laugh with God and Christ. God always laughs in derision at those who resist His Christ (Psalms 2:4).
The determined threats and opposition of the heathen tribes surrounding Jerusalem put fear into the Jews who were repairing the walls and gates of the city. Nehemiah worked out a plan of defence, using a trumpet as a means of warning in case of an attack. From then on, everyone who was working on the construction of the defences of the city carried his building implement in one hand and his spear in the other.
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. (Nehemiah 4:17,18)
In the day in which we live the Holy Spirit is restoring gifts and ministries to the Body of Christ so we may begin to build the Church in preparation for the appearing of the Lord Jesus. There will be opposition from the enemy. We must build with one hand and be ready to fight with the other.
The saint must never let down his spiritual guard. Each Christian must "keep a watch posted at all times." Whether he is in a church service or involved in secular matters, working or playing, resting at home or going for a drive, in the school or in the factory, among friends or enemies, the saint must instantly be "prayed through." He or she must be in contact with the Lord Jesus.
We must look continually to the Holy Spirit in all that we do. We are in a battle to the finish. We must be armed and ready to fight at a moment’s notice, day or night.
We are building the Body of Christ with one hand and fighting with the other. This dual task will continue until the Lord comes. Every word, every motive, every action, every step must be presented to the Holy Spirit for His judgment. One moment’s carelessness, foolishness, sin, or self-will may get us into trouble and problems that will take ten years to correct—or may never be corrected!