June 21, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
COVETOUSNESS BRINGS WEAKNESS AND SPIRITUAL DECLENSION AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE.
The name Achan means, “Achar, the troubler if Israel.” 1 Chron. 2:7, KJV. In the New Testament, the antitype of ancient Israel is the church, ekklesia, “the called out ones.” The generic church, like ancient Israel, is also of two classes: apostate Christianity who have done away with God’s law and worship an idol sabbath, as apostate Israel worshipped Baal, the Phoenician sun-god, and the remnant church who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12) and “have the spirit of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus Christ”(Rev. 19:10).
Achan’s sin of covetousness is found in both classes of Christianity today.—-“Achan’s sin brought disaster upon the whole nation. For one man’s sin, the displeasure of God will rest upon the church [particularly the remnant] till the transgression is searched out and put away. The influence MOST TO BE FEARED of the church is NOT that of open opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of INCONSISTENT professors of Christ. These are the ones that KEEP BACK THE BLESSING of the the God of Israel, and bring WEAKNESS among His people.
“When the church is in difficulty, when coldness and spiritual declension exist, giving occasion for the enemies of God to triumph, then, instead of holding their hands and lamenting their unhappy state, let the members inquire if there is not AN ACHAN in the camp.
“With humiliation and searching of heart, let EACH seek to discover the HIDDEN SINS that shut out God’s presence.” Patriarchs & Prophets, p. 497.
“It’s the first working day of the week, let’s “work for the night is coming When man works no more.” God’s empowering grace to all! NMF