Articles
Four Permissions or Commands? Let the Unjust, Filthy, Righteous and Holy Be As They Are - Part 3: Let each one do what it is “l
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
July 2014
Over many years, I have come to terms with my life being in some way connected with end times. Dear Reader, how are you doing with this? I have observed the way of the wicked along with the ways of those who consider themselves Believers. In the 90’s, as I served people who had been subjected to the worst kinds of trauma—physical, sexual, spiritual—I learned far more than I’d ever wanted to know about evil in the world. I began to pray and study to understand what I was to do. How was I to “fight” this battle?
When I was in high school, I realized that the timing of the birth of the Nation of Israel might indicate this. A friend spoke to me of the rapture, which we Lutherans had never heard of. I learned later that Lutherans, among others, are “amillennial” in belief thus indicating that no rapture and millennial reign of Messiah on earth was to be anticipated because it was already here. At the time, I only understood the kind of chaos that might be expected, and resolved to learn a useful skill toward that time. (I learned to crochet and knit.)
By my late 20’s, I saw that no matter which political party was in office, it seemed things still moved in the same general direction. I am sure that Taylor Caldwell’s book, Captains and Kings, had something to do with this understanding. As a graduate student, I understood something of the Hegelian Dialectic and systems theory while learning family therapy techniques. I saw the complicity of the majority that was necessary in order for the wrong direction to continue. I began to joke that no one person/politician would be able to turn this around, but that it would “almost“ take a revolution. (I was aware then of some fear of what I was saying and so tried to temper it.) I lost a few Christian friends when I observed that one party was the “fast boat” to the New World Order and the other was the “slow boat.”
I was concluding grad school as I neared 30 years old when I was faced with information first brought to me via Constance Cumbey’s work: The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow. As I tried to calm the fears of the friend who gave it to me, I found my own fears. At this time, I believe the Ruach made known to me that something was to be expected of me that had to do with end times. I was so frightened that I tried to ignore this awareness for three years, what I have called my “Jonah years.”
Eventually, in the early 90’s, I came to terms with it, and with Messiah, and began speaking to anyone who would listen about my concerns about the false beliefs infiltrating the church, and later I also addressed political and government structures. I spoke in many churches around northeastern Wisconsin and found a mixed response. Some could comprehend the future danger, but most found these things so farfetched as to be impossible for people to fall for them. I believe it was Francis Schaeffer who first brought to my attention how faith can be lost in only 3 generations. In very brief summary: the first generation believes and practices. The children honor the practice out of respect, but without personal belief. The grand children see no reason to honor a practice that isn’t based in belief and do their own thing. I saw the culture turning away from Scriptural understanding of how to live in a God honoring way. Though of course imperfectly, I did consciously try to live in a way to honor my God but I saw few others doing the same. For a time, I wondered if I had been duped and was foolish to believe in God as I did.
Though I also complained as I became aware of these things, I grew tired of hearing people complainabout the inappropriateness of culture in general, and television in particular, while still participating in it.
Complaining while still participating is not enough.
It does not make one righteous.
The establishment of Set Apart Ministries in January, 2000 has been central in our faith lives now for nearly 15 years. I did not know the full implications of the name I was given in prayer but initially had an impression it was somehow “too big” for me, and protested. Yet, the Ruach made it clear this was the intended name. This call is what I believe He “foreshadowed” years ago though various monumental events in my life: Prepare Messiah’s Bride! Equip His people! Help them mature in Him! Establish a place of healing and restoration in which it is clearly acknowledged by all that we are set apart for His purposes. It is how I am called to “fight” the wickedness in the world as long as there is a season and opportunity, while it is yet light. We are to be like Messiah.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:
the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 9:4 KJV
He could have acted to put an end to all wickedness when He was here the first time, but yielded to the Father’s will and plan…and in so doing, had to endure the temporary power of the thorns and sons of Belial…and not act. Yet also, in this obedience, He made the way for us all. When He returns there will be no such limitation.
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Corinthians 3:13 KJV
The ways of the world do not have to be our primary way to live. The ways of a Christian church that has gone apostate certainly are not the way we are to live. The ways of a Jewish religion that has been infiltrated by other practices is also clearly not the way to proceed.
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries:
but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
And they that understand among the people shall instruct many:
yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help:
but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.
And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge,
and to make them white, even to the time of the end:
because it is yet for a time appointed.
Daniel 11:32-35 KJV
I have not taken up a sword, or a gun to fight. I do not believe I am to do so though others certainly do have this call. I have understood that participating in the growth of individuals and community that are learning more and more fully what it means to be His set apart people is my battlefield. (and there are most certainly days when the battle feels heavier than it may look!) We are in transition times: watching the iniquity come to its fullness, the already/not yet promises of Yah…sowing into His Kingdom and looking to the Tree of Life, while still having to function and live among the branches of that other tree and that other Kingdom.
We are near to…or in…a time like Noah, when men’s thoughts were only evil continually. As YHWH has said He will not strive with man forever, but there will come an end to His patience. Since He must also remain just, there comes a time when there is nothing more to be done to try to deal with the thorns and thistles. The flood of wickedness is like a field overgrown with them. It must be dealt with in fire and iron.
We are not to assume that we can deal with the overgrown field of thorns and thistles, but in humility, realize that all things are progressing as He has planned, remaining His set apart people in the face of it all.. He is not shocked at the turn of events and the increase of lawlessness. He told us this would happen.
When the fullness of the iniquity of mankind is in bloom, He will act.
Our YHWH is not slack and will have made certain that all mankind have had opportunity and witness in one way or another that would allow them to seek Him. It is not ours to try to persuade others to join us in this walk. Our choices and actions are our testimony. We must have an answer in season and out for the hope that is within us, should anyone seek us out. How joyful it is when even one person repents and turns around toward goodness and life!
When we have entered more fully into His ways, and into His heart, we will see more consistently with His eyes and know that these things must come. We will know when He “shuts the door on the ark.” We are not to be a part of the chaos and conflict and confusion in the world.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6 KJV
We are to enter in more fully into His rest and allow Him to bring the restoration that must come through the trials. He commands us:
Let each one do what they will.
It is a strange type of kindness, to allow the difference between what is holy/set apart and what is common to become more and more pronounced. The consequences of the choices will become more and more clear, black and white, fewer shades of gray.
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and
none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
John 17:12 KJV