[THE SHAKING OF ALL THINGS - PART III]
Man brought
low. The shaking effect of earthquakes usually
results in the collapse of that which is high and
exalted in the things built by man such as buildings,
towers, walls, water works and dams, etc.
Earthquakes can also cause trees and mountains to
be moved and to collapse as the earth shifts and opens
great crevasses. The shaking of the natural things is
only a type and picture of how God purposes to "shake"
the entire society of man and all of his
systems—religious, political and economic; the purpose
being to bring down that which is high and exalted,
which has vaunted itself against God in pride and
self-sufficiency. Looking further into
Isaiah 2:6-22 we note that God repeatedly declares His
judgment on that which is high and which He purposes to
bring low.
"The lofty looks of
man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall
be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in
that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be on every one that is proud and
lofty, and on every one that
is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: and on all the cedars of Lebanon,
that are high and lifted up, and on all the oaks of Bashan, and
on all the high mountains,
and on all the hills that
are lifted up, and on every
high tower, and on every
fenced wall, and on all the
ships of Tarshish, and on
all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall be
bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made
low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that
day. . . In that day a man shall cast his idols of
silver, and his idols of gold, which they have made each
one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the
bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the
tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for
the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake terribly the
earth."
Fulfillment. In the preceding
scripture there is much symbolism which we can "de-code"
when we understand God's symbolic language, and see its
fulfillment in this end time. The majestic cedars which
grew only on the mountains of Lebanon are a type of
leaders; those in "high" places in the mountains
(nations) of the world. The cedar was considered to be
the "king of trees" in the lands of the Bible. The oak
tree was a strong tree and is a type of strong and
powerful men (Amos 2:9). Bashan, where oaks abounded,
was largely a tableland east of Jordan with some hills
and lesser mountains, indicating by type those leaders
in lesser positions, but strong and influential. Oak
groves in early times were used as places of
religious concourse. Altars were often set up in them
(Josh. 24:26). Idolatry was practiced under them
(Isa. 1:29, 57:5; Ezek. 6:13), and idols were made of
oaks (Isa. 44:14). Thus "oaks of Bashan"
could refer to religious leaders and their
sects—the largely apostate and greatly "idolatrous"
Christendom of today. In Isa. 2:14-16, we can see
symbolically portrayed the three-fold system of
"Babylonish" civilization and God's judgment on each: in vs. 14 are
mentioned the "mountains and hills,” symbolic of
the greater and lesser nations and their political
systems; in vs. 15 the "high towers and fenced walls,”
portraying religious Babylon with the many
denominational "walls" and "fences" which separate God's
people, and the "towers" on these walls representing the
hierarchies over the denominations, watching out for
their "vested interests;" and in vs. 16 we see
commercial Babylon, symbolized by the "ships of
Tarshish" (trading between nations) and the "pleasant
pictures" (advertising). The marginal reference in the
King James version gives "pictures of desire" as an
alternate reading for "pleasant pictures.” Could the
prophet have been foreseeing our modern TV screens where
the "pictures of desire" are flashed constantly before a
gullible public, and which is used so cleverly to
promote Babylonish commercialism? This last statement is
not meant to convey that TV in itself is bad, or that
all business is wrong. We have a great mixture. But by
the picture of Rev. 18:12-13, we see that Babylonish
commercialism puts "gold" (money) first, and the
souls of men last, trafficking in
both.
The
Inner. All that can be shaken is going to be shaken
(Heb. 12:27), and this does not only mean in the
macrocosm of the outer world in which we live, but also
in the microcosm of our inner being. God is going to
shake you loose from every idol that you may hold in
your heart (see Ezek. 14:4, where the prophet
speaks against the "idols" the people had set up in
their hearts), and from everything which you may be
holding on to that is not of Him. He is going to shake
all within you that can be shaken, that what cannot be
shaken may remain. Heb. 12:28 declares that the things
which cannot be shaken pertain to God's eternal kingdom
(in contrast to the things that are man-made, referred
to in vs. 27). "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."
Notice that the inspired statement indicates that we are
NOW receiving a Kingdom (a present continuous
process). Even though we have become citizens of God's
Kingdom through the new birth, and the Kingdom of God is
within (John 3:3 & Lk. 17:21), there is a sense in
which that Kingdom or RULE of God is increasing in our
lives. And we are progressively entering into the
realities, blessings and powers of that
Kingdom. Because of this continuous receiving of the
Kingdom, God is building within us by His Spirit that
which endures forever and cannot be shaken by any
circumstances (I John 2:17). What a wondrous revelation
of God's purpose: while God is in the process of shaking
everything that can be shaken, we are entering more
fully into that which cannot be shaken—by receiving His
Kingdom.
New.
"Behold, I make all things new. . . And I saw a new
heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1, 5).
God's whole purpose in "shaking" is to eliminate
the old, that He might make all things new—even a new
heaven and a new earth. But we must not think
of this new heaven and earth only in terms of the
macrocosm of the outer world.
Let me elaborate on the thought of the microcosm
of our inner being, for within each of us must the
pattern be fulfilled of a "new heaven and earth.” Your
"heaven" within is your mind, and your "earth" is
your manner of living, or we might say, your heart
response to life situations, and thus the way you live.
God's order is first a new "heaven" and then a new
"earth"—in other words your mind and thinking must first
be changed. This is the pattern
Paul gives in Rom. 12:2: "be you transformed (in the manner
of your life) by the renewing of your mind." Also in
Eph. 4:23-24: "be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
and that you put on the new
man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness." See also Phil. 4:8 where Paul shows
the importance of the new "heaven" (thought-life),
as the key to a new "earth" (new
life).
A
process. We need to see that a
"new heaven and earth" within for the Christian does not
come suddenly or automatically.
It takes the creative power of God, and our
cooperation with God, "who works
in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure"
(Phil. 2:13). Just because we have been "born anew" and
have Christ's eternal life dwelling within, and may even
have the transforming dynamic of the baptism of the Holy
Spirit, this does not mean we are automatically changed
in every aspect of our lives. We may still have
much of the old patterns of thought and wrong ideas and
concepts embedded in our minds; and this affects our
entire response to life situations and the way we
live. These "strongholds"
of the enemy have to be broken down and our minds
renewed by the Word (truth) of God. Jesus said, "you shall know the truth, and
the truth (received and applied within) shall make
you free" (John 8:32). When the Israelites went
into the promised land of Canaan, they had to obey the
command of God to break down all the strongholds of the
enemy nations in the land and tear down their "high
places" (where they carried on idolatrous worship). Paul
no doubt had this Old Testament type in mind when he
declared in II Cor. 10:4-5: "the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strong holds; casting down imaginations (false
reasonings and thinking), and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ."
Satanic
influence. Satan is called the "prince of the power
of the air" (Eph. 2:2); that is, he rules in the
invisible heavenly realm around our earth, roughly
corresponding to our atmosphere. It may come as a shock
to some that Satan is not now in the pit or in "hell"
(that is coming—Rev. 20:1-3, 10), but is reigning in his
own "heaven" (not God's heaven), from which he controls
the systems of this world.
He is thus called the "god of this world" (II
Cor. 4:4). Just as Satan rules the earth from his
vantage point in the heavenly realm, so is it true in
the microcosm of your being. If Satan rules your heaven
(mind), he will also rule your earth (manner of life).
As the prince of the power of the air, Satan seeks to
dominate your thoughts (for air is symbolic of the
thoughts of the mind).
Birds.
Birds which fly in the atmospheric heaven area
type of thoughts which enter the mind. In the law given
to Moses, such birds were divided into categories of
"clean" and "unclean,” to symbolize the fact that both
clean and unclean thoughts enter our minds. You have
probably heard the old saying: "you can't keep the birds
from flying over your head, but you can keep them from
nesting in your hair!" The mind is not and cannot be a
vacuum. Thoughts are passing
though our minds constantly, just as we are continually
breathing air without any conscious effort. But we can
keep the wrong birds (thoughts) from lodging and
"nesting" in our mind, so that they do not "hatch" their
perfidious offspring and dominate our thinking (and our
actions).
Power.
Birds are also a type of angelic "spirits.”
Unclean birds are a type of the fallen angels or
demons, which have the power to project wrong thoughts
into our minds. These are the "fiery
darts" of the wicked spoken of in Ephes. 6:16 which must
be warded off by the shield of faith, to other words, we
have the power, through the authority given to us "in
Christ,” to cast out these demonic "birds" (thoughts)
out of our "heaven" (mind). This is portrayed in Rev.
12:7-11, where we read that there was "war in heaven:
Michael and his angels fought against the dragon
(Satan); and the dragon fought and his angels." This is
not only a description of the macrocosmic battle that is
taking place in the invisible realms around our
earth, but it also depicts the struggle that goes on in
the inner realm of the human mind. The battle in the
microcosmic "heaven" within is in the thoughts (and
emotions which are aroused by thoughts). Since the
sacred text declares that "Michael and his angels
fought,” we are to know that God does not want us to
fight the battle; for "the battle is the Lord's" (I Sam.
17:48, II Chron. 20:15). We are merely to speak the word
or command: "Satan, get out in the Name of Jesus,” and
if it has been spoken in faith and earnestness of heart,
immediately the angels go into action on our behalf to
disperse the demon-inspired thoughts which are seeking
to dominate our minds. Hallelujah! Then immediately
begin to praise the Lord for the
victory.
Sentry.
Perhaps an illustration will help. The duty of a sentry
is to stand guard and watch for any intruder.
He is to determine if anyone approaching is
friend or foe. And if he discerns the foe coming, he
sounds the alarm for help; he does not try to fight the
battle himself. We (our spirit
within) is like the sentry. When we discern enemy
thoughts coming into our minds, we are to exercise our
will in commanding a "halt,” and then CALL on the Name
of JESUS for help. Paul says in Rom. 10:13 that
"whosoever shall call on the
NAME of the Lord shall be saved" (delivered).
Don't try to wrestle the enemy yourself; you will
be overcome. Call for help and let the angels of God go
into battle for you. The result of such battle is
described in Rev. 12:8-9, which says that Satan's angels
"prevailed not; neither was their place found any more
in heaven. And the great dragon (Satan) was CAST
OUT."
Kingdom
benefits. Immediately following, in Rev. I2:10, we
see the benefits of such victory in Christ: "NOW is come
salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our
God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our
brethren is cast down." Our salvation is a continuous
and complete provision of God for our every need, and a
continuous Spirit-impartation on our behalf, that we
might experience His strength and Kingdom rule at all
times. But we must know the
truth of our throne-rights and privileges in Christ, as
we are seated in "heavenly places" with Him, with the
enemy under our feet (Eph. 1:20-22, 2:6). And then we
need to take the initiative in claiming that provision,
speaking the word of authority against Satanic powers,
calling on the Name of
Jesus, and then praising the Lord at all times, filling
our minds with thoughts of gratitude and thanksgiving,
as we praise and worship Him, as our thoughts and
affections ascend to Him as
sweet incense. Rev. 12:11 says that
"they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony (declaring the truth);
and they loved not their lives to the death (yielding of the
self-life to be 'crucified with Christ'—Gal. 2:20)."
Beloved, every battle is a "shaking" experience, as the
Lord exposes our areas of weakness, and our desperate
NEED of Him. And this is a part of the process of making
"all things new" within us; even a new "heaven" (thought
life) and a new "earth" (new manner of life, with a new
heart response to all life
situations).
No more
sea. The essence of God's covenant in Christ is that
He will put His laws into our minds and hearts (Heb.
8:10; 10:16), writing them there by His Spirit (II Cor.
3:3), so fear not the "shaking,” for your first "heaven"
and first "earth" (dominated by sin) must pass away
(Rev. 21:1). In his vision of the
new heaven and earth, John saw that there was "no more
sea" (Rev. 21:1). Water is a type of the soul with its
unstable emotions, desires, and feelings. Jacob
prophesied over his son, Reuben: "Unstable as water, you shall not excel" (Gen.
29:4). Water is easily stirred
up by wind, and remember that Satan is the "prince
of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2). When Satan
influences our minds, he also stirs up our desires and
emotions, for as a man "thinks in his heart (feelings and
desires in connection with thoughts) so is he"
(Prov. 23:7). We read in Isa. 57:20, that the "wicked
are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose
waters cast up mire and dirt." This is because they are
so easily influenced by the "wind" of Satanic forces.
But when God finishes perfecting within us a "new heaven
and earth,” there will be no more (troubled) sea; that
is, no more unstable emotions or wrong desires to
precipitate us into sin. But until then we will
experience some "upsets" and "stormy" times in our
emotional being, as the enemy "blows” and God allows this to happen to
"shake" what can be shaken.
God our
refuge. While we are yet experiencing the attacks of
the enemy, and many changes in our lives, let us
remember the words of the Psalmist in 46:1-7: "God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed
(the shaking experiences), and though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the sea (‘mountains' of trials
which ‘carry over’ into our emotional being and
cause upheaval); though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled (turmoil within), though the mountains shake
with the swelling thereof (experiences which almost
overwhelm us). There is a river, the streams whereof
shall make glad the city of God. . . God is in the midst
of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and
that right early." YOU are that city, and God's river of
life and power flows in you, and you shall not be moved,
for God shall help you. THAT is God's
promise, even though there be storms and shakings
in the world around and even some emotional turmoil
within. God IS our REFUGE! He
cannot be moved, though everything else is. The rest of
Psalm 46 is good; read and meditate on it, that you may
know Him as an "ever present
help."
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