Posted: 05/20/2009 at 7:16am | IP Logged

The Judgments of the Elders — What is missing?

A Prophetic Overview

 By Larry R. Denton

In the following article, I would like to present a direction, not just any direction, but one that is foundational for correction in the Body of Christ.

It is my hope that elders reading this concept will understand the content herein because it provides insight regarding how we are to seek the Kingdom at this time as we how we should seek righteousness that manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

By following this word and its wisdom, we honor Christ in and among ourselves.

Psalm 88:9 (KJV) 

Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

At this time, many men and women have given themselves to repentance as they see our younger generation pretend to "have church."  The irony is that the older generation at one time "had church" with the purpose of calling folks to repentance.  The conservative side of the Church called folks to come up front to be "filled with the Spirit."

Evangelical ways, although divided and non-denominational, have had spiritual success in seasons past.  However, as many are aware something is very wrong with the Church.  Something is not working.  What could that something be? 

Running to large meetings and attending mega churches, our children "play church" only to fall into sin.  Our grandchildren go here and there experiencing endless arrays of religious entertainment.  These young people powered by the Holy Spirit, who has changed their lives, stand daily in sterling character as they respond to life “out there."  Unfortunately, most of them are lost because they have not experienced deep relational experiences in true gatherings where the giftings of God operate and new revelations are obtained.  Counterfeit religious activities, which are combined with worldly entertainment, take up precious time.  Sadly, we witness thousands of individuals and families attempt to serve God while erroneously following false leaders that quench the Holy Spirit's work which teaches a righteous, relational path. Dismayed, we witness "great" ministries and leaders guiltily admit to sins they previously proclaimed to have overcome.

Proverbs 20:4 (KJV) 

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Being sluggards, church leaders slothfully "have church" attempting to please the rich.  As hypocrites, they preach and prophesy prosperity only to end up with nothing.  Oh yes, they have their big church buildings downtown; but, due to decreasing memberships, in fear, they preach doom and gloom in an effort to draw crowds them into the buildings.

Proverbs 26:16 (KJV) 

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

At this present hour, rather than repenting and seeking God why they have no power, these false leaders proclaim that they are wiser than those who have repented for "having church" in order to seek the Kingdom of God.

In these movements, pastors and prophets proclaim God's power.  In their conceit, they fail to heed prophets, who have sought God's Kingdom and its righteousness.  Thus, they reveal how it is possible to speak of deliverance and healing yet have no knowledge regarding how a righteous gathering can allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to flow.  Here is the reason there is no power in such meetings and no power in the leaders' lives.

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Conceited male and female leaders, too proud to come out of their created "great" identities, refuse to reason with true prophets lest they lose their value within their churches.

Matthew 23:5 (KJV) 

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Preaching and prophecy fear they appear pure in their callings.  They choose not to take the time necessary to discover what God's Word says about praising God and what such an action might accomplish.  They fail to honor God by approaching the poor in truth or the Word.  Although worshiping in spirit they stand in sin having forsaken the way of truth and are unable to walk in it.

Worshiping God with their mouths, their minds are far from Him.  In their impatience they are unable to sit and reason how it is what they do.  Sadly, in our lost world, leaders possessing no true knowledge of God's Word (since many only know the Bible by rote) do not comprehend it in order to adequately share what they comprehend. 

There are preachers, pastors, teachers and evangelists who are reluctant to stand as apostles or prophets because they miss the mark as elders which requires them to reason with all men--something they cannot do.

The wisdom of the elders is missing. As the young sought "great ministers" in hopes of defending their stand, they have failed to honor the true elders.  Revelation regarding how we are to honor a man or woman of God has been lost.  Rather than having apostles and elders, the office of the apostle now stands alone. When Satan brought about the cessation of apostles and elders acting together, an important round was won.  Singling out apostles without elders brought about the elimination of the elders' office, which left priests in charge performing the offices of evangelist, pastors, and teachers

To understand the significance of apostles being separated from elder, let us consider the wisdom of the following Word given by an apostle and elder himself.  Our purpose is to learn how we are to function in the Kingdom as opposed to a religious church service.  We will divide this word in the next article in order to see and feel the mind and heart of a man who was an apostle and elder.

1 Peter 5:1-11 (KJV) 

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

     Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

I hope the next article will increase the reader's understanding about how righteous judgment is a matter of righteousness being a relational dynamic and a matter of character as noted in the following verse.

Proverbs 16:19 (KJV) 

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.