When Jesus spoke to His disciples about the end of the age, He
proclaimed:

          "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all
          things." *** Mark 13:23

We have been foretold all things. God has chosen His own ways
to reveal Himself and His times and seasons to His people.
Jesus used parables to speak Spiritual truths to those who
walked with Him in His day. These same parables are
discerned today by those who are applying them Spiritually in
their lives. When Jesus' disciples asked, "Why speakest thou
unto them in parables?", *** Matthew 13:10, Jesus answer was
simple:

          "...Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries
          of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
          *** Matthew 13:11

Jesus used parables so only those who were called into a
Kingdom walk would understand the mysteries of the
Kingdom. To those who are not called, they are just so many
words. The prophet Hosea proclaimed another way God speaks
to His people:

          "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have
          multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the
          ministry of the prophets." *** Hosea 12:10

Hosea spoke of three ways God reveals Himself to His people:
1 -By the prophets
2 -By multiplied visions
3 -By similitudes

The word similitude means "to be like, to resemble, or to liken
to". God uses similitudes so we can compare the things in the
Word with what is going on in our time. Another way God
reveals His eternal knowledge of man's existence on His
created earth is through shadows. The writer of Hebrews
wrote:

          "For the law having a shadow of good things to come,
          and not the very image of the things, can never with
          those sacrifices which they offered year by year
          continually make the comers there unto perfect." ***
          Hebrews 10:1

The Law was only a shadow of the good things God was going to
bring upon the earth for His chosen ones. The Apostle Paul
wrote to the church at Colosse:

          "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink,
          or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of
          the sabbath days:

          Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is
          of Christ." *** Colossians 2:16-17

All the laws God gave Israel concerning their clean and
unclean foods, what they were to drink, their holy days, their
new moon festivals, and their sabbath days were only shadows
of things to come.

Many of God's mysteries are hidden in the names of people,
places, and things. God has also hidden His mysteries in the
meaning of numbers. Every color, every metal, even directions
reveal hidden mysteries. We can only come into a deeper
understanding of God's Word as the Holy Spirit leads us into
all truth.

In the Old Testament God ruled His people three ways:
1 -Through patriarchs
2 -Through judges
3 -Through kings

In the patriarchal system, the elders of the tribe or family
ruled the people. During this time God sent three deliverers:

          1 -Joseph, to provide for Jacob and his family while in
          Egypt
          2 -Moses, to lead God's people out of Egypt
          3 -Joshua, to lead God's people into their promise land

The Patriarchal system lasted about 2600 years. After this God
ruled His people through judges. Paul revealed the length of
time the judges ruled, when he spoke in the synagogue at
Antioch:

          "And after that He gave unto them judges about the
          space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the
          prophet." *** Acts 13:20

Samuel was not only a prophet, he also judged God's people.
Samuel was the last judge in Israel before God appointed them
a king. The judge before Samuel was a priest by the name of
Eli. Eli was the first judge of Israel chosen from the priesthood.
Eli was of the tribe of Levi, a descendant of Aaron through
Ithamar. Eli judged Israel forty years, *** I Samuel 4:18.

The condition of the religious system in Israel at the time of Eli
is a similitude of the condition of the church at the end of this
age. Jesus spoke of the last church system in His revelation to
John on the Isle of Patmos. This was the church of Laodicea.
The Greek word Laodicea means "the people's rights". This is
all we hear today in the church, "I have my rights, I have my
will, and I demand my way!" It matters not what God desires
or expects of His people. The church system has established
their own way, their own rules, and the Word of God has little,
if any, effect in their organizations. Jesus revealed:

          "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
          write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
          true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

          I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
          would thou wert cold or hot.
          So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold
          nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.
          Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
          goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that
          thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind,
          and naked." *** Revelation 3:14-17

The church system has become wretched in the eyes of God. The
people have become miserable in their weak attempt to invoke
God's blessings. They have become poor, spiritually destitute,
spiritually blind, and naked. Their covering in God has left
them, just as it left Adam and Eve naked in the Garden of
Eden, and left Israel naked before their enemy at Mount Sinai.
God has given us Eli to reveal not only the condition of the
church in the end of the age, but also how He will deal with the
organized religious systems of our day.

The first time Eli is mentioned in the Bible is when Elkanah
and Hannah, the parents of Samuel, went up to the tabernacle
at Shiloh to worship and offer sacrifices unto the Lord. Shiloh
became not only the center of worship, but also the center of
government. The word Shiloh means "a place of rest". In the
beginning, the church was the center of worship. It was also
the cen-ter of government. It was a place of rest from all
worldly activity.

Hannah was barren and could give Elkanah no children. In
her sorrow, she went before the Lord to pray for a child:

          "So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh,
          and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon
          a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord." *** I Samuel 1:9

Eli sat upon a seat by a post of the temple. Eli could no longer
stand before the Lord because he had lost his anointing. His
zeal to serve God had vanished. Eli, as many pastors today,
viewed his ministry as more political than Godly. These feel
their only commitment to God and their religious order is to
maintain the numbers in the congregation at any cost. These
compromise their beliefs to retain their position. Their only
desire is to obtain a larger and more prestigious church. These
strive to go up the ladder of success as any corporate officer
would in any worldly company. Their position with God has
been compromised to where they can no longer stand in the
presence of God.

In bitterness of soul, Hannah prayed before the Lord, making a
vow that if God would give her a son, she would lend her son
unto the Lord all the days of his life, *** I Samuel 1:10-11.

          "And it came to pass, as she continued praying before
          the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.
          Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips
          moved, but her voice was not heard: there-fore Eli
          thought she had been drunken." *** I Samuel 1:12-13

Hannah prayed in her spirit. Her lips moved, but nothing
came out of her mouth. As Eli watched her mouth, he saw her
lips move. Because no words came forth, he accused her of
being drunk. Those who have no Spiritual discernment accuse
those who are moving in the Spirit of being drunken or not in
control of their faculties. The same thing happened on the Day
of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came:

          "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine."
          *** Acts 2:13

Peter, understanding what was happening, arose to speak to
the people:

          "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is
          but the third hour of the day." *** Acts 2:15

When the Spirit is resident in any situation, then those who
are in the presence of the Spirit are hearing the voice of the
Spirit. These do not act according to the dictates of man, or his
religious order. Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

          "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but
          be filled with the Spirit;" *** Ephesians 5:18

Those who are filled with the Spirit are listening to the voice of
the Spirit and are praying accordingly. Hannah had come
before the Lord with her whole heart to pray for a son. Her
whole being was poured out before the Lord. When we come to
the place where all physical activity has failed to bring the
desires of our heart to pass, we begin to seek God in a new way,
by totally giving ourselves to prayer.

God was about to do a new thing in Israel, and Hannah was
the vessel God would use. The religious order did not
under-stand. They were too busy keeping their religious
rituals. Because of this, they would completely miss what God
was doing in their presence. The religious system today, as Eli,
have seated themselves in the presence of God, taking their
ease. They have settled back on their lees and become
complacent. They feel secure in their position, and desire
nothing more than the recognition of men. The prophet
Zephaniah spoke of the day in which we live:

          "And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will
          search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men
          that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart,
          The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil." ***
          Zephaniah 1:12

"The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil." This is the
message that is coming forth from many pulpits. It is a message
intended to only tickle the ears of the people. There is no
warning of God's coming judgment and the overcoming
changes God is desiring to bring forth in His people. The words
of the prophet Jeremiah are ringing ever so true in the earth
today:

          "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear
          rule by their means; and My people love to have it so:
          and what will ye do in the end thereof?" *** Jeremiah 5:31

God was about to birth that which would replace the old,
religious system as well as the corrupt, political system that
was ruling over His people.

          "Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come
          about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a
          son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I
          have asked him of the Lord." *** I Samuel 1:20

Samuel's name means "heard of God". Hannah prayed in the
Spirit, and God heard and answered her prayers. Today God is
hearing the prayers of His true church (the Hannahs) as they
are crying out before God to bring forth His manifested sons.
God has heard their prayers and the bitterness of their souls.
He is about to bring forth His Samuels who will serve Him
with gladness and with their whole heart.

Samuel was to be a Nazarite and dedicated to God. His life
was to be pure before God. Samuel was the beginning of a new
order God would bring forth in the earth. This new order
would not be after the tribe of Levi, but of the tribe of
Ephraim.

The word Levi means "joined". In the Old Testament only those
who were Levites could be part of the priesthood. They were all
joined together because of their tribal relationship. These were
ordained to keep the letter of the Law. How this resembles the
denominational system in the earth today! Their system must
be joined, then the letter of their order must be kept. These are
taught they must become part of each other in their order.
They are not taught they must become part of the body of
Christ to be acceptable in God's Kingdom.

As in Samuel, there is a new order coming forth in our day.
Those who are be-in separated, dedicated, and pure before God
will become part of the tribe of Spiritual Ephraim, the body of
Christ. The word Ephraim means "I shall be double fruitful".
God is raising up His "Son Company" who will be double
fruitful in the earth.

The old, religious order under Eli would remain until the
judgment of God fell upon it. The same will be true in the end
of this age. The Apostle Peter revealed:

          "For the time is come that Judgment must begin at the
          house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the
          end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" *** I
          Peter 4:17

Judgment is coming on the house of God. Peter asked the
question, "What shall the end be of them that obey not the
gospel of God?" This question is directed to the church. The
world is not expected to obey the gospel. The question is, "What
shall be the end of them who obey not the gospel of God?" We
discover the answer to this question as we view the disobedient
religious order of Eli's day:

          "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not
          the Lord." *** I Samuel 2:12

Eli's sons were sons of Belial. The word Belial means
"worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, and base". Eli's sons
were Hophni and Phinehas. The name Hophni means
"champion, fighter, pugilist, one who earns his living with his
fists". The name Phinehas means "mouth of brass". In the Bible,
brass is the symbol of sin.

Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were allowed to minister in
the tabernacle. They were not anointed of God, but ministered
by the consent and permission of Eli. These represent the
seminary, trained pastors who are only there because of
opportunity. There is no calling or anointing to minister to
God's people. They are there by the consent and permission of
their religious order. The pulpits are filled with Hophnis and
Phinehases who fight to keep their position, and who
compromise the Word of God through their mouths of sin to
maintain what they have not earned.

Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, did not know the Lord. They
had no relationship with the Lord. They were placed in their
position, not by calling, but by the head of the religious order.
Today, many become pastors of churches, not because they are
called, but simply as a vocation.

          "Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great
          before the Lord: for men abhorred the offer-in of the
          Lord." *** I Samuel 2:17

Because of the actions of Hophni and Phinehas, the people
began to abhor the offering of the Lord. The word abhorred
means "despised, contempt for, and spurned". When Israel
came with their meat offering before the Lord the priests were to have their portion:

          "And the priests' custom with the people was that,
          when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant
          came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook
          of three teeth in his hand;
          And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or
          pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for
          himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites
          that came thither." *** I Samuel 2:13 - 14

God ordained numerous sacrifices for Israel to observe. Under
the law, these sacrifices were designed to atone, placate, or set
aside Israel's sin. Israel was to make these sacrifices with a
willing heart. Some of the meat offerings were to be boiled in a
caldron, while others were to be burned upon the altars.

God ordained the priests were to partake of the altar; or, their
food was to be taken from the sacrifices. The priests were to use
a fleshhook. Whatever the fleshhook brought up was the priest's
portion. But the evil priests, Hophni and Phinehas, perverted
God's intended purpose for the Lord's sacrifice. Hophni and
Phinehas' fleshhooks had three teeth so their share would be
more, and the Lord's sacrifice would be diminished. This caused
the people to abhor the Lord's sacrifice. Many times they were
threatened or punished

if their sacrifice was not acceptable in the sight of these evil
priests.

          "Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant
          came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to
          roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of
          thee, but raw.
          And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to
          burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy
          soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but
          thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by
          force." *** I Samuel 2:15-16

Many in leadership today, as Hophni and Phinehas, make a
mockery of God's intended purpose for His people. The flock is
told how much they are to give to the church. Inquiry is made
as to a person's income, and then an assessment is made, and
that amount must be given to the church; or, they are made a
spectacle of, and are looked down upon for not fulfilling their
duty to God. God never intended His people to be put in
financial bondage to support big buildings or high salaries for
those who have set themselves over the people. All giving to
God and His work must be with a willing heart. If a willing
heart is not present, then their giving is not acceptable before
the Lord. That person might just as well have kept it.

Some churches and denominations even sell seats in their
churches. The best seats sell for more, and the lesser seats sell
for less. Those who can afford sit in the best seats, and are more
honored. When someone dies their seat is sold to the highest
bidder, and the fee must be paid every year to keep the best
seat. Of course prices can change without notice.

Jesus overthrew the moneychangers in the temple, saying,

          "...It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye
          have made it a den of thieves." *** Luke 19:46

In many cases God's house has become a den of thieves. It has
not been a house of prayer for many years. It is about time for
God to throw the moneychangers out of His temple again.

Hophni and Phinehas are types of what God's church has
become at the end of the age. Samuel wrote:

          "... for men abhorred the offering of the Lord." *** I
          Samuel 2:17

Today multitudes have left the church because they abhor the
offering of the Lord. Many have become weary of attending a
church where the only message that comes forth is the needs of
the ministry or the minister.

          "Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did
          unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that
          assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the
          con-gregation." *** I Samuel 2:22

Eli was told of all the sins of his sons, and how they lay with the
women at the door of the tabernacle. Today, adultery and
fornication are rampant in the church. Many ministers have
set themselves up as the Spiritual husband of the women in the
congregation. This is an abomination before the Lord, and His
wrath will be poured out in all its fury upon these
whoremongers. Some well-known ministers have been caught
and exposed, while the lesser known simply run off with their
favorite whore and start another work elsewhere, and the
process begins all over again.

Another sin that has come to light in recent years is the sexual
abuse of children. So the church won't be embarrassed, this has
been kept under cover. Some who have been exposed in this
most heinous of all crimes upon the innocent have been
protected by their denominations for twenty or more years.
They were never removed from their positions, and no steps
were taken to protect the children involved. These atrocities
have left deep scars in many children which are still being
dealt with in their adult life. Those who have been abused still
view God by those who rep-resented God in their young life.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of the shepherds of the flock at the
end of the age:

          "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they
          are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying
          down, loving to slumber.
          Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have
          enough, and they are shepherds that cannot
          under-stand: they all look to their own way, every one
          for his gain, from his quarter.
          Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill
          ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as
          this day, and much more abundant." *** Isaiah 56:10-12

His watchmen are His shepherds. Isaiah relates these
watchmen are blind, ignorant, greedy, and only interested in
themselves. They say, "I will bring wine, and we will fill
ourselves with strong drink." Alcoholism and drug abuse are
rampant in the ministry today. Many in the hierarchy of large
denominations have been to dry out centers. And yet they
remain in their high positions with only a slap on the wrist.
There is no shame left in them. They try to justify themselves
by saying, "It’s because of the pressures of our position that we
do these things". They may be able to convince the people, I
doubt if they will convince God.

Eli was aware of the sins of his sons, as the church system
today is aware of the sins of those they have ordained. Eli spoke
to his sons:

          "...Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil
          dealing by all this people." *** I Samuel 2:23

All the dealings Hophni and Phinehas had with the people
were evil. The people did not want to come to the tabernacle
because they knew they would be taken advantage of in the
name of the Lord. Today people stay away from the church in
droves because of the same reason. They are tired of being
robbed and spoiled to support that which God has not ordained.
Eli spoke to his sons:

          "Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye
          make the Lord's people to transgress." *** I Samuel 2:24

The people were transgressing because of the actions of the
sinful priests. Today, the organized church systems wonder
why people no longer desire to come to their meetings. When
the church again becomes a house of prayer, a powerhouse in
the community, and a bastion for all that is holy, clean, and
pure, you will not be able to keep the people away. But as long
as the church looks like the world, acts like the world, and
indulges in all the worldly ac-tivities, the people might just as
well remain in the world. Eli told his sons:

          "If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge
          him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall
          entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not
          unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would
          slay them." *** I Samuel 2:25

Eli knew the ways of God, and he knew the punishment of God.
When those in leadership fall into sin, who shall entreat for
them? The word entreat means "to pray or intercede". When
leadership falls into sin, they are judged by God, and God alone.
Those who will not harken to the voice of the Father will be
judged.

Hannah was barren, but she asked the Lord for a son, and God
granted her re-quest. She conceived and gave birth to Samuel.
The following year Elkanah went up to Shiloh to offer his
yearly sacrifice but...

          "...Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband,
          I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I
          will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord,
          and there abide for ever." *** I Samuel 1:22

Hannah refused to take Samuel up to Shiloh to become part of
the old, religious system until he was weaned. The phrase to be
weaned means "to no longer have need of the mother's milk".
God cannot use those who remain on the mother's milk. The
mother represents the old church system whose only desire is to
bring babies to birth. They are content to keep God's people
babies and never bring them to maturity. Because of this, the
people cannot grow and learn to hear the Father's voice. The
church system desires to have the people remain children so
they will be dependent on them. Those who attend these
churches are content to drink of the watered down precepts
and doctrines of men. These remain children, desiring their
own way and doing their own things. The prophet Isaiah
declared:

          "Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He
          make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned
          from the milk and drawn from the breast." *** Isaiah 28:9

We cannot obtain the knowledge of God, nor can we
understand His doctrine (teachings) as long as we are feeding
on the milk of the Word. The writer of Hebrews gives insight to
those who are living on milk:

          "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word
          of righteousness: for he is a babe." *** Hebrews 5:13

Those who are unskillful in the Word of righteousness are still
babies, still feed-in on the breast of the mother church. The
Apostle Peter admonished:

          "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the
          Word, that ye may grow thereby:" *** I Peter 2:2

Newborn babes are to desire the milk that they may grow
thereby. Yet we see people sitting in the church system for
twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years, who are still not skillful in
the Word of God. They still remain babies. Hannah was
de-termined not to take Samuel to Shiloh until he was weaned.

          "And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what
          seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him;
          only the Lord establish His Word. So the woman abode,
          and gave her son suck until she weaned him." *** I
          Samuel 1:23

Elkanah, Hannah's husband, was in agreement with her that
Samuel should not go up to Shiloh until the Lord had
established His Word. Today, God is trying to wean His people
from the milk of the Word, so He might establish the meat of
the Word in their lives. The writer of Hebrews informs us:

          "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,
          even those who by reason of use have their senses
          exercised to discern both good and evil." *** Hebrews 5:14

God is wanting His people to begin to feed on the strong meat
of His Word. The word strong means "immovable, steadfast,
and firm." When God's people feed on the strong meat of the
Word, they will become firm, steadfast, immovable in their
faith. The world will no longer hold an allurement in their life.
They will grow in discerning both good and evil by the Word of
God. God will guide them by the direction of the Holy Spirit to
deeper understanding of the meat of the Word.

          "And when she had weaned him she took him up with
          her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a
          bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the
          Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young." *** I Samuel 1:24

Samuel was "young". The "young men" are those who are
growing in God's Word. Samuel had been totally weaned of the
mother's milk. He would never again become part of the old,
religious system.

God was about to do a new thing in the priesthood. Samuel was
not of the tribe of Levi. He was of the tribe of Ephraim.
Ephraim was the son of Joseph. Joseph's name means "another
son". Ephraim's name means "double fruitfulness". The prophet
Jeremiah prophesied of this other son:

          "They shall come with weeping, and with supplications
          will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the
          rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall
          not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is
          my firstborn." *** Jeremiah 31:9

Ephraim represents God's firstborn sons. Ephraim is the tribe of
the Holy Spirit. God's firstborn sons are those whom He has
chosen from the foundation of the world to receive the Double
Portion anointing. These will follow the Lamb wherever He
goes. These have been weaned from the breast, and are feeding
on the strong meat of the Word. Jesus revealed the one
hundred and forty-four thousand to John on the Isle of Patmos.
Of these He declared:

          "These are they which were not defiled with women;
          for they are virgins. These are they which follow the
          Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed
          from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to
          the Lamb." *** Revelation 14:4

These have not been defiled with women. The word women
represents the old church system. Those who have not been
defiled by the old church system are God's undefiled virgins.
These are those in every generation who have not allowed
themselves to be defiled by all that is called "religion". These
follow the Lamb wherever He goeth. God has redeemed these
one hundred and forty-four thousand, and set them in a
separate realm to minister at His command. These are God's
Firstfruit Company, the Ephramites who have become His
firstborn sons, the Samuels God is raising up in the earth to
minister apart from the old church system. As Hannah
declared:

          "Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as
          he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he
          worshipped the Lord there." *** I Samuel 1:28

Hannah represents the true church, those whose total desire is
to give the Lord those sons who will fully follow the Lord in
true worship and praise. Hannah did not send Samuel to
Shiloh until she knew he was determined to worship the Lord
in Spirit and in truth, and the Word of God was established in
His life. We, too, must be weaned from the milk of the old,
religious system. We, too, must determine, no matter what the
situation, we will wholly follow on to partake of the meat of
God's Word.

          "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour
          both with the Lord, and also with men." *** I Samuel 2:26

Samuel was not only pleasing in the eyes of the Lord, he also
found favour with man. The all-wise Solomon wrote:

          "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even
          his enemies to be at peace with him." *** Proverbs 16:7

When we make God's way our way, we can have peace even
with our enemies because, as Jesus declared, "We are to love
our enemies", *** Matthew 5:44.

          "And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before
          Eli. And the Word of the Lord was precious in those
          days; there was no open vision." *** I Samuel 3:1

The Word of God was precious in Samuel's day because the
religious system had forsaken the Word, and only ministered
by rituals. Today, God's Word has also been compromised. God
has removed His Word from these people. Even though they try
to search out the Word, it remains hidden to them because they
will not present it in the pure sense in which God has given it.
Rather, they turn the Word of God to suit their own purposes.
The prophet Amos wrote:

          "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will
          send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a
          thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of the Lord."
          *** Amos 8:11

There was a famine of the Word of God in Israel in Samuel's
day, and there is a famine of the Word of God in our day.
There was no open vision. The word open is the Hebrew word
PARATS and means "to burst through". God's people not only
need a vision, they need to be able to break through there old,
self-nature and begin to operate in the vision God has given
them. Sad to say, most churches have no vision. They go along,
holding services, trying to think up new ways to fill pews,
instead of seeking God for His vision for the work they are to
do. Because most churches have no vision, God is not in what
they are doing. Solomon gave insight into what happens where
there is no vision:

          "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he
          that keepeth the law, happy is he." *** Proverbs 29:18

When there is no Spiritual insight into God's Word, when there
is no understanding of God's revelation, then His people perish.
They die Spiritually. They choose, rather to either attend
church out of obligation, or fall away all together.

          "And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid
          down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that
          he could not see." *** I Samuel 3:2

Blindness had come upon Eli, and Spiritual blindness has come
upon the church. Eli had laid down in his place, content in his
life. There was no desire left in Eli to move on in the things of
God. He was happy with the status quo, only maintaining, not
going forward or backwards. What a picture of today's church.
The pastors have become afraid to speak what God is saying to
them. They are afraid someone might leave, and this would
look bad on their record at headquarters. Those who do not
maintain cannot expect a better assignment. How far has the
church fallen?

          "And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the
          Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid
          down to sleep;" *** I Samuel 3:3

The word ere means "before". So, before the lamp of God went
totally out in the temple of the Lord, Samuel began to hear the
Lord's call. God was about to appear to Samuel to tell him the
things He would bring upon Eli and the old, religious church
sys-tem. Samuel heard a voice, and supposing it was Eli, ran
and awoke Eli, saying...

          "...Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he (Eli) said, I
          called not; lie down again. And he (Samuel) went and
          lay down." *** I Samuel 3:5

When the Lord spoke to Samuel, he ran back to the old,
religious system seeking instruction. But there was no calling
for Samuel in the old, religious system. The Lord called Samuel
three times. Three times Samuel ran to Eli:

          "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was
          the Word of the Lord yet revealed unto Him." *** I
          Samuel 3:7

Samuel had yet to develop a relationship with the Lord. God's
Word had not yet been revealed to Samuel. Many Samuels
today know there is a special calling in their lives, but God's
Word has yet to be revealed to them. The true calling in their
lives has yet to be confirmed by the voice of the Father. As we
come to the end of the age, every man whom God will use in
this endtime calling will have their special meeting with their
God, just as Samuel; and their instructions will be clear. After
the third call, Samuel finally realized there was no calling for
his life in the old, religious system.

God was desiring to speak to Samuel directly. From that time
on Samuel knew God's voice and followed His direction. God is
raising up His Samuels today who are coming to the
realization the old, religious system is not hearing God's voice,
nor His instruction, nor are they following His directions.
These have discovered there is no calling for them in the old
system. God is calling His Samuels who have developed
Spiritual ears to hear directly from the Lord.

The Lord appeared unto Samuel, and informed him:

          "...Behold, I will do a new thing in Israel, at which both
          the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle." *** I
          Samuel 3:11

A new thing was about to happen in Israel. God proceeded to
tell Samuel of the judgment He would bring upon the religious
system and the sons of Eli. After God's judgment, Samuel would
replace the old, religious order with God's order. God is about to
do a new thing in our day. God is raising up His Samuels in
the earth today. These, too, will replace the old, religious order.
These will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. The
prophet Isaiah wrote of the day that lies directly ahead of us:

          "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring
          forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in
          the wilderness, and rivers in the desert?" *** Isaiah 43:19

What is this new thing? Rivers of living water are about to
spring forth from our innermost being. These waters of God's
Word will water the parched desert. The Samuels will minister
to those whose religion has driven them to this barren
wilderness of confusion and neglect. This dry, scorched
existence now evident in the church will begin to blossom as a
rose, and fill the whole earth with the glory of the Lord, *** Isaiah
35:1.

          "And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord
          revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of
          the Lord." *** I Samuel 3:21

The Word of the Lord was once again coming to Shiloh, and
Samuel was there ready and willing to hear its instruction.
The Lord is calling to His people today through His Word as
never before. Yet many do not have time for the Word. Their
busy life-style has robbed them of their revelation of God. As
John revealed:
 

          "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
          with God, and the Word was God." *** John 1:1
 

Those who get to know their God must come to the Holy
Scriptures to renew their relationship with God. These must
renew their calling by the Spirit of Truth lest the lamp of God
go out in their lives.

We need to come to a Spiritual under-standing of the light. In
Samuel's time, the temple of God had not yet been built. The
Ark of God still dwelt in the tabernacle in the Holy of Holies.
The only light in the tabernacle was the light of the candlestick
in the Holy Place. A veil separated the Holy Place and the
Holy of Holies. There was no light in the Holy of Holies except
once a year when the Shekinah glory of God appeared on the
Day of Atonement. This was the day the high priest entered
into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices in the presence of God
for all Israel. When the high priest entered into the Holy of
Holies, if there was any sin unatoned in his life, he would die.

We need to discern the Spiritual difference between the
tabernacle and the temple. The tabernacle was covered with
skins and was a temporary dwelling place for the Ark of God.
The temple was made of lasting materials that would stand
forever. We are now dwelling in our tabernacle, a temporary
dwelling place covered with skin, but God has promised a
change. Paul revealed this change to all who will hear:

          "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep,
          but we shall all be changed,

          In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
          trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
          be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." *** I
          Corinthians 15:51-52

This is when corruption will put on incorruption, and
mortality will put on immortality. When this change takes
place, the words Paul wrote to the church at Corinth will be
fulfilled:

          "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that
          the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" *** I Corinthians 3:16

Those who have the Spirit of God dwelling in them are the
temple of God. In Samuel’s day the lamp of God went out in the
temple. Why was the lamp of God extinguished in the temple?
It was extinguished because of the evil ways of the high priest
order. God's judgment was about to bring an end to their whole
system. Why, because they could no longer stand in the
presence of His Shekinah glory in the Holy of Holies.

Today, the church is represented by the candlestick, ***
Revelation 1:20. Jesus instructed John to write to the church at
Ephesus:

          "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and
          repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto
          thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his
          place, except thou repent." *** Revelation 2:5

God is about to remove His Oil from those who refuse
to enter into the Holy of Holies into His true light. The
arti-ficial light of the old, religious system will not shine into
the new day. We need to recognize the light in our life. The
beloved John was a chosen vessel who heard the Lord's call, and
wrote:

          "This then is the message which we have heard of Him,
          and declared unto you, that God is light, and in Him is
          no darkness at all." *** I John 1:5

God is calling today. He is calling to a people who are without
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, who can come into the Holy
of Holies and stand before the Ark of God without sin. God is
light, and in His presence there will be no darkness. God has
called and called to the old, religious system. He has spoken
many times through His Word, through His prophets, through
writings, and through meetings. Yet they refuse to hear His
call. John wrote:

          "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into
          the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
          because their deeds were evil." *** John 3:19

Jesus is the light that came into the world. John recorded Jesus'
words:

          "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
          light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk
          in darkness, but shall have the light of life." *** John 8:12

The church continues to walk in dark-ness because they have
rejected the Light, they have rejected His words, and they
have rejected His example. They continue on, as Eli, unto the
death of the whole system. God is sending out the warning! Will
you hear? The candlestick of God is about to be removed. God's
message to the church system in this hour must go forth, and
we must develop a hearing ear:

          "Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleekest, and
          arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
          *** Ephesians 5:14

God is holding out the Light of Life to those who are dwelling in
death. His desire is for them to arise and come to the light
revealed through His Word by the Spirit of the living God.
Paul wrote to Thesalonians:

          "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
          day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." *** I
          Thessalonians 5:5

Those who come to the light become the children of light; the
children of the day. The spirit of darkness is given no place in
them. God's warning is going forth today, clearly declaring the
times and the seasons God is about to bring upon the earth.
Will you, as Samuel, hear His voice and come to the light of the
knowledge of the truth found in God's Word? Or will you
remain, complacent, at ease, your vision dimmed, and waning
as Eli? The Lord spoke directly to Eli twice: first through a
prophet, and secondly through Samuel:

          "And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto
          him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto
          the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in
          Pharaoh's house?
          And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be
          my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to
          wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the
          house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the
          children of Israel." *** I Samuel 2:27-28

The man of God reminded Eli of his calling and inheritance in
God. Then he spoke the judgment God would bring upon Eli's
house:

          "Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm,
          and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not
          be an old man in thine house." *** I Samuel 2:31

God spoke that He was going to cut off Eli's arm, and the arm
of his father's house. The arm always represents "strength". The
strength of any work is its outreach. God revealed to Eli that he
had no outreach. He was only maintaining, and not going
forward. He also told Eli, "There shall not be an old man in
thine house". God was going to bring the old, religious system
and

its offspring to an end. The man of God continued:

          "And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from
          mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to
          grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house
          shall die in the flower of their age." *** I Samuel 2:33

The word eyes means "mental and spiritual faculties". The
word consume means "to bring to an end". The actions of
Hophni and Phinehas greatly grieved their father's heart
because he knew they were destroying their mental and
spiritual faculties. The all-wise Solomon wrote:

          "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to
          her that bare him." *** Proverbs 17:25

Eli was given a chance to repent of his ways, or he and his sons
would suffer the consequences. That consequence would be
Spiritual blindness, loss of Spiritual hear-in, and the death of
his offspring. Today the church system is grieved by that which
it has brought forth. They are searching for answers, but they
have become mentally and Spiritually impaired. They must
turn again with their whole heart and repent and once again
seek to come into God's favor.

          "And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come
          upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one
          day they shall die both of them." *** I Samuel 2:34

God's judgment was about to fall upon Eli's sons because he
would not repent nor deal with his sons. This judgment would
not only affect Eli and his house, but the whole nation of Israel.
We must remember what Jesus declared to John about the
church at Ephesus:

          "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and
          repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto
          thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his
          place, except thou repent." *** Revelation 2:5

Jesus’ revelation to John was for the seven churches of John's
day. It is still a warning to the church system today. If any of
the same conditions that existed in the seven churches of Asia
exist in any church today, then God's judgment will fall upon
that church.

Jesus' promise to the church at Ephesus was the same as it was
to Eli. First He reminded them of their position and calling
from which they had fallen. God reminded Eli that He had
chosen the tribe of Levi to be His priests. Today, we are
reminded that God has not only called us, but chosen us, to be
not only His priests, but His kings in the earth, also. Today,
God is calling His priesthood to repentance. God is
admonishing us to re-pent and do the first works. What are the
first works we are to accomplish in our lives? Many would
state, "Our first work is to witness to the lost." Is this why God
called us? Paul wrote to the church at Rome:

          "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into
          death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead
          by the glory of the Father,
          even so we also should walk in newness of life." ***
          Romans 6:4

Our first work is to know our God that we may walk in
newness of life. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

          "Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new
          creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
          are become new." *** II Corinthians 5:17

We are to become a new creation in God, witnessing all the old
things passing away, and all things becoming new in our life.
To the Ephesians Paul wrote:

          "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is
          created in righteousness and true holiness." *** Ephesians
          4:24

Our first work is to put on the new man which is created in
righteous and true holiness. To the Colossians Paul wrote:

          "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in
          knowledge after the image of Him that created him."
          *** Colossians 3:10

Our first work is to put on the new man that is renewed in
knowledge after the image of Him that created him. If people
can witness no change in our lives, our witness is untrue. We
must become a new creation in Him, and walk in newness of
life, if we are to become His example to a world who has lost its
way, where their only vision is one of despair and
disillusionment. God has opened the way in which we should
walk.

Today is the Day of Repentance. We must become a living
witness in the earth, or God will remove His candlestick, His
presence, and His light from our midst. This was the message to
Eli, and it is the message to the church system today. The
church needs to recognize from whence it has fallen.

God told Eli his two sons would die in one day. Those who have
raised themselves up in the church, who have no calling or
anointing, will be destroyed in one day. The prophet Jeremiah
spoke much about the pastors who occupy the pulpits in this
last hour of time:

          "Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have
          trodden my portion under foot, they have made my
          pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
          They have made it desolate, and being desolate it
          mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate,
          because no man layeth it to heart." *** Jeremiah 12:10-11

God's prophets are speaking to the church system today. Their
message is "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at Hand". But
the church, like Eli, is not laying these words to heart in their
own lives. They continue in their own way, doing their own
thing, accomplishing their own purposes. Because of this gross
neglect, God's people are mourning before the Lord. Sound
teaching and life-changing messages no longer come forth from
the pulpit. Few know God's voice. But His warning is sure to
those who will hear, and declare, "Here am I. Show me what I
must do."

Eli was warned by the prophet of God, but this was not the only
warning given to Eli. When the Lord appeared to Samuel, He
told Samuel exactly what He was going to do to the house of
Eli:

          "In that day I will perform against Eli all things which
          I have spoken concerning his house: When I begin, I
          will also make an end.
          For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever
          for the iniquity which he knoweth; be-cause his sons
          made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

          And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that
          the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with
          sacrifice nor offering for ever." *** I Samuel 3:12-14

Eli's fate was sealed. God knew the thoughts and intents of Eli's
heart. God knew Eli was old, blind, and deaf. God knew Eli had
no zeal to serve Him. Eli was only maintaining a status quo.
He knew his sons were vile, yet he restrained them not.

Instead he made excuses for them, justifying their actions.

What a perfect picture of the religious system in the earth
today. It matters not the name the religious system has given
itself. They are all serving the same religious spirit. This
religious spirit brings separation and division to the body

of Christ. Paul wrote to Timothy about the condition of the
religious system:

          "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
          thereof: from such turn away." *** II Timothy 3:5

********************

The church system has a form of god-lines but deny the power
of change in their lives. They have no relationship with the
Holy Spirit except in name only. The Holy Spirit is spoken of,
but given no place in their presence. Paul spoke of these:

          "Ever learning, and never able to come to the
          knowledge of the truth." *** II Timothy 3:7

The Truth is the Spirit of Truth. Paul was writing to Timothy
about those who are ever learning but cannot come to the
know-ledge of the Holy Spirit working in their lives. These
have refused to hear what the Spirit is saying unto the
churches. We are warned to turn away from those who only
have a form of godliness, but have denied the work of the Holy
Spirit in their lives.

Because Eli would not repent, God informed Samuel:

          "...the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with
          sacrifice nor offering for ever." *** I Samuel 3:14

Many believe their good works make them acceptable before
God. All God is looking for is clean hands and a pure heart. Our
good works should only display our faith in God. The Apostle
James wrote:

          "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have
          works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will
          shew thee my faith by my works." *** James 2:18

If there is any other reason for our good works than faith, our
good works become vain, and are a stink in God's nostrils. Our
hands which represent our service before God must be clean,
free from holding any filthy lucre or any filth of the flesh. Our
hearts must be pure before God. If our motives are pure then
our works will be acceptable before God.

The day came when God's judgment would be fulfilled in Eli's
house. God raised up the Philistines to bring His judgment
upon Eli and the whole nation Israel. Israel went out to battle
against the Philistines and about four thousand Israelites were
slain. The presence of God had departed, and because of this
Israel could only fight in their own strength, which was small.

          "So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring
          from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of
          hosts, which dwelleth between the Cherubims: and the
          two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with
          the ark of the covenant of God." *** I Samuel 4:4

The people of Israel were no different from many today. When
things start to go wrong, they want God back in their presence
to fight their battles. Hophni and Phinehas brought the Ark to
the battle, but they would not take it home.

          "And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came
          into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so
          that the earth rang again." *** I Samuel 4:5

When the Ark came into the camp the people shouted, but God
was not in the camp. His presence had departed, and Israel
was left to fight their own battles because they failed to heed
the Word of God. The same is true today. Judgment must begin
at the house of God. When His judgment comes, there will be no
turning back. It will be too late for repentance, too late for
prayer, too late to change one's ways. God revealed this day to
John on the Isle of Patmos:

          "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which
          is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous,
          let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be
          holy still." *** Revelation 22:11

There's a day coming when those who are unjust and filthy in
their ways will remain as they are. God's judgment will be
wrought on their unholy condition. Only those who are
righteous and holy will not suffer God's coming judgment upon
the church system. Israel was totally defeated.

          "And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli,
          Hophni and Phinehas, were slain." *** I Samuel 4:11

The Ark of God was removed from Israel. The Ark represents
seven things in our lives:
1 -God's presence
2 -God's power
3 -God's provision
4 -God's peace
5 -God's protection
6 -God's praise
7 -God's prosperity

Israel stood naked in the midst of their enemy and the battle
was lost.

          "And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army,
          and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent,
          and with earth upon his head.
          And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the
          wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of
          God. And when the man came into the city, and told
          it, all the city cried out.
          Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes
          were dim, that he could not see." *** I Samuel 4:12, 13, & 15

Eli, the old church system was old and blind. Eli was
ninety-eight. His useful-ness had long since past. Many brag
how old

their church system is. If they could only see how blind it is. Eli
knew he had been warned, and his judgment had come. His
arms of strength and outreach had been cut off. The Ark had
been taken. God's presence, power, provision, peace, protection,
praise, and prosperity had been removed from Israel's
presence. God never returned to Eli, nor to the religious
system.

In total despair Eli asked, "What was the outcome of the
battle?"

          "And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled
          before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great
          slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also,
          Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is
          taken.
          And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark
          of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the
          side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he
          was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel
          forty years." *** I Samuel 4:17-18

When Eli heard the Ark was taken, he fell off his seat
backwards, and his neck was broken. The neck is what
connects the head to the rest of the body. When the neck is
broken, the body cannot survive because the head no longer
sends signals to the body. Eli's neck was broken. Spiritually
speaking, the neck of the church system is broken, and the head
(Christ) is no longer sending signals to the body. Because of this
the body has ceased to function.

Eli fell backwards. "Falling back-wards" shows rebellion to the
Lord. There are many places in the Bible where man came into
the presence of the Lord. Every time, they fell on their faces
before the Lord. The Bible records Abraham fell on his face in
the presence of the Lord, *** Genesis 17:17. Balaam fell on his face
before the Lord, *** Numbers 22:31. Likewise, Joshua, *** Joshua 5:14;
Ezekiel, *** Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel, *** Daniel 8:17; Jesus' disciples, ***
Matthew 17:6; Jesus Himself, *** Matthew 26:39; Paul on his road to
Damascus, *** Acts 9:4. Even Goliath, when David's stone sank
deep into his forehead, fell on his face before the Lord.

There are only two places in the Bible where men fell
backwards: Eli, and when the mob came to take Jesus in the
garden, *** John 18:6. Three times in God's Word it states, "Every
knee will bow before the Lord".

          "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee
          shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
          *** Romans 14:11

The other two scriptures which speak that every knee should
bow before the Lord are *** Isaiah 45:34 and *** Philippians 2:10. When
the knees bend, one is falling forward before the Lord in
submission to His will. When one falls backward, they are in
rebellion to God's will. God is desiring us to bend our knee to
His will. Eli refused to bend his knee, and because of this his
neck was broken.

God had totally removed His presence, power, provision, peace,
protection, praise, and prosperity from Israel. The Ark of God
fell into the hands of the Philistines. When the Philistines set
the Ark in the temple of their god, Dagon, a strange thing took place:

          "And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow,
          behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth
          before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and
          set him in his place again." *** I Samuel 5:3

Even the false gods of the heathen will bow before the presence
of God. Those who will not bow their knee before the Lord will
be destroyed. The Philistines set up their false God again,

          "And when they arose early on the morrow morning,
          behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground
          before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and
          both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the
          threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him." ***
          I Samuel 5:4

The head and hands of every false god in the world will be
broken off and destroyed. Every hold these false idols have in
our lives will be destroyed.

When Eli fell backwards his neck was broken and he died. Eli
was old and fat. The religious system today is old and fat. It has
become the Laodicean church in the earth today. Apathy
reigns in the religious church system. Paul wrote to the church
at Rome:

          "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and
          going about to establish their own righteousness, have
          not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
          God." *** Romans 10:3

Israel thought because they were chosen of God, they could sin,
offer an innocent animal, and again come into a right
standing with God; so they sinned willfully. The church has
developed this same mentality that God is a good God, a God of
love, who will never judge the people He has chosen. How
mistaken they are! We do serve a gracious and merciful God.
But God has another side. In his letter to Romans, Paul reveals:

          "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on
          them which fell, severity; but toward thee goodness, if
          thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also
          shalt be cut off." *** Romans 11:22

Those who have fallen from God's goodness because of their
sinful nature will suffer His severity. God's severity will fall on
all ungodliness. God will judge by His Word. If we cannot
prove what we are doing or what we believe by the Word of
God, then His judgment will come. It is not God's desire to
judge, but that we all should come to repentance, *** II Peter 3:9.
God's desire is to come into an intimate relationship with His
body. As Jesus re-veiled to John concerning the Laodicean
church:

          "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man
          hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to
          him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." ***
          Revelation 3:20

God is knocking on the door of the church system. He has sent
His prophets, He has spoken through His young men, and He
has admonished the Hophnis and Phinehases that stand in the
pulpit. But they have turned a deaf ear and continue to be the
sons of Belial.

When the messenger told Eli of the fate of the Ark and his sons,
Eli's heart failed him for fear.

          "And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with
          child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the
          tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her
          father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed
          herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
          And about the time of her death the women that stood
          by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a
          son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.
          And she named the child Ichabod , saying, The glory is
          departed from Israel: because the ark of God was
          taken, and because of her father in law and her
          husband." *** I Samuel 4:19-21

The only thing the old church system produced was Ichabod
which means "the glory has departed". Although the Ark was
gone, Israel continued their ritualistic services in the
tabernacle. Everything continued as before, except God was
not a part of it. It looked good on the outside. What seemed to
be their worship of God was only show. All their priestly
garments, all their holy vessels were empty because the
anointing, the glory of God, had departed. The prophet
Jeremiah speaks of the pastors in our day:

          "Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the
          pastors that feed My people; Ye have scattered My
          flock, and driven them away, and have not visited
          them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your
          doings, saith the Lord." *** Jeremiah 23:2

God will punish these unfaithful pastors, just as He punished
Eli. These unfaithful pastors have not only scattered God's
flock, but have robbed them of their inheritance in God. These
pastors have refused to perform their God-given duty to feed
the flock of God. Because of this the flock is perishing of
malnutrition.

God's flock has become weak, unable to ward off any attack of
the enemy. They are being consumed by their own lust and
greed. The pastors have not shown them the way back to the
Father. This has happened because the pastors have also lost
their way. They simply go along, falling into every ditch, every
rut, following their religious codes, hoping they are acceptable
in the sight of God.

But God was not through, as He spoke through Samuel:

          "And I will raise Me up a faithful priest, that shall do
          according to that which is in Mine heart and in My
          mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall
          walk before Mine anointed for ever.
          And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in
          thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of
          silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I
          pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat
          a piece of bread." *** I Samuel 2:35-36

God was raising up Samuel to be a judge and Spiritual leader
over Israel. Samuel was not of the tribe of Levi. He was an
Ephramite. God is changing His order again. He is raising up
an army to feed and minister to His flock.

There is hope! God has given those who have lost their way a
beautiful promise through Jeremiah:

          "And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all
          countries whither I have driven them, and will bring
          them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful
          and increase.
          And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed
          them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed,
          neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord." *** Jeremiah
          23:3-4

God is training His faithful shepherds in the wilderness. These
are men of no reputation, who will nourish God's flock and
teach them His way so they may walk in His will.

God has given us the examples of Eli and Samuel to give us
hope in the days ahead. God has not lost the battle for the heart
of His people, nor have false pastors and teachers changed
God's original plan for His creation.

All the world powers cannot change the overcoming power in
God's true people. We have a victory, and it is not in bigness.
Our victory comes from a changed heart. When our thinking
changes, our relationship to God will change. When we begin to
worship God with our whole being, His presence, power,
provision, peace, pro-tection, praise, and prosperity will return
unto His people. These will worship the Lord in Spirit and in
truth.

          "...For the Father seeketh such to worship Him." *** John
          4:23

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