Love Beyond COVID Hebrews 8:13-9:28
Introduction https://youtu.be/VJj37sZYNn4
Today is an opportunity for us to go deeper in discerning the purposes of the Lord through COVID19 pandemic for the Church in Australia[1]. As “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36) the “Lamb of God” [2] sovereignly rules from heaven over all outpourings of divine wrath on earth[3], including “pestilence” (Rev 6:8). Since the Old Testament testifies, “the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret/plan to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7), and New teaches, the Father is “making known to us the mystery/secret of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Eph 1:9-10), we would expect to hear prophetic voices clearly testifying[4] to the will of Jesus through this epidemic in ways that are testable (1 Cor 14:29; 1 Thess 5:19-21; 1 John 4:1). Sadly, such testimonies I know about are so vague as to be useless, or the dates set in them have failed to see fulfilment[5]. With a long memory I am hardly surprised[6]. When Christian people, whether pro or anti-vax[7], respond without prayer to science led[8] government policies[9] I discern foundational spiritual problems. Fear of the consequences of taking or not taking[10] the vaccine isn’t Christian, “for God gave us a spirit[11] not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7). Prayerless submission to secular authorities is the sort of rebellion in the Church against the mandates of heaven[12] which will in the end, whenever that may be, lead to submitting to the mark of the beast[13].
We are far from the responses to genuine last days apocalyptic encounters keenly anticipated in the book of Revelation[14]. Responses like prolonged intense prayer, Christ-centred worship, and uncompromising testimony to Jesus that includes a willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel[15]. In every age God is training[16] his Son’s Bride so she might be fit to reign with Jesus forever[17] (e.g. Dan 7:22; Matt 19:28; 1 Cor 6:2; Rev 5:9-10; 20:4), as such it must be possible to discern with some precision what “the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). For this we need the Spirit’s help to discern “heavenly things” above “earthly things” (John 3:12; Heb 8:5; 9:23)[18]. Yet as a community in Christ “seated in the heavenly places” (Eph 2:6; Col 3:1-3) with access to “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3) we are already sharing in the communion between heaven and earth. Moving beyond seeking the outward glory that so often accompanies our prayers for revival[19], we need to seek the much more difficult to receive inner glory of God[20]. I sense a coming revelation of the one glory of Jesus for his whole Church (John 17:22; Eph 3:21) far beyond all differences of opinion.[21] In the presence of our heavenly Husband differences of perspective about COVID are as nothing when we see each other reigning on thrones of equality[22].
What do I mean by “thrones of equality”? Some years ago, I was having a conversation with a Christian couple. He was a high powered well known popular pastor with political interests, every now and then his wife, who was seated a few metres away, would make a courteous remark. After a while I knew I had to pray for her so she could be released from living under the shadow of her husband. As I laid hands on her I prophesied, “I see various thrones in heaven…and all the thrones are on the same level of authority in Christ.” This revelation has huge implications for how Christians see and treat one another[23]. Pro vax/no vax/anti-vax are all equally accepted by the Lord so we must accept one another without disputations (Rom 14:1)[24]. This is no easy task, because it involves one of the most stubborn issues of human life, matters of conscience.
Imprisoned to Conscience
Since in the case of a pandemic we are dealing with the judgements of God[25] to discern the will of the Lord requires a unity of Spirit and conscience[26]. Situations like Christian employers getting very angry with their non-vaxed workers and families marginalising members who refuse to conform to government decrees all witness to an offended conscience[27]. Love speaks to the conscience in ways that reason season cannot, plus it is plain foolish to require of a believer that they go against their conscience[28]. If we as the one undivided Church are to enter into the fullness of loving unity Christ desires, we must share in the power of the witness he has provided, “For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.” (1 John 5:7-8). We need profound experiences of regeneration with of heaven sent “water” which launches a new life[29] (John 3:5; 1 Cor :11; Tit 3:5)[30], of the “blood” of the cross which “cleanses our conscience from dead works[31]” (Heb 9:14), and of the “Spirit” (1 John 5:6-8) who makes known “the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10). We need godly Christian men and women persuaded by a heaven-sent revelation that frees their consciences empowering them to totally love one another[32].
Until this happens swathes of the Western Church[33] will remain imprisoned by conscience and spiritually ignorant of what the Lamb of God is doing whilst stuck in incomprehensive reactiveness to each another. I see the devil holding many captive through an imprisonment of conscience[34]. To see the glory of the Lord in one another so COVID becomes a catalyst for greater oneness in the Body of Christ we need to be washed free from seeing one another’s perceived “dead works” as opportunity rather than obstacle to an unconditional fellowship of love. The letter to Hebrews speaks of these things in great depth.
Two Systems
Hebrews describes a radical transformation from an old pattern of God’s dealing with sinful humanity to a new and more perfect way[35]. Moses was commanded by God, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst[36]. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” (Ex 25:8-9 cf. 25:40; Num 8:4; Acts 7:44). The tabernacle, and later the temple, were weak, poor and temporary images of God’s ultimate perfect means of access to the heavenly fellowship with himself that would come in the death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus. Our current problem in the Church is that in practice many believers still relate to the “the things above” as if Christ had not come and transformed heaven itself (Heb 9:10). The dwarf prayer life of the average Australian Christian, not only in length of prayer but depth also[37], testifies infallibly that we are lacking dynamic communion[38] with the Jesus “who always lives to make intercession for us” (Heb 7:25) in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb 8:2). A revelation of how all Christians have equal access to the heavenly Father comes out in a verse in Hebrews that has puzzled many. In 9:23 the writer remarks first of the old covenant tabernacle, “Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites”, then says “but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” (Heb 9:23). The final cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary signifies that the way to eternal fellowship between God and humanity has been perfectly opened. Through the blood of the cross nothing of human or angelic sin[39] can now even be imagined in God’s presence[40]. Andrew Murray puts it like this, “As the blood (of Christ) was brought in, every vestige of the thought of sin was removed out of God’s presence; the heavens were cleansed; the heavens are now clear and bright, and the love of God can shine out in noonday glory.”
Full and final forgiveness[41] has come to earth through the heavenly realm being perfectly purified by the blood of the cross. Remember how he Lord said to Moses, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” (Lev 17:11). Under the old covenant pattern God and man were imperfectly reconciled/ reunited at the price of animal life. But no frail human conscience, compelled to make sacrifice again and again, could ever be “made perfect” (Heb 9:9, 10:1, 3, 11) by a sacrifice that reminded us of ongoing guilt. The shedding of the blood of Christ however means the price of God’s own infinitely precious life given up in mortal flesh (1 Pet 1:18-20)[42]. The impact of the revelation of this reality on the conscience of Christ’s death is weighty and glorious beyond measure. “For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Heb 9:13-14). The conscience of those awakened to the Spirit through faith “hears” the “sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Heb 12:24). It hears the blood speaking with divine authority crying out mercy and forgiveness[43]. It hears voice of the blood proclaiming a reconciliation without limit, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Col 1:19-20). Such a cleansed conscience enters by faith into the throne room of heaven where it understands (Rev 4:11) that from eternity[44] God created with a view to shedding the blood of the Lamb to bring all that was once lost back to himself (Rom 5:5-6)[45].
Raised “in the Spirit”[46] entering the heavenly throne room the perfected Christian conscience “sees” the whole Church. As Hebrews puts it so wonderfully[47], 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the CHURCH[48] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect[49], 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
The believing conscience now “made perfect” testifies that we every believer is “holy and blameless and above reproach” (Col 1:22 cf. Eph 1:4; 1 Thess 3:13; 5:23; Jude 24) in the presence of God. The New Testament witness does not hold back on these things; “For by one sacrifice he has perfected for all time those who are being made holy.” (Heb 10:14). This “perfection” is obviously not moral or religious; it is a share in the unlimited access we have to God in Christ[50]. For this testimony to be real in our hearts we need profound experiences of regeneration with “water” which launches a new life[51] (John 3:5)[52], the “blood” of the cross which “cleanses our conscience from dead works[53]” (Heb 9:14), and of the “Spirit” (1 John 5:6-8) who makes known “the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10). Today through the grace of God the COVID pandemic is laying bare[54] a severe deficiency in the heart of the Church and her prophets to live, teach and exemplify this truth.
I fear we do not realise that since God created the conscience as the gateway into the temple of the human heart,[55] only a thoroughly cleansed conscience will sustain a Spirit-filled innermost being[56]. As a model for later visitations, the outpouring of the Spirit on the Gentiles in Cornelius’ household follows this order, “having cleansed their hearts by faith” through believing in the message of forgiveness in Jesus (Acts 10:43; 15:9) the Lord then poured out upon them his Spirit in a “second Pentecost” (Acts 11:15; 15:8). Trust in the Lord for full and final forgiveness is a practical precondition for having a heart that can enter into the “holy places” of God n heaven (Heb 10:19) free from the fear of judgement. The old saying, “What the cross cleanses the Spirit fills.” (Hession) is a truth lost from our time. This is an ignorance of S/spirit realities that the Church cannot afford to go on living in.
The Things Coming on the Earth
Jesus prophesied of a coming time when, “there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world” (Luke 21:25-26)[57]. This is happening today in relation to the terrors of climate change and fear of future pandemics[58]. When we however turn to the climactic book in the Bible on future history, Revelation, one different sort of “sign” is singled out. “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars…5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.” (Rev 12:1, 5-6). Do you understand the solemn nature of this sign? Whatever is coming on the earth, the worse it is the more the glory of the greatest of earthly signs will shine ever more brightly, this is the unveiling of the Church[59]! The present pandemic exists for this great and eternal purpose, the unveiling of God’s rich eternal wisdom in the Church (Eph 3:10); but of these deep things we are slow to understand[60].
Conclusion
Going back to what I said about the scarcity of prophetic words concerning the pandemic, I can think of one personal experience that upholds the testimony of Jesus which is the S/spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10). Unexpectedly[61], an interstate friend said to me in a WhatsApp call, “I am getting vaccinated so I can go and help my Bride (in Samoa).” He was talking about his earthly wife, but in the Spirit I could sense Jesus reaching out to help his Bride the Church. the lord will not abandon his Bride in her hour of ignorance. It is not possible for any conviction my conscience has concerning another brother’s/sister’s conviction about COVID to stand in the face of God’s everlasting judgement of adoption and justification over his children (Rom 5:1; 8:1) bought with the price of his own blood[62].
As people were sending me various protest declarations[63] a while ago against governments enforcing vaccination measures, I sensed the Spirit was groaning and speaking about disunity in the Body of Christ. “You people always find something to fight over.”[64] Can it be different this time? Can we yield our deeply held convictions of conscience to the Lord as catalysts for an abiding in our already existing perfect heavenly unity?[65]
Paul tells Timothy to urge the Church in Ephesus to turn away from “empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith.” Then adds, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim 1:4-5). Insight into God’s mystery in Christ is not revealed to common sense nor to mystical approaches but to faith coming from a pure heart and clear conscience. This sincere faith will bear the fruit of extraordinary love. The Spirit of God isn’t interested in the ins and outs of our strong responses to pandemic mandates[66]. He says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:34-35). Such an extraordinary love for one another is the sign that Jesus was sent from heaven by the Father and the message which alone can save the world (John 17:21, 23)[67].
[1] As the failure of “prophecies” concerning the Trump re-election were for much of the American Church.
[2] Having “taken away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
[3] This language is clear from Rom 1:18, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness…” and Rev 6:16, “the wrath of the Lamb”.
[4] After all, “the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10).
[5] I can think of several failed prophecies sent my way. Last year I was referred to a detailed series of dreams had by an AOG pastor in America which predicted dire events in November, they did not happen. Earlier this year some folk asked me to look at a YouTube clip by a young female prophetess in Queensland. Her warnings about the need for believers to stock up their pantries before year’s end 2021 have too failed to come to pass. Finally, I was shared a “prophetic word” that Queensland would be under water and millions would die from vaccination https://the-masters-voice.com; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbcV-IwTyG5WjMdWN6mlFiw; https://rumble.com/c/c-781837
[6] Just like in the time of Y2K bug when Christian folk known to me sold up and moved south, or armed themselves and headed into the hills, but nothing happened!
[7] Whether their reasons seem primarily to be theological, ethical, legal, scientific or otherwise is not my concern.
[8] The danger here is “scientism”, treating the results of science and its advocates as unquestionably true.
[9] Which in the very least should concern us as they involve vast expenditures of government finances on ourselves largely to the exclusion of the Third World.
[10] Such as losing employment, or not being able to travel and see family.
[11] This is even more the case if this is translated, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
[12] Affliction of Babylonian powers will continue until they submit to the reality that “Heaven rules” (Dan 4:26).
[13] The “beast” is certainly not yet “revealed” (2 Thess 2:3), but the “spirit” of antichrist is already active (1 John 4:3).
[14] Since my template for interpreting Revelation is neither historicist nor futurist, but a modified “idealist” position, I think we are necessarily in the times described in the book now. For a position similar to my own, see https://cbtseminary.org/modified-idealist-revelation-1/
[15] Rev 12:11 is at the centre of the book, “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”, because this is how the followers of the Lamb (Rev 3:21; 15:2) are most like him (Rev 5:5-6).
[16] Principally through how his Word interprets life’s circumstances in ways which through submission will make us more holy (Eph 5:25-28).
[17] I first saw this emphasis in the writings of Paul Billheimer.
[18] Which involves a perspective far beyond practical ways, including responses to vaccination mandates, far beyond meeting felt human needs.
[19] Not inappropriately (Acts 4:29-31; Rom 15:19; 2 Cor 12:12) seeking mass conversions and signs and wonders.
[20] The unanointed seriousness with which many Christian people are treating today’s subject is a sign of the lack of glory in the Church. This is grounds for repentance.
[21] If “there is no frequent vision” in our day (1 Sam 3:1), then we are left only with opinion (Rom 14:1).
[22] Whatever our incredible diversity (Eph 3:14ff.).
[23] As Paul said to a divided church in Rome, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honour of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honour of the Lord, since she gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honour of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Rom 14:5-8)
[24] The Church must learn to live this way in relation to the COVID crisis and matters of conspiracy theories etc. much as, for example, it has largely put aside disputes over issues such as free will, baptism, eschatology, the papacy etc.
[25] And since we are talking about one of the classical marks of God’s wrath, “my four disastrous acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence” (Ezek 14:21), we are dealing with the witness of conscience.
[26] Conscience is the human faculty registering judgements, human or divine, for or against ourselves (Rom 2:15-16). Paul says, “I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Cor 4:4). See also, the testimony of Paul, “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—” (Rom 9:1).
[27] I watched and listened to a fully vaccinated sister become agitated with a no-vax brother in a way that spoke of, “Why should I have to get vaccinated when you don’t …”
[28] The refusal of Catholic health systems to participate in abortion and euthanasia, or their church to break the seal of the confessional are well known cases in point.
[29] Actually, initiates a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17).
[30] This spiritual washing is a powerful theme in scripture (Ezek. 36:25-27; Acts 2:38; Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5; Heb. 10:22).
[31] That is, deeds done under the old religious pattern of life.
[32] Without fear of being rejected by the heavenly Father for compromising.
[33] I have no evidence that this is a problem in Third World Christianity where situations are desperate and access to vaccination is more difficult.
[34] Jesus tells one of his most godly churches, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10). Today we have been handed over to the devil, by Jesus, to imprison our weak consciences.
[35] This is the “new and living way” into “the holy places” in “heaven itself” (Heb 9:8; 10:20).
[36] In scripture the divinely appointed sanctuary exists for communion between God and humanity. The New Testament highlights the Church as such a sanctuary by using the word naos which signifies the inner shrine.
[37] Often marked by a failure to pray to anyone but our “Father”. Common prayers to “God”, “Lord”, “Jesus” and “Holy Spirit” indicate a lack of freedom to relate to “God, the judge of all” (Heb 12:23 cf. Gen 18:25, Rom 14:10), who is for us in Christ, the one Holy, Righteous, Abba Father (Mark 14:36; John 17:11, 25).
[38] Another example which comes to mind is “tithing”, understood as following old covenant forms as if they applied today (Mal 3:10). Jesus of course gave 100% of his life to God, and we are in him to do likewise.
[39] Angelic rebellion began in heaven (Isa 14:12-14; Ezek 28:12-18; Rev 12:7). Noting that some of these scriptures need to be interpreted typologically if they are to be applied to an angelic fall.
[40] This is the promise of the new covenant beloved by Hebrews, “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Heb 8:12; 10:17). Plus see the material on being “blameless” below.
[41] Which is how the fallen conscience measures love, divine or human.
[42] “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
[43] “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him” (Dan 9:9).
[44] “the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8).
[45] Which is why John the seer can say he heard a universal acclamation, “I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev 5:13).
[46] Cf. Rev 1:10; 4:2
[47] Heb 12:18-21 speaks of the dread typifying the old Mosaic pattern of access to God.
[48] Some translations have “assembly”, but the usual way for translating ecclesia in the New Testament is “church”.
[49] This seems to refer to the old covenant saints. “God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (Heb 11:40).
[50] Which means it is another way of talking about what justification implies.
[51] Actually, initiates a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17).
[52] This spiritual washing is a powerful theme in scripture (Ezek. 36:25-27; Acts 2:38; Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5; Heb. 10:22).
[53] That is, deeds done under the old religious pattern of life.
[54] Taking Heb 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”, as a cosmic truth without exception.
[55] As a sort of microcosm to the cosmic order represented in the temples of the Bible. Which in their order imaged the function of the universe. For a brief introduction to this way of thinking see, https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2017/12/the-house-of-god/
[56] John testifies, “as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39), because he understands that until the atoning work of the cross is completed in all its glory in taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29;12:23-33; 17:5; 19:30), the Spirit cannot abide in a humanity whose conscience is not clear (cf. Gen 6:3, 5-6).
[57] Note that people’s hearts are failing them because of worldly troubles, not because the “beast” is arising form the bottomless pit (Rev 11:7; 17:8).
[58] For instance, this was in an email I received this morning. “I was sent an historical analysis of pestilences through the ages. Each pestilence came to an abrupt end. ABC radio national reported on this – they all suddenly stopped.” And since then “news” that current vaccines can increase the chance of contracting Omicron.
[59] The sign of the woman incorporates both the old and new covenant people of God, and so, for example, Mary as the mother of Jesus.
[60] Like it or not, we are like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, “And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:2-27).
[61] Who is lovingly idiosyncratic and eccentric, hence the surprise.
[62] In and of itself the testimony of my heart/spirit/conscience has no standing before God. Cf. “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Rom 14:4).
[63] In particular the Ezekiel Declaration and the Moses Statement.
[64] Catholics vs Protestants, Calvinists vs Arminians, Baptists vs paedobaptists, splits and slaughters in centuries past about the Lord’s Supper, charismatics vs cessationaists, and on and on.
[65] Which would mean our convictions become expressions of the cross.
[66] Whether this is mindlessly submitting to “scientism” on the one hand or the arrogant superiority of conspiracy theorists on the other hand.
[67] Years ago, a theology lecturer I highly respected said that human beings were not equal in anything. Of course this is how we perceive our differences in intelligence, looks, sporting abilities, wealth, ministry exploits etc. When however through sharing in the guiltless conscience of Christ we live in the unity and love for which he prayed (John 17:22, 26), we enter into the perfect equality of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Which is their, and ours in them, glory.