THE CARELESS PRIESTHOOD

A Trumpet Call Pat Cocking, November 2001 http://www.the-war-room.com

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THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

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“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

As a priesthood of believers we have the very privilege of standing in a place of faith and securing sure and glorious covenant blessings and promises on behalf of all men.

We are living in treacherous days at this time and yet the church has keys for victory and is well able to release the "knowledge of the glory of the Lord to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea". (Hab. 2:14)

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A WARNING

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Although we serve a great God who is not limited in might nor in power, He looks for those with pure hearts, clean hands, sincere faith, and passionate love to manifest His glory and victory through.

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"God is not mocked and whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7,8

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There is a strong spirit of compromise that is attempting to influence believers in this hour and in the days to come. We must be alert to this assault and take a stand of righteousness in order to secure the victory of the Lord in our land. We must stand unstained and untainted by the world (see James 1:27).

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ELI AND HIS SONS (1 Samuel 2 - 4)

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Eli and his sons were priests called by God to minister for Him in the temple and to be stewards of the Lord's presence. Eli's sons were careless. They were to be holy and yet they embraced the love of the world and were committing immoral and unlawful acts. They were performing priestly duties but they did not watch over their hearts or their ways. There is no evidence that Eli was sinning in the same way as his sons, and yet we find him careless in another way: he was silent concerning the sins of his sons. It was the priest's responsibility to make sure that no defilement came into the temple, but Eli was tolerant and did not confront.

This carelessness came at great cost to Eli, his sons and to the nation itself. They lost the ark...the Presence of the Lord. When they lost the ark, they lost their victory and their comfortable life style, their sense of safety and blessing .....and instead became oppressed and overpowered by another people who hated them.

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RIGHTEOUS LOT (Genesis 18,19)

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"....the righteous soul of Lot was vexed day after day with their lawless deeds." 2 Peter 2:8

Lot had separated from Abraham and was given the land towards Sodom. Lot was positioned as the leader (mayor) or the elder in Sodom (see Gen 19:1). The scripture states that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and that the Lord was going to bring judgment on the entire city due to it's wickedness. Two angels in the form of men were sent to the city. They were greeted by Lot and were invited to stay in his home. Before retiring that evening the wicked men of the city surrounded the house and demanded that Lot release the men (angels) to them in order that they would have sex with them.

Now, we know that Lot was not involved in that type of sin. These were the sins that had vexed his righteous soul...BUT...HE DID NOT ENFORCE THE LAW IN THE CITY AGAINST THE WICKEDNESS. He was in a position to, but he was careless and did nothing. He was silent concerning the sin that was taking place in his domain.

His response to the men was interesting: "Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly....I have two virgin daughters...let me bring them out to you, and you do to them whatever you like..." A careless priesthood will ultimately throw the younger generation into the very jaws of sin that has been tolerated.

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THE LEVITES AND THE SONS OF ZADOK (Ezekiel 44)

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When Israel had gone astray to serve idols, the Levites (priests) also followed the compromise. They became careless. What did it cost them?

"Because they ministered to them before their idols and became a stumbling block of iniquity to the house of Israel, therefore I have sworn against them, declares the Lord God, that they shall bear the punishment for their iniquity. And they shall not come near to Me to serve as a priest to Me, nor come near to any of My holy things" Ez 44:12,13

Oh no! They lost the privilege to draw near to God......they were forbidden to come near to any of God's holy things. The sons of Zadok however who guarded their hearts and were watchful over the priesthood were commended by the Lord and given the privilege to stand in His presence and to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean.

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CONCLUSION

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The Lord is calling His people as a priesthood who will be pure in heart and in lifestyle. He is calling a priesthood who will be filled with faith, securing victory, blessing and harvest for the nations. He is calling a priesthood who will proclaim with boldness the righteous standards of the Lord without compromise. This is our inheritance and our portion in the Lord.

If we are careless however, the following could be the consequences:

1. We could lose the manifestation of the presence of the Lord. Other nations could possibly conquer us. Our victories and blessings in life will be lost. Oppression will rule over us individually and corporately as a nation.

2. We could possibly expose and throw the next generation (our children, our grandchildren) out to the very sin that we tolerate.

3. We could lose the privilege of ministering unto Him and handling His holy things.

What decisions should we then make?

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PRAYER REQUESTS

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1. Pray for conviction of sin and worldly mindedness.

2. Believe for a spirit of repentance from sin.

3. Pray for a posture of humility before the Lord.

4. Intercede for government authorities in your nation that they would not be careless concerning issues of justice and righteousness.

5. Pray for church leaders to be watchful over their congregations.

6. Ask the Lord for His great grace to influence our hearts to be in line with His will in all things.

7. Pray for a restoration of the priestly anointing (intercession and worship)

8. Cry mercy.

By: PAT COCKING From the WAR ROOM http://www.the-war-room.com