“And I (God) sought for a man among them (Israel), that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30

God sought for those who would intercede on behalf of Israel and stand in the gap before Him for their land but found none. Israel, God’s chosen people, was going to be taken captive and her people destroyed for their idolatry. Jeremiah had been taken out by God from among them and forbidden to pray for Israel (Jeremiah 11:14). God sent His prophets, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, to warn Israel of their captivity by the Babylonian Empire but they refused to hear. The Israelites had forsaken Jehovah God Who delivered them out of Egypt and chose the adornment of religious ceremonial pomp and circumstance of the heathen nations. Even as Israel opened the Temple of God to the heathen nations for the worship of their heathen gods and worshipped along side them in the mornings, while offering sacrifices to Jehovah God in the evenings, God sent His messengers to warn them. The Lord sought for intercessors and those who would stand in the gap before Him for their land, that He should not destroy it…but He found none.

“3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the Grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4

There are many in the modern church that have welcomed the world (the heathen) and their gods (vain philosophies, humanistic psychologies, 40 days of purpose, etc.) into their hearts. They too prefer the adornment of outward religious ceremonies that affect no inward change. God is sending out His prophets to warn them, yet many will not hear. The Lord is searching for intercessors among the people to intercede on behalf of the church and to stand in the gap before Him for the land.

Will He find any? Will the Lord find any to contend for the faith; one who will stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified while interceding for those who won’t? Will God find any that are determined to know nothing else among them, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified yet are willing to stand in the gap for those who are being seduced by the modern apostate church that they may not be deceived? Will the Lord find any willing to drag the deceived out of the fire, while hating their defiled garments (Jude 1:23)?

Or will God find us tearing down the hedge around about those who have been deceived and enlarging the gap before Him, ripening them for hell? God sent His prophets to the Israelites to warn them, yet they would not hear. He looked among the Israelites and sought one among them to intercede on behalf of their people…His People.

The Lord pricked my heart yesterday as I drove past a little church of which I’m very familiar. This church does not share my particular beliefs. They have denominational doctrines that hinder their growing in Grace and knowledge of the Lord. Some may not like that statement but it is true nonetheless.

At times I would fuss as I could see the worldly statutes creeping in unaware to the dear Saints who attend this particular denominational church. To be honest, I think I would complain about the circumstances more than I prayed about the circumstances. As I was driving by this little church, I noticed a “new” church that has just opened. It was a “church with a purpose” or something to that effect. Having been to the home church of this new church, which is non-denominational by the way, my heart was suddenly broken at the sight of this modern church just a short distance from the church of which I was so familiar.

The Babylonian army (endtime apostate church) is nearer than many may realize and the Israelites (God’s Children) are looking to Egypt for their deliverance.  As the darkened buildings with the entertaining music and funny speakers (I won’t call them preachers…sorry) draw near to the small fundamental churches that have contended for the Doctrines of Christianity; they too will be pressured to seek the ways of the world for their growth.  To be sure, there is no spiritual growth in worldly statutes.

Is this endtime apostate church God’s instrument to separate the wheat from the chaff? The endtime apostate church (Babylon) has been allowed by God and will now be raised up as He also sends His messengers to warn His People to repent and turn back to their first love, Jesus Christ and Him crucified or be overtaken by the Laodiceans.  We must turn back to the authority of the Word of God and allow It’s Author, the Holy Spirit, to do that which He is commissioned to do, show us all things according to God’s Word.  God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, IS Jesus Christ and tells us (His Children) of His Work, His Ways and His Will.

“¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

¹² Then shall you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.

¹³ And you shall seek me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

This promise was conditional.  It was conditional on Israel’s repentance.  Those who heeded the warnings and followed the ways of God; those who did not turn back to Egypt for their help were not overcome.  God has never lost a one who followed Him.

There are many little churches who are earnestly contending for the faith but are being seduced by worldly ways to draw the people.  Babylon is a mile down the road as the people flock to them.  Do not be dismayed. Look unto Jesus; lift HIM up, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and HE will draw all men unto Him (John 12:32).

Brothers and Sisters, we need to stand in the gap for those who are being seduced and have been deceived; those who have indeed turned back to Egypt and pray for their souls.  Pray that they come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for daily living unto God.  Pray that they see the Salvation of the Lord in their lives. Earnestly contend for the faith.

-Donna Clark Warren