When the Light Went Out

When the Light Went Out

 “Before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was.” 1 Samuel 3:3

In the days when the Tabernacle was at Shiloh [the gathering place of the people], Eli was the Priest.  This was the place where the boy, Samuel, lived and where God spoke to him and called him out to be a prophet.  The tabernacle was lit by lamps which burned almost all night until they ran out of oil and this was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept.  The ‘Lamp of God’ also meant the ‘Glory of God’.

Old Eli had 2 sons and they were evil men.  Israel was at war with the Philistines at that time and Eli’s sons went out to kill them.  However, they decided to take the Ark of the Covenant along with them for a ‘good luck charm’. God was not with them and Eli’s sons were killed and the ‘Ark’ was taken by the Philistines. When Eli heard the news he fell over and died.  His daughter-in-law, gave birth to a son and gave him the name, “Ichabod”, meaning “Where is the Glory?”  The Glory of God departed from the Tabernacle at Shiloh that day and never returned there again.

Today, the world is at war and the reason is, that many are falling away from God.  We have many great churches in America, but some are also teaching a false doctrine. How do I know this?  Look at Matthew 24:22-24: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

During these times, people are looking for messages that tickle their ears, because they want to do things that are against the Word of God, so they listen to messages about hyper-grace.  Quoting Sid Roth, “This teaching of hyper-grace is from the pit of Hell!”  Even Christians will get excited and say, “Let’s go where this is being taught. I don’t ever have to worry about asking for forgiveness again.  I can do what I want and its okay.”  Others will run all over the country looking for things like, teeth being filled with gold fillings, or people barking like dogs.  They will tell you these are manifestations of the Holy Spirit. 

Are these things in the Bible?  No!  When people gather together in the name of Jesus, why would the attention be on the actions of people and not on Jesus Christ?  Are these things possible?  Of course God can do whatever he wants and I have seen God’s healing power and miracles that take place. However, when Jesus walked this earth, his focus was not on miracles, even though he did miracles.  It was because he had compassion for the people.  He did not come to earth for manifestations; he came so people could be saved for the Kingdom of God.   Luke 4:43 “But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Today we hear about places where there is a ‘great move of God’ and everyone wants to run there.  Those places are a hot-spot for a length of time and then they die out. Now let’s look at the last part of this scripture again: “do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”  

What has this to do with the lamp of God going out?  When the shepherds of the Church stray away from the Word of God and allow false teachings to come into their church, the Lamp of God begins to dim.  As in the time of Samuel, the lamp of God will go out and the Glory of God will leave, never to return.  Even the ‘elect’, God’s chosen ones, are beginning to turn away from the truth of God’s Word.  The world is becoming ripe for the Anti-Christ to rise up.

As Christians, we can no longer ignore what is happening in the Body of Christ.  We must make a stand and proclaim to others: “Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.”  Don’t be afraid you’ll offend someone; like our President is.  He tells us to not offend Muslims and that only 99.9% of them believe in Jihad.  Yet he also thinks that it’s okay to offend Christians; is there something wrong with this picture?  Let your congressmen and other government officials know it is not all right to offend Christians and then lift up the wonderful, peaceful Muslims. 

Christians, listen, there is One God; “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.” [Deuteronomy 4:39]  Allah is not God Almighty!  Muhammad is not Jesus Christ our Savior, or anyone’s Savior.  So, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve”.  [Joshua 24:15]  You may not think so kindly about it when the jihadist start cutting off heads and burning people alive in our own country. 

As a child, I learned this song in Bible School and it didn’t mean much then, but today, I see the truth in it.  Let this be your song, it’s called:  “Stand up For Jesus”

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross.

Lift high the Royal banner; it must not suffer loss.

From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle, the next, the victor’s song;

To him that overcometh, a crown of life shall be;

He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.