Babylon the Great is Fallen Pt 6 of 6
by David Orton
A Warning To The Church
Part 6 of 6
In Part 5 we showed how the Father's House of Prayer will be cleansed of self-seeking.
The snake in my backyard
This is the rub. The theme of our discussion has been “snakes in the temple”. But what is at the heart of the Serpent’s seduction, of his work of deception and idolatry in the church? The promise that we shall becomes as gods – that we can be in control. His entry point is self – self-interest and self-seeking. This is the root of deception and control. And, therefore, it is the test of what is true and false. It’s not so much what’s in your theology, as important as that is – it’s what’s in your heart.
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who is seeking the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth, there is nothing false in him” (Jn 7: 18).
I would have been about 5 or 6 years old when my Dad cornered and killed a large snake in our backyard. He moved onto another project, leaving my older brother and I alone with two things: the dead snake and the sharp end of a shovel. Well, boys being boys the two inevitably met. So, what had previously been one really long snake was suddenly a lot of little short ones! Although it was already dead, I can still remember the exultant feeling with which we performed our grisly task – of having power over that carcass.
Likewise, that old serpent, the Devil was cornered and killed by our heavenly Father 2,000 years ago. And we are now triumphing over his remains. With every response of faith and obedience – with every denial of self to follow Jesus, the “sharp end of the shovel” – the cross – dismembers that already dead body of sin.
Christ, as the seed of the woman, has already fatally crushed the head of the serpent.[1] When the Seventy returned exulting in their new-found victory over demons Jesus reminded them that this was because he had seen “Satan fall like lightening from heaven”. And, therefore, he continues, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy…” (Lk 10:18 NIV emphasis mine). Satan, sin, and self were once-and-for-all destroyed at the cross.[2] They were put under the feet of Christ.[3] But now, by our daily obedience, as Paul says, every act of disobedience is being punished,[4] until finally “the God of peace will… crush Satan under our feet” (Rom 16:20, emphasis mine) – in other words, until the carcass of Satan, sin, and self is so completely dismembered that the victory is not only potentially, but experientially our own.
We must understand that immediately after experiencing their victory over demons Jesus counselled the Seventy to rather “rejoice that their names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20), pointing out that the Father has “hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (v 21). What is Jesus saying? Ultimate victory over Satan, sin, and self – or more particularly, over the demons of deception, pride, and idolatry, is given to those who are known in heaven. The Son has shown us the Father and on the basis of this intimate relationship victory is not given to the mighty and the worldly powerful, nor to the wise and the learned, but to babes. To those who have forsaken the worldly weapons of warfare - the weapons of prestige, power, or position; and, who have instead, cast themselves upon God, wielding the weapons of humility and meekness, boasting not in their own accomplishments, but the cross of Christ that the glory might be of God. This is the only way we will crush, in final victory, the head of the serpent, destroying for ever the powers of witchcraft, deception, and pride that have ruled in the church. The meek will inherit the earth. God will pour out his Spirit in the harvest of the nations. But only when we forsake the weapons of the flesh and embrace, once-and-for-all, the weakness of the cross.
So, the divine antidote to the house of God being a place of commerce is the cross. But how does this work? Only as it is restored as a house of prayer. True worshippers cannot worship in spirit and truth with self still on the throne. The more we gaze upon the awesome majesty of our God the smaller we are in our own sight. When we ‘lose ourselves’ in worship we are, effectively, activating the full power of the “law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” - we are set free from the “law of sin and death”[5] - from Satan and from self. Only as we obey the ‘Great Commandment’ in loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves[6] is the central nervous system of self finally severed.
In conclusion, therefore, “…let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of…spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God”. Can I say yes to the “refiner’s fire” – to the searching, probing, and cleansing light of his Spirit? Can I pray with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa 139:23-24 NIV). Pastors, leaders, and people - what is your motive for ministry? Are you seeking great things for yourself? Why do you ‘do church’ – why are you doing small groups, counselling and pastoral care? Why do you do music and worship? Are you looking to gain a sense of personal significance, or to give a sense of paternal satisfaction – to bring pleasure to the Father’s heart?
It is time to find a new starting point – to return to the heart of the Father, for from him and through him and to him are all things – and to return to his purpose for a family conformed to his own image. To return to the apostolic foundation of intimacy with God in Christ.
Come Holy Spirit, renew our hearts, restore our relationships, and rebuild the Father’s house of prayer. People, pray for yourselves – it is time to return to the Lord – to finish playing church and living for self. Pray for your leaders – pray that their hearts will be touched by the love of the Father and by his eternal purpose – that they will return to what truly matters. Support and love them, esteem them highly for their work – for they bear a greater judgement.[7]
Above all – in brokenness, may we fall on our faces in the light of the glory of his presence.
May our lives truly be a house of prayer for all nations. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
An excerpt from David Orton’s book, “Snakes in the Temple: Unmasking Idolatry in Today’s Church”
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[1] Gen 3:15
[2] Col 3:15; Rom 6:6
[3] Eph 1:22
[4] 2 Cor 10:6
[5] Rom 8:2
[6] Mk 12:29-31
[7] Jas 3:1
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Copyright © David Orton 2006
September 15th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Great article, glory to God!!!!