“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” -Rev. 22:10-11 KJV
We can choose to respond to great wickedness by resisting or accepting it. How to do so is the next step. “Academic” and “boots on the ground” understanding are quite different, too. For many, the imperative of His command to “let them be” doesn’t sit well. (I hasten to remind that I understand this directive to be specifically indicated when the time of Messiah is “at hand.”) I had long thought that waiting or “letting something come about” was a passive, inactive stance. For some it may seem desirable as a way to simply ignore what is going on and continue as always. I have come to see that it is not really so passive or inactive at all. It is a false dichotomy to view it that way. “Waiting” and “inactivity” are not synonymous. It could also be called a “reality check,” before making a rash, unwise choice. Waiting while looking to Him is really a very active position.
The difference is in the heart motivation and direction of the Holy Spirit. You may recall that the Israelites’ experiences and lessons are identified as being for those upon whom the ends of the age falls -- us -- as well as for them. (1 Cor. 10:11). Had they entered into the Land at His direction, they would have prevailed. (Numbers 14). First they rebelled in fear of going up to fight those who looked like giants to them, which led to the indictment of death in the wilderness for that generation. Then, they rebelled again and determined to “go up” to battle when they were told not to do so, and again endured heartache and loss.
Success to overcome great evil is not within human beings alone. If He is for us, then who could stand against us? (Romans 8:31). But if He says not to go up, it would be wise to heed.
But what about “God helps those who help themselves?” Some may not know that this is NOT a Scripture reference at all, unless it is from the Book of Second Opinions…NOT!
Our human inclination to respond to evil varies widely. Habitual response may be to:
• Avoid trouble at all costs
• Go “toe to toe” no matter the circumstances
• Accept familiar victimization
• Respond with diplomacy of a playground bully
For those who really do not have a grasp on the intimacy of the personal relationship between our Elohim and His people, it is often hard to comprehend why we would act boldly at one time but stand still at others. And for those among the churched who do not believe that the Holy Spirit makes Himself known to His people in this “dispensation” it will likely be very hard to comprehend what choice to make.
I come once again to the question of personal and corporate maturity. Will we allow our Elohim to direct us or will we think we know best? In the earlier stages, our faith walk leads us to be far more human centered and far more Yah centered in the later stages. Do we do things our way and then ask Him to bless us, or do we yield to Him and wait for His leading in the first place? Is it difficult to see that the various responses may have a great deal to do with the maturity of those involved? Not only psychological and emotional maturity but the degree of maturity of their faith relationship and prayer life with our God. Like the Israelites were swayed back and forth in the process of being delivered from their slave status, so do we find ourselves in this age of spiritual lethargy. In America, the Barna Group, among others, have documented repeatedly that the majority are Biblically illiterate. Actually knowing little of the Whole Word of our God, too many are very quick to try to direct others while yet in misplaced zeal or fear of their own. In a different way, we are comparable to the “rich” Laodiceans who no longer even had the eyes to see their own poor, blind and naked condition. An unhealthy, ungodly sense of entitlement still seems to reign whether one has been victimized or accustomed to having their own way.
But as we have read, judgment begins in the House of YHWH, our God. (1 Peter 4:17)
And here we come at last, to the question of what it means to let the righteous be more righteous. Most believers have only a very vague idea of what “righteousness” means, let alone what it looks like when it is lived out as a lifestyle. How then can we obey His command to “let” our righteousness increase?
Watch for Part 6: How Do We Let the Righteous Be More RIghteous
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