If you were observant, you probably already noticed that the title of this post appears to have misused or misspelled ‘Versus’ from the frequently used term of Bible ‘Verses.’ However, we would like to point out that it is not misspelled but used purposefully. By the use of the term Bible ‘Versus,’ hopefully, it should make you stop and wonder why that term was used.
We typically use the term ‘versus’ to indicate ‘something’ that is against ‘something else.’. Such as the Blue Team versus the Red Team. Or, in another example, the difference between ‘Example 1’ and ‘Example 2’. However, in this case, let’s explore a Bible ‘Versus’ to see what the Lord has to say concerning ‘This’ versus ‘That.’
Ezek 44:23 says:
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.”
Profane is defined as: ‘treating (something sacred) with irreverence or disrespect.’
We admonish you to stop and consider The Holy versus the profane.
One of the issues that seem to be a reoccurring theme in today’s society is the consistent attempt by demonic forces to continually ‘blur’ the lines of what is right versus what is wrong. There appears to be a consistent effort to blur the lines of morality and immorality. There appears to be a consistent attempt to blur the lines concerning the sexes. There appears to be a consistent attempt to homogenize and nominalize the message of Christ and the purity of His Holy Spirit. Even in many churches, there is the blurring of what is Holy versus what is profane.
Let us start out by saying that the Altar of God is pure and it is to remain pure. Consider what God tells Moses in Exodus:
“And if you will make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone, for if you lift up a tool upon it you have polluted it.” – Exo 20:25 – AMPC
When we stop to consider this scripture, we can see that ‘hewn’ stone are cut pieces of rock. For it to be cut or shaped in any way by a tool means that man had to interact with it and artificially change its shape. God considers any artificial interaction with the rocks of His altar as pollution.
Man’s artificial interaction and interference with what is considered to be Holy is a reoccurring theme throughout the Bible. We see the same concept in the story with Moses and the burning bush in Exodus, chapter 3. When Moses saw the burning bush that was not consumed and turned aside to see this phenomenon, the Lord spoke to him:
“God said, Do not come near; put your shoes off your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.“ – -Exo 3:5 AMPC
We must stop to consider that shoes are a man-made contrivance. They are devices that we have constructed so that our feet are protected when we walk across gravel, glass or hot and cold surfaces, etc. They are truly a wonderful invention. However, in all of their brilliance and magnificence of conception, the reality is that they are a barrier to touching what is actually there. Man’s self-made contrivances, whether it is a protective mindset, a defensive attitude, the self-exaltation of ego and intellect or simply shoes all interfere with us being able to stand in the Holy place of God.
In the place where God spoke to Moses, there was no high stage, platform or big multimedia presence. There wasn’t a big show with big lights, lots of drama and a smoke machine. God’s presence was more than enough. God’s Altar is wherever God has designated has His Holy place. It is not necessarily a huge building or venue. It could simply be a place or a room.
Shoes and the hewn rocks represent anything that is artificial and interferes with the presence of God being pure. They represent anything that is a man-made contrivance designed to improve, enhance or create the things of God. I’m sure that the cut rocks would improve the aesthetics. I’m sure that the shoes (no matter how stylish) effectively fulfill their protective function. However, we must recognize them for what they really are, especially when it comes to Houses of Worship.
Now, there is nothing wrong with having a large altar with a big multimedia presence to worship God. However, there is a problem when it becomes the focal point instead of the focal point being on the Worship of God. There is a problem when production becomes the focus rather than the true reason why we are in the House of God. The true reason is that we are to give Praise, Glory, and Honour unto our God, who is worthy of all praise. The true reason should be to fellowship with the Saints of God that have a heart towards God. The true reasons should be to come and have our Faith stirred and built up. The true reasons should be that we come to be encouraged, healed, delivered and set free from oppression.
The profane reasons why people go to church are often because of the chance to ‘work’ a crowd to get networking opportunities. The profane reasons include the thought process of the chance to increase their personal power and status if they play ‘the religious game’ right. The profane reasons include artificially creating a religious persona while simultaneously attempting to con people into some scheme and take advantage of them. The Bible refers to these types of individuals as wolves. (Mat 7:15)
When we stop to consider the Holy versus the Profane and the Unclean versus the Clean, we must apply these same principles to our understanding concerning many things that are so often seen in the House of God and are sometimes accepted a normal. When it comes to The Holy versus the profane, there are not supposed to be ANY blurred lines. Some examples of where the lines have been blurred between the Holy and the Profane are as follows:
- When interfaith conversations occur attempting to create unity between the different religions occur in the House of God upon the Altar of God.
There is nothing wrong with having a dialogue with people of different religions in an attempt to create a peaceful coexistence. However, it becomes unclean and profane when it is hosted and facilitated upon the Altar, a place designated as actual place to worship God. The Altar is to be pure and Holy and kept for the worship of God only. It is not to be meeting place for those who do not honor, worship God in the spirit of truth or let alone, believe in His existence. We are reminded of the scriptures,
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” -Joh 4:24 KJV
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” -2Co 6:14-15 KJV
If you want to host such a meeting and have a conversation, then have it in a 3rd party location, not upon the Altar of God.
Some examples of rocks that have been cut into shape in order to create an aesthetically pleasing, albeit a polluted altar are:
- The promoting people in the House of God out of convenience. An attempt to make oneself look great because of pride or by political agenda.
In 1 Kings, chapters 11 through 12, there is the story of Kings Rehoboam and Jeroboam and their kingdoms and their fall from power. The key scripture that accentuates the concept of premature and incorrect promotion in the house of God is as follows:
“And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. “ – 1Ki 12:31 KJV
We know that from the study of God’s Word, that the Levites were the designated tribe and bloodline that were ordained as priests in the House of God. They were the ones who were ‘Called’ to function in the Holy places of God. Since the New Testament and the dispensation of Grace has come to pass, we are not limited to the bloodline of the Levites in order to fulfill a priestly function. However, the concept of being ‘called’ according to God’s purpose and plans is still in effect. One cannot and should not ever attempt to make the mental ascent of becoming part of church leadership without being ‘called’ to an office. Being called to an office is a decision by God and not a mental ascent ascribed to by man.
This entire story shows God’s displeasure for those that are promoted into the priesthood that are not called, qualified nor have the right motives. Those that do so have become artificially created man-made rocks upon God’s Altar.
Here are some other examples of rocks that have been cut into shape to create the illusion of a religious façade. In these examples, the worship, motive and intent are polluted by greed, avarice and the quest for personal power:
- The acceptance of money for promotion in the House of God. Sometimes, in some places, there has been the prevalent attitude that if a saint gives a large sum of money that this bribe ultimately translates into them receiving a promotion in status or power in the church. Saints this should not be so. This is a hewn rock that has been artificially forged and has polluted the altar of God.
- The seeking of money in exchange for a prophetic word, prayer or favor. When so-called leaders create prayer or prophetic lines of $10, $20, $50 or $100 etc. When leaders create a line of “give a $1000 (or some other number) line in order to artificially facilitate and manipulate people into giving large offerings. These are artificially crafted objects of worship and have polluted God’s altar.
We have seen the inclusions of animals upon the altar of God in an attempt to put on a play and create a spectacle for the people to see. The animals can at any time, in their sole discretion, decide to leave ‘monuments’ and ‘tributes’ of their own making upon the altar making the altar even more unclean.
We have seen the nakedness of people receiving tattoos upon the altar while sermons are being preached. These are testimonies to the blurring of the lines between the Holy and the profane.
There are so many more examples of The Holy versus the profane that have been commonly accepted in so many Christian circles. The lines have become blurred. The Holy has become mixed with the profane. The unclean has been mixed with the Clean. Lies have been mixed with truth. Ladies and gentlemen, this should not be so. We encourage you to seek the Lord, with the right heart and through the Spirit of Truth. Let Him show you the Truth! Do not be deceived by man’s religious version of worship, but rather endeavor to keep God’s Altar Holy and pure. Make sure that in your quest to follow after God that you have an understanding of The Holy versus the profane as given by the Spirit of Truth.
We leave you with this thought…
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” -Pro 4:7 KJV
May God’s Grace Abundantly Reign In Your Life!
-Apostle Ric & Prophetess Kathy Steele
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