Part of the Christian Church is referred to as "Pentecostal," deriving its name from the fourth feast of the Lord. We have been at Pentecost throughout the twentieth century. Now the cloud and the fire are moving forward. The vanguard of the Church no longer is camping at Pentecost. It is time to move forward into the fifth feast, the blowing of Trumpets. We now are at the dawning of the day of redemption. The cry of the spirit is "War! War! War!"

Listen carefully and you will hear the trumpet of the Lord of Armies, the drums of El Shaddai, the shouting of the captains, the voice of the archangel. The Day of the Lord, the day of redemption, is now upon us. It will grow in intensity until Satan and all his influence have been driven from the heavens and the earth.

The day of judgment, the spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament Day of Atonement, the day of vengeance of our God, is on the horizon and shall continue from the present hour throughout the thousand-year Kingdom Age until it is time for the earth and the heaven to flee from the face of Christ.

The Israelites marched out of Egypt by their ranks.

But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed [armed and prepared for battle] out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 13:18)

However, we note that the moment Moses left them the descendants of Jacob degenerated quickly into an unruly mob.

And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. (Exodus 32:19)

So it is today. We Christians know a little about spiritual warfare. But our discipline dissolves quickly and we sit down to eat and drink and rise up to play; or else fight and quarrel among ourselves.

It appears that in our time most believers do that which is right in their own sight. That day is past for those who are following the Lord.

One of the distinguishing features of an army is discipline. It often is true that we believers are not accustomed to strict discipline as far as our church life is concerned. We go where we want to and do what we want to, and woe to the pastor who seeks to guide us into the Lord's will if God's will is contrary to our will! Now the Lord is coming to teach us discipline. Christ will use His own means, including fear of disobedience, to place and maintain His soldiers where He wants them.

No doubt some leaders will attempt to abuse the Divine authority given them and seek to coerce their followers to follow them as they, the leaders and elders, follow their own self-will and self-interests. The Lord's sheep know His voice (the lambs are not always as experienced and wise) and they will not follow forever the "strangers" who try to lead them astray.

To be continued.