Change must take place. We who are presiding elders under the present organizational system must bring the assemblies into the required pattern of operation. We must do so slowly, carefully, prayerfully, and patiently, always following the Spirit in this effort.

Such change cannot be made overnight, but change must take place if the remnant is to be prepared for the end-time witness and for the coming of the Lord in the clouds of glory.

It is apparent that the prospect of change from the presiding elder to ministry by the Spirit may make elders apprehensive who are accustomed to ministering to the flock in all areas of Kingdom work. But the required change need not be upsetting. If the elder is walking with the Lord he will serve the Lord in this new manner with the greatest joy.

The backslidden Christian assemblies of our day may not be willing to seek the Lord and make the necessary changes. Therefore division between fervent disciples and the lukewarm churches is imminent. A militant spirit is arising among the true Christians, being manifested in music that proclaims the war of Christ against the enemy—particularly the enemy in God's people. Also, fiery persecution may be at hand.

It is not time as yet for the Church to attack the sinners of the world, attempting to force them to adopt the moral values of the Christians. Rather, it is an hour of preparation. Notice the period of preparation before the attack on Jericho:

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. (Joshua 1:11)

At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. (Joshua 5:2)

The need today is for the believers to be circumcised, to make a covenant of holiness with the Lord.

The saints of today must be made ready for the attack of Armageddon and for other onslaughts the Lord may have in mind. We are not to rush out now in the enthusiasm of the soul or because of personal irritation with the practices of the ungodly. Even if we do call on Jesus to help us change the secular world we will be defeated and bring persecution upon ourselves. The sin of the world indeed is great but the Lord is not as yet signaling the attack on the evil in the world, only on the evil in Zion, in the churches that bear His name.

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let

all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (Joel 2:1)

Because we do not have a scriptural pattern of organization and government the people are apt to mill about in ignorance, not understanding the areas now undergoing judgment and the areas where judgment will come in the future.

To be continued.