But, one may say, the Lord Himself is the protection around His people. This is the truth. Our God is our shield, our fortress, our rock of salvation, the horn of our overcoming strength. But is it or is it not true that the churches of today are divided? Are self-seeking men making merchandise of the believers? Are the Christian people in many instances walking in the ways of the world rather than in the ways of God?

If such is the case, then a wall of protection is needed in order to help the Lord's sheep to stand in Christ during the days of trouble that are on the horizon. The strong are to help the weak (Romans 15:1).

The rebuilding of the wall and gates of Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah was one of the most important achievements of the restoration. The rebuilding of the wall and gates, the defense against deception and lawlessness, will be one of the most important achievements of the spiritual restoration. By spiritual restoration we mean the present-day fulfillment of what was portrayed thousands of years ago by the restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah.

The spiritual restoration of the Body of Christ, especially the rebuilding of the authority and power to drive all sin and rebellion out of the Church, which is the authority and power of Divine judgment, is one of the chief burdens of the Holy Spirit of God in the hour in which we are living. The wall of the new Jerusalem, the glorious, beautifully adorned wall revealed to the Apostle John, is being created now in the personalities of the saints, Christ's conquerors.

Why must the Glory of God Almighty be defended? Why did the Holy Spirit place such an extraordinary emphasis on the wall, and on the heavily ornamented twelve foundations of the wall, when He revealed the new Jerusalem to John? Weren't there aspects of the holy city that would be of more interest to God's people? The one grand view given to us of our eternal destination is dominated by a spectacular wall.

The reason for the extraordinary emphasis placed on the wall of the new Jerusalem is that the wall and gates are of supreme importance in the Kingdom of God. The reason the wall and gates are of supreme importance in the Kingdom of God is that there was a rebellion in Heaven against the will of the Father.

At some point in eons past there was a great rebellion in Heaven against the rule of the Father. Included among the rebels were some of the angels of high rank. It is these ranking dignitaries toward whom the wisdom of God is directed, as it is displayed and demonstrated in the Church, as well as being for the benefit of the obedient, elect angels. It is against the wicked angelic majesties that the saints wrestle continually.

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by [through] the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places. (Ephesians 6:12)

To be continued.