THE PREACHER AND BIBLICAL SEPARATION

 There is a type of separation from the world that is unbiblical. It is isolation, as we seek to remove ourselves wholly from the world. Yet, Jesus has sent us into the world to seek the lost. We cannot cloister with a monastery mentality and carry out our mission. Yet, there is Biblical separation. While Jesus has sent us into the world, we are not to be of the world. That is sanctification, and we cannot make a difference in the world unless we are different from the world.

In Revelation 18, we see in Babylon a description of the world system—ecclesiastical Babylon marked by false religion and economic Babylon characterized by financial gain. That Babylon is doomed to destruction. Hence the urgent warning, “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” (v.4‬). 

In this context, we will weigh the role of the preacher and Biblical separation. 

Consider then, THE CALL TO SEPARATION, “Come out of her, my people.”  The voice comes from heaven, and it is with that voice that the preacher speaks, as he proclaims the Word of God from the pulpit.  Our message must be clear and compelling. All through the week , the church members have been living in this world that is seeking to shape their thinking and conduct according to its call to compromise and conform. They hear the siren song of deception and dollars, and we must warn them to resist!  Preach on eternity, so that the people will consecrate their lives upon the altar, holy and acceptable to God, being transformed by the truth as it renews their mind.  They will either be transformed by the Word or conformed to the world (cf. Rom.12:1-2).

Importantly there is THE COMMITMENT TO SEPARATION.  The warning is, “lest you share in her sins.”  The preacher’s model must support his message. The congregation needs to see it in the man of God if they are to be convinced as we speak of it.  Compromise with Babylon is a peril for the pastor as well as the people. How many men have diluted and deviated in doctrine and devotion, craving prestige and possessions?  We begin by avoiding uncomfortable truths. We claim to believe them in private, but do not proclaim them in public. This begins the path into the abyss of compromise.

Further count THE COST OF SEPARATION. Babylon is judged, “And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints…” as the final verse of Revelation 18 (verse 24) relates.  The pressure to compromise for religious prestige and material possessions is but one dimension—the flip side is the peril of resisting the forces of evil. On the one hand we are enticed with gain and on the other the threat of loss.  Ultimately, the world system is willing to eradicate those who expose their deception and expound their crimes. Prophets are not popular. Sadly, it has been said that the church today is a non-prophet organization!

The cost of conviction is great, but the cost of compromise is greater. In the former, one may suffer earthly pain, but will have everlasting reward. In the latter, one may have earthly gain, but will have eternal retribution. The warning is to come out of Babylon, “lest you receive of her plagues.”  Carnal, compromising preachers will find the fires of hell exceedingly hot, for they have not only gone astray, but have caused many others to stumble into the pit.  Their own agony will be accompanied by the screams of many of their past congregants!

I read the obituary of what I fear was such a preacher last evening. His church was near the one I served. The times I was around him, I can say he was more noted for what he did not believe than what he did. Here is what he wrote about his legacy:

“I seek no Heaven, nor Hell to shun                                                                                                            When this my earthly life is done.”

Although the final disposition of his soul is not mine to decide, I am concerned the heaven he did not seek has not been gained, and hell he did not care to shun, he has now begun to experience.  There is no joy in saying this. May God give us grace to pay the price of conviction, rather than the cost of compromise!

[The pictures portray Christian and Faithful from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, in Vanity Fair, resisting the allure, and are placed on trial, with Faithful being condemned to death—a fitting illustration of the truths of this post].