The Gravity Well

ver the years I've noticed a rather mystical pattern that periodically seems to occur. In our semi-regular trips to town, we drive down a miles-long two lane country road that is quite remote. We're commonly all alone on these wide open spaces for miles, but then the phenomena I'm describing begins to take shape. We'll see, for example, a bicyclist coming in the other direction. Then we'll notice another vehicle coming some distance behind the bicycle rider.

Invariably, the other vehicle will meet us at precisely the same point the bicyclist does -- causing a rather dangerous confluence of events as the road is quite narrow. Mind you, there's plenty of room for two vehicles, and plenty of room for one vehicle and one bicyclist, but when all three converge at precisely the same point, things rather suddenly get ominous.

I called this phenomena the "chaos factor" for awhile, but my wife Susan, ever the science minded geologist, dubbed it "the gravity well." There are many variations on a theme, such as an object on the road instead of a bicyclist, a pedestrian instead of another vehicle, but the net effect is always the same: multiple objects, some in motion, and some not, converging together as if they were drawn to the point of convergent proximity.

The same thing is happening in the realm of the spirit. As one involved in a revolutionary prophecy ministry, I seem to draw opposition like a magnet. Looking back, it seems like I've gone from one battle to the next, and many times these conflicts have ended up in rather acrimonious conflict. These battles are over a variety of issues, including spiritual purity, misbehaviour by "Christian" leaders, or some other form of devious activity on the part of our various opponents. Long time associates of our ministry are aware of most of these conflicts.

For some time, I periodically heeded my numerous critics and, not wanting to assume I'm blameless, re-examined myself -- wondering if it wasn't my own fiery, somewhat combative nature that was causing the conflicts. There have been many occasions in which I've longed for the seeming calm of no conflict with those around us.

I've finally come to realize that if this were to occur, something will have changed to my eternal detriment. In short, the spiritual dynamic the LORD has unleashed in our midst is what is driving the conflict.

Jesus Christ was asked about His mission. Having spoken so gently with such phrases as "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11), and "suffer the little children" (Mark 10:14), many expected Him to maintain that accommodating tone in His ministry. Yet Jesus tells us

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34).

Furthermore, as Christ moved through the Judean landscape, He kept encountering evil spirits. As it is completely inconsistent with the New Testament to think that these recurring spiritual collisions were simple random occurrences, we can only conclude that Jesus Christ, in His explosive manifestation of the only begotten Son of God, actually drew the evil spirits to Him.

The Cry Of It

When we look at these spiritual dynamics, we also see the process works in reverse. A careful analysis of numerous scriptural episodes points us to some rather interesting conclusions in terms of just how the powers of the heavens collide. For instance, the Sodom and Gomorrah account provides a look at how the evil spiritual power that was vested in that unholy dominion actually drew the judgment of God upon the cities.

As the LORD arrived in the form of 3 men before Abraham, we learn that "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great" (Genesis 18:20) -- indicating the tremendous evil that had gripped the cities of the plain had actually caused Him to come down to destroy the place. The text plainly indicates that He had come to determine if "the cry" of this grievous sin, which He says "is come unto me" (Genesis 18:21), was genuine.

In short, the evil power has announced itself, and the righteousness of the LORD has been drawn to the locale where the sin has institutionalized itself, and the natural consequence is one of judgment and destruction.

A similar form of the same principle is found in the Exodus account. In this example, as the children of Israel were continually oppressed by the collective evil that had enslaved them in Egypt, once again, "the cry" of it had reached His heavenly abode. In fact, even the language is similar to the Sodom and Gomorrah example in that the LORD says to Moses "I am come down" (Exodus 3:8) in response to "the cry" that He has heard "by reason of [the Israelite's] taskmasters" (Exodus 3:7).

In the case of the Israelite bondage in Egypt, the evil that had consolidated its power in the ancient state had generated an anguish on the part of the Israelites -- who, in turn, had given voice to "the cry" that brought the LORD to destroy the Pharaoh and his host. Similarly, in Sodom and Gomorrah, the Word of God tells us that Lot was "vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked" (II Peter 2:7) -- a spiritual collision that was very likely the catalyst that beckoned the LORD to come to Sodom in the first place.

Referring to Lot, the Apostle Peter tells us that the incredible evil that had grown to wholesale proportions in Sodom "vexed his righteous soul." This provides us with an interesting description of the spiritual dynamic that will ultimately draw the wrath of God upon all evil.

Yet another example is seen in Ezekiel where we see the amazing account of the writer with the inkhorn. In this illustrative account, we learn the Babylonian religion has completely penetrated the temple worship in Jerusalem.

Here we see worship of the Sun (Ezekiel 8:16), women weeping for Tammuz (the Babylonian version of the Saviour, seen in Ezekiel 8:14) ), and the star seed religion of the Nephilim. All of these elements were epitomized by the introduction of the demonic spirits associated with the six pointed star, which had enveloped the house of the LORD (see the image of jealousy in Ezekiel 8:5 & Amos 5:26).

This incredible evil had flowered since the days of Solomon when he turned to the star gods worshiped by his wives, but in Ezekiel we find the catalyst that brings it all down. In this story, we're going to see the LORD destroy everything and everyone in a fiery judgment -- but first he determines to preserve His remnant.

The LORD tells the angelic host that is led by the "writer with the inkhorn" to place a mark of preservation on "the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof" (Ezekiel 9:4). Thus we see the key principles that flow out of the well of judgment, and the spiritual powers I'm seeking to describe.

The anguish of spirit that is generated from a righteous remnant amidst a flood of evil is the ignition of the judgment. This is "the cry of it" that brought the wrath of God down upon the powerful iniquity that had become so entrenched in Jerusalem. 

As we continue to probe the mystical phenomena we've dubbed "the gravity well," I've sought to show how spiritual power seems to draw its opposite. I've also looked at several accounts in which the scriptures describe this gravity-like pull of spiritual energy that draws evil towards judgment through a process the text refers to as "the cry of it" (Genesis 18:21).

Although there are many examples of the "cry" of evil as well as the "cry" of righteousness (particularly when the latter is being oppressed, or vexed, with the wickedness of the world), we have a superb example of this mystical phenomena in the book of Revelation. In chapter 6, as the seals of the writing denoting the ownership of man have progressively opened, we encounter "the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (Revelation 6:9).

This is a particularly interesting account for, in addition to "the cry of it," these verses also contain the key element of the "soul." It may be pointed out that this was also present in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah wherein we saw how the "soul" of Lot was "vexed" through the wholesale violation of the laws of God (II Peter 2:8). We linked this vexation to "the cry of it" that called out to God.

In the case of these "souls" of the end-times martyrs who have been overwhelmed with the iniquity of the last generation, we read the following:

"And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10).

Although these verses describe the apparently disembodied spirits ("souls" in the KJV) of the murdered saints, they are able to cry out to God in some form of existence that is clearly beyond our present understanding of consciousness. Incidentally, the seeming agitation implied by the fact that they they are crying out for justice and vengeance is mitigated by the next verse where

"...it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" (Revelation 6:10). 

In short, even though these precious souls are apparently "vexed," they are quieted with the righteous peace of God, and the assurance their deaths will not go un-avenged. 

Perhaps the ultimate example of this glimpse into the unseen place of what Paul called "the higher powers" (Romans 13:1), is in the divine presence of Jesus Christ Himself. As the LORD contemplated His forthcoming death in order that all who are in Him might live, John provides us with enough detail to see all the same elements were present:

"And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:23,24,27,31)

Here is the Spirit of God that cries out to all who will hear. He is the source of the "powers of the heavens," or that which we call the "gravity well," the fountainhead of all life and love. This wondrous power, this amazing invisible spiritual attraction, draws everyone and everything towards Him.

It is found in His purity and His righteousness, and this divine life-force is a person, and He has a name: Jesus Christ.