Psalm 91 remains one of my favorite of the psalms, and definitely a cherished set of promises from God. Other posts share my powerful personalization of this psalm (i.e., interpreting/translating it into the first person present tense), and explain how it is a discourse among four voices/persons. Powerful!
As I read/see horrific news reports from across our world, there is one section of this psalm that echoes in my mind, namely verses 7 - 8: “A thousand shall/may fall at your side. And ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.” Across the entire spectrum of The Bible, ‘the wicked’ are those who staunchly reject and disobey God’s way and plan. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life!” Ergo, Jesus rejecters are ‘the wicked’ in God’s sight.
Irrespective of the reason, we who love and nurture life, generally do not like the idea of thousands falling (being judged or dying), especially if we have to witness their apparent sentences or their deaths in real time, or learn about it shortly thereafter. Yet God promises the righteous will witness/see the rewards of the wicked – rewards or punishments that become due and payable after Grace has been l-o-n-g extended, yet rejected.
These rewards or punishments are delivered in stages. The above verses, however, only refer to the final stage, the actual, physical fall of the wicked, whether it is death or lesser punishments (e.g., jail sentence, public shaming, broken homes, lost jobs and opportunities, etc.). Well before this physical fall, the real fall, the real deal, occurs…spiritually! This is the point at which God pronounces His “judgment that allows the destroyers access” or entry to bring the spiritual fall to physical fruition. Consider it as a high court judge pronouncing judgment on a criminal, who is then turned over to law enforcement officials to administer or execute the judgment.
An absolutely clear example of this staged judgment/execution process is found in Ezekiel 9. Those familiar with Scripture, may recognize this as the chapter in which God reveals, ‘Judgment begins at The House of God.’ This chapter is worth frequent reading and pondering/meditation to perceive how it may apply to our world today. I believe it does.
In it, we clearly see One, believed to be pre-incarnate (pre-birth) Jesus, pronouncing judgment on those who have rejected God’s way. They had killed His prophets, sacrificed their babies in fire to demons, worshiped idols, or simply sanctioned or did not cry or sigh about the above evils. He directs a spirits (who appear to Ezekiel in the form of men) first (a) to ‘seal’, put a protective mark on those who do cry and sigh over evils committed; then (b) to kill/slay all the rest, with no mercy – “old and young men, maidens and little children and women.” Shortly following this pronouncement, one of the angels returns to say, “I have done as You commanded me.”
Ponder this: Though they were sealed/marked for protection, the righteous (those protected) felt no such thing, neither could they or others see the mark received. Similarly, though slain in the spirit, the wicked felt no such thing, neither could others see anyone being slain. But indeed, ‘slain in the spirit’ they were! This, my Friend, is ‘the real deal’ about being slain in the spirit, i.e., judgment pronounced and executed spiritually, yet undetected physically, for the time being. Judgments pronounced and executed spiritually in Ezekiel 9, were subsequently brought to physical life when the Babylonian army sequentially/iteratively invaded and destroyed Judah and Jerusalem, its capital, leaving alive only a remnant of the people, just as God had promised on many occasions. Another remnant was captured and taken to Babylon to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. This group famously included Daniel and his 3 close friends who rose to the apex of wise men in the Babylonian, and subsequent kingdoms of Medo-Persia, and Persia. It also included Mordecai, who raised a young relative whose parents had died. Her name was later changed to Esther, and she eventually became the queen of Persia! Voila! The Bible stories (books) of Daniel and Esther were thus birthed!
Another similar example of this spiritual principle, the real deal about being slain in the spirit, is hinted at in Joshua 5:13-15 and 6:1-2. Here, however, Joshua does not see the destroying angels over whom the pre-incarnate Jesus is captain. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Jericho were slain in the spirit well before the Israeli army took the first step toward that city!
And slain in the spirit, the wicked won’t even know it.
Though full of Love and Grace, God is Judge in Heaven’s court.
Even when His judgments are pronounced, He still may relent,
But this is only possible for those of us who repent.
Across our world, unrepentant folks are thus being slain,
When long-term Grace from The Lord, they decided to disdain.
Others, who responded righteously to Grace, are being sealed.
They’re protected when lives and life quality, judgments steal.
Even when, by collateral damages, they’re impacted,
Alive or deceased, The Lord ensures ..they will be protected!
In which group are you?
I enjoyed reading this! It encourages me to hold on to God's promises.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated. Great to realize I am the first student of these posts, simply passing along what The Lord is teaching me. Bless you for reading.
DeleteThe Post was great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear reader. Bless you.
DeleteHallelujah! To God be the Glory!
ReplyDeleteYes, the Holy Spirit Motivated and Equipped you to write a powerful piece. I gained hindsights and insights to the issue.
Thanks and keep moving ahead in the Spirit to continue enabling ears to hear and eyes to see our God's Plans and Will Occurring.
Rev@SA
By God's Grace, I aspire to do my small part. Thanks for doing your part in reading and holding me up in prayer. Bless you.
DeleteI had to print that write-up out to KEEP!!! Very good one!
ReplyDeletePlease consider sharing this important post with anyone you believe could be helped by it. Thanks very much.
DeleteThis is truly one of the most powerful pieces of Christ-Wisdom I have read in years- I really mean this. I am very blessed by this insight!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your generous comment on this potentially controversial post. The Word is, or should be, the source of insight into all things spiritual. However, it seems we, The Church, are quite selective in how we embrace and apply the 'plain as day' insights revealed therein. I, too, am guilty as charged. By God's Grace, we'll continue to progress aright! Blessings.
DeleteI believe slain the spirit or slaying in the spirit are terms used by Pentecostal and charismatic Christians to describe a prostration in which an individual falls to the floor while experiencing religious ecstasy. Believers attribute this to the power of the Holy Spirit. Other terms the experience include falling under the power, overcome by the spirit,and resting in the spirit.
ReplyDeleteScripture showing people falling to the ground wherever God would manifest His presence to different people.
2 Chronicles 5:14 , house was filled with a cloud, John 18:6, Jesus said to them "I am He"they drew back and fell to the ground"
No time did Jesus or the apostles ever lay hands on people causing them fall backwards. When the presence of God would manifest like described in verses. Other times God manifest his presence and people would not fall to the ground.An example of apostle Paul was rendered judgement by God when he knocked him to the ground. There were others the priest of the temple, prophets like Ezekiel and John the Revelator. My conclusion some people can receive visions, instructions, or advice from the Lord on a situation that he may want to deal with them on. I believe people can rest anywhere in the Spirit from 1-2 minutes or as long as 4-6 hours if God would choose to go that long with a particular individual. I read a synopsis once about the Spirit from it being slain in the spirit was a very real manifestation of God that was occurring because of all the good fruit it produced in the people who had experienced this phenomena. I have experienced actual healing that came through ministry of laying of hands upon. I do believe it is the anointing of the Holy Ghost(Spirit) that breaks the yoke of bondage. Power of God has no limits.
Blessings always
Hello and thanks for your informative comments, which reflect the understanding of our growing up experiences. Your comments, however, do not directly address the solid Biblical evidence for the clear alternative meaning of the expression, slain in the spirit, as elucidated in this current post. Please see and feel free to comment on the new post, "Slain in the Spirit - Response to Tradition". (http://jwootenjr.blogspot.com/2015/03/slain-in-spirit-response-to-tradition.html).
DeleteBlessings to you, too.
Thank you for sharing - food for thought ~ great blogs~
ReplyDeleteWith appreciation~
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