Depart From Me!
(The most dreaded words)
By Michael O'Connor
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23).
This article is written for everyone in general, but especially for all of my dearly beloved sisters in Christ,
wherever they may be found in the nations of the earth.
We are living in a time of great compromise and retrograde! Sadly, the Church World has not escaped this dread
scourge now sweeping through every tenet of society! There has been, since the end of World War II, a blatant and shocking
departure from the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). As it was with ancient Israel,
so is it with her counterpart, the “Church.” The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob spoke to Isaiah concerning this
condition, in Isaiah 30:8-10;
"Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the
time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the
LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,
prophesy deceits."
Please note that in verse eight, Isaiah is commissioned to write this prophecy “before them.” (This is a word which indicated a close proximity. It is to be all around them
as a constant reminder. In modern vernacular, one may say: “To throw it in their faces.”) It was to be written
upon a table: (tablets or parchments), and to note it in a book (record and compile in a bound copy). This indicates that
the prophecy would be included in the pages of Holy Scripture. Oh! How we praise the Lord, for His merciful faithfulness in
preserving for us the ancient writings entrusted to holy men of old who were moved upon by the Holy Spirit. It is nothing
short of miraculous that these many separate and disjointed pieces of the great puzzle of Scripture were indeed preserved
and brought down through the ages, as a combined volume, so familiarly known as the Bible. A significant note of interest
is that in the discovery (beginning in 1947) of the parchments which had been copied by the Essene scribes, and hidden away
in clay urns in remote caves, located at a place called Qumran, near the Dead Sea, was found a complete parchment (scroll)
of the Book of Isaiah. To their utter amazement, the scholars working on the translation of this scroll found it to
be nearly word for word in agreement with the King James translation. The Dead Sea Scrolls (as well as other tablets
and parchments recovered) serve only to authenticate and bear witness to those Scriptural portions previously discovered,
and included within the Canon of Scripture.
It was my great privilege to travel to that region with Brother Warren in Spring of 2000. You may be interested
to know that on an earlier occasion, Brother Warren, being a brave young soul, scaled the very rock faces, where those caves
are found. During my visit, I thought to scale the same rock faces in order to explore some of the caves (of course
I was eleven years younger then! S m i l e . . . I am thankful for Brother Warren's wise admonition: "Pastor Mike,
I really don't think you should try that . . .").
You may ask, “What is so vitally important that God would command Isaiah to not only record it, but also
to hold it ever before their face and also to compile it within a book?” You may also ask, “Why would this prophecy
be given for a time to come; forever and ever?” To answer such an inquiry, we make reference to the fact that elsewhere in Scripture, on numerous occasions,
the stipulation was made concerning prophetic utterances, which were not specifically given for their time, but for a yet
future time. In some instances, there was a dual fulfillment involved, wherein the prophecy was indeed related unto the time-frame
in which it was spoken, as well as being related to a yet future time-frame, for its complete fulfillment.
A prime example of this is found in Daniel 12:9; “...Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and
sealed till the time of the end.” This is to say that the vision and prophecy which Daniel had received at that time
would find its fulfillment at “the time of the end [or, in the End-Times.”] Let us further examine the Isaiah
narrative: Verse eight states that this prophecy shall be “...for the time to come, for ever and ever.” This indicates
that it speaks of a future time of ultimate fulfillment, spanning a great distance in chronology; whilst simultaneously being
proclaimed and declared upon a consistent basis; running-on in perpetuation through the ages, epochs, centuries, and decades;
unto the time of its latter fulfillment. (Bible scholars understand that there are two basic types of prophecy: Firstly,
that which is near at hand; and secondly, that which is long-range in its fulfillment.)
The import and weight of this prophetic revelation that the Lord's people had become:
1. "A rebellious people."
2. "Lying children."
3. "Children that will not hear the law of the LORD."
4. "Children who say to the seers: See not.”
5. "Children who say to the prophets:
Prophesy not unto us right things."
6. "Children who say: Speak unto us smooth things."
7. "Children who say: Prophesy deceits."
The above is a listing of seven heinous transgressions of which the people were guilty in Isaiah's time. For
all who are willing to make an honest and unvarnished observation in this day, it will become very apparent that these very
same sins are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Church World. The first and foremost of these is rebellion.
We are told in Scripture that “...rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23). A spirit
of rebellion is at the root of every sin and evil! Rebellion is the very nature and personality of Satan, the Fallen Angels,
and of every demon spirit.
From his beginnings, Satan is a murderer... destroyer … thief, and above all, a “REBEL!” Sin
is a result of rebellion against God's established order, as revealed in His written Word, the Bible. Satan's first tactic
against the Human Race was to sow a seed of doubt concerning the Word of God: “Hath God said?” (Genesis 3:1).
He then perverted their understanding by sowing unbelief and rebellion: “...ye shall not surely die,... and ye shall
be as gods...” (Genesis 3:4-5).
A most alarming thought (and a sobering one indeed) is that: The very moment anyone of us steps outside the
realm of Scripture, we step out of the safety-zone which it affords, straight into a pool of quicksand! Our Lord in His great
mercy and foreknowledge has given us everything needful for our pilgrimage journey, from Earth to Glory! In the Bible, He has given us a precise and
never failing road-map which to follow. When folk grow stubborn and rebellious in their hearts, they most often begin to neglect,
make light of, and finally, doubt the written Word of God; feeling that they themselves are better able to chart their own courses in life! Needless
to say, the end result of such a scenario is always predictably the same: Deception, shipwreck, and certain destruction! No
personal revelation can ever supersede the Written Word of God, which is the Divine Standard by which all else is judged.
It is the Divine Plumbline, and our only rule of Faith and Practice!
In modernity, we hear again and again, the pitiful excuse: “Oh! Yes, I know, the Bible does say that; but
you must realize that those things were written for that time, and not for ours. God understands that we live in a modern
age, and in our contemporary culture, we could not possibly follow the Biblical teachings on certain subjects, etc., etc...”
Beloved reader, I pray and sincerely hope that having read the above words, you realize them to be clearly, the “hiss
of the serpent.” This is the sort of rhetoric which Satan whispers into the ears of anyone who will listen, in order
to inject his evil venom of doubt and compromise; thusly leading them straight through the vestibule of unbelief, into the
the great hall of rebellion.
It is with a “cold-chill” that I have often heard individuals rail against the fear of God! Many
have relegated this to mean only a “belief-system” in the Divine. Some carry it a bit further, and claim to hold
a “certain respect and reverence” in conjunction with their belief-system. Please know assuredly that any such
flawed concept is a poison-vine,
which has crept its way from the tangled morass of “New-Age Theology!” Its purpose, of course, is to entwine itself around as may Believers as possible, in
an ever-tightening coil, until at last, it has choked out of them the true knowledge of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest forces of rebellion in this hour is that which has raised its serpentine head against the
“OLD PATHS” OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS, AND SANCTIFICATION! (Jeremiah 6:16). Especially is this true with
regard to the Scriptural standard for godly living and separation from the worldly, secular system. We are to be Sanctified
(separated from the world, and unto our Lord Jesus Christ!). May I ask you, why should there be so much resistance,
rebellion, and out-right hostility against the very essence of the Gospel, as established by our Lord Jesus Christ, and His
Apostles? As I prepare to relate to you what I feel to be one of the greatest warnings I have ever heard, I sincerely (and
with a heart of love and concern for everyone of you) pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will open your hearts, minds, souls,
and spirits as you read! May He in His great love and mercy indeed impart unto you the “Spirit of the Fear of the Lord,”
(Isaiah 11:2), so that you may take heed unto yourself, and truly see, perceive, and comprehend His heart on the matters at
issue. Amen!
"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the Fear of the LORD men depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:6).
Some thirty years ago, I first heard the account of a God-given warning, specifically directed to Christian women.
This message was delivered through a very beloved and respected Pastor and Father in the Faith; who possessed an unusual degree
of concern and compassion for the Body of Christ. Whether the following was given as a direct revelation or as vision or dream,
I do not recall, but I remember very clearly the essence of the message, which I now relate unto you.
THE WARNING
There was a scene in heaven amongst untold multitudes, which included the Judgment Seat of Christ. Much could
be related as to the glorious scene, but my purpose here is to relate the heart of the message. As the great judgment was
taking place, it was noted that some would be received unto eternal life, and some would be rejected. As the Brother was enabled
to focus more clearly upon the proceedings, he became aware of a surprising number of women, who were told: “Depart
from Me.” Again, the prophetic focus became clearer, and it was made apparent to him that the Lord was revealing something
very poignant and specific. There followed a most distressing scene, where numbers of women were found guilty of
the sin of adultery, and thusly were commanded to depart.
There was one occasion cited, where one of the women remonstrated by saying: “NO LORD! This cannot be
true! I have never been unfaithful to my husband! I am not guilty of adultery!” In response, the Lord Jesus seemed
very sad and pained, as He gently and patiently stated: “Yes,... Oh yes you are guilty! Have you not read in
My Word that 'whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart' and is
guilty of the same (Matthew 5:28)? Do you not understand that adultery is not a sin committed by one individual, but rather,
a sin which requires partnership? You are a guilty party in this sin, because you, for many years (while claiming to be one
of My own) dressed and attired yourself in such a way as to present yourself in an alluring way before men, so that you would
be seen and noticed of them. By so doing, you have caused men to stumble, and to have lustful thoughts. As a result, they
are found guilty of committing adultery with you in their hearts! They are guilty, and you are also guilty, because
it was you who so presented yourself unto them, as to cause this response within them. Depart from Me . . . I never
knew you!” The scene faded with the woman walking away sadly, and knowingly, toward the darkness.
When we think of this warning, it should strike fear into our hearts, and cause us to fall at the feet of our
Lord Jesus Christ, imploring His mercy and forgiveness! Oh! How far we have fallen short of those Divine standards, which
not so many years past, were the established norm for Christian behavior.
It is not my purpose to launch a scathing diatribe against worldliness and compromise within the Church! For
all who will open their eyes, this is all too plain to behold! I must say, however, that while I certainly do not set
myself up as a judge, nor critic of anyone (indeed, I myself, am only a sinner saved by grace!). I must be true and faithful
to declare the whole counsel of God! If I do not warn you, and speak to you concerning these matters, I will be held responsible
in the Day of Judgment! Yes, there is a Day of Judgment! (One of the great foundations in Hebrews 6, is “eternal
judgment.”) There is a Day of Giving Account for every deed. No one shall escape “the Judgment Seat of Christ”
(Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We shall all be there, great and small! “...it is appointed unto to men once to
die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Make no mistake about this, my friend! In this age, Jesus is our Savior, Advocate, and Friend! He stands tenderly
calling and pleading for us to come home, but in that day, He will sit as the Great Judge of all the Earth! There
will be no time then, to repent; no time to make amends, nor to change our way of living! “...behold, now is
the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). “ Choose you this day whom ye will
serve!” (Joshua 24:15).
When our first parents, Adam and Eve, transgressed God's law in the Garden, they became aware of their nakedness,
and sewed leaves upon themselves. God came in the “spirit of the day,” and looking forward to Calvary, killed
an innocent animal in order to use its skins to cover their nakedness. Furthermore, in the Book of Leviticus, our all-wise
Father gave commandment through Moses to forbid nudity in the family structure (Leviticus 18:6-19). Can God be wrong in these
dealings? Of course not! Our Lord is never wrong! His Word is true and perfect, and He cannot fail! In His omniscience, He knows us far better than we know ourselves! He realizes that in our human
state, we are no longer in the Garden,
but are children of a fallen race! For this reason, He placed clothing upon Adam and Eve, and gave commandment against nakedness. (This includes all
styles, fashions, and apparel which accentuate or reveal the body. This applies to men as well as women!)
Yet, shocking as it may be to our more conservative readers, and shocking it is, indeed; many churches
today; even those claiming to be Pentecostal, Full-Gospel, Charismatic, Evangelical, and Fundamental, etc.; display a greater
degree of uncovered flesh amongst their congregants, than would have been permitted in the relatively recent past, amongst
Show people and worldly entertainers! I must not proceed further here: Suffice to say that those who have attended such churches,
will be fully aware of the conditions of which I speak.
My dear sisters in Christ, you are not fully to blame, due to the fact that very few Pastors have in the
past thirty years been faithful to preach the truth of God's Word concerning these matters! Perhaps you have never heard a
single message relating to the manner in which a Christian woman should dress and conduct herself! Notwithstanding, everyone
of us has a conscience, and if that conscience has not been seared with a hot iron, it will speak to us clearly and precisely,
and always in perfect accord what God has said in His written Word! Man may boast of many things, and speak great swelling
words, attempting to rationalize, and convolute the simplicity of the Gospel! The truth of God is basic and easily understood!
The Apostle Paul, under Divine Inspiration, gives instruction in these matters:
1 Timothy 2:9-15; “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves
in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (10)
But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.”
1 Timothy 5:1-15; “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a
father; and the younger men as brethren; (2) The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. (3)
Honour widows that are widows indeed. (4) But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew
piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. (5) Now she that is a widow
indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. (6) But she that
liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. (7) And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. (8)
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than
an infidel. (9) Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
(10) Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed
the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. (11) But the younger
widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; (12) Having damnation, because
they have cast off their first faith. (13) And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and
not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. (14) I will therefore that the
younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (15)
For some are already turned aside after Satan.”
2 Timothy 3:6; “For of this sort are they which creep into
houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts.”
Titus 2:1-5; “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
(2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (3) The aged women likewise,
that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4)
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet,
chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
The Apostle Peter, also under Divine Inspiration, gives instruction in these matters:
1 Peter 3:1-7 “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your
own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
(2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. (3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (4) But let it be the hidden man
of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God
of great price. (5) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,
being in subjection unto their own husbands: (6) Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye
are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according
to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that
your prayers be not hindered.”
Any sincere Believer in Christ will quickly acknowledge the veracity of the Scripture verse: “All scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
(2 Timothy 3:16). It is folly to relegate to a past age the Divinely inspired doctrine and instruction of the Apostles Paul
and Peter, whom God Himself chose as vessels to establish right teaching and doctrine at the outset of the Early Church.
While I do have compassion, and while I do hold for all of my brothers and sisters, the love of
Jesus Christ; I must boldly proclaim, that very soon, we will begin to see a sifting process as the judgment
of God comes first unto His house: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if
it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). This has already
begun, but as His Coming draws nearer, it shall increase and intensify. Our Lord Jesus demands our very highest and
best devotion and obedience unto His will and purpose for His Church, and for our lives individually, as well!
The
call of the Holy Spirit to the Church is clear and specific, in this “Laodicean age,” dealing in the lives, and brooding
upon the hearts of all who desire Him,
and welcome Him into their lives! He has come to “reprove
the world of sin!” (John 16:8), and
to lead us and “guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13). Dear hearts, this “dealing of God” through
His Spirit, most definitely includes our right relationship with Him concerning our appearance, speech, behavior, and conduct amongst each other,
and as we relate to those who know Him not. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers,
in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Please remember that we are called to be open-books: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch
as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the
living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
CLOSING PRAYER
Most gracious Lord Jesus Christ: We humbly bring our hearts before you in this hour, and pray as earnestly and
sincerely as we know how, for the Body of Christ in all the Earth! Oh! Lord Jesus, lead us and guide us back to the paths
of righteousness for your name's sake! Set us into the Highway of Holiness, spoken of by your prophet Isaiah! Oh!
Lord Jesus, come as a Refiner of silver, and thoroughly purge the sons of Levi! Come, Lord Jesus, sweep away
from our lives the chaff of the flesh and of the carnal nature! Let your holy winds blow upon us! Come, O breath
of God, and blow away the chaff, until you have thoroughly “purged your floor,” with fire unquenchable.
Your Word, O Lord, is a fire; you're Word is a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29); and your Word is a sword”
(Ephesians 6:17). Amen and Amen!
