God is about to do something new and glorious, a work of purification and mercy to defend his holy name.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that God is on the verge of performing a new and glorious work, transcending mere revival and awakening. This divine initiative arises from God's desire to protect the sanctity of His name amidst the pollution of His church and the world. Wilkerson outlines two significant actions God will take: purging the nations and His church through redemptive judgments, and glorifying His name through a merciful intervention that will lead a remnant back to Him. He draws parallels to God's past actions with Israel, highlighting that this is not for humanity's sake but for the honor of God's name. Ultimately, God promises to cleanse and renew His people, ensuring that His holiness is recognized by all nations.
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"But I wrought [acted] for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen" (Ezekiel 20:14).
God is about to do something new and glorious. This new thing is beyond revival, beyond an awakening. It is a work of God that he alone initiates when he can no longer endure the polluting of his holy name. There comes a time when God determines that his Word has been so trampled into the mire, and abominations have so defiled what is called "the church," he must rise up and defend his name before a lost world.
"For his own name's sake," God is going to do two mighty works. First, he is going to purge the nations and his church with awesome redemptive judgments. He is going to stop the invasion of his house by homosexuals and charlatans--and he is going to purify and cleanse the ministry and raise up shepherds after his own heart.
Second, God is going to glorify his holy name with a great intervention of mercy. In the throes of judgments being fulfilled, God is going to save the day by a supernatural "turning" of a remnant back to himself. What he did for Israel when they were being judged, he will do again in the days ahead.
You can read it all in Ezekiel 36:21-38. Summed up, this is what is prophesied: "I will have pity for my holy name which has been profaned among the heathen...not for your sakes, but for my own name's sake. The heathen shall know that I am God. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean of all filthiness. I will give you a new heart and a new spirit. I will cause you to walk in my ways. I will save you from all your uncleanness. Not for your sakes do I this, but for my own name's sake."
"Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.... And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord God" (Ezekiel 20:22, 44).
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Name is Being Polluted
- A. The church has trampled God's Word
- B. Abominations have defiled the church
- II. God's Response to the Polluting of His Name
- A. Purge the nations and the church with judgments
- B. Purify and cleanse the ministry
- C. Raise up shepherds after God's own heart
- III. God's Great Intervention of Mercy
- A. A supernatural 'turning' of a remnant back to God
- B. A great intervention of mercy in the midst of judgments
Key Quotes
“God is about to do something new and glorious.” — David Wilkerson
“For his own name's sake, God is going to do two mighty works.” — David Wilkerson
“I will have pity for my holy name which has been profaned among the heathen...not for your sakes, but for my own name's sake.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- God will not tolerate the pollution of his name forever, and he will intervene to purify and cleanse his church.
- We must turn back to God and follow his ways to avoid judgment.
- God's mercy is available to us in the midst of judgment, and we can experience a supernatural 'turning' back to him.
