One of the last conversations I had with Bob Jones dealt with our great need to remain true to God's Word and alleviate spiritual compromise. Bob was a man who clearly remained true to his beliefs and represented the prophetic Gospel with boldness, without yielding to the compromise of political correctness. I wrote this article based upon the revelatory encounter that he had and the understanding we gleaned from our conversations on the subject. I believe it is a very relevant word for this hour.
Paul Keith Davis
WhiteDove Ministries
Clearly this nation and the Church are presently going through a great shaking. Naturally, our first question is to understand the Holy Spirit's objective during this season. What do we need to gleam from these tests and trials?
As I have been asking the Lord this question, I was reminded of a prophetic article that Bob Jones and I brought several years ago. Much of our ministry has been centered on understanding prior moves of the Spirit to discover what was done properly and what caused the downfall of many.
According to Hebrews 13:7, we should study and contemplate the lives of our spiritual fathers and examine carefully the conduct of their actions. We are given the admonition to imitate their faith, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Hebrews 13:7-8). If we meet the Lord on the same conditions of faith as our fathers, then He will do through us what He did through them and much more.
Many noble qualities exemplified the men and women who went before us. They were great pioneers and forerunners who paved the way for us to enjoy the many spiritual benefits we hold dear. Nevertheless, we also learn, historically, that every prior revival has been lost or never fully accomplished its original mandate.
Scrutiny of these revivals will highlight one principal spirit of a diabolical nature that has facilitated this demise. It can simply be identified as the "spirit of compromise."
It is our belief that a portion of this present shaking is intended to help us address this undermining snare so that the Spirit's release that is coming can be perpetually sustained.
A Graveyard of Warriors
In Bob's original vision he saw many churches and spiritual movements allegorically portrayed as powerful warring women who had won many notable victories. Even so, he also discovered they came to an untimely demise. He was taken to a graveyard that held the remains of this army of God. Clearly, their lives had been taken prematurely without the full accomplishment of their destiny, and Bob's mission was to discovery how such a thing could occur.
The churches portrayed in Bob's revelation had been mightily anointed. They had won great victories on behalf of their Bridegroom. Even though these "women" were incredible warriors, something tragic had occurred to precipitate their demise. How could such a powerful, warlike clan end with such violence and certainty as characterized in the graveyard Bob observed?
This resulted from unknowingly embracing the "spirit of compromise" that facilitated the substitution of the spirit of this world for the Holy Spirit. What the enemy could not accomplish in head-to-head battle, he easily achieved through this deceptive snare.
This is actually the same strategy that Balaam utilized against Israel. When he was unsuccessful in cursing God's chosen people, he altered his approach. What he could not perpetuate in direct confrontation, he easily accomplished through stumbling blocks and snares facilitated through compromise.
It is our present intent to again highlight this blueprint of the enemy in hopes of strengthening the Church with the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that our heritage is not lost in this generation. The New Testament reminds us of this demonic strategy from the spirit of Balaam in both the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelation. It is a battle that we must learn to win.
Work In Daylight; Rest At Night
Prophetically, there are appropriate times and seasons in God. There is a time to sow, and then a time to reap; a time for working, and then a time for rest.
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven – a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
Logistically, the Church has not been very efficient in recognizing these seasons. As a result, we expose ourselves to the spirit of this world and end up compromising our standards when we do not adjust with the ebb and flow of God's Spirit. There is a way that seems right and appropriate to man's reasoning but the end is destruction.
We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4
Spiritually speaking, the day is the proper time for work – night is not. This is the general and universal sentiment related to the release of spiritual light into a grossly dark generation. While the day lasts, it is proper to labor.
In Bob's vision he saw Churches represented as noble women who had fought gallantly during daylight hours. However, they grew weary and impatient waiting upon their Bridegroom and eventually ventured out during the night hours and entered into promiscuity.
They had grown weary waiting upon their Bridegroom to fulfill His promises to her. Unwisely, they had joined themselves to men (who represented the spirit of this world or human reasoning) whose initial appearance seemed good and beneficial but whose hearts were evil. This resulted in spiritual assassination when these women least expected it. However, the question remained, "What led them to such an inadvisable decision?" Of course this is an allegorical depiction of spiritual realities.
After making these few observations, Bob desired to leave the graveyard, which was actually a shrine to commemorate our enemy's victories. However, before he could do so, a very naturally-appealing, "smooth talking" man approached him. This man confronted Bob with the confidence and assurance of a professional salesperson. He explicitly displayed a mastery of the human language and could easily deceive someone with this gift. No doubt this is the way satan approached the Lord Jesus during the 40-day wilderness temptation.
Immediately, Bob asked this man his identity. The man responded by identifying himself as "compromise." It was "compromise" that was responsible for the death of these powerful women. They had compromised the genuine for a counterfeit. They had substituted the revealed Word of God for the traditions of man.
And He (Jesus) said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." Mark 7:6-8
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons; by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron... 1 Timothy 4:1-2
Despite the women's powerful attributes and their numerous victories, their strength was no match for "compromise." Compromise will always destroy the most powerful of warriors.
Samson was the most anointed man of his day; yet compromise in one small area of his life cost him the anointing and the many victories that could have been achieved had he remained faithful. It was the Lord's great grace that restored Samson in the end and allowed one final victory with his death. However, it would have been the much greater testimony to remain faithful to the end, giving no place to compromise.
Inconceivable as it may seem at first, this was the same bold form by which the enemy embodied the idea of entrapping the Lord by a compromise with evil at the outset of the Lord's earthly ministry. It was an appeal to the holy purpose for which the Lord came into the earth, but upon the grounds of doing evil that good might come. Satan offered the kingdoms of this world to the Lord through an unholy alliance and a compromise of the plan of God. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons by Ranosonar)
The Kingdom was to be won, but in the way ordained by God and in the manner foretold in Scripture. "Compromise" will claim to carry us to the goal we are destined to achieve in a way that seems expedient and convenient, but the end is destruction.
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
The Death of Compromise
In Bob's vision, a holy jealousy and righteous anger arose in his heart because of the damage caused by "compromise." He knew that compromise had to be destroyed and the only weapon for this purpose is the same one the Lord Jesus utilized in His confrontation with this spirit – the Word of God.
The living Word is like a mighty sword that forges deep into the heart of this enemy. As the Scriptures declare:
"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:12-13).
With this discovery, Bob confidently walked toward "compromise" and allowed the sword of God's Word to fall into position in his hand and buried it deep into the heart of "compromise." It was "compromise" that had caused the death of the "warring women" (the churches). Authority from God's Word is now placed in our hands to destroy this life threatening spirit.
By grace, the Lord is releasing to this generation the wisdom and authority needed to identify and defeat this great enemy of the Church. This victory is assured if we are willing to obediently heed the Lord's voice and do the will of the Father. Faithful adherence to the Word of God will always bring death to the spirit of compromise.
Learning From the Past
Instead of being at home caring for their family, the "women" (churches and movements) allowed "compromise" to deceive them into unlawful relationships. There are appropriate times and seasons for the purposes of God. And there is a time to minister unto the Lord and oversee His sheep. We have been in a season focused on equipping the Body of Christ to do the work of the ministry.
In Bob's symbolic vision, the "women" left their post of duty and wandered into promiscuous relationships with the spirit of this world, resulting in defeat. Sometimes things do not appear fruitful to the natural eye that are actually exceedingly rewarding in the realm of the Spirit. That is why our eyes must be focused on the eternal realm rather than the natural. Otherwise, a door can be opened to the spirit of compromise.
Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. Revelation 2:22-23
The Lord is to be the Husband of the Church, and any relationship with man that usurps the rightful position of the Lord as Bridegroom is considered spiritual adultery. The spirit of compromise will always try to convince the covenant people of God to relinquish their promised heritage for a counterfeit relationship that seems appropriate at the time.
That was the teaching of Balaam that eventually led Israel into God's judgment. Balaam was unable to curse Israel, therefore he convinced her to compromise her covenant with God by intermingling with Balak and the people of Moab.
And Moses said to them, "Have you spared all the women? Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves." Numbers 31:15-18
Ours is an admonition of separation and purity while patiently waiting on the promised union with the Lord Jesus. It is the counsel of "compromise" to lead us away from that position at all costs.
The "way of Balaam" is the covetous conduct of the ones structurally described as "hirelings," whose primary motive is to commercialize their divine gift.
Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 2 Peter 2:15
The "teaching of Balaam" is the teaching of the mercenary ministry counseling the Church to abandon godly separation and noble character in favor of worldly conformity.
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. Revelation 2:14
Very often, following this path will seemingly bring quick results and attract scores of people with much less spiritual resistance. Nonetheless, the conclusion after all has been done is death and fruitlessness.
Balaam taught Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed by seducing them to marry Moabite women and commit spiritual adultery. That is the motivation of "compromise," as outlined in Bob's vision. He could not conquer these gallant "warring women" in battle, therefore the only hope for victory was to corrupt them by seduction with the spirit of the world.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12
If the "women" had remained at their appointed abode, as was their initial responsibility, they would have become fruitful and productive. Because they allowed "compromise" to deceive them, their lives were ended and their children were left to be raised as orphans in an unsupervised manner. The Lord desires women (churches) to be loyal to their Husband and abundantly fruitful – producing offspring to the glory of God.
Compromise will always lead us into wrong relationships. Concession leads to death, while faithfulness leads to repentance, answered prayer, and victory. Even though the "night hours" seem long and sometimes lonesome, it would be compromise to depart from that place of responsibility and enter relationships unlawfully, leading to our demise.
With those conclusions, Bob departed the mountain, realizing the destructive qualities of compromise.
A Glorious Future
The most grievous aspect of the vision was the great future forfeited by the powerful women (churches) here illustrated. Even though they had been victorious and productive, their most rewarding years were ahead of them if they could have overcome the deceptions of "compromise."
These churches had been powerfully anointed warriors of the faith. The enemy was unable to destroy them during the "day" seasons, but only during the "night." If the women had remained in their post of duty, the enemy would have had no access or opportunity to destroy them. Nevertheless, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes with the morning light.
All of the strongholds of the enemy are designed to obscure our knowledge of God and His thoughts and ways through discouragement, depression, and self-pity. When our vision has been thus impaired, alternative courses are introduced that will seemingly take us to our desired destination but are not the "thoughts and ways" of God. We must not be willing to give an inch in our commitment to the Lord and our walk with Him – not even for the most noble of causes.
Through this prophetic analogy, the women lost their first love and compromised their chastity to follow the leadership of men whom they perceived would make them more fruitful and productive. In reality, their decision cost them their lives. Our battlefield is in the souls of men where our mind, will, and emotions reside. The weapon of our warfare is divinely powerful...the Word of God rightfully appropriated by the Spirit of Truth.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
It is through faith AND patience that we inherit the great promises that are rightfully ours. The greatest days for the Church of Jesus Christ are directly ahead of us. Our desolate heritages are being restored to be mingled with the fresh and unprecedented release of God's great grace. Even so, Lord Jesus...come.
Paul Keith and Wanda Davis
WhiteDove Ministries
