An examination of the events which transpired at the Azusa Street Mission during the early part of the last century, reveals that MANY "messages in tongues" and their "interpretations" were realized. As we Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal folks know quite well, these are the means through which God conveys important information to His chosen people. One such "message" that was received during this renown historical era which stands out as extremely meaningful while reading through the many posts tendered here, concerned the very issue which started this thread - that is to say, WORSHIP!
The "message in tongues" given of God during the Azusa Street Revival to which I refer was PROPHETIC in its essence, and it went something like this (bear in mind this is paraphrased, of course, since I do not have the text at hand to provide an exact quotation as I write this):
"In the closing days of the present age, a greater degree of emphasis will be placed upon WORSHIP than upon RIGHTEOUSNESS!"
Are we witnessing the fulfillment of this prophetic message in this perilous hour? The answer, I am persuaded to believe, is a resounding YES, as evidenced by the things that are found posted here regarding this matter.
I beg that my words not be misconstrued. In no way am I either asserting or suggesting that WORSHIP should not be a vital part of activities whenever we assembles together as a corporate body of God's chosen people. Worship is altogether proper, for God is certainly worthy of ALL the praise and worship we are capable of rendering unto Him. However, I am also persuaded to embrace the belief that we should not concentrate upon WORSHIP to the exclusion of RIGHTEOUSNESS!
I am not convinced that God takes great delight in how high one might jump, how loud one might shout, or how many times one runs around the hall or dances in the aisles. I am also not persuaded to believe that He is greatly impressed with the number and variety of musical instruments we employ in our worship of Him. I am convinced, however, that His attention is upon that man, woman, or child who is of a contrite heart and broken spirit, who lifts their hands and hearts up to Him in faith!
Just a couple of weeks ago I was in attendance during a worship service at a local UPCI assembly. This service began with singing, as is the usual order of things when we assemble together, but it seemed that the more the chorus was repeated, the louder the musicians began to pound the piano keys and beat the drums. Being cognizant of the prophetic message mentioned above, I took particular note to the actions of the ministry as this continued. I noted that the person leading this activity would, from time to time, make eye contact with the one playing the piano, and he would rotate his index finger in a circular motion, as if he was directing him to continue playing. At no time during the entire service was there a sermon preached, or words of edification forthcoming from the ministry. The service ended that evening without anyone ever opening the covers of their Bibles, or any discussion of the Word of God ever was spoken. I ask, was this a fulfillment of the prophecy given of God in the message that I have noted during the Azusa Street Revivals?
May God awaken us to the urgent need of the perilous hour in which we now live! There exists a great multitude of humanity outside of the walls of our church buildings who have never heard of the eternally life-saving message of
Acts 2:38. The church has a crucial message that it needs to be busy about the duty of delivering to the lost among us, and I fear that we are simply not exerting our best efforts towards fulfilling that grave responsibility! Indeed, we expend more of our valuable time in debating whether or not this or that is right or wrong, and far less time in reaching out in love to our fellow man, warning them of the impending danger which confronts them for their continued rejection of the glorious gospel of Christ!
Submitted with brotherly love for your prayerful consideration of its merits!