Where is the Presence of God?

By Royce Lanier

“The most dangerous thing that can happen has happened. We have learned how to be religious without God. That was the tragedy of Sauls’s rule. During the entire reign of Saul, the Ark was missing, and there was never an effort made to bring it back. This is a tragedy, but it got worse, they never missed the Ark. They learned how to be religious without God. There is an imitation of the Holy Spirit in Pentecostal circles, and fools think it is good.” - B.H. Clendennen.

The modern Christian church has failed to take inventory of its spiritual condition. Merriam-Webster dictionary states that the word “condition” means a premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends. Covenant is a synonym for the word “condition.” For example, 2nd Chronicles 7:14 starts with “IF” my people. The word “IF” illustrates that a condition must be met.

In 2nd Chronicles 6:21-42, we read that King Solomon requested that God forgive the sins of the people. In 2nd Chronicles 7:14, God responded with under these “conditions” that, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”.

When God said, “my people,” He included His people for all time. Make no mistake that we must take inventory of what we call a church today. In Revelation chapters two and three, Christ surveyed the seven churches, took inventory, and found in five churches that he had “somewhat” against them. The conditions found in those five churches would result in the removal of their candlestick.

You may have seen church signs that asked, “What is missing in CH_RCH? U are”. But the real question is “Where is the presence of God?”

We can see a lesson during the leadership of Eli and his two sons Hophni and Phineas. In those days, the Word of God was rare - no open visions or widespread revelation. This is evidence of problems already. The New Testament church in this spiritual plunge - from an Old Testament tabernacle perspective - we would see no ashes in the brazen altar. The Laver would be empty of water, and stale bread on the table. There is a stench at the altar of incense before God, and the light and the anointing is no longer burning from the lampstand. In other words, our spirit man has been deprived by sin and the lack of devotion. This is apostasy, the abandonment of our first love.

We have wolves in sheep clothing preaching on the pulpits of our churches, false prophets spewing agendas and manipulating the masses, smart boys of religion who’ve learned to imitate church. Today’s leadership tries to keep status in the church because they see it was a career rather than a calling. Many Christians fail to discern the absence of God because of sin. When we learn to have church without God, we are nothing but a powerless religious machine.

Where is the presence of God?  He is in the house of Dagon. (1Samuel 5:2)

How did this happen to Israel? Brothers Hophni and Phineas were priests, but the bible says they were the sons of Belial. They were worthless, wicked, and had no respect for the Lord. They bullied the people, took offerings by force, and seduced women who assisted at the door of the tabernacle.

This sound familiar?

Eli had knowledge of the evil his two sons were doing to the people, the tabernacle, and the Lord. In 1 Samuel 2:27-36, a man of God came to Eli and said unto him, “Thus saith the Lord, why do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings? Why do you give your sons more honor than you give me, for you and your sons have become fat from the best offerings of Gods people.”

The Lord also told Samuel that He would judge Eli because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not. Eli rebuked his sons, but they ignored him. Since Eli took no further action, judgment eventually came to the house of God.

Now, in 1 Samuel 4, Israel had gone up to fight against the Philistines, and the Philistines slew about 4,000 men of Israel. In verse three, the elders of Israel wondered “Why has the Lord has defeated us before the Philistines?” The elders’ intent was “Let us bring the ark of God, for it will save us.” In other words, let us bring the presence of God out to us. When the ark of God had arrived at camp, the people shouted with a great shout that even the ground shook. This was simply another religious shout that impressed the Philistines, but not God. So, the next battle was a slaughter of the Israelites of 30,000 men. Hophni and Phineas was among the dead in battle, and when the news reached Eli, he fell and broke his neck, resulting in his death.

The Philistines captured the ark of God, and they placed it in the house of Dagon. When Phineas' pregnant wife heard about the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her husband and father-in-law, she immediately went into labor and gave birth. She delivered a boy and named him “Ichabod,” which means ‘the glory is departed.’ After seven months, the Philistines returned the Ark of God, and the Ark laid solitude for twenty years.

Where is the Presence of God? He’s in solitude at the house of Abinadab. (1 Samuel 7:2)

Samuel was the power of attorney while the sign of Ichabod was on the door post of the church. When Samuel “solemnly” protested having a king for Israel, God gave what the people voted for. All this sounds familiar in modern church today because we are in an era of Christianity where King Saul rules. We don’t need Samuel for sacrifice. (1 Samuel 13:11-13). We can bring the presence of God to where we are without repentance. (1 Samuel 4:11). The glory has departed out of the house of God. We are a nation that wants a leader to solve all the problems and all we have are spiritual “Sauls.”

People believe that grace will be granted without repentance. They disregard discernment and expect to hear from God when the altar and the blood has been removed. No longer hiding the Babylonian garment, just wearing it to church.

In Hebrews 13:5 it says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” God is omnipresent and omniscient. God keeps His promise by his omnipresence. However, when we walk in sin and repentance is abstained, we no longer have the manifest presence of God. Sin will stop the flow and like King Saul, He (God) will reject him. Then anoint another man or woman of God or go in solitude. Judgement will come. While apostasy has set in, judgement has begun.

Where is the presence of God? He has left the ninety-nine to search for the one. (Matt 18:13)

1 Peter 4:17 says, “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?”

Psalm 9:17 also warns, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

And in Isaiah 29:13, Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.

Much judgement pending for the house of God while the prodigal church plays in the pigpen. God works in order and if you are a pastor, shepherd, or leader in the House of God, then take this warning.

Take inventory, take a survey and take appropriate action. “So, thou O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.”-  Ezekial 33:7.

The Lord says, “Just as I have dealt with Eli, Hophni, and Phineas, I will deal with you. Resign or repent, for the cloud is about to move and the presence of God (The Ark of God) will be on the shoulders of the intended leadership.

‘And they commanded the people, saying, when you see the Ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. And the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.” - Joshua 3:3,

The “condition” in the church today is set for 2 Chronicles 7:14. Will we hear from Heaven? Will we see revival once again?

Where is the presence of God?