The following article is a diagrammatic illustration that Jack Gray shared with us and which we have slightly edited so we can include it in this publication. It offers an explanation and some direction as to where God is leading many today.

The first part of the diagram shows the current condition of many churches. There are a whole lot of walls and structures and the Christians are within them and some of them are having a good time - but there is division - there is rivalry and competition and selfish ambition. There is a push to become the biggest and the best etc.

Now what is to happen to this? It is that the cross is to be applied to it all and the walls have got to come down. It is only when we come to know the cross in our own lives and in our experiences of church life that we will come out of this. A number of people are being brought out into this place. It is a place called the wilderness and it is a place where many find themselves largely out on their own. But they are out there to learn to know God and to learn to walk with Him. It is a place of training and it is a place of betrothal. See Hosea ch 2.

From there I believe that God will lead us from isolation to a place of fellowshipping in small groups. It will probably be in homes again as it was in the beginning. Malachi gives us a picture of people sitting down together to have fellowship - not services. Speaking to one another from the heart. It is a meeting together to talk to each other about the Lord.

Then there is a further development to a place where we see the Body of Christ in reality. Where God's glory is over the gatherings of His people and there are no walls, no divisions and no human structures built for the edification of the flesh. It is where Christ is in the midst and the glory of the Father is over us all. When this happens the world will know there is a Body of Christ and it is for real.

(Our hearts say - Hallelujah!!! - Editors)