High Places

Why has the Lord decreed disaster against America? First, there was the idolatry in the people's lives individually. Our own personal sin.

Second is the establishment of high places. For a definition, a high place in the Old Testament was general a hill or mountain or in some cases a man-made construction such as a tower or temple where there was worship and sacrifice. Generally, a high place is referred to negatively as a place of corporate established idol worship. Corporate in that it is a particular sin or idol that has affected a large number of people and has a foothold in their lives. Established in that the world system has made a way for the sin or idol to at least maintain itself if not grow in its influence over the population. For many, the sin/idol has become somehow acceptable, tolerable, or unchangeable. Idol worship in that it is something we very literally bow down to hoping to attain some form of usually material blessing. And the people would make sacrifices to their idols at these high places.

They have built the high places of Topheth (literally "altar") in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind. This generation has sacrificed its son and its daughters on the altar of __________. Name your idol. Sexual "freedom." Personal security. Independence.

Jeremiah 7 continues on to describe the results of the establishment of high places. "I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, for the land will become desolate." No joy. No gladness. Again, with abortion in the land, the voice of the bride is unable to cry out. Due to abortion, many believe the voice of the bridegroom stands silent until justice once again reigns in the land. Due to the high places, the land has become Desolate.

We need watchmen on the wall in this hour. Only then will the prophecy of Isaiah 62 come to fruition. "No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married."

Revival and Transformation begin with the destruction of the high places, the places of corporate established idol worship. Then and only then will the voice of the Bride cry out for her King. Only then will the voice of the Bridegroom be heard again in the land calling to His Beloved. Only then will the land become fruitful again. Only then will there be Transformation.