Why the Church Needs a Watergate

The name Watergate has become a term in our twenty-first century vocabulary to describe any political scandal or cover-up. Watergate, was actually a building on the Potomac River that became the focus of an investigation exposing corruption, and lies, and sins of every measure.

To the Church world, the name Watergate has a similar connotation. It was at the “Water Gate” (in Jerusalem) that a wonderful revival broke forth (Neh. 8-9). This revival did not begin as such, but it slowly progressed over a three to four week period. In the Biblical account, the pilgrims gathered on the first day of the 10th month, to keep the Feast of Trumpets. Spiritually, the Feast of Trumpets speaks of a wakeup call… a new beginning, a new move. It was on this day that God’s ministers began to teach the people the law. They began to teach the difference between the holy and the profane, between the clean and the unclean. May we observe from this account, that these Levite priests taught with such unction and clarity that it captivated young and old. The audience was gripped with conviction as the law was being interpreted!

(Neh. 8:8) “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” One of the connotations of the word distinctly means sting. In other words, the Word was like an astringent exposing and stinging the sinful nature. This visitation of the Spirit continued through into the Day of Atonement (the 10th day of the month). The Day of Atonement is the sixth feast that Israel was to observe, and it speaks of the cleansing of sin: “For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD” (Lev. 16:30).

The revival atmosphere continued for yet another five days, which brought them to the last and final feast of Israel, the Feast of Tabernacles, which is a picture of the final harvest feast – the last-day revival of the Church. It was at this point, that the priests had to command the people to cease from their weeping: “…The Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law” (Neh. 8:9). This expose’ of sin from the pulpit had caused a national repentance, and consequently had turned into a feast of joy and gladness.

We live in an hour when the spiritual house (the Church) needs a Watergate… An expose’ of sin and corruption. Today, many ministers do not teach God’s people the difference between the clean and the unclean. They do not teach God’s laws or standard, and consequently the Christian Church has taken on the appearance of the carnal Corinthians! With 10,000 instructors, and only a few that address her “blatant” sins, the Church has lost its saltiness (Mat. 5:13).

When the Church went into Babylon (606-536 BC), the Lord spoke to the few priests that had been faithful, and said that their sons would return and teach God’s people the difference. Their sons would teach Israel what is acceptable worship and what is not. In short, they would show Israel the way back into God’s presence. (See Ezk. 44.)

When we consider the Church (worldwide) and their message. It is not just the message that is being preached that is so wrong, it is the message that is not being preached wherein lies the problem (Acts 20:26-27). God hates a false balance! The promise of health and prosperity, while the soul continues to live the “old life” is an abomination.

Let us as ministers, and all that hear in this hour, determine (as Ezra the scribe) to seek to understand God’s laws, do them, and teach them (Ezra 7:10). May God grant us to be used in a Watergate revival to prepare our Lord’s people for the final harvest feast. Amen!