TURNING TO THE EAST
There has been a trend among some churches to face the direction of their worship towards the East. This practice is not only dangerous, but it is not pleasing to God.
And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east (Ezekiel 8:16).
In the vision of Ezekiel, God showed him the twenty-five men, the leaders of the Levitical priesthood, turning their backs on the Temple of God, facing and worshipping toward the East. The East has always represented religion that is anti-god, mysticism, idolatry, and many forms of demonic practices including the worship of the sun, moon, and stars.
Today, unfortunately, many churches are also turning their backs on true worship. Many are turning their backs on the Temple, or the place of God's presence. Many are choosing rather to adopt the practices of Eastern religions mixing them with Biblical principles. This is out of order and not in God's plan. This is a mixture of Truth and error and is leading countless people astray. Eastern religious practices are being introduced into the church in the name of "the new move of God". This deception and a lie from hell!
Facing the East in prayer and worship is nothing but a modernized version of the Babylonian worship of the sun or the sun god. Yes, the Bible is also full of powerful scriptures relating to the East. But it is also full of powerful scriptures relating to the West. The Ark of the Covenant, for example, was located on the west side of the Tabernacle/Temple. This was the residing of God's presence and glory under the Old Covenant. Should we face the West?
The Samaritans were convinced that Mount Gerizim was the true place of worship. The Jews were convinced that Mount Moriah was the true place of worship. But Jesus said...
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
God is omnipresent! God is Spirit. Under the New Testament covenant, we have been blessed to receive the Holy Ghost and the revealed Word of God. Our worship should never focus on a geographical location or the direction of a compass. Rather, God seeks those who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth!
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