A Time to Speak

In light of all the trouble and distress the USA is experiencing, perhaps it is good to at least consider the source of these ills.  We all know that sin is the root of the turmoil and hurt that has the entire creation in its grip. We also know that the Apostle John wrote of the "spirit of anti-christ" that was already in the world when he wrote his epistles so long ago. This spirit is as the name declares, against Christ. It is a spiritual entity, or at least a dynamic that fuels people, cultures and entire nations against Christ and Christianity. It's influences are many, but the general result of its activity is to steer as many as possible away from the reality of Gods activity through Jesus Christ, and replace it with its own ungodly and destructive agenda.

I contend that this spirit of anti christ is being expressed in an ever increasing way, with ever increasing intensity and influence. It comes through the media, the entertainment industry, universities, and government. Christians have complained about this for years, but now that it is on the threshold of transforming us into a socialist type of nation, we are strangely silent. The rise of socialism in our nation is a disturbing indication of the wicked work of this spirit of anti christ.

Socialism is secular, anti religion, especially Christianity, it breeds oppression, sin, bondage, robs people of productive ways to make a living and cares very little about morality. To the socialist, anything that furthers their agenda is moral, anything that hinders it, is immoral. Socialists will use anything and anybody to further their cause. They care not about homosexuality being destructive to its practitioners, as long as it can be used to promise homosexuals the liberty to be considered normal and equal with the rest of society, who now are their oppressors. It's the same thing with the Black Lives Matter movement. Socialists care nothing about race or racial injustice.  In fact it is they who have been historically most rabid in racist oppression and atrocities. Hitler, Communists, and the Democratic party in this nation have a bloody history of institutional, racist policies that have brought death, destroyed families and inflicted generational poverty.  Black citizens in our nation who buy in to BLM are useful dupes utilized by Marxists and socialists to ascend to power. If Marxists ascend to power and control over this nation, blacks will be victimized along with all who oppose their agenda.

Yet, the church seems to be silent on the threat that socialism brings to our nation. I think we have to realize, we are not dealing with a political movement, but a spiritual force, an anti christian power that influences the entire nation away from the reality of Christ.This power is being expressed through our political system, and a backward, apostate church. Many churches who name the name of Christ, have become nothing more than vehicles to further an agenda that reinforces leftist/socialist narratives.

Now is the time for pastors, evangelists, preachers and all people of Christ, to speak truth into this wicked and dire situation. We are here, now, to be such a voice. We are to make disciples of all nations, by first speaking the Gospel message of salvation and forgiveness of sin, then of continuing in the way of faith to be salt and light into this darkened and hurting world. Part of that message is confronting and exposing the spirit of anti christ, wherever we see it.

The time will come and is soon, when Jesus Christ will return and deal with all wickedness and right every wrong, and the hope of the Christian is in that promise. Yet for the present, we can not cop out by saying that our first priority is to the Kingdom of God, then turn a blind eye to the socialist expression of anti christ. If we don't counter falsehood with truth who will? This batch of gutless Republicans? Give me a break. It is the church of Jesus Christ that must refute the present narrative, and proclaim boldly the truth of the Gospel, and all the ramifications for society that it contains.

May God raise us up in power, as Isaiah answered the Lord, "Here am I, send me."

Orchestrated Chaos

I'm sure that most thinking people are troubled over the violence and disorder that plagues our nation in this season.  Our Government leaders are leaders in name only, as they do very little to stop the angry mob of anarchists.  Perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than is apparent, for we know the media is dishonest and would not report it if there was.

Conditions me of Paul's letter to the Roman Christians when he wrote in the first chapter," For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." I believe the turmoil we're experiencing is the result of just such a condition.  Our nation was founded on the biblical principles of the Christian faith. We knew and generally acknowledged Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Our culture reflected that belief and in spite of our mistakes and errors that, like any nation, are many, Christianity was the basis for law and order. It gave the culture a cohesiveness and a consistent view of ourselves, the world and reality. We as a nation have been gradually turning away from that view, and the more we turn from it, the more lawlessness, wrong doing, sin and perversions increase.  The condition of a culture in chaos that Paul describes in the rest of chapter one, is sadly reminiscent of ours today.

I'm just one person with one opinion, but I don't think we as a nation or as the church of Jesus Christ have a true grasp of the danger we are in. There is more to this than "tough politics," or political differences that are better left unspoken at dinner. The Covid pandemic in spite of it's 99% recovery rate, and with the great progress our nation has made in identifying and fighting it, is being used to sustain fear, create instability and exert manipulation. The overwhelming of our hospitals and health care system didn't happen. The death rate is high, but not as high as other illnesses that we live with each season. The numbers we're given in many cases have been exposed as being falsified and inflated. 

Black Lives Matter, that supposedly exists for the worthy goal of justice for blacks and others, has been hijacked by avowed Marxists who declare their affiliation to that doctrine openly. They've threatened to,"burn down," the system and our American way of life. Many blacks are, once again, being duped and played by leftists who have instigated and fought for their enslavement throughout our history.

There is an orchestrated chaos that is fueled by the promised spirit of anti-christ, that has been active and identified by the Apostles from the beginning. This activity is expressed into our nation via wicked government people at federal and state and local levels, vomited into our homes via the media and a fake patriotism reminding us that,"We're all in this together." Even denominational leaders seem to buy into the machinery and write articles and give talks that parrot the prevailing narrative, rather than being the prophetic voice that is our real need.

N.T Wright, a theologian and professor, wrote of the need to "lament."   That is, the church should weep and grieve over the sins that have brought on the darkened cultural conditions that prevail currently. We should confess our own sins, intercede for the sins of our nation, and call upon Christ Jesus to bring healing in the form of a true Holy Spirit awakening. I appreciate his perspective and take his admonition seriously. Nations, ours included, have been in similar chaotic conditions before. Destruction seemed imminent. Yet, when the followers of Jesus assembled to pray,{ it didn't take a big crowd often times it was only a handful of awakened souls},  Jesus answered.

The Assemblies of God began with just such a small group of people seeking the Lord. Led by an black pastor, William Seymour, it soon grew into a great Pentecostal movement that is still impacting the world for the cause of Christ.  Sadly, and to our shame, in those early days we succumbed to the racist narrative prevailing in that day and segregated ourselves. I'm glad to write that we have confessed that, and have and continue to take steps to make that wrong right, and to stand for justice for everyone.  All lives matter to Christ.  My hope is that we will seek our Lord Jesus Christ and hear His word of truth. I pray we will be the prophetic voice we were called to be in the days of Pastor Seymour. I pray we will not succumb to the prevailing narrative in our day.