His concern as well as mine was about the lack of discernment caused by the spirit of confusion that the enemy released in the world today. Remember that I talked about the lack of discernment somewhat last week.
The church has had 2000 years to grow and spread the Gospel. Let’s face it, as a whole we’ve failed miserably. For example, how many denominations do we have? How many times have even some of those split? To name a few, we have Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Assembly of God, Vineyards, Calvary, Episcopal, and on and on, and each with their own doctrine.
Many in the body of Christ are still on milk. They haven’t even graduated to meat yet [1 Corinthians 3:2]. Much of the body is more concerned for what the church and God can do for them as opposed to what they can do for the body or for God. How many people have we led to Christ lately? Have we even seeded or watered anyone? At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I include myself in those questions.
It is not my opinion that we should never ask God for anything or ask for something for ourselves. On the contrary, my point is that the quickest way for God to bless us is to bless someone else [2 Corinthians 1:4].
Christianity, once the fastest growing religion (and I use the term loosely), appears to be heading for minority status in the world today – and that is pretty much by design.
The troubled times in which we live and knowing how human government is going to end, we are in need of a voice, an Issachar [1 Chronicles 12:32] if you will, who can lead us out of this confusion and morass and prepare us for Christ’s return. I do not speak about the voice of Henry Spaak [1], who said, “. . .Send us such a man and be he god or devil, we will receive him.” I do, however, talk about the true prophets of God who will point to the coming of the “new heaven and a new Earth,” whereas, the false “prophets of peace” will point to the false message of a “New Age of Peace and Prosperity” here on Earth.
A while back, Mortimer J. Adler (of the Aspen Institute) wrote an article entitled “World Peace in Truth.” He postulated that 1) World peace was impossible without world government. 2) World government is impossible without a sense of world community and 3) World community will be impossible to create without a unity of truth. More to the point, for there to be world peace, everybody has to believe the same thing.
Thus, Christianity will not capitulate and will not stop preaching a new heaven, a new Earth, or about Jesus. Therefore, Christianity stands in the way of the unity in truth, which is necessary for the three points mentioned above. Consequently, Christians are the biggest threat to the survival of the world and they’ll have to eliminate us. The worldwide persecution and extermination has already begun. The world has persecuted Christians for centuries but not on the scale that will come, and in fact has already started.
As a side bar and to add to the mix, can you picture the Muslim faith capitulating with a co-mingling of faiths? They want a Caliphate.
The prophetic Word of God is vital in this hour. The message of prophecy is simple – God is in control. He has not been caught off-guard, and today’s events are only signs of His soon return. Thus, when we see the signs of the times, we will know exactly what to do.
1) DO NOT FEAR: Do not fear those things that are coming upon the Earth. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 2:19].
2) GET YOUR EYES OFF OF THIS WORLD: The Word of God is clear, our hope and call is not in this world. We are clearly not called to restore or save the world. v10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. v11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, v12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? v13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [2 Peter 3:10-13; Colossians 3:2]
3) SET YOUR EYES ON THE SKIES: Our focus will be on the lost and dying as we discern the lateness of the hour. The world sees the same crisis as we do, only they will look to themselves to build a New Age of Peace and Prosperity. Whereas, we will look to the skies because our redemption is nigh at hand. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. [Luke 21:28; Colossians 3:1-3]
We cannot be silent anymore. There is a dying world out there. We must discern the signs of the times, and realize the hour in which we stand. We must cry out: My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. [Jeremiah 4:19]
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[1] Former Secretary General of NATO in 1957.
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