If I could use three words to describe the church today it would be “Land of Confusion”. God is not the author of confusion. Hmm.
Now, many are not confused. If you don’t study your bible, if you believe everything a man behind a pulpit says, and if you think everything is wonderful in this wide world of Americanized Christianity, you might make it through. This might not mean you are saved, but you will survive these perilous times without much mental anguish. I am not recommending my “calling” for the weak. I have simply searched the scriptures, wanted the truth more than I wanted to stay right, and wanted answers to hard questions. Acts 17:11 says These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
However, the greatest way to get confused today is to search the scriptures and compare what you read to what you hear to what you see. And if you search for truth, you will not be labeled more noble. Today, you be labeled a rebel and a divider and a trouble maker. And it is very difficult to search the scriptures when today the average preacher often only reads one verse and then goes on an hour rabbit trail on obeying authority. But if you point these discrepancies out and show that “those things were NOT SO” you will likely be shown the door. I laid many of the church’s sacred cows on the altar, I laid myself on the altar, and I laid the traditions of men on the altar. And here I am, now very alone.
This has left me with 3 ways that “we the American church” can have hope. We the church can wait for the rapture, wait for the government, or stop waiting and instead gather a sold-out remnant to come out and take a stand.
The first is to wait until the Blessed Hope. We should always be watching and ready, and in that sense the blessed hope is a great motivator to keep us in line. This means to WATCH and wait FOR the blessed Hope. Jesus is that blessed hope. Hebrews 12:2 says Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He is set down, but soon he is going to stand up and say “ENOUGH!” and blow the trumpet to call the truly saved out of here. Titus 2:13 says Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
We have the grace of God, Titus 2:12, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; so we can prepare ourselves as a bride prepares for her wedding. The church should be preparing people to get ready for Jesus. And bringing guests to the “wedding”. The Bridegroom cometh! (Matthew 25:6) Instead, we are busy with activity upon activity that the Lord’s coming is far from our minds. We are far too busy looking at men and building their kingdoms than looking unto Jesus and building his. The Bible says It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
The book of Jude comes just before the book of Revelation. It shows where the church will be toward the end, full of false teachers with selfish motives and reinforces what our duties are as Christians. Verse 16-19 describes most of our leaders in American Christianity in 2015. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. That sounds a lot like the Baptists.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. That sounds a lot like everyone else.
Verses 20-25 are what the church instead should be doing as we look for the blessed Hope. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Sadly, the church is not preparing for this. Somehow, the message is one of a lazy do-nothing, simply hold on until Jesus returns. Live in denial and distraction and disbelief. Live oblivious to the fact Jesus is likely knocking outside our church doors, and pray the rapture happens and pulls us out of here before the world consumes any more of us. Think things are OK as is, having wonderful entertaining programs, and keep using worldly church members to invite worldly lost people to your worldly programs and pray a worldly mantra for salvation. Then let the rapture sort out the 5 true converts you have, and whoever is left can go back to playing church for the next 7 years. The American Church might be the best place to hide during the tribulation. It has gone undetected for the past 100 years, so what really is just another 7 years?
I would say my sarcasm is in good company. Elijah was sarcastic, mocking the prophets of Baal that perhaps their god was asleep. 1st kings 18:21, 27 says, And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
Peradventure (perhaps) it is now WE that sleepeth and must be awaked. That is the “Jesus is coming, why bother?” attitude, and is the basic position of the Church today in America. We are not on our knees but we are seating comfortably in our cushioned chairs. We the church are sharing seats with the lost passengers, riding together on America-the-Titanic and enjoying every second. That should not surprise us, as “we the truly saved” share a pew and a church membership with the false converts every Sunday.
America Church, how long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow Him, but if Satan and the american idols be god, follow them. We are trying to get the best of both. We think we can ride the ship as long as possible and since we are saved, assume the Captain will say, “Christians and children first!!!” and we can safely board a last-second life boat.
We the church are right with “them” (the lost), sharing seconds and thirds on the hors d’oeuvre tray and enjoying the view of our 1st class cabins, and looking forward to this evening’s entertainment and comedy show. If a bolder Christian tries to yell, “ICEBERG, dead ahead!” we tend to yell a him to shut up and sit down so he doesn’t disturb the show. After having an hor d’oeuvre as well.
Instead of the church having one unanimous message of “FIND A LIFEBOAT NOW!” the church’s messages compete with the world’s, and often are one and the same.
Enjoy the view instead!
Stop being so intolerant of this amazing ship!
God has a wonderful plan for this voyage, don’t listen to that nut!
This luxurious cruise ship is proof you have God’s blessings!
Icebergs are so old-fashioned. Judgment? Come on!
The brightest scientists built this cruise ship! God himself couldn’t sink it! Relax, Noah.
I can see the iceberg, too! But it is not as big and destructive as you say it is! All I see is a small icy looking tip out there. Our ship will run it down!
You obviously don’t know God to be so hateful and want to ruin our trip. Do you know how much we invested in these tickets?
The sad part is these objections are often louder from those in the church. While the lost love darkness rather than light, it really is the Christian’s duty to warn of judgment, rain on their parade, and beg them to jump ship while there is time. Instead, the majority of us are mesmerized by the personalities, the pomp and circumstances, and the possessions and positions of men. Whether it is a Preacher holding up a bible or a Pro Athlete holding up a hockey stick, our hearts warm toward them and we are in awe. We have dear affections for the men of this world, and to the gods of this world we too easily bow down to. And when a true man of God or a Bible verse tries to cast light on this fact, the typical American Christian tries to stone the prophet and shoot the messenger, instead of running to the Rock of our Salvation for Safety.
A.W. Tozer has said, “Revival changes the moral climate of a community.” The Bible preaching corner church is supposed to be the barometer for the area around it. When you toss a handful of salt on an icy driveway, you can see dramatic results in the not-so-distant future. However, we can have a revival week of meetings today and when the dust settles, things look, smell, and operate just as before. We can deny this and hold onto our “Get out of Earth” Rapture Invites. Or, despite the fact that Jesus is coming in the air, we can get our heads out of the clouds.
Can we see that instead Hollywood and the gods of America instead pollute the moral climate of the church today? Can we honestly say the churches are growing brighter and brighter? Or is our salt good for nothing? And are church leaders now desperately crunching the numbers and scared at what they see? It seems one reality check causes the average leader to take a running leap, make a cannon ball dive, and land straight down into a sand pit, buried with his head in the sand. Instead of trying to dig his way out, he finds it comfortable there and remains buried for as deep and long as possible. Wake up! Arise, Oh soul Arise! Shake off those guilty stains, rip off the rusty chains, put on the full armour of God, sharpen our swords, and to our enemy, soldiers!
Or hit doze once again, and hold out for the rapture. And pray you are truly out of here.
On to the SECOND option we can have hope for. Instead of waiting to be snatched up by the rapture, revival might come if we get sequestered by the government. That is to wait until the Government comes after the Church and throws all the true believers into concentration camps. IE, Fema Camps. If we are naive to think it won’t happen, it is merely because we are sucked into the lie that everything is fine. Marvel not if the world hates us, but we seem to get along fine with the world and it’s members. The government thrives on total acceptance to it’s new world order, and the only threat is the Christian who won’t back down and knows the Bible.
Acts 5:29 says Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
The good news is most of the church can relax. If your church sent members to march in a Gay Pride Parade this year, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Both the government and the devil already have you. If your church preaches bold but backs down the second someone is offended, you might be OK. To see where your church likely stands, just before the Sunday morning service, go stand outside your church with a Scripture sign that says YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN and hold it up for oncoming traffic to see. If there is a traffic light, preach the gospel to everyone stuck at the light. And watch to see if the leaders rush out to shut you up. It might remind you of Acts 7:54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Today, if the American soldiers who started the militia groups for the Revolutionary War stood up, the church would silence them. Someone with a bible and nothing to lose makes the modern church very nervous. Back then, it was the loyal, united call of the non-conforming churches that started the ball rolling. A rallying cry for freedom no matter what the cost was what the church used to preach.
Now they preach a message of loyalty to men and conform because, God forbid, a giving member of the congregation puts his life at risk and the offerings go down. The church today may tell you to take a stand, but they will not back you up if in return you receive persecution. For example, they tell you to be a witness. However, should you be fired for being a witness and lose your tithing ability they will not back you up. Another example, is the church says they are against alcohol. Yet, if a member takes a bold stand and says, I will no longer serve liquor as a waiter, the church leadership will not rally behind him to make sure his family is taken care of.
From what I have seen, the church takes a step back and leaves the man who took a bold stand to fend for himself. The obvious message is conveyed, “don’t take what we say too seriously.” I don’t think I am being out of line to state where this all goes then. The Preachers and Evangelists of the typical church preach very hard and demanding messages. Anyone who takes them to heart and goes to apply the truth is looked at as a fanatic. Let’s say a convicting message about joining the mission field is given. People respond with a “I will go” attitude. That is not what the Preacher expected. They are told to sit down. Then the offering plate is passed around. The message is interpreted. You are not qualified to Go. Only we are. Your job is to give more so we can go. Thanks for your support.
Today, most Christians are neutered by the very pulpits that used to turn them into men. We are not training soldiers that know how to go out and engage this world, instead we are raising up “yes men” afraid of their own shadow, who want to empower a benevolent dictator. American Christianity has become a one-way street and a caste system, where those in authority lord over the sheep and demand the sheep support their every need and desire.
Ezekiel 34:2 says Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Godunto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Let’s see them ordain someone with that verse as their calling.
I am not a rebel, but I am very concerned over what I see all across the board. I will gladly follow someone who will lead me to Jesus while serving alongside of me, and I have followed such men. However, I have a problem when it seems every Baptist preacher today cares only about training you how to be a good conforming, non-questioning Baptist. I am a Baptist only to where they follow the Bible. After that, we part ways, Brother. I will follow you as you follow Christ. If you want to instead be a Moses of the Old Testament, I will get behind you as soon as I can see the pillar of Fire you are following.
Church members are so indoctrinated that the ultimate sign of submission and loyalty to God is to blindly follow sinful men into a pit. The very men that tremble and cower at the sign of real persecution and danger and that only love you when you bow down to whatever they say and as long as you have something to contribute. I thought the bible says faithful are the wounds of a friend. The church today is better at teaching Christians unquestioning loyalty to whatever they hear instead of teaching it’s members that a leader’s authority ends the moment he digresses from the Word of God. It is a limited authority. Jesus would have been scolded from the pulpit for not conforming to the leaders and teachers, and not respecting their credentials.
We have come full circle, haven’t we? The church today has created a system where to hear from God you have to have credentials, you have to be in full time ministry, you have to go through the proper channels and be ordained, you have to have a meek and mild persona that is promoted through the ranks that never steps on the thin skin toes of authority, and you have to be a great decision generator. And you must never question the blind traditions. Most churches might still reject the Mass, but they are allowing the rest of the MESS of Popery.
The one-world church and one world government movement are very similar and they compliment each other. It is no wonder so many politicians feel at home at the church and the average church treats it’s political party guests as heroes and their street preacher visitors as villains.
The few that won’t back down and be silenced will be taken away at some point. Whether it is public executions or concentration camps, it doesn’t matter. It might be for refusing to wear the Rainbow flag of the beast or to refuse to bow down to Allah. Regardless, the true Christians will be weeded out right from the false tares, and the rest of the world, and the church can soon go back to their regularly scheduled programs.
This leaves me to the third option. I am not making this up as I go, but I didn’t see the unity of this thought until I started writing. The idea is the rapture pulls out the very saved and leaves even the best pretender behind. The way the laws are cracking down and flies in the face with real biblical Christianity, the silver is being purged from the dross. A line gets drawn when persecution comes and the one side cowers and exposes their non-commitment. It reminds me of John 6:60 and 66 after Jesus exposed the pretenders and those with a selfish motive. “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” asked the pseudo-disciples. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Only the committed Christian who truly has the biblical discernment to be able to think for himself will be safe. If you can call a FEMA camp, safe.
However, just like in Revelation 13, verses 15-17 (talking about the Antichrist that comes to power):
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Whatever that mark is, whether it is a tattoo perhaps with a bar-code or a computer chip IN THEIR RIGHT hand, the point is, unless the person knows and believes what God says, it will seem unreasonable to refuse the “mark of the beast”. The “church of Revelation” (not that one exists) will cry out, How can you not take this small little mark if it means having food for your family? What are you crazy?
It will seem unreasonable to say, stand with God and deny any government law, to avoid having to be sent to a concentration camp. Unless you boldly have a stand now for the truth, the truth will hit you when you have to make a hard decision and most of the church will be trained that to rebel against an officer’s commands makes you wrong. Obey them that rule over you WITHOUT QUESTIONING is the law of the church. Obey God rather than man is the committed Christian who knows his bible.
We who do that are a threat. The third way is to gather the remnant up and unite. It might start gathering up a remnant online. Not to form a Facebook group that sits and cowers and complains.
We can see how the rapture will separate and how the government will draw a line in the sand. Both of these situations will be rather involuntary. You can’t mark the rapture on your calendar. Even if you are a Harold Camping. You can’t necessarily control what the government does. And since the persecuted ran to America to escape, there isn’t much hope to find a safe neighboring country to escape to.
The vision of the ETVFC, the End Times Vol Fire Co, was somewhat of the idea of gathering up a group of remnants and lighting a fire in their perspective churches. I think since then, I have seen that there really isn’t much hope from changing people’s opinions in the church today. Leadership seems dead set on thinking the problem is with the members. It is what it is.
It is a lot like pharmacy. I am a licensed pharmacist, which in reality means I am a legal drug dealer. It is what it is. I intentionally have to compromise my beliefs and morals and pretend the drugs are wonderful and my hands are tied to how much of an impact I can make. If I really want to make a difference in people’s lives in a physical sense instead of being a slave to a pay check, I would leave my own 13 theses on the door, quit this job, and open a health food store up next door. However, I can’t afford to do that. If I lose my license because I am not bowing down to the pharmaceutical gods and am forced to find an honest way of living, then I might starve, but I can no longer compromise either. By then I might have already sold myself away and it will be too late. But when I am forced to part with some of affairs of this life, I might go kicking and screaming, but I will be better off in the long run.
Until then, I have heard that the church needs good pharmacists. I have heard how this is ministry. Yes you are depressed. Yes the Bible says Jesus produces joy. However, your doctor prescribed Prozac. If I tell you it is junk and you should flush it at once and not waste your money and how it might ruin your life, I might be on to something. But the church won’t stand by you if you lose your position. They might if you stop tithing 6 months in advance perhaps.
The church today does not look fixable. I will admit the pharmacy industry is messed up. I will advise people stay away. But those that get their scripts filled are at the mercy of the pharmacy industry. It is not fixable from within and unless it is shut down from without, it will never change for the better. A little leaven leaventh the whole lump. The whole system of the pharmacy industry is corrupted because it is built on the wrong foundation. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? the Bible asks.
We can implement the 3rd option while we have a choice. The foundations of Christianity are crumbling. We who are Christian are playing church and looking for someone in this land of confusion that really has some answers. So is the rest of the world.
Most of the church has the wrong answers, whether it has to do with salvation or sodomy. The President says he has the answers. The Anti-Christ will promise to have the answers. Joel and Rick, Benny, Joyce, and TD think they have the answers. The Pope says he knows the right way for the world. ISIS will kill anyone who won’t answer to them.
Maybe the church isn’t being forced underground yet. It doesn’t need to be today. The world, the flesh, and the devil has made it powerless, irrelevant unloving, full of unbelief and full of pride and carnality. Salt-less. Dark. Empty. It makes a lot of noise, but when the lost get dismissed in the closing prayer, and when the saved go out with the closing challenge, it is the same old, same old.
The real gospel is to arm the Christian soldier to get out and fight. The modern church dulls our senses and leaves Christians content thinking church attendance and participation in the latest program is just as acceptable. I am sorry, but what the modern circles and the modern churches merely offer is a conscience soother, a spark of spirituality and a sense of busyness that leaves you satisfied and not questioning. 1-2-3 repeat after me. “Everything is fine with the church today. Everyone is saved. Everyone today who prayed is gloriously saved. Everything is right in the world. Go now and don’t worry, be happy and we will see you again next week.”
If you want to wait til the rapture, have at it. If you want to wait until they drag you away to a prison camp or you find out you are more ashamed than you thought you were so they decide to leave you alone, take your chances. If you are willing to open your eyes, and be willing to face the truth about where WE are at and where YOU are at, you might like the third option.
I probably won’t rush the 3rd option either. I don’t have the full plan laid out. But I have a glimmer of hope. To turn our backs on the lifeless Americanized Christianity and see we are at war and determine to do something about it. It might not mean quitting the church. But I think if we are honest, and we have biblical answers, we need not attempt to quit. They will run us out the door.
And when we are forced to now reevaluate things and figure out what to do we will look around and see we have a small remnant of those who want to follow Jesus. Right til the End.
And perhaps that means it’s right to the End Times Vol Fire Company.
Though now, it’s more of an army.