August 15, 2009
More and more we are seeing news articles and e-mails concerning the weakened position of the church in America, thus allowing sin to overtake this once-great land.
While there is some truth to these diatribes, what fascinates me is how many of our brothers and sisters have come to believe that if we "fix" the church, this would in turn solve America's problems as well as the rest of the world.
In my "church visiting" travels and discussions with various church leaders over these past ten years, its amazing as to what I've encountered when it comes to this subject. Many have "evolved" to the point of putting America on a near equal footing with our Lord and Savior. - They've come to believe that it is America and the church’s specific "anointing" to save the world from itself.
In fact, there are many churches who say that Christ's Kingdom can be established here on Earth during His absence. These movements take on various names such as kingdom, dominion, or reconstruction. Their basic premise is that mortal man can accomplish what only the immortal Lord can perform.
They believe that society can and must be reconstructed by Christians to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth before the personal return of Jesus Christ.
Although this is a very brief overview of Dominion theology, it is a growing movement in our land and it is false doctrine. -- It is quite apparent that their understanding of end-time prophecies is lacking.
Today there are many Christian and church leaders who believe that they can change society through government programs, lobbying activities, civil disobedience, and political pressure groups.
As hard as I've looked, I do NOT find anyplace in scripture where it says this is the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. - In fact, this mission is being replaced by those who believe that the Kingdom of God can be established here and now by our human efforts and activities.
How naive and absurd!
Jesus warned that in the last days before His return, there would be a church which would boast about it growing power and strength and self-importance. -- Today there are many misled and undiscerning Christians who are looking for the Kingdom of God here on earth, a place where justice will reign and nations will exist in peaceful co-existence.
Simply stated, this arrogant church covets political power, NOT the power of God. - The revival that seems slow in coming has brought many to think they should take over the reins of earthly government and legislate righteousness.
Pastor David Jeremiah once asked these questions: "Would the history of nearly 2,000 years of the church of Jesus Christ have been changed if the martyrs during the era of the Roman Caesars had overturned the despotic rulers? What would have happened in Babylon if Daniel had wrested the reigns of government from Nebuchadnezzar? Would John have received and written the Revelation of Jesus Christ in a plush office in Laodicea, rather than the rocky desolation of Patmos? Are today's Christians convinced that placard-carrying, slogan bearing demonstrators can replace soul-winners?"
As an American (and one who has traveled to many other lands), I know that I am blessed to have been born here. However, I am deeply troubled to see what has happened in our generation to draw the church away from its central mission.
Richard Halverson, a former chaplain of the U.S. Senate, said, "The more I listen to Evangelicals talk, the less I hear about the hope of Christ's coming again and the more I hear about making the U.SA. a Christian nation, a prosperous nation....sometimes I think if Christ would come back, it would constitute a terrible interruption of their plans.
To sum up, in an article about the U.S. in prophecy, Herman A. Hoyt said this: "Since the promise of Christ's coming for the Church has always been held out to His people as an event that could take place at any moment, surely the events of the present hour in relation to the U.S. ought to give new stimulus to watch momentarily for His coming. In these days of crisis, our trust should not rest in a nation that may shortly disappear, but to Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will."
Dr. Hoyt is right -- What do we have to worry about? Our trust has never been in governments, civilizations or cultures. By the standard measurements of eternity, these institutions last but a moment, crumbling into dust to be swept away by the winds of history. Certainly they are helpful while they are here, but they have never been worthy of our trust. -- We need to always put our trust in the One who stands above institutions, above history, and even above time itself -- the One by whose power and permission these things exist, and who knows their times and the end of their days. -- Only our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is worthy of our ultimate allegiance. 
In closing, the following scriptures show us clearly where we belong in the worldly "scheme of things"-
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
John 15:18-19  "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
John 17: 14-16  I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
John 18:36  Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
I Corinthians 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"
John 12:36 says, "Put your trust in the Light while you have it, so that you become sons of Light."
Finally, John 14:1 states, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me."
Until next time,
Red