December 8, 2008
So what lies ahead for the church of Jesus Christ? This is a question of great concern to believers all over the world. As world conditions worsen everywhere, many are wondering, "Is the Holy Spirit going to revive the church before Jesus' return? Will the Lord's Body leave this world with a whimper, or a shout?"
The New Testament is jam-packed with predictions of many falling away in the last days. Matthew 7:15 says that many false prophets will come like wolves in sheep's clothing, bringing powerful false teaching that deceive, if possible, even the elect of God. (Matthew 24:24). Wickedness will abound, causing once-hot believers to lose their first love. Matthew 24:12 says, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."
Jesus prophesied these very things. As overwhelming sin and iniquity floods the earth, He asks, "When the son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
If we stop and think about it for a moment, we realize that Jesus knew everything we would be witnessing today -- from horrifying terrorist attacks, to the rise of militant homosexuality, to millions of lives being taken by abortionists, and on and on. And in the midst of all this He asks if we will continue to believe. Though things grow worse? Will we lose our confidence when things don't go as we thought they would? Or -- will we continue to trust in Him?
Remember that Jesus knows all about terrorist threats, and wars and rumors of wars. His word warns that the heathen will rage (Acts 4:25 KJV). He knows that secular powers will grow stronger and try to outlaw His church.
The Bible says this about it all; "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His annointed, saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.'" (Psalm 2:2-3 NKJV). In short, they want to cast away all moral standards and very foundations of which the Church was built upon.
What does God say about these earthly powers and demon influenced people? "He who sits in the Heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. (Psalm 2:4 NKJV) No matter how bad it looks, everything remains under God's control.
Let's thank God for His word from the Psalms. More and more we hear reports about secularism wiping out the church in Europe, of Islam being the fastest growing religions in the world, of homosexuals overtaking or splitting entire denominations, of Christ's church growing so weak it no longer has any impact on society. Yet, in Matthew 16:18 God's word says, "On Christ the Rock God will build His church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Remember this! Nothing from the depths of Hell can hope to destroy Christ's church. His eye is always on His flock and through everything He warns Satan not to touch His bride. Isaiah 54:15 says, "Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake."
See what God says here? He says that the enemy will come against us, but He will NOT succeed!
For a time, God will allow the devil to play his vile games, but it won't have any impact on God's last-day plan for His people. Glory to the Lord, His church cannot and will not be destroyed!
We do see in these trying times the church suffering from the onslaught of the enemy. So much so in some cases that it has created a separation from God.
Where do we see this separation today? I see it most obviously in compromised mainline churches. All the unauthorized changes over these past 2,000 years have all but destroyed the original foundations of which Christ's church was built upon. But also I see it in the soft pedaled gospel of Post Modern churches (seeker friendly, etc.).
It is evident that there has been a separation from God's manifest presence. It has happened just as Jesus and Paul prophesied: many have become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God...having a form of religion with no power....despising the gospel of their fathers....tearing down old moral landmarks....changing God's infallible Word to suit the times... (Reference 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and 4:3-4.)
I challenge any and all of you to go to any city, from church to church of every evangelical persuasion -- try to find one where you recognize the awesome presence of Jesus, where you encounter His heart-melting connection. When the Lord is truly present, you recognize it, whether in the singing, the preaching, or the fellowship. Something stirs your soul, and it produces an awe and reverence. In my experience, this is rarely found.
So what can we do about it? To start with, we need to stop being part of the problem and start rejoicing in the knowledge of our Lord's constant and unwavering love. We need to stop "going through the motions". We need to stop being lukewarm and become, as Pastor Dave Benson says, "hot coals'. If enough of us do this, it will make a difference in our Lord's church. It's the least we can do. After all, Christ died for it.
Quoting David Wilkerson, "The nails that pierced Jesus' hands and feet were fashioned on the devil's anvil. The sword that pierced His side was forged in that smith shop of Hell. But the blood that poured forth from His body has never lost its power."
In closing, we know that tough times are upon us and will continue to increase for a time as like birth pains (Matthew 24). But let's remember what Jesus said in Luke 21:28, "When these things come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: for your redemption draweth nigh."
Brothers and sisters, the day is coming when the whole world will see Jesus! The apostle John envisioned "A great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying 'Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.' (Revelation 7:9-10)
Until next time,
Red