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A Choice of Culture
As I began writing this book Japan had yet to experience the great shaking of the magnitude ten earthquake and subsequent tsunami that killed thousands. Neither had the Middle East seen the civilian revolts demanding change from a totalitarian government to a democracy, the beginnings of the Arab spring. Events are unfolding like birth pains. America is imploding and China is rising. Russia is demonstrating the aggressive nature of the old Soviet Union. Muslim nations are asserting sharia law. Iran seeks a nuclear bomb while promising to erase Israel from existence. There is an attempt by world leaders to prevent a monetary collapse and we see the United Nations trying to be the world governing body by promoting a global warming scheme. This quickening of significant world events cannot be ignored. Technology has impacted global communications to such an extent that we know what is happening on the opposite side of the planet almost instantaneously. Are these days to be fearful? If you know God, these are exciting times. A great number of souls are about to be harvested. However, if you are ignorant of the knowledge of God and His arch enemy, you will be devastated by the events that are now unfolding. You are most likely unaware of the spiritual war that is waging and that you are a soldier whether you like it or not. You might not even know whose side you are on. If you don’t know whose side you are on, you’re on the wrong one.
The United States is a key player in world events. Our fall from leadership is no coincidence; it is just another sign that evil is spreading itself over the entire earth in perfect sync to God’s timetable. If you don’t understand these worldwide events, it is time to get educated. God wants to reveal. Revelation is at hand! The deterioration of our great nation is a classic study of good vs. evil and is a microcosm of a much larger picture. In this book, I am intentionally mixing religion and politics, church and state, morality and governance. The two cannot be separated as many would try to do, for it is the very core of any kingdom, earthly or otherwise. I had not intended to touch on controversial subjects such as the “separation of church and state” and end time mysteries involving antichrist and the “mark of the beast”. But God had other plans. The concepts and perspectives brought forth in this book are not the final word on interpreting the book of Revelation or solving our nation’s problems but giving you greater perspective of what is really going on so you can make a proper eternal decision. My sense was to sound a warning because I believe the conditions are taking shape among the nations for the rise of antichrist in some form and an unfolding of political events that will usher in what we have been expecting. In these difficult days, many voices are emerging, raising questions about the end times. It is up to you to seek God for the answers. This book will challenge your thinking and bring a point of view regarding what is taking place. I have decided to share some truths that I have heard from the Lord during my quiet times over the last twenty eight years. The days we are living in are evil. We must not sit in silence as evil destroys the good that God has created and most importantly rob God’s children of a destiny that is too wonderful to comprehend. Scripture shows that the only one who will stop Satan in his destructive quest is Jesus Christ. While we wait for His return, people must make informed decisions. Our responsibility as Disciples of Christ is to love those who are lost by demonstrating His life and reaching out to them as we are led by the Holy Spirit. If our neighbor’s house was on fire, wouldn’t we risk our lives to pull her from the flames? I realize this is a hot topic. If you have a different view than mine of end time events, for example, that’s okay, but we do not have to be united in doctrine about the end times if we are united in Christ. End time events will unfold and those paying attention with humility will understand what is happening. Pursue God and receive whatever revelation He brings.
In Isaiah Chapter one the prophet sees a vision regarding Judah and Jerusalem. The nation had turned away from God. The Lord wanted to reach His people by reasoning with them. His call was simple:
Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
We are in a time where God is reasoning with us. Because it is a time of great shaking both in the world and in the church, He is drawing us to explore the “deep things” of His heart and purpose. Along this line, I believe He gave me a prophetic vision for His church. He showed me a large community swimming pool with many people in it and many others sunning themselves around it. Those not in the pool were the unsaved; they were relaxing under the sun. Many were sleeping or reading books. Others were using cell phones, or playing games or simply having a good time. Those in the pool were churchgoers. But there were two sides to the pool, a shallow end and a deep end. The shallow end was for infants and children while the deep end was for the mature. Many adults were in the shallow end playing with the children. Others were in the deep end, but they were wearing life preservers that were preventing them from going all the way down. I believe this vision is a picture of our present generation. Churchgoers in the pool are refreshed. But because some in the pool are wearing life preservers, they can’t get to the “deep things” of God. Their life preservers represent their attempt to preserve their lives by hanging onto this world’s treasures and lifestyles. Sadly, they weren’t much different than those on the sidelines enjoying the sun. While each had an opinion about God, none seemed to have conviction or respect/fear for Him. Many were afraid to take off their life preservers for fear of losing their worldly lives. But Mark 8:35 says:
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Losing our worldly life is exactly what God instructs us to do so that we can find His. Today, many believers refuse to pursue the depths of God because they are wrongly led to believe that these “deep things” are mysteries and are too complicated to understand. But the “deep things” of God are simple truths that He will reveal to anyone willing to seek him fully. The “deep things” of God answer important questions about who He is, and about who we are in Him. Unveiled, they reveal the destiny just ahead for the ones willing to believe it!
The Kingdom of God is advancing! Violent men seduced by Satan oppose God and are trying to take His Kingdom by force. God is speaking by His Spirit to His church. We stand as God’s united voice against His enemies. We speak not just verbally, but by our actions. Love is the key weapon in our warfare, and the enemy has no defense against it. When Christ died and rose again, he foiled the enemy’s plan of world deception and domination. We must follow His lead and work to advance His kingdom over Satan’s. I pray that in this war we will heed God’s call to surrender… not to the enemy, but to Him. As we freely give our lives to God, the mystery of Christ will be fully revealed, and the fullness of God’s eternal purpose will be finally realized!
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