I fully believe we are in a new era—a time of revival and “second chance”
for The Church to take its rightful place on earth according to God’s plan. In the words of Bill Johnson, “Many know much more about God and Magog, the ten-nation confederacy, the seven years of tribulation, the anti-Christ, etc. than they do about the simple command to pray “on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10.)1
The Bible is very clear about the great and tremendous increase of evil and wickedness that will bring people to call what is wrong right, and what is right wrong. And we are most definitely witnessing this in horrendous measures today. However, the Bible is also clear that the Church holds the answers the nations seek. We who are followers of Jesus are commissioned to go into all the nations with all the authority of Christ, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things Jesus commanded, (Matthew 28:18-20). This mandate known as the Great Commission, was given to remain in effect until Jesus returns.
The Church has not only lost its salt and flavor, we have lost our identity and as a result have succumbed to fear, intimidation, and trembling.
We have given over our authority to the enemy of God who is presently, feverishly working his agenda increasing the evils of destruction upon humanity and all creation.
The Bible is also clear, according to 1 Peter 4:17, God’s judgment will begin with the Church first. This may shock many Christians who are of the understanding we have escaped judgment through faith in Jesus. This understanding is only a partial truth. Christians, meaning those who place their faith in Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord, escape the final judgment of sin that leads to death. However, Christians are held to a higher accountability when it comes to sharing God’s truth and love, and attracting others to faith in Christ. We are to do this by living according to the teachings of Jesus for our every day personal lives, in community with all others.
History reveals the successive rise and fall of both good and evil. When the righteous people fail in our commission, evil flourishes. When we rise again in obedience, righteousness flourishes. In this sense, God is exceedingly gracious giving His people countless “second chances.” However, there will be a time when this grace from God is no longer offered. In the same way Christians ought to be continually on the watch for Christ’s second return, we ought to understand God has appointed a day of judgment—beginning with the Church.
When I’m driving my automobile along the highway and a police officer is behind me, if I’m doing everything according to the law, I have no reason to fear. Conversely, I can be pleased, even celebrate the fact that I am in right standing, outside any need for discipline (judgment), and grateful for the existence of police overseeing the law to keep people safe. With a proper understanding that the law exists to protect people from harm, I embrace the law. However, when people are deceived about the purpose of the law, and come to believe it is oppressive, they rebel against the law.
We’re seeing this type of lawless, anarchy playing out every day in the news. This is yet another example of our times where righteous men and women are failing in their God-intended influence. This failure is what’s given way for the increase of wickedness and evil in our culture today—the Church, representing the law of God’s grace, as Ambassadors for Christ, is not actively and intentionally fulfilling the Great Commission. The judgement, or discipline of 1 Peter 4:17 is, in my considered opinion, upon us. We are being given over to the things we are yielding to, consistent with Romans 1:24-32.
Sir Edmund Burke is believed to have said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” This quote, according to The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, has become one of the most popular quotes of modern times. While it may be popular to state, it’s clearly not popular in application.
Gratefully, we still live in the times of God’s long-suffering grace, and we are being given another chance to rise up the standard of God’s truth, for the benefit of all who will believe. In my next posts, I will explore more about understanding our times, and what we as Christians must do to divert the 1 Peter 4:17 judgement/discipline and step into our rightful positions of power and influence as Ambassadors for Christ.
- Bill Johnson, A Life of Miracles; A 365 day-guide to prayer and miracles, (Destiny Image Publishers, 2008), Day 276.
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