Until the Fulness of the Gentiles Be Come In
Last December, I recounted a dream I had where Google had decided to disable my associated accounts (i.e., Youtube, this Blog, etc.). The reason? Content about homosexuality being a sin.
In the dream, God told me not to try to reestablish those accounts, but to be ready to "transition" to the next thing He had for me. I stated in the post that I did not know the time frame by which these things would happen, but it is interesting to note that it is starting already.
This summer, Youtube has been systematically penalizing my account; rejecting or disabling videos, removing audio, etc. Videos that have been hosted on Youtube for years have now all of a sudden become problematic and many of my posting privileges have been revoked. Although for the past 2 years they have been asking me to become a Youtube Partner and receive advertising revenue from my videos (which I continuously refused), now my account is "not in good standing" and I cannot even load videos more than 15 minutes in length. According to their Terms of Service, these are the steps which need to be taken in order to finally disable my account. The Lord has already shown me what will happen; so be it.
The point of this post however is not to quibble about what is happening to me. My reason for sharing this is that I want to reiterate again the serious changes I believe are coming for the church of God. As I live, it seems more and more apparent to me that the Age of the Gentiles is wrapping up. Church "as usual" is simply not going to prepare many for the days to come. Now more than ever let us gird up our hearts and focus on Jesus. While we may not all be called to walk the same path, I do believe that "transition" is coming to the Church as a whole.
In mentioning how we are in the last days this week, my cousin asked me whether I really believed that these are the last days. I said that in Jesus' time, such was also referred to as the "last days"...and considering the viewpoint of our eternal God, I suppose it is. However, Jesus also gave us certain signs to look for to know that the time of His Second Coming was approaching; and those with eyes to see can surely redeem the times in which we now live.
One of those signs is that the condition of the world would be like the days of Noah and the says Lot: a land filled with permissiveness, indulgence, and perversion. People would be wholly given over to the lusts of the flesh and will be violently antagonistic about anything relating to God & His truths. Something that has made this abundantly clear is the recent reaction to Chik-fil-A's stand for God's word.
One post that I think describes this quite well is from D.L. Foster's the Gay Christian Movement Watch blog (emphasis by me):
Whatever the reason, its important to understand this battle isn’t about chicken and not about CFA. God is allowing us to see what is to come if we don’t stand up and be who we are. Its very clear that CFA did nothing wrong legally, morally or spiritually. Nor did its CEO. And despite what you’ve heard, this isn’t a human rights issue, not a respect issue, not an equality issue, not a business issue, not even a gay marriage issue per se. Its a glimpse of an intense, unseen spiritual war occurring all around us which has manifested in the natural.
The vitriol satan has stirred up in the hearts of those who hate the relational model God created (which bears his image) is about to explode. They can barely contain their rage because they lust for the death image of satan to prevail in the land. If they could, they would burn every CFAs in the country to the ground. And they way things are going, eventually laws are going to be passed to do just that. Intolerance (of their lifestyle) will not be tolerated and they will empower God-haters to take mob action against those who will not bow to the perversion of the prince of this world.
We’re on an unavoidable collision course with the god of this world and his insatiable desire to enslave the people of God. You have heard it before: there is no middle ground in this war. You may have noticed the counterfeit church is deploying its lying prophets to call for a cease fire. But keep your weapons at the ready and don’t stand down.
We need this training for battle. We need a hardening for war. That’s why God is presenting us with this live fire practice session. Trying to give his people some real time practice in learning how to stand. There is a time to pray, but understand its prayer that has brought us to the point of now STANDING. That’s right! Prayer actually stirs up and intensifies spiritual warfare. You have prayed for God to have his way. Now, get up off your knees and STAND so that he can have his way.While of course prayer will be what continues to get us through even in the days to come, prayer always precipitates action. As God moves, we want to be sure that we are moving with Him.
"...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14
If you have visited this blog for any length of time, then you know that its purpose is to help prepare God's people for the end times. Do not think it by chance that you have come here. If you have put off "getting right with God" before, do so no longer. You can no longer afford to live for yourself. Whether Jesus comes in 10 years, 20 years, or whether you are scheduled to leave this world tomorrow; turn your whole heart to God and let Him guide you in these evil days. Now is the day of salvation for you!
May we each get our ears attentive to what the Lord would say to us as the days unfold.
That said, I recommend the following resources:
Prophetic Guide to the End Times: Facing the Future Without Fear by Min. Derek Prince.
"The first point is basic. It is, in fact, so simple we may not see its importance at first glance. As Christians, we are waiting for Jesus Christ; conversely, we are not waiting for the Antichrist...I have met follow believers who are so busy with theories about the Antichrist - his number, his name, the countries he will rule, the methods he will use, how he will put his stamp on people's foreheads and hands - that they are almost advertising agents for him. Our business as Christians is not to be witnesses to the Antichrist but to the Christ. Jesus said, "You will be witnesses of Me." (Acts 1:8)"
The Biggest Failure of the Church Age by Min. C.I. Scofield
"Christians, let us leave the government of the world till the King comes; let us leave the civilizing of the world to be the incidental effect of the presence there of the Gospel of Christ, and let us give our time, our strength, our money, our days to the mission distinctively committed to the Church, namely, to make the Lord Jesus Christ known "to every creature"!"
Don't Cry for Me sermon by Pastor Gary C. Price
UPDATE:
I was asked in the comments about what to do to be prepared or to be ready. I suppose I kind of left yal hanging by not addressing that in the original post. :-) I thought it might be helpful to post a previous response to that question from another post. When it comes to being ready/prepared in these times, I am referring to the following:
If you mean that you feel there is something holding you back spiritually, then perhaps some time fasting would help to weaken that resistance. I have found that cutting back on a lot of the world's noise and spending more time with God in prayer can often give me clarity when it seems difficult to hear Him.Please also read the Derek Prince book, Prophetic Guide to the End Times: Facing the Future Without Fear, which is a great encouragement!
If you mean that you feel unprepared for the days to come (financially, physically, emotionally, etc.), know this: There is nothing any one person could do to be prepared outside of obeying what the Lord commands. It is God's desire and His expressed will to protect His people during this time (Rev. 6:6, 7:3, 9:4). He knows what you understand and what you don't. He is not sitting around thinking, "Well, I sure wish he/she could get what I was trying to tell them. Oh well, I guess they will just have to figure it out on their own." If He never expressly tells you anything by way of preparation, He is still more than able to guide and protect you during anything which is to come.
Jesus definitely tells us to be prepared and to watch during this time. Perhaps it is beneficial for us to talk about why. We are asked to watch - not so that we become anxious, paranoid, or fearful - but so that we are not caught unawares (Matt. 25:1-13; Mar. 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-40. 21:34-36; Rom. 13:11-14; Eph. 5:15-21; I Thess. 5:4-10; I Pet. 4:7). We are not to be so distracted by the "cares of this life" that we forget why we are here (lose awareness of, and focus on, Jesus).
Please take a moment to review the Scriptures I referred to above. Notice how many of them talk about drunkenness, rioting, wantonness, gluttony... Jesus said these days would be like the days of Noah where people were going about life as if it would never come to end, getting caught up in all kinds of worldly endeavors and lusts of the flesh to their own detriment (Matt. 24:36-51). We should not be that way. God does not want us to live without purpose (His purpose).
This is how we are to be prepared in these evil days, by keeping our eyes on Him and not letting our love for Him grow cold (Matthew 24:12; Rev. 2:4). And of course, if God tells you to do something additional in terms of natural preparations, then certainly do it. But it is not the status of natural preparations of which God is mostly concerned, but the condition of our hearts.
If you feel that God is prompting you to leave some things behind and come closer to Him, then pray for the strength to do so. The flesh may be weak, but if the spirit is willing God will make a way. His strength is made perfect in our weakness, which is perhaps why fasting can play such an integral role in coming against the things of the flesh which try to hinder us.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrews 12:1-3
What a timely article as this conversation was had yesterday between a sister in Christ and I. She called me discussing some things that were said during their church service on Sunday. She was stating that the pastor was calling out all type of flirting and possible adultery being done by some of the women there with other people's husbands, etc.... I was not at all surprised because hypocrisy and people not being truly born again is wide spread among many church members. I am in no way trying to condemn them or slander, it is just an obvious fact that many people who cry Lord Lord are not at all a part of the Bride.
ReplyDeleteI then told her to take her eyes off of that and to focus and zone in solely on Christ as He is the only one that can prepare us for the things to come. Christ has surely been showing me, personally, that the time for playing games is UP. It is time for those who truly believe to get on the ark, to stand covered by the blood of Christ and to proclaim His truth until the end. When I was stating these things and I began to talk about satan and his kingdom she seemed to become a little fearful. Let us pray against the spirit of fear because that spirit is surely going to try and attack many believers in these last days and hours. When we are afraid we will not stand for Truth, we will buckle every time! I am so thankful that God is taking fear AWAY from me. I am becoming more bold in Him as each day goes by and I desire that for my brothers and sisters! Let us not be weary in well doing, but let us go forth in the dark as light to a dying world. We must never forget that Christ's mission was to destroy the works of the devil and the baton has been passed and it is our mission as well!
Be blessed Sis and remember that "All is Well" in the Kingdom of God!!
Hi Stephanie!
DeleteI hope you are doing well Sis. :-)
Yes, I do think a number of people are unprepared for the days to come, and might even become fearful as they continue to unfold.
I purchased the Derek Prince book referenced above yesterday and I think it is a great resource for witnessing to others about these times: Prophetic Guide to the End Times: Facing the Future Without Fear
I am so glad to hear how God is removing the spirit of fear from your life! He is awesome and - no matter the struggle - it only gives the rest of the Body encouragement when you see one of the saints walking in victory over past struggles. I know it encourages me to keep pressing in and keeping my petitions before Him.
Yes Sis, all is well in the Kingdom of God. I am learning even new lessons about what it means to believe that and walk in it, in spite of the daily "realities" of life. I will probably write more on this later, but just suffice it to say that I appreciate you and the words you have shared. let us indeed keep our eyes on Jesus!
Chat with ya soon!
I know that I am not ready for the events that are approaching. Where do I begin?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI have updated the end of the article with a response that I hope will edify you.
God Bless!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this article. This is totally encouraging. A brother shared this on facebook, and I am totally grateful. This blog is a true blessing. Again, thank you and God bless you!:)
Amazing that you had that dream. Three and a half years ago I got out the military and it was a huge wake up call. I realized that I had been in "churchianity" and I felt God was showing me that it was time to get prepared because things were about to get crazy. I had spent most of my time in the far east (Japan and Korea) with the Air Force and being over there I saw all sorts of things. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd see Americans practicing YOGA, TM, and all the far eastern religious things I saw living in Asia the third of my life that I was there. I was shocked. When I moved to where I live now, I noticed that people in the "church" were practicing yoga in particular under the guise of exercise. I pleaded with them to stop because it was really Hinduism and each posture is named after a different god that you pay homage to as you perform it and there is no way to take the exercise (hatha yoga) from the spiritual aspect of it. I was called a "pot stirrer" and "divisive". I asked God why I kept being put in a place where I had to speak on such things and the answer was "Because you're one of the few that is bold enough to tell them".
ReplyDeleteThe internet is being driven by homosexual friendly companies. Google has become a giant that is starting to eat up the internet with it's programs and sites. I truly believe (as many other Christians that have an eye to see and an ear to hear) that America is becoming so anti christian that we will start seeing those that speak out being killed here. They already do it in Uganda, Indonesia, China, Egypt, and many other places. Many people in the church have no clue what it's like to suffer for Christ. They think because they go through something on their jobs that that's persecution. I spoke with a guy from Uganda that said they have to have scouts on buildings across the street from their church building to make sure people don't bomb the place. In the Sudan muslims were taking those that professed Christ cutting off their right hands and left feet if they didn't denounce Christ and take on Islam (which means submit) and its Allah.
One thing you spoke on that was interesting was the laws being changed to help shut true believers down... The hate crimes bill of april 29, 2009 has already done that. It is now illegal for us to tell homosexuals that their lifestyles are against God and perversion at best. You can be thrown in jail or fined for doing so if a sodomite really pushed the issue.
1948 was when the final countdown clock began. The Olive tree budded with the return of the Israelites to their home and this generation is definitely the last. Homosexuality is running rampant, false Christs and prophets are all over the place, and people are calling good evil and evil good. People are tattooing themselves all over the place (even highschoolers have tattoo sleeves at 14 and 15 years old). People eating other people on streets and other things. The scoffers say "ahh things have been going on since the beginning" but I say "Things are speeding up and never has there been a time like this".
Interesting. I had a dream two years ago that I saw myself on facebook...I saw my pic, and the pics of many other people all around the world. I then saw the world from the view of watching it from outer space. I saw that there were these electric currents coming from the earth, and each current connected a face to another face, to another face, until the whole entire world was connected by these currents of electricity. I then knew in my spirit that facebook was a tool already being used by the enemy for "profiling" those that were Christians, and those that were not, a sort of worldly separating of sheeps and goats. I was told in my spirit not to put any pictures up on facebook, and I haven't. All of these tools can be used by Christians for building each other up, but the true purposes of these tools will be made known (revealed) as our Lord's coming becomes closer and closer.
ReplyDeleteDee
I am confused. Perhaps you can help me. Doesn't the bible say that we are not to judge those "outside the camp", (the church) but that we must judge those inside the camp? How is it we can talk about morality to those who don't know Christ, who cannot escape without knowing him? Does the bible say that Christ is the judge of those outside the camp and that "when the Holy Spirit comes, he will convict"? I am truly confused. The moral majority did this, and it stirs up hatred.. Is this what the Lord meant when he said to know our audience we are preaching to? What is so different with what the unconverted Gentiles were into at the time of Paul, He preached the gospel to them, and they were converted. In fact, Western Civilization was given to Christ's glory. Is it that we are mixing the gospel, is it that the church itself is without the power of true believers like Paul where the gospel was manifested by power because it is the church that is not made ready? I have thought about this issue.....???????????????????????
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI apologize, but I really have no idea what you are speaking about. Can you further explain?
Thanks!
I am speaking in the light of Romans l4:4, 1st Corinthians 5:12, and Matthew 7:6. Many of the Christian church tries to moralize the outside world, it only makes them angry when they do not know Christ. Paul speaks concerning this, about those inside the "camp" not being the judges of those outside of it, but only those inside. The world gets angry at the church when it moralizes about those outside, is this what the Lord meant about them turning and rending you? We must have some sense. Paul became "like the Romans or the people he preached the Gospel to. He throught about how he could relate and He had the incredible power of the Holy Spirit and spoke about the Gospel to them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anonymous. What do you mean "moralize the world"? No one can make any other righteous; such is the work of the Holy Spirit alone. Are you saying that the Church should not speak to the world about what is right or wrong, about sin? The only way for one to turn in faith to Jesus Christ is through repentance. If one is not aware of being a slave to sin, then why would they ever seek a Savior to deliver them from it? The Gospel is one of repentance and in order to preach it you must be prepared to address sin.
DeleteWill speaking about sin make some mad? Absolutely! Does God care? Absolutely not! Should we care? Certainly not! How else are they to be saved unless they hear the Gospel message (Rom. 10:14-15)?
Peter spoke to the Jews of their sin and thousands were saved (Acts 2:14-41). Conversely, Stephen spoke to the people of their sin and they stoned him to death (Acts 7:2-60). Both spoke to the people about sin, but the conditions of the hearts of the hearer is what led to the different responses. Those who "gladly received" the word got saved (Acts 2:41). Speaking about sin is not what causes anger, but the condition of one's heart in responding to truth.
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Rom. 14:1-5
This is not an admonition against judging sin. It's an exhortation to accept those believers who have weaker faith; who don't fully appreciate the liberty we have in Christ and still adhere to outward ordinances as an expression of faith to God.
"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." I Cor. 5:9-13
The context is our fellowship with backslidden believers. Paul's use of the word "judge" here means to convict of sin and separate completely. He is not talking about the world because in order to separate completely from sinners in the world, we would have to leave the world...and then how would they hear the Good News? Unbelievers have not yet come into the Body of Christ, so why would they adhere to the government in that Body? Notice Paul uses the same logic for why Christians should not go to the world's systems to be judged of one another (I Cor. 6:1-8). This text is not about ceasing to judge sin, but understanding the authority given to the Church to resolve issues in the Body.
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Matt. 7:6
DeleteThis does not say to withhold God's truths about sin from unbelievers. God is reminding us that not everyone will "receive with gladness" the truths of God. Therefore, we must be wise. The Holy Spirit will guide us in what to say and how to say it (and even IF to say) as long as we seek Him first in our communications. Contrast the above with Matt. 15:22-28. Notice that Jesus identified the woman as a "dog" (Gentile), yet He recognized her faith and delivered her daughter. He did not withhold it from her.
It seems you are suggesting that people preach against sin because they don't have God's power. Keep in mind that the signs and power of God only "follow" the Gospel which has been preached (Acts 2:42-43, 4:29-30, 5:9-12, 8:12-13, 14:3). The signs come to confirm the "word" spoken. Supernatural power on its own apart from God's truth means nothing for even the devil has lying signs and wonders (II Thess. 2:9).
The following also might help:
Who Is Supposed to Judge?
Come, Let Me Love Away Your Sin
God declared that man would come to salvation via the preaching of the Gospel (I Cor. 1:17-29), even though fallen man may despise the message. We cannot improve upon God.
I understand your points; however, I think that certain portions of the church are pointing at the nonchurch and judging. They are judging constantly instead of living and obeying themselves and we are not to judge those outside the church, nor teach "the pearls of wisdom" about how to live, except to share the gospel with them and love them as Christ has commanded. We are to live the gospel, which means that we obey and don't keep pointing the finger at unbelievers and expect them to live when they don't know the Lord. The Gospel is what we need to preach. It is when they are baptized in the faith that they would give heed to a commitment to live as Christ said to live. Why is the church pointing at the world? Why don't they focus on what they have to do, namely obey Christ and Christ's words? The Pharasees thought they were the holy ones and didn't love those outside the camp. You know that we don't need to concentrate on who and what they are doing, we need to concentrate on Christ. Paul did not point to men what sinners they were, it was the Gospel he presented, and the Holy Spirit moved and they were struck with conviction. He tried to learn about them, which is what is written about the Lord. He loved the prostitutes and tax collectors. The Christian church needs to start loving people and stop telling outsiders constantly like the moral majority did. This brings great hatred because they don't understand the gospel. Whether a sin is homosexuality (That existed when Paul was preaching bigtime) or sexual sin of any kind (it was there) Idolatry, cruelty, every kind of evil was present then like it is now. God saved them through the preaching of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord said, "if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, turn from their wickedness and pray, I will hear from heaven and heal their land". If our society is disinegrating, I believe it is the cause can be layed at the churches. We don't need to be blaming the world and pointing the finger at them except to do what Christ told us to do and love them, and share our faith. Otherwise, we become the blind guides and the servants who will be beaten with many stripes because we knew his will and didn't do it. The Apostle Paul said Israel was blinded as an example as to what can happen to us. It's the church who has to repent. It's the church that needs the power so it can go out to the world in the power of Christ.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteI sure can understand the frustration when dealing with those who are hypocritical. I believe this is the reason why judgment begins at the house of the Lord (I Pet. 4:17). Those who know better - and have been empowered by God's Spirit to do better - should. God's expectations are simply higher for us, and they should be. Yes, the condition of the world is a direct reflection on the condition of the Church, which has failed to be salt.
However, we are also not to be ignorant of Satan's devices. The spiritual war the Christian must wage is not with people, or even the world but with the "god" who is manipulating this world (and those in it). Part of revealing his deceptions is dealing with sin.
Paul certainly did present to men what sinners they were as part of preaching the Gospel - as did all the disciples (Titus 1:10-13; Acts 17:16-30). Convicting of sin is also how Paul said the law is to be used lawfully (I Tim. 1:8-11).
So no, don't be a hypocrite. Obey all that God gives you to do. But at the same time, don't make the mistake of believing that being "loving" means not addressing sin. Consider Jesus' commands to Paul:
"And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." Acts 26:15-20
Paul was not disobedient to what Jesus commanded, but went amongst the unbelievers preaching that they needed to repent from sin.
May we do the same. God Bless!