The REAL 99%

Image made by Dr. Anthony Bradley

Who Minds Earthly Things?

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

Dr. Anthony Bradley's recent social commentary contrasting the "99%" of the Occupy movement with those impoverished in Africa has created somewhat of a stir.

The juxtaposition I suppose is to bring to mind how even the poorest in America often live better than many in other parts of the world.  It also reveals how a lifestyle of privilege and entitlement (comparatively) can skew one's perception of reality, justice, and oppression.

However, there is another "99%" which has much more eternal weight and which should be the primary focus of the people of God.

That is the 99% of those who do not know Jesus Christ.

In a sermon from Pastor Zac Poonen, he stated his personal conviction that less than 1% of this world is really born again. I happen to agree with him. 

The Scripture in Luke 10:2 seems to echo this theme. The harvest (those who have yet to come to faith in Christ) is great; but the labourers (those called to proclaim the good news) are few. We are also told that many will go down the broad path which leads to destruction, but few will find the narrow path which leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

When it comes to witnessing to those who do not know Jesus, many "Christians" are unprepared because they do not really know Jesus Christ themselves.  They are "Christians" in name only.

As of 2009, it is estimated that more than 33% of the world identified with being a "Christian".  That turns out to be over 2.2 billion people; making Christianity the most prominent religion globally.

When the Church was first birthed at Pentecost, God used 12 Apostles to preach and plant churches, turning the whole known world upside down.  Now there are over 2 billion "Christians" and the world has never been in such a dismal, amoral abyss.  Why?  Because the salt has lost its savour (Matthew 5:13).

Yesterday I was sent an article about a "solemn assembly" being organized by a ministry named, "The Call".  While I am not familiar with this group, they have apparently been going to various cites calling for prayer and fasting against the demonic invasions which have overtaken American society.  It is reportedly a call for God's people to come together in repentance so that a revival may be sent to empower the preaching of Jesus Christ to save souls in these last days.

The article focused mostly on how the Detroit meetings were causing concern in the Muslim community, but there was also reaction from some of Detroit's "Christian" community:

Muslims weren't the only ones concerned about Friday's event. A coalition of Detroit clergy led a march of about 150 people from a city park to the football stadium Friday evening, around the time the rally inside was scheduled to start.

"We chanted 'Stop the hate, spread the love. Stop the hate, spread the jobs,'" the Rev. David Bullock told The Associated Press after their hourlong march and prayer rally.

...Bullock said he and other Detroit area clergy have received calls this week asking about TheCall. He said he has told them to research Engle.

"They didn't know. People are really shocked by the rhetoric in his sermons. We are going to send a different message that the God we serve loves everyone."

What David Bullock espouses is part of the main problem with Christianity today.

The Jews could not receive Jesus Christ because they wanted an earthly King who would give them earthly dominion, removing the oppression from Rome.  To this day they still await the "Messiah" who will bring them peace & prosperity in this life; and this desire will be the primary means of their being deceived by the Anti-Christ - receiving him as the Christ. 

Similarly, many "Christians" cannot receive Jesus because they too still only see Him as a means to having prosperity in this life.  As a result, the focus of their "Jesus" [idol] is on their position in this present evil world.  "Jesus" helping me to find a job..."Jesus" bringing about social equality..."Jesus" working to establish economic parity... Like the Jews - many professing Christians will also fall for the Anti-Christ because they seek an earthly King who will manifest to conquer worldly enemies.

The message of the Gospel is not focused on earthly things, but eternal (Colossians 3:2; Philippians 3:18-21; I John 2:15-17).  This is why 'ministers' such as David Bullock must determine to "send a different message."  Yet consider the essence of their message.

What was the "hate" speech which led David Bullock and other Detroit clergy to protest The Call's meetings?  That Jesus is the only way and there is no other name given among men whereby we MUST be saved.  Instead of preaching that Muslims and other lost souls need to repent and turn to faith in Jesus, they preach that "God [whoever one would consider that to be I suppose] loves everyone".

Benetton's "UnHate" ad campaign
featuring photoshopped images of
world leaders.

Do you see how the name of Jesus is offensive...even to those who claim to represent Him??

Do you not see how proclaiming the plain and unambiguous words of God will lead you to be labeled a hater?

Is it not obvious how the media is manipulating reality (like the photo-shopped "UnHate" ad campaign by Benetton) to support an agenda where the opposite of "hate" is the acceptance of perversion?

Can you see how society at large is brainwashing people to think that it is hateful to believe the truth and call a lie "a lie"?

Are you personally ready to stand against the tide as the enemy comes in like a flood, warring for the very souls and minds of men?

If you are in a Church where the focus is on having your "best life now", then you had better run for the doors.  If your zeal for what's right is expressed in fighting for the rise/fall of world systems, then know that such is not the Kingdom of God (John 8:23; John 18:36).  If your view of God is through the lens of ethnicity, class, political party, (or any worldly construct) then pray for the corrective vision of spiritual eyesight.  If the greatest desire on your heart is seeking your comfort and peace in this world, then seek God desperately to change your heart so that your primary concern will be His glory.

God is doing a work in His Church, to purge it and purify it so that it can truly be the light of the world; the salt which preserves the ways of righteousness.

The harvest is ripe, but who will labor to bring it in?  Who will lay down their lives so that Jesus may be seen, in the hopes that souls can be saved?  In these last days, now is not the time to be playing church.  The REAL 99% are languishing on the vine, waiting for a word of life to revive them. 

Perhaps you were come to the Kingdom for such a time as this.