Today - Deception on Display

UPDATE*** - I saw and heard many disturbing things at that rally (on TV). Besides the nebulous "we are all God's children" references, the most disturbing image was a cross with an American flag pinned in the center.

The entire premise of such things as the Glenn Beck rallies is idolatry and dishonors the Risen Christ and His gospel. It does not matter that Beck is a Mormon, that only adds to the compromise of this particular event. But treating any country with the love and mystique and even sacredness that these people do is antichrist and is a modern day golden calf. The country known as America has found its way into the church and holds a place of allegiance and love within the hearts of many who profess Christ. Here is a story of another nation whose king attempted to suggest divine approval:

II Chron.26:9-20

9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

The nation of Israel was strong and prosperous. But when King Uzziah felt that God’s favor was so strong upon him he ventured into the temple to light some incense unto Jehovah. That privilege and calling was reserved for the sons of Aaron. The priests ran in and cast the king out and God struck him with leprosy. He had begun as a godly leader but when he meshed the government with the church God’s wrath came quickly.
But in today’s ecclesiastical atmosphere you have politicians allowed to greet the congregations from behind pulpits. You will have pastors today speak at Beck’s rally and herald the gospel of America and tell a fairy tale about the founding fathers and the so called divine destiny of this nation. They will take the nail scarred hand of the Risen Christ and place it in the hands of George Washington and proclaim that this honors God when in reality it blasphemes his Name. Spirituality will be measured by material prosperity and national freedom, and yet the church in China, poor and oppressed, prospers spiritually and is a convicting example of humility and prayer to the “rich and increased with goods” American brand of Christianity. Treating any secular nation as a direct offspring of Jesus Christ is to do damage to the gospel and teach the church to be Americans at the expense of being a follower of Jesus Christ.
Listen to the talk show hosts, millionaires all, as they suggest a loss of freedoms and a need to protect our personal wealth. Beck exhorts people to buy gold from a certain company (from which he is paid) and he now has stockpiled a year’s supply of food in his basement. Some believers have now separated themselves from Beck because he is a Mormon, but they still quote and support the rest. They are missing the point completely. Beck, Hannity, Limbaugh, and the rest are only symptoms of the “Uzziah-like” idolatry that makes the holy into the profane. How deaf are the spiritual ears that cannot hear the voice of God’s Spirit calling us into a separate kingdom? Men like Limbaugh live unbelievably lavish lifestyles of private jets and mansions and yet supposed believers in Jesus and the New Testament listen to and support such a man?
I will probably watch some of the rally today, but I will do it with a tear in my eye and an ache in my heart. How can believers be so blind? Well, the children of Israel, fresh from a miraculous dry land crossing, clamored for a return to bondage very quickly. And so the church which lives in America exhibits a spiritual Stockholm Syndrome that falls in love with and takes on the cause of its captors. We are in bondage and not only are we not ashamed for our treachery, we herald it as a badge of divine honor. And should Jesus tarry much longer the next generation will fall deeper and deeper into deception. I suggest, as have I, that you sit your children down and let them watch this rally with you. It will be a wonderful teaching moment. They must not mock or hate, but they must be pointed to Jesus and taught that this nation is no better or worse than any other.
Our children must discern between the exclusive gospel of Jesus Christ and the nationalistic fervor that is pluralistic and includes all faiths and cults. Some of the founding fathers were brave men, but bravery does not make a person a Christian or spiritual. George Washington was our richest president and his wealth was accumulated on the backs of hundreds of slaves. Although he released most of them in his will, he bought and sold men and women like merchandise and even broke up families. I believe he may have been a believer, however he is no example to the church and our children. He was a drinker on occassion and had a sailor's vocabulary as well. Military valor is not one of the fruits of the Spirit and his martital faithfulness has always been in question. In light of this and the checkered lives of many of the other founding fathers, what honor is Beck going to restore? Beck is claiming a "great awakening" is beginning with him. He claims God has anointed him to bring America back to God. In some ways this kind of movement is more dangerous andf more insidious than the emergent movement and other redemption compromises. Deception on display.

Glenn Beck said, "If you put your faith in God and not man, I ask you to consider buying gold from my sponser Goldline."

And believers only have a problem with Beck's Mormonism? I look forward to what you will see today. If we really want an awakening then let us not have it at the Lincoln Memorial built to honor a man; let us have it at the cross which was erected to lift up the Redeemer and provide an eternal escape for sinners through His immeasurable sufferings. That is the memorial pictured by the Lord's Supper and that is our holy place.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.