Monday, February 25, 2013

A Horrific Revelation

A HORRIFIC REVELATION
 

 
I found this video at a blog I read HERE.
 
This documentary provides a visceral look inside a reality which should be horrific to every born again believer in Jesus Christ. This video provides an overview into what has generally happened to the western evangelical church. Somewhere in the late fifties or the early sixties the church began to be diverted from the gospel and from discipling believers and began a step by step entrance into the political arena. Now the foundation and motivating factor for such a shift was twofold.
One motivation was an unhealthy and unreasonable allegiance and love for the particular country in which its members were providentially born. America was not just a place where they could be the planting of the Lord or a place where there was a great mission field of lost sinners. This country became more than just a place on the map. The church began to manifest more than just a fondness for this nation. America became an entity that was to be loved, embraced, supported, and defended at all costs.
The second motivating factor was a magnification of some specific moral issues that the church deemed unbiblical. Now even though the overwhelming majority of the culture does not claim to be born again and therefore would be in need of a Savior, the church decided to fight this battle in the courts, and in congress, and by organizing an eclectic group of American citizens regardless of their spiritual convictions or condition. In essence, as long as people loved America and were dedicated to stand against abortion and the acceptance of gay relationships they could be a part of that movement. even if they rejected Jesus their love for America trumped that spiritual state.
Now that kind of spiritual detour had many adverse affects upon the nature, mission, and heart of the church. In fact, the movement seemed to energize the church and it soon became an obsession within the evangelical community. This obsession remains today. But as you watch that video please try and understand how easy it is to become involved in the world of politics and how difficult it is to get untangled once involved. After all, you are standing for morality, so what could be wrong with that?
Inside the church we are supposed to receive correction and guidance from God’s Word through the offices and ministry of the Holy Spirit. But outside the camp we are to live and preach the gospel and reach out to help people in Jesus’ name. Can you not see the difference? And it is exactly that difference which has been blurred and continues to poison the community of faith. "Who do men say that I am?" has given way to "Who do you say George Washington is?"
But nationalism and moralism has made us feel so good for so long, like a heroin addict we cannot imagine what we would do without them. How could we go on? They have become an accepted part of our faith. Dr. Frankenstein could not bring himself to kill his monster because he had so much invested in him. And so we as the western church have so much invested in this nation that even if shown the error of our ways we are reticent to repent. It is a vicious cycle that cannot broken without a massive move of God’s Spirit.
Yes, there are some of us who by God’s grace have begun to question these things and eventually came out and found freedom…true freedom. But we have met staunch resistance and even harshness when we have presented our testimonies. You see, nationalism is no weak sister. It is a monstrous deception which has been handed down by generations and thereby has deep roots. We know men and women that we admire who love Christ and are true patriots and therefore this must be right. Yes, one of the strengths wherewith this lives is also buttressed by others that we trust.
I was born in 1952 and I was born again in March of 1975. I lived through much of this, and I watched the entire video with a grieving heart. This post is about it. But one thing that stood out for me is that just like in politics today, Christianity and evangelicals are spoken of as entities. With an objectivity void of spiritual passion, this documentary accurately presented the facts but like most was blind to the essence of Christ.

And because the faith has become bedfellows with politics and nationalism, the church at large continues to lose what little spiritual depth it may have once had. In essence, Jesus Himself has become a doctrine, a moral leverage, a religious name, and even a good teacher. But sadly, He is no longer the Lord of Glory in His own church, which in reality is not His own anymore. There is an invisible church made up of different points of light with some being a part of a local fellowship.

But for the most part, the visible church which meets in buildings made with hands is a religious institution which energetically practices its faith without Jesus. It is tale of unimaginable woe and sadness. Aside from some who have emerged from its fog, it continues today unabated and with a redundant energy which keeps it alive. The culture continues its decline into deeper and deeper wickedness, and sinners walk without a care in the world. But the church refuses to even wonder why we have so little light and so little impact on a culture of darkness when we claim to walk with His blinding light.

We have set out tents in Babylon and pledged our allegiance to a myth. And in so doing we have been shackled while claiming to be protecting freedom. Only a dynamic and deeply uncomfortable dismantling of what we have come to accept will afford us the path back to Christ. That is no hyperbole. Instead of seeing America as Babylon we see it as little Jerusalem.That is a horrific fact.

19 comments:

Cherie c. said...

Dear Pastor,

I saw your headline, and I became frightened. I did not read your post yet, and I have not watched the video yet.

Maybe I should pray first. My stomach hurts. Told you I was a coward. God forgive me.

your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

kelli said...

excerpt from Lewis Sperry Chafer book "Satan"

The unregenerate are, then, unconscious of their position in the arms of Satan, and blind in their thoughts toward the
gospel of mercy and favor, their only hope for eternity. Satan, like a fond mother, is bending over those in arms, breathing
into their minds the quieting balm of a "universal brotherhood of man;" suggesting their worthiness before God on the ground of their own moral character and physical generation; feeding their tendency to IMITATE THE TRUE FAITH(emphasis mine) by great humanitarian undertakings and schemes for the reformation of individuals and the betterment of the social order.

free e-book
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12586

Anonymous said...

The Lord Jesus called me and my kids out of the "system" just this January. We have been ostracized for the most part and the leadership thinks that we have been deceived.It has been amazing the growth me and my kids have experienced in just the last almost two months. I grew up in a very political charged spiritual cult family "manifest sons of god", who never attended church because they thought they were "special". Since being called out I am seeing more clearly how the whole patriotic thing has affected the church that I was in. They think they are righteous but are swimming with pride. Thank you Rick for this blog. The Lord has used it to confirm many things that were stirring in me but lacked a voice.

michael said...

In a lot of this I'd say The Lord has already spoken and what He's said does not flatter the Shepherds as we learn from these strong Words from Isaiah :

All you beasts of the field, come to devour— all you beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all. Come, they say, "let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure." (Isaiah 56:9-12 ESV)

One side of my family worked tending sheep. Sheep are just dumb. There is no ifs ands or buts about it and most of why we see such an increase in this is sheep follow and when a blind shepherd leads they all go over the cliff!

I'd say its time we had some true shepherds who have their sheep's welfare at heart and not as Isaiah says there in verse 11.

Anonymous said...

Cherie C: Funny, my stomach hurts and has been for 3 weeks. I am at my wit's end with the pain and I just prayed a while ago to the Lord and am asking Him to keep me, all of us, as healthy as he'll allow, because these times are troubled times and we need to be strong not only in Spirit, but in body. If it's not one thing, it's another, and I suppose the race is one for each one of us. I am really trying to 'have good cheer' as well, but sometimes drown in the physical.

God bless you, and keep you and may He keep you fearless, and if you can, please pray for me as well.

Anon. (still trying to think up a name)

Cherie c. said...

I read the post and reading kelli's comment really made me want to hide under my covers. It is chilling.

It is only going to get worse as we get closer to the Lord's return. Now that more and more true followers of Christ are coming out of the system like lemmonjohanna, it is more important then every to preach the Gospel and help those of us out from under the system, the truth. Lots of work ahead, but I am willing to learn more of the truth.

lemmonjohanna,

I have been unchurched for about two years now, and I am learning so much. I will lift you and your children up in prayer. Being called out can be kind of different, and very lonely. Do not be surprised if one of the kids become disillusioned for a time. Patience and love and the willingness to endure to the end can wax and wain at times. But be not dismayed, you are not alone. Welcome to the church, the unwalled church. It at times is a lonely road, a tough road, but an on your knees road that brings you straight to Jesus. Keep the Word close by and be a Berean. You have come to a good place here at this Blog. Pastor has before the Lord a possible Fellowship. So keep it in prayer to please.

God Bless you and your family.

your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Now more than ever we need to fellowship together no matter where God has placed us in this country.

Cherie c. said...

In the midst of this Horrific Revelation a little peace to my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNg6CrVt73o

copy and paste URL or go to Youtube and enter:

The Old Rugged Cross (Piano by Greg Howlett) on Youtube

I hope you find this two minute restful, if only for two minutes.

Love to all!

your sister in Christ Jesus
Cherie c.

Anonymous said...

This program really does show how the early 50's into the present prepared the way for the church and state to unite and feed off each other. What a practical union - politicians looking for votes and christian leaders looking for clout and imposing christianity on everyone.

I can't understand how men like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson and the Grahams all started out with a heart for preaching the gospel only and suddenly made un-apostolic turnaround. They did sell what they had, as though it was some bottled healing potion. And they marketed it, asked politicians to lobby for it, and sold it like a product, just to gain favor, votes, members, and control over the souls of men. It's indescribable how so many see christianity in the 'moral majority's" eyes and not through the Word of God.

If there's any good to be gained from this, it will be that finally people will start to reason and see how evangelicals in the West became just as controlling a church institution as those traditional spiritless church institutions they fled from in Europe and the King of England. They didn't learn anything from history.

One thing I notice too, is that, many people are influenced by what media reports. They trust media's judgment on spiritual things, which they should not do. The only voices that can be heard in public are power-seeking christian leaders - the kind who sit in their grand lavish homes pontificating on society's sins, making peace covenants with the world. It's the humble pastors, ministers, teachers, who are overrun by the moral majority pastors. And media only seeks out the christian elite for their comments. So, unbelievers only hear the puffed-up leaders' proclamations and get a distorted image of the gospel. Satan loves to keep true christians away from the podiums. And, at this time, even if true christians spoke from the highest podiums, the delusion and temptation for power might seduce them too.

I believe if there is a revival ever to emerge, we'll see it in small groups here and there and everywhere, but not in big arenas or stadiums, because when that happens, men seek the glory. And they send their census men out counting how many attended. That seems to only be their bottom line.

Rick Frueh said...

Good word all.

Anonymous said...

Be of good cheer! Our Loving Father has begun the winnowing and He only chastises those whom He loves. And even though the clouds look dark, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is our Light! So be not dismayed when God begins the rebuke of those so called "shepherds" who have scattered the sheep for He will gather them up!!

michael said...

Well judgment begins in the house of The Lord first! And if the Righteous are barely saved what awaits the unrighteous and sinner? Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:12-19 ESV)

Cherie c. said...

Michael.......


=D =D

God Bless you brother.

your sister in Christ Jesus,

Cherie c.

Chris Baumgart said...

Rick, good video, good find... One thing I found interesting pertained to a comment made concerning that the ebb and flow of politics could be different than the actual culture of Americans, even conservative Christians. Which actually gives me hope that a true spiritual revival is yet possible in this country, namely for His church. I still believe Christians can be involved in shaping law concerning certain social strains that affect the weak, the poor, the innocent...those who lack a voice, -but to believe we need to make laws to please God by controlling political seats is a weak path to follow. Michaels comment above, the first one, points to words from Isaiah 56... Which fit so perfect into the shape of today's lost Church. Finding the secret to God is a driving force to which the flesh will carry you to the far reaches of Oprahs book club, to the air waves of Glen Becks pulpit, to buying the latest new version of the bible or even night classes in unfolding the Word in Greek and Hebrew but the Holy Spirit does not live there. He does not live in the "prosperity" many chase after. He does not live in the "I'm not perfect, Jesus isn't finished with me yet" bumper stickers. He dwells within a holy people. If there is any secret to be uncovered about getting closer to God it is found in the finished work of His Son. Jesus has made a way through the desert of sin and it is Faith in Him that are the waters that satisfy. Our flesh and it's want to be gratified stumble us severely. It refuses to pray. It refuses to let go of the temporal and it hates bearing His cross... It takes effort, daily, to put the flesh down and let ones self be filled with the Holy Spirit. We can do it brothers and sisters... I am drawn to His love for me. And I am anxious to love like Him. This is the true culture of our church.

kelli said...

Chris, unfolding the Word in Greek and Hebrew but the Holy Spirit does not live there?

kelli said...

Here is one statement from an NIV Version in the preface:
Like all translations of the Bible, made as they are by imperfect man, this one undoubtedly falls short of its goals.

Chris:
Greek and Hebrew are only tools to learn the Word more accurately as the English translations cannot give a word for word translation.
Do this mean all who learn Hebrew and Greek are saved, does this mean all who do not know Greek or Hebrew are not saved? No.

Anonymous said...

Cherie C. Thank you so much! God Bless! :)

Reine Gnade said...


Chris, beautifully said. Just a reminder.
anxious . adj. Uneasy and apprehensive about an uncertain event or matter; worried.
Christ's word to us is to be anxious for nothing. See Philippians 4:6

The Holy Spirit canj reveal truth to man from Greek and Hebrew too so studying Greek and Hebrew is a praiseworthy activity!

God bless you.

Chris Baumgart said...

Kelli, I agree. We as Christians have many tools to use to aid us in the study of God and His truth. You can have great knowledge about God and yet be so distant from the Person of Christ. The point being that we want the "easy" when it comes to digging deeper for God, rather than paying what is the true price and most difficult, dying to self.

kelli said...

Yes Chris,
there is a difference between a religious person (Pharisee) and one who sees themselves a sinner.
Hypocrites are actors acting according to the script (in word only and not a doer)Hypocrites burden people down with the laws and commandments which they themselves cannot keep. A hypocrite is an unsaved person.

As born again believers we are learning and gaining wisdom through the different trials the Lord has designed for each of us.