CALLING ALL CHRISTIANS – CAN AMERICA BE SAVED?

 

CALLING ALL CHRISTIANS – CAN AMERICA BE SAVED?

Politics will not save you and will not save America.

There are pastors, evangelists and Bible teachers who openly and blatantly preach politics from their pulpils and their perches. But, that is not our fight. The Bible clearly teaches that “There is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (see Romans 13:1), and “we are to submit ourselves for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution, to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as ones sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right”. (see 1 Peter 2:13-14). Preach the Bible becuase the Bible defines our politics.

Weapons of war will not save you and will not save America.

Jesus clearly teaches that, “They who live by the sword will perish by the sword”. (see Matthew 26:52). “But our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”.(see Ephesians 6:12).

Going off-grid, storing up food stuffs, water, medicines, ammo, seeds and raising animals will not save you and will not save America.

SO, WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

 Pray? Yes, pray. And by the way, there are many Christians who are claiming  2 Chronicles 7:14, which says “If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”, thinking it will be effective in saving America. This is a worthy prayer, but this instruction to pray was specifically spoken to Solomon and for the people of Israel for that specific time.

It is not that God cannot or will not hear this prayer today, and show pity or mercy. But, our world and our nation is at another specific place and time on God’s eschatological clock. We are in the Last Days as described by Jesus and the Apostles Paul, John, Peter and the disciple, Timothy. (see “Did They Really Say This?”)

Concerning these matters;

Jesus warns that we are now in that day – the day of His Return and the commencement of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, distinctive from “the tribulation birth pains” as described by Jesus in Matthew 24:4-14. The “tribulation birth pains” are the first five tribulation seals: false christs, wars and rumors of war, nations rising against nations, famines and earthquakes. Then will come an increase in martyrdom, apostasy, divisions within the church, a rise of false prophets, an increase in lawlessness and hatreds. Following this, between the Fifth tribulation seal and the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal, and the sun will be darkened, the moon will fade and turn dark red, and there will be astronomical calamities as “the stars fall from the skies”. Then the “Son of Man”, (Jesus), will appear in the clouds and every eye will see Him and will mourn. Then comes the Trumpet blast, and the angels will gather His elect from all four corners of the earth and from one end of the sky to the other which marks the commencement of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb and the final Seven Years of Great Tribulation (the final two tribulation seals, the Seven Tribulation Trumpets and the Seven Tribulation Bowls).

Before these things occur, Jesus warns that we are to:

• Learn,
• Prepare, and
• Stay ready!

LEARN: (see Matthew chapter 24:32-35). We are to learn from the parable of the fig tree, saying,

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as the as soon as the fig tree’s branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves,

you know that summer is near; so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

(see Matthew 24:3-14 for Jesus’ example of the ‘fig tree’s branch’ , “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  And Jesus answered and said to them, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains. (This is Jesus’ reference to ‘the summer is near’ when these thing happen ), Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another, and many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. (This is the reference to (He is near, right at the door ) This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.)

“About that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah”

(see Genesis 6:5-8, (This is Jesus’ reference to (just like the days of Noah ) Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.”)

 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. (see Matthew 24:29-31, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, (This is Jesus reference to one will be taken and one will be left ), and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.)

PREPARE: (see Matthew 24:42-51),

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house (The “head of the house” represents individuals responsible for their spiritual well-being of his family, those under his care and tutelage and those within his or her sphere of influence), had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house (The “house” symbolizes one’s life or spiritual state. Allowing it to be “broken into” suggests a failure to guard against spiritual complacency or sin. This imagery reinforces the need for spiritual alertness and moral integrity), to be broken into.

STAY READY: (see Matthew 24:44-51).

For this reason you must be ready as well (The call to readiness is a central theme in Jesus’ teachings about the end times. This readiness involves living a life of faithfulness and obedience, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God. The imperative “must be ready” suggests an ongoing state of preparedness, not a one-time action); for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

“Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves (The master represents Jesus Christ, who entrusts His followers with responsibilities. The household can be seen as the Church or the community of believers. This reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where believers are entrusted with the care and management of God’s resources and people), to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk; then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, and he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

SO, WHAT ARE WE TO BE DOING, NOW?

(Jesus demonstrated His Deity – So we would demonstrate our Discipleship) 

HIS DEITY

Jesus says, “The one who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9, NASB).

Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30, NASB).

The Bible says, “Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV).

Jesus says, “Even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:38, NASB).

OUR DISCIPLESHIP

Jesus says, “If you abide in my Word, you are truly My disciples” (John 8:31).

Jesus says, “Go therefore, and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

What The Bible says we are to be doing in “Last Days”*: “Be strong in the Lord and mighty in His power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand strong against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

“With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.” (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

Dear Friends and fellow disciples, please, let’s be careful that we are not lulled into a sense of complacency. These mighty words from the book of Ephesians are not just metaphors, they are clear instructions that only His elect, His disciples can fully understand, and that only by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the way spoken to us by the Breath of God. Listen. Learn. Prepare. The day is now at hand.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

*Last Days:

The “last days” refer to a period in Christian eschatology that begins with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and extends until his second coming. This time is characterized by significant events and changes in society, often associated with themes of judgment, redemption, and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

Definition of the Last Days

The term “last days” refers to a significant period in Christian eschatology, marking the time from Christ’s ascension to His second coming. This period is characterized by various prophetic events and societal changes.

Key Features of the Last Days

Biblical Context

• Start: The last days began with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
• Duration: This period encompasses the entire history of the church until Christ returns.

Characteristics of Society

• Difficult Times: The last days are described as perilous, with societal challenges such as moral decay and conflict.
• Prophetic Signs: Events like wars, famines, and cultural shifts are often interpreted as signs of the approaching end.

Theological Perspectives

Abrahamic Religions

• Judaism: Refers to the “end of days,” focusing on themes of redemption and the coming of the Messiah.
• Christianity: Emphasizes the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promises.