Oh, Say! Can You See?

 

Oh, Say! Can You See?

Let’s keep this simple. Deliberate and uncontrolled immigration has flooded our nation with people whose mission is to change the demographics of America in order to take political and social control of our government and our land. Is it working?

Uncontrolled monitoring of the hiring practices in our colleges and universities have allowed Leftists and Marxists to assume leadership roles in universities politicizing and setting the teaching agendas to fit their own political, religious and social worldview. This has to lead to teaching positions begin filled with pro-Socialist, Communist, anti-Israel, anti-American and anti-Christian propaganda indoctrination.

As the result, Socialist, Islamic, Marxist, and Communist politicos being accepted as viable candidate and are filling local, state and federal government positions including mayoral, legislative, senatorial and house seats at an alarming rate. A recent article in the Islamic Voice publication proclaims “Muslim Representation Reaches Historic Highs in U.S. Elections”.

The outcome is increased anti-American belligerence, anti-capitalist ideology, anti-Christian and antisemitism. socialist and communist economic principles are being implemented and are crippling our economy, sending society into chaos and distrust and is destroying the effectiveness of our longstanding institutions.

Our historical and cultural landmarks have been defaced, destroyed and removed. Trust in our institutions such as banking, elections, healthcare, religious, etc., has been eroded as it has been infected with DEI ideologies. Our nation is nearing a cataclysmic bankruptcy as the Leftists raid our treasuries. And, all of this is part of the Agenda-21 and Agenda-2030. A plan to transform America and fold her into a Marxist-Globalist cabal. A one world government, run by the few elitist Globalist nations.

President Trump and his administration has worked to counter this invasion from abroad and treason within, despite the riots, assassination attempts, failed revolts, fraud and the recent Obama and Biden administrations weaponizing the FBI, the IRS and state and federal legislatures. But Trump’s time is limited and the task is still monumental in scope.

So, for the traditional American, the Conservatives and the Christians, I ask, “what can be done”? I am neither trained nor equipped to answer that question in full. But I do know what the Bible says. So for the Christian, I will say that most of you have been sufficiently mislead that you now are rejecting most of what the Bible clearly says about standards, values, conduct, law and order. But for those who have the ears to hear, let me tell you, there is only one remedy and the Bible clearly spells it out. But “it will cost us everything – although we really have little left to lose”.

Let me start by reminding us that, according to the Bible, the Holy Spirit is the Restrainer of evil and its removal is foretold with the coming of these end of day in which we live. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 tells us as much. This means that the Church (all believers in Christ Jesus) in whom the Holy Spirit dwells are this barrier. The removal of this restraining force is believed to occur before the revelation of the Antichrist, leading to a time of increased lawlessness on earth. And it would appear that there is an erosion of the this barrier now in progress.

Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has issued a direct warning about what is being sold as Christianity in public life today. He made the following statement: “Since the fall of man in the Garden, Satan has relentlessly schemed to undermine the authority of God’s Word by parsing half-truths, which are nothing more than clever lies, into a counterfeit gospel. Today we call it Progressive Christianity, and it is a lie. Just enough truth to deceive.”
This distortion and false teaching of the Word of God is comfortably ensconced in air-conditioned environments, complete with coffee shops, auditoriums with light and sound staged performances accompanied by loud rhythmic rock-n-roll style music appealing to the base nature, disguised as worship sessions and sprinkled with enough Christian-sounding words to convince the gullible that it is worship. It is being sold as Christian but is nothing more than an adrenaline and dopamine producing high. And church attending crowds are becoming addicted.

The sermons are either stories and tales simply about the Bible or opinions on what a certain preacher thinks what the Bible should mean. (It might sound ‘Gospel-esque’ but it lacks the power to convict of sin leading to repentance, a changed life and salvation of one’s soul.

It may sound as if I am veering off subject, but the two are connected. The Bible connects the two subjects: The direction of this world and the Church. The world is headed for God’s final judgments and the Church holds the restraining force against evil. Once the Church is removed, “all hell” literally breaks loose on earth and in the heavens. and the final Judgments of God will have begun. But for the meantime, the Church (you and me) have the God ordained calling as having the “Restraining Force” within us (holding back the ultimate evil of the coming anti-christ and the false prophet), and to make disciples for Jesus – thereby showing others the way out of the coming destruction. (And as I have already said, the church has veered off course and has largely become self-serving instead of God-serving.

I hope the brevity of this warning does not obscure the urgency of this message. (Use inserted page links to get more detail or email me for further discussion if necessary).

 

Jesus established His Church first to create a community of believers who would preach the gospel, prepare a people for the Lord, and serve as a light in the world. This community was meant to continue His teachings and fulfill God’s plan for salvation. Additionally, Jesus knew and warned of what was coming and His Church would be the instrument to confront and counter the coming antichrist (also known as the ‘beast from the sea’), the false prophet (also known as the ‘beast from the earth) and preparation for the Church to be ‘snatched away’ or ‘raptured’ from the earth just prior to the events of the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of The Lamb.

It has been my observation that most of the Church (most Christians) are woefully unprepared for what is at hand. Most Christians will say that they made a ‘profession of faith’ so they are ready for Jesus’ return, and are in fact looking forward to His return.

I don’t take issue with that, however, the Bible does not stop there. It says:

1. That if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved; for if the person believes resulting in righteousness, and (therefore) confesses with the mouth, it will result in their salvation. (See Romans 10:9-10).
2. Jesus also says that those who belong to Him have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (See Galatians 5:24).
3. Jesus also says Matthew 4:19, And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
4. Matthew 8:22, But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
5. Matthew 16:24, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
6. Matthew 19:21, Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
7. Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
8. John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
9. And it is to these who are following Him He said:

Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church

Matthew 16:13, Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

It is important to understand the nuance of the language Jesus uses here.  He calls Peter by name, Pétros in the Greek language, which is an isolated rock or a stone as one would throw.  But, the ROCK upon which Jesus will build His Church is the word “pétra”, which is a huge mass of interconnected rock, a “solid or native rock, rising up through the earth”.

This is important because Jesus is telling you, and all of His followers, about your position, your ability, your responsibility and your authority in His Church:

• I will build My Church, you and others like you; and
• the gates of Hades will not overpower you and others like you.
• I will give you and others like you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
  • and whatever you and others like you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven,
  • and whatever you and others like you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Finally, Jesus says He will give you and others like you, that is, His Church, the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  We can pursue this as a metaphor, but, there are specific references to these KEYS in the scriptures.

1. The most significant is The Key of David is a term found in Revelation 3:7 and Isaiah 22:22.
   • A key indicates control or authority; therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, i.e., Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel.
   • The fact that, in Revelation 3:7Jesus holds this key shows that He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the ruler of the New Jerusalem, and the Lord of the kingdom of heaven.
2. And (you)coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone,
And the one who believes in Him will not be ]put to shame.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe;   (1 Peter 2:4-7)

You and I must take up our appointed positions.  We must shake of the lethargy of the 21st century postmodern religion we call ‘church’ and take the Gospel of Jesus to the streets, the byways, the hedges and towns, into our neighborhoods, and as scriptures tell us, BECOME THE LIVING STONES, A LIVING SACRIFICE.

3. It is to these that He said:

GO, MAKE DISCIPLES

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:16-20)

It is sad and shocking that the Church and the Christian today has settled in to a very different model and rhythm than that what Jesus taught, commanded and demonstrated.

It should be at least concerning that despite Jesus’ and the Bible’s warnings that we, the Church, have bought into some romantic story about an ultimate conquest of good over evil where we will rest comfortably while the earth and its inhabitants undergo indescribable horrors of judgments and punishment. The Bible actually has a much different narrative:

Meaning of Following Jesus

Following Jesus involves more than just physical proximity; it signifies a transformation in one’s life. Key aspects include:

• Self-Denial: Embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes Jesus’ teachings over personal desires.
• Commitment: A willingness to leave behind old ways and fully engage in a life aligned with His values.
• Learning and Imitation: Actively learning from Jesus’ teachings and imitating His example in daily life.

Matthew 4:19	“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 8:22	“Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 16:24	“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 19:21	“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and come, follow me.”

Jesus’ commands to “follow Me” encapsulate the essence of Christian discipleship, calling individuals to a deeper relationship with Him through self-denial, commitment, and transformation.

Historical interpretations of Jesus’ command to follow Him emphasize that it involves transformation and commitment, requiring disciples to align their lives with His teachings and example. This call signifies a willingness to leave behind old ways and embrace a new identity centered on serving others and living out His values.

Now ask yourself: How does this fit in with my efforts to follow Jesus? My Sunday morning visit to church? What do I do in response to the sermons and Sunday school lessons?

Making Disciples is not sitting in a church classroom taking notes on ‘relational witnessing’ or some such thing. It is being led by and following the pastor and elders of the Church into the harvest fields and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand. Teaching in their churches, laying hands on the diseased and the sick so they will recover and casting out demons. (Whether in actuality or as a metaphor for Spiritual healing).

The malaise of the false teachings within the church today is the fatal wound from which many will not recover.

“They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” (See Jeremiah 6:14).

 

 

PART II

FOLLOWING JESUS

MEANS TO

RESIST & GIRD UP FOR WAR

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?

1. TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”  

2. TO BRING A SWORD

Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35, For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”

3. TO FULFILL THE LAW

Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”  

4. TO CALL SINNERS

Mark 2:17 “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

5. TO SAVE THE WORLD

John 12:47 “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

6. TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH

Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50,  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51, Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division;  “

 “WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”

Jesus has told us, inJohn 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited.  These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12.  They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.

Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said.  He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of Communist-Marxist-Globalism, And we need to get on with it.

Jesus’ time on earth was spent fulfilling the purpose, and will of His Father (Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:39). Jesus was on a singular mission (John 6 :38) and nothing would stand in the way of accomplishing that mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus had a divine appointment with a cruel Roman cross. Read what He said when Peter proposed to get in the way of His mission:

Matthew 16:21- 23, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

We do not literally have an appointment with a crucifixion, but, the Bible is  clear in Galatians 5:24, that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” and again in Galatians 2:20, the Apotle Paul reminds us that, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” which must be true for all who follow Jesus because we are on mission with Jesus. Our ‘old self’ must die so our new selves can follow and serve Him.

Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and the kind of resolve we are to assume.

Ephesians 6:10-17, tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Stand, i. e. continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22.

Stand ready or prepared: Ephesians 6:14. One who does not hesitate, does not waver, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against the foe, to persist, continue, persevere: (so as not to fall from thy faith).

Jesus’ example of steadfast, unmovable courage; this is our example and our command to do the same:

CONFRONTING THE STORM

Mark 4:35-41, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

CONFRONTING DEMONS

Luke 8:26-33 “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

“Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.”

CONFRONTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

John 19:8-12  ”Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT

Matthew 24:57-67, “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”  But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”  Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;  what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him.”  

Jesus did not draw back.  (He proceeded boldly to the Cross and secured our salvation!) We must not draw back. Jesus has all authority in heaven  and on the earth and is with us until the end!

Remember, Jesus came to earth for these stated reasons – and these same reasons are our method and our calling:

TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. We are to testify to the truth!

TO BRING A SWORD. We are to bring the sword of the Word of God!

 TO FULFILL THE LAW. We are to fulfill the same law!

TO CALL SINNERS. We are to call sinners!

TO SAVE THE WORLD through Jesus. In a very real sense, this, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him

TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH. This, too, is our calling! The Word of God is a stumbling block to those who do not believe, dividing A  MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (Matthew 10:35-36)

Dear Brothers and Sisters, this is not hyperbole, a philosophy or metaphor. Now is the time to gird ourselves up with the full armor of God and follow our Lord, the King of Kings into battle.

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 and must be fought with Spiritual Armament!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young