(I've updated this blog post that I originally wrote in 2017. Since then, we have seen significant acceleration of evil in our society. Without repentance America, as we know it, will cease to exist.)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV)
The United States and the whole western world are slowly moving to the edge of a spiritual cliff – the love of many seems to be growing cold (Matt.24:12.) We have become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. The sins of pride, materialism, sexual perversion, and self-indulgence have made deep inroads in our nation. And sadly, the Church is not doing much better.
Paganism has become the main philosophy by which much of the media and our entertainers live. They have become the voice of our culture, replacing the Church.
And, it seems that much organized or politically motivated religion is presently losing the moral high ground. The nuclear family is under relentless attack by dark spiritual forces. Civil unrest in the streets, drug addiction, abortion, and lawlessness have become the new normal.
Some of us have felt like giving up on our society, but change is not impossible.
So, how do we avoid the spiritual cliff? Followers of Jesus must seek the power of the Holy Spirit like the Church in the book of Acts. And make intercessory prayer a priority both individually and corporately. Believers can effectually transform the culture by wholehearted devotion to Christ. Protesting and cursing the darkness will never change our society.
I have hope for a better future and that God is raising up pastors in the land who are not afraid to proclaim the truth of the gospel. Ministers in the apostate Church have cast doubt on the authority of Scripture. Thankfully there is still a remnant in the believing Church faithfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are not condemning people for ungodly lifestyles but are offering hope and freedom in the name of Jesus. Pray that we in the west would turn back to God and avoid the spiritual cliff.
A Reason To Be Optimistic: In 2022 we are seeing a resurgence of prayer in the body of Christ. I believe that Jesus is waking up his sleeping Church. Many are starting to realize that government and political figures have become idols in the house of God. It will take more than a political movement to keep the United States going the way of ancient Rome. The Church must return to our first love. The bride of Christ must make herself ready for the Bridegroom. Jesus is not coming back for a harlot Church - he's returning for a spotless bride.
"Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." - Revelation 19:7-9 ESV
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