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UNDER SIEGE! (June 2005)
A SHORT INTRODUCTION
This Article is the result of another hard night of realizing the fact that the Church is falling into deception. This was a particularly hard night for me. The first 15 paragraphs of this Article were written while I literally balled my sorry eyes out. (I just had a major eye transplant surgery, so that was not a comfortable experience). I was happy that my wife went to bed before the tears started. I just felt so sorry and sad for the things that are happening in America today, as what probably amounts to the greatest country the earth has ever seen is reduced to another fascist, police state, basking in religious bigotry. I am not marveled by that too much, I mean this is what the kingdoms of this world do, its no big surprise. That the Church in America is lending wholehearted and vigorous support to this stuff however is just tragic. Anyone who has read any of the stuff on this site knows, that the primary thrust of our ministry here is to present, primarily to the church and Christians, the reasons why the Word of God does not include any justification for the Church's involvement in the affairs of these kingdoms. This Article is yet another attempt to bring that truth fourth, and to call the Christian back to his original ground, which is holy ground, not the grounds of "justice", "freedom and liberty", "political activism" or "civil duty", or revenge in the name of Jesus.
THE WORD OF GOD
They can blame him in their hearts for everything wrong in the world, but to
give him Glory for that which is right, and for that which is beautiful, they
refrain. Man has the utter audacity to stomp his foot and shake his fist
towards God when things don't fall just right in his life, yet deny that he
exists when called to repentance and They say Islamic Men are taught to hate Christianity and capitalism to the point where they are taught that they will be rewarded in heaven if they strap a bomb to their chests and kill women and small children in the name of Allah, an act that some of them commit as early as the age of 17. Men commit war on other nations because they won't bend to their will, they feel threatened, or because it will in some way benefit their people, or even worse, just because they get some kind of a power rush out of ordering the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. To top that off, most of the world's wars are fought in the name of God!
TRAGIC REALITIES
These are all tragic realities that face the
world in the 21st Century. In every country on the face of the planet
there is now fear, hatred, and death. It is not hard to understand that
people live the way they do, when they have no belief in the God of heaven, when
they have no moral
THE REAL ATROCITIES! But now, let's take a look at the most astounding tragedies that are happening in our world today. It is hard to believe that there could possibly be tragedy more hideous than those listed above, tragedies even more unbelievable than those...
Let's say they walked through their lives with a full knowledge of who Jesus was, and what he stood for, and had literally tasted of the heavenly gift. Filled with love for him, and the humble death that he suffered for them on the cross, even though he could have called 10,000 angels to rescue him from this tragic state, (the ultimate expression of passivism), they worshiped him, lived for him, and made their lives as a mirror of his life. Spreading the news of peace, forgiveness, kindness, love for enemies, bringing the good news to everyone they could reach they honored him. Let's say they even saw their requests answered magically, supernaturally, and they saw the changes they wished for brought about in their world, as if the things that they requested were literally answered before they asked for them. Then something amazing happened!
Let's imagine for a minute, that one day, all the wonderful things they had been given no longer satisfied them fully, and they realized that if they just had a little more, that things would be good again. So the stranger gives them a little more. Shortly after this, they realize that since these wonderful things that they have are from their God, that it must be a good and acceptable thing for them to live their lives around them, to take good care of them, and to make them grow.
Now these same people who formerly were so completely blessed with everything a human being needs: the love of God, the passion of doing his work, the joy unspeakable and full of glory, that accompanies a life of service to him, people who had very little, but were the most happy people the world had ever known, began to forget the words that their master had said to them. They began to forget that fulfillment came from him, and him alone. They forget the spirit that he gave them of love and peace, of mercy and kindness, and begin to take whatever they feel the need to have from the world. They rudely push others aside to get that special thing they... "need". Soon the desire for good things turns to burning, and they work night and day to acquire more, to increase. They even loose trust in their master's ability to provide for them, and they decide to work even harder, even feverishly to lay up in storage for later. They now become spoiled and belligerent, and begin to believe that it is ok to take away from others certain essential items that they will need to continue living in their increasingly "blessed" lives. They even begin to stretch out their boundaries to stretch on to other's property, and when those other people protest, they proclaim with self inspired confidence that those bad people are evil, and need to be shown the truth!
Let's say these people became so terrible in their anger toward ungodly men who had not the wonderful message that they had, that they even began to use their spare time, to support the men who were out there killing those people, and even more unbelievable still, they did it in the name of their savior! The same savior, who could have called 10,000 angels to rescue him from a terrible, painful, unjust, and even undeserved punishment. And if we could possibly even think to pretend for a moment that they had gotten to a point that they actually could proclaim with pride and confidence that He must now feel the same as they do about these things! That he was a man that was not a passivist, that he didn't teach them to be as gentle as lambs in the world as his representatives, but rather that they would become like goats, and rams as they mercilessly destroy those who do not know God.
I mean it's bad enough when those who don't have the amazing truths of the revelation of our Savior do these things. For the people who have deliberately chosen to turn their backs on such a great king to do these things is almost expected! But can you imagine if those who had ACTUALLY KNOWN him, those who had actually touched his garment, those who were at times afraid to look up when they were in prayer because they were afraid they might actually see his face, for THOSE people to do such things, to think that those people could EVER become bloodthirsty seekers of revenge when they suffer the exact persecution their master told them would come? That they could become the kind of people who would rise up and cheer when thousands are killed for them, even though they know that when things are done to them, that it is actually their God that men hate? That they wouldn't turn the other cheek knowing that the attacks are actually pointed at him who died?? CAN YOU IMAGINE??? Can you imagine anyone who had received eternal forgiveness for all of their sins losing sight of the Word of God which says "Vengeance is MINE says the Lord", and might actually support taking the vengeance into their own hands??
THE JIG IS UP!!
Little by little, they fell more and more in love with their money, and their toys. And since the Love of money is the root of all evil, and since the Church in this country has worshiped at the alter of the Prosperity Gospel, and preaches the Gospel of Convenience, the newly "repackaged", "acceptable to the world" version... One by one, every single element of the scenario above has befallen so many Christians in this country that it is surreal and astounding! Those who once lived only to share the gospel of hope with a dieing world, turned to lives of luxury and success for comfort and assurance of God's blessing. Mega-Churches, selling front row seats in their churches for 5,000.00, teaching a new gospel that tells us that the whole concept of our faith is built around preparing to receive wealth and luxurious lives of reward and treasure. Where the feel good, repentance-less gospel of false hope and expectation of wealth and glory gave rise to the idea that helping others must make them dependant on you. That taking whatever pleases us from life is our God's desire for us. Where reverent weekly self examination before a holy God, gave way to a beautifully packaged musical celebration of entertainment, selling this "new gospel" on television for the world to see, while we sit around and wait for God to scoop us out just before the tough stuff takes place, to take us out of our luxurious lives of avarice, which we will surely give up in a heartbeat... (to be immediately transferred to our mansion by the crystal sea). Brothers and Sisters who once walked hand in hand with the eternal savior, knowing full right well that as he said, the lives of his followers would be filled with hatred from the world, feeling out of place in this present evil world, persecution, and perhaps even death for their friendship with the master, gave their love to a philosophy of striking the evildoer before he strikes you, and seeking "justice" by way of revenge when they are hated and mistreated. Where loving your enemy has been replaced with killing him before he kills you, "in the name of Jesus".
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Where after losing the authority of the prayer of a righteous man, which avails much with God, they resort to political activism, and "civil duty" to bring about change in their world, because their prayers are no longer answered because of the betrayal of the Holy Spirit of God. People who desperately need to see change in their world to accommodate them, since they are so in love with their lives. People who once lived in anticipation of an eternal kingdom where all would be even greater than they could ever imagine, now go about to create that kingdom for themselves in a world that is destined to destruction at an appointed time, in an appointed hour. Forsaking their calling to evangelize the world, they divert 90% of their missions spending to programs of entertainment and expanding their buildings. Yes, people who used to be citizens of the kingdom and household of God have become "patriots", citizens of this world, and have forsaken their "just passing through", "occupy until I come" mandate from their Lord. They have traded that in for the safety and security of the mighty American military's protection from the very persecution they were told to rejoice in. Rightly did the Word of God proclaim of this generation: 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:... Matthew 23:31-34 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Those who once knew that the faithful life would be filled with hardship and trial, and understood a master who blessed the poor, now assume that a brother they see in financial hardship must be wrong with God, and must be under God's wrath. People who once understood the greatness of a statement like "love your enemy, and do good to those who hate you" now believe that war and bloodshed are the way to further the "Gospel" of freedom and liberty. Those who used to live by words like "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us", now shake their fist in praise of men who have trespassed onto foreign lands, by way of lies and false witness, taking the resources of those lands from the people who own them, swearing that they will be leaving quickly, yet obviously have no intention of leaving at all. Praising liars as men of God, ignoring the truth of their deeds, and proclaiming that their country, the most evil and immoral country that has ever cursed the face of this earth is a "Godly nation", all the while reaching open hands toward God, for more and more blessings and expecting never to see the trial of tribulation... And the beat goes on... You who proclaim that the Muslims are taught to hate Christians and to kill them, and that this is of the devil, "How will you escape the damnation of hell" as you scream "God Bless America" as America does the exact same thing! We who name the name of Christ are NOT CALLED TO LIVE LIKE THAT!
HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR!
Rightfully did the Scriptures say of this generation: Revelation 3:17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that you may see. You who have altered your beliefs to say that our Holy God now chooses to bless his children with the same increase, and pursuit of wealth that he said would lead us to perdition and destruction... Clearly God is not taken by surprise, you who decry the terrible deeds of the Muslims who "kill in the name of God" but now praise George Bush's Presidency, as this country stomps Iraq into the earth as part of their "holy mission"... Accurately did the Holy Word of God foretell of current deeds, at the close of the age: 1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. And again: 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN, WAKE UP!!!
That their country is most assuredly spoken of in the word. Proven undeniably when the tanks and military apparatus of the most powerful kingdom the world has ever known, rode up to the banks of the Tigress and the Euphrates rivers, and took control of ancient Babylon. Stepping onto the Prophetic stage, and into the shoes of the mighty kingdom doing according to it's own will, over the protest of most of the countries of the world, setting itself down and setting up shop directly in between the kings of the North and South spoken of in Ezekiel 38, and 39, and Daniel 7, 8, and 11. A most gracious and telling gift from God almighty, to help those who can not see their county's place in his word to help them to be prepared for what is about to happen. That their country has slapped the "Agreement with many" mentioned in Daniel 9, and Isaiah 28, down on the table in front of Israel and it's neighbors, and already owned the status as the ONLY "protector" Israel has ever had? Swearing up and down that THEIR country could never be THAT country, because it is a holy nation.
My God Brothers and Sisters! Let's open up the word and take a look
without the stars and stripe scales covering our eyes, and prepare for the
coming of the lord! There are those who have said to me that their burning
nationalism, and Patriotism is a good and God blessed thing, while that very
same love for this world, (namely America), keeps them from seeing the very
nature and identifying marks of this kingdom! What is this doing??
It is doing exactly what the scripture said would happen!! It is causing
the American church, which can not let go of its love for this evil kingdom, to
literally step on to the prophetic stage HERSELF, not even realizing that her
voting power and will, along with her desire to control the political parties,
has placed her in the exact The very deceptions that the Church watched and prepared for are literally taking them by storm at the turning of the millennium! We are UNDER SIEGE brothers and sisters! The enemy has a red white and blue blindfold on the Church in America, and I and many others like me will continue to find ways to shout from the rooftops that the day is at hand!
In Christ, F.E.Reilly
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