"He [God] cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:2-4
The American church is in full-blown retreat! Yes, there are pockets of resistance and, yes, the gates of hades are easily threatened by even small numbers of the obedient faithful. But the church that calls itself by the name of Jesus Christ in America is going belly-up.
I know - I know, how can I say such things. After all, we have a so-called evangelical in the White House and the Christian laced Republican party is now in power as the Clintoncrats lick their wounds after a sound thrashing on election day.
Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it! The church's history is a long and at times tumultuous one. The church rode a constant cycle of ups and downs throughout its history, always making the same mistakes contrary to the counsel of the word of God. We have been every bit as stiff-necked as the Israelites! Like the Israelites, whenever the church grew prosperous, fat and happy, she was at her worst. She would become utterly corrupt and would return to her vomit. At these times she no longer was the presence of Christ in the world and did little to win new believers to the kingdom of God. And yet she would fill her gilded buildings and build ever more glorious edifices from her coffers filled with tithes derived from the manipulation of her leaders. But she was destitute of the one thing that made her the church, the Holy Spirit and a relationship with God!
During these dark times of wasteful self indulgence it became very popular to become a Christian. The masses that filled the white-washed tombs only had to demonstrate pious play-acting on Sunday. No one ever held another accountable and relationships based on the fellowship of the Holy Spirit were rare indeed. Is this beginning to sound familiar?
Never once has God tolerated such adultery! The fattened church has always endured persecutions and sufferings for such worldly devotion as God purged the wickedness from within her. Just as with Israel, lip service alone will not do!
Always out of these dark times God would raise up judges and people whose loyalty to him were unquestionable. These people would lead the true believers away from the man-made institutions and power structures to a purity of heart, humility, repentance and relationship with God. These believers rejected the power structures of man. They understood that they, the common man and woman - yes the laity, were priests and ordained of God to minister to their fellow man.
It is becoming popular to be a Bush Christian! And never in the history of America has the church been wealthier! But the church is corrupt, she is spiritually bankrupt! To remove your justifications and defense of the American church I will say that I am speaking in general terms. That is, there are exceptions to the ungodly state of the church and I will honor them by stating unequivocally that they alone are the REAL church and they alone walk in the REAL power of Almighty God within the USA! As for the rest of you, do you really think you can hide behind the deeds of others and say we are in this together? The American church is committing the sin of the Israelites. She is basking in material prosperity, sending out legions of false teachers and prophets who claim that harm will not befall such a nation as America. The false church is alive and well! Bigger and newer shrines to self, built in the name of the Christ are sprouting up everywhere. These tombs in all of their gilded splendor still contain the bones of dead men!
The false church defiantly boasts that it is saved and yet it will not prove its faith by walking as Jesus did! The powers of darkness know that they have the church on the run. Before our very eyes we are suffering defeats left and right. Most of you have no idea how bad the defeats are. You can not see or do not care that not only are we not a Christian nation but that true Christians are the only group who can be legally hated! Some of you reading this are guilty of calling them extremists! Naturally, sitting inside a white washed tomb on Sunday will serve to conceal the fact that they have probably never attacked your 'don't rock the boat' congregation.
Just when is it that the rest of the true believers will stand up and say, "I have had enough!?" When will they put their resources, their jobs, valuables, families and even their lives on the line? When will they openly, publicly and lovingly but defiantly resist wickedness and charge the gates of Hades? When?
Who is a greater influence on your neighbors conscience, you or the media? Does your neighbor know for sure on what foundation you stand? Have you told them? Are you worried that they will think ill of you and avoid you in the future? If so then just tell them what they want to hear, enjoy a non-convicting relationship, watch your nation go to hell while you dutifully attend your 'church' every Sunday and Wednesday and then while you're at it start preparing your excuse for when you appear before Jesus Christ and he does not find you blameless!
"He who stands firm to the end will be saved" does not mean that receiving Christ when you were seven years old is an automatic pass through the gates of the kingdom of God. Only he who does the will of the Father to the end of this age or his own life will see eternal life! Don't argue your scripture twisting theology with me, I will not bend! Jesus made it clear and concise when he said that he will REMAIN in those who REMAIN in him!
Even as you read this some of you are covering your ears and gnashing your teeth at me, didn't they do the same for Steven? We stand upon the threshold, the season of repentance and preparation will soon come to an end. As you purchase your Christmas presents and decorate your tree and home are you also aware that your faith is about to be tested severely? Are you ready?
WAKE UP BELIEVERS! Did the people who are called by the name of God humble themselves and repent since 9-11? NO, of course not! We were too busy telling the unbelievers that they need to repent, never mind that we should have set the example ourselves. Will God hear our prayers from heaven and heal our land? Not a chance! The requirement specified that the people called by His name are to repent and turn from their wickedness so that He would hear their prayers and heal the land.
THAT is God's message to every single individual believer reading this letter. THAT is the message to every single friend and neighbor of those reading this now and that is the message, as harsh as it is to our delicate pampered little ears, for every one who calls on the name of the LORD!
For a Christian soldier there is no such order as 'retreat,' but only advance-advance-advance!
Humble yourselves and repent Americans, darkness is covering the land!
"If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." John 15:6