WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO BRING AMERICA TO REPENTENCE?
By W. G. Guy
Much of our population has no regard for the LORD Jesus Christ, or for the Word of God; especially our current government. What will it take for God to get their attention and change their focus from the things of the world to the soon coming kingdom of God and the return of Christ?
It seems obvious that only facing fearful events will cause many people, (but not all), to seek God and repent. It appears that many people do not call on God unless they are brought to their knees in serious trials or problems they face. Such fearful events will be beyond human control and will cause the shaking of every institution of mankind – and this will be world-wide.
Hebrews 12:25-27 – See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
What kinds of earth shaking events will cause fear among our population: economic collapse; world war; famine; pestilence (plagues and diseases); volcanoes, earthquakes with tsunamis; severe storms and other natural disasters. All of these things are being experienced now and will only increase in frequency and intensity. Jesus said these are the kinds of events that would precede His return, like a woman in travail as she is about to deliver.
Luke 21:25-27 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
The call to repentance and return to God must go out from the churches or they fail to fulfill their commission as issued by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:19-20 – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
However, it appears that repentance must begin in the house of God; that is, in churches.
1 Peter 4:17 – For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Many churches need to repent from engaging in worldly and fleshly pursuits and return to seeking God with all their heart, (not some of it). And they must stop denying the power that the LORD has provided to change lives. The apostle Paul described some of the conditions that would be seen in the church in the last days
2 Timothy 3:1-7 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
This passage describes the conditions in too much of the church today. Besides, where do you find a form of godliness? ….. nowhere else but in a church; as many deny the power that changes lives into a new and Christ-like behavior.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
My second book, AWAKENING THE SLUMBERING SAINTS, published in 1984, touched on the need for a spiritual awakening in the church. My latest book, THE OTHER CHURCH, published last year, addresses the issue that there are two churches in the world today; the one Jesus said He would build (Matthew 16:18), and the one that man has been building
(Matthew 7:21-27). His church reflects Christ’s character and nature, while man’s church reflects man’s doctrines of carnal/fleshly character and nature. It is the church that man built that needs to repent and return to God. Even so, there are those in His church that also need to repent of carnal/fleshly behavior so that they can properly reflect the light of His glory in this world of darkness.
Even in the Old Testament the Lord had a serious call to repentance for His people as God allowed His corrective chastisement and in shaking events.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 – If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Notice God’s Word to call on Him, humble themselves, admitting they are doing wrong; and earnestly pray seeking Him for forgiveness; then turning from their wicked, selfish, sinful ways; confessing their sinful behavior. Then, after a true repentance and change of behavior and attitude, He will then heal their land.
When you see these things begin happening, know that the time of Christ’s return is approaching, so keep the faith and remain strong in the Lord and in His Word. The powers of darkness (demons) will also be running wild as we are told in the Book of Revelations.
Revelation 12:12 – …..Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
These coming events will be calamities, (the same word used for evil times).
Ephesians 6:12-13 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day (day of calamity), and having done all, to stand.
Each piece of spiritual armor listed in Ephesians 6:14-18 is an application of the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit. Failure to resist allows you to be attacked, and even defeated by the powers of darkness that can’t be seen in the natural.
James 4:7-8 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Thus we see that what is coming is not only in the physical realm, but also in the spirit (supernatural) realm. We must be prepared, and Jesus gave us all that we need to do so; and repentance is one of the key things we need to do.
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Is this what it will take to bring America to REPENTANCE? The signs that Jesus said we would see before His return are now beginning to occur. So where is your faith? Where is your obedience? Where is your future taking you?
SELAH – think on that!
Attached is a significant brief message from one of the LORD’s servants about the above.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk_RCw7inwI
