Trouble on the Horizon

There is trouble on the horizon. No one really wants to hear it, but that doesn't change the fact that it is there. You can deny the reality of a situation, but you cannot escape the consequences of that reality, if it truly is real. The Bible is clear about the condition of the world right now. It doesn't take a very studied watching of the media, politics, or religion to see a great convergence of deception starting to blur the lines between the three. Many want to call this a conspiracy. It clearly is not a human conspiracy:


Isaiah 8:11-13 For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.


Ephesians 6:12-13 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


There is no conspiracy among men worth worrying over...we have a much greater conspiracy on our hands: the rebellion of the human heart against God has unwittingly conspired with the "principalities and powers." Satan has convinced a large segment of the earth's population that God is either not aware, or not good. They have either cast off God all together, or reshaped Him in their minds to allow themselves freedom to do all they want without fearing Him. Mankind has made their own opinion more important than the opinion of God, whom they claim to believe in. If God has any commandments, then casting those commandments aside is lawlessness. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus is pretty serious about keeping commandments:


John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”


This "lawlessness" is pervasive in TV, in movies, in music, in writing...every form of entertainment known to mankind has been mostly given over to a celebration of what man can do, freedom from God's restrictions, or much worse...blatant and celebrated sexual perversion, celebrated rebellion against authority, to what is the most recent theme: outright spiritual possession being celebrated as a way to get what an entertainer wants in their music or art form. Many Christians want to enjoy the same dark entertainment the rest of the world feeds their hearts on. This is just the beginning...but the beginning of what?


II Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!


Paul was describing to Timothy the Harlot Babylon, and the effect it would have on the culture of the generation that witnessed the return of Jesus. Last days means the "last days that sin will dominate the earth." It isn't the end of the world, it is the end of the time that man will be physically separated from God. Jesus is coming back to take over everything...for realsies...


Paul was warning Timothy to "turn away from" (don't follow them into the lie. Contend FOR them, NOT with them) those that claim to know a powerless Jesus...hippee Jesus. This is the Jesus who is easy to preach. He goes down smooth and requires nothing from you. Good teacher, kind and loving man...wouldn't ever hurt any body, holds no real standard of truth, or no expectation of someone actually carrying a burden to be his, because this image of Jesus isn't love, man's idea of "love" is this Jesus.


This is what Jesus said:


Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’


The Harlot Babylon is rising up and coming together all over the earth. There are movement to end human trafficking, provide clean water, stop the demise of the whale or monkey, feed children, all connected to great wealth and celebrity. Churches are coming in to join with those of other, or no, faith to do good things. Music and movie personalities, many who outright speak of spiritual possession ( a name change or taking on a second persona at 30 or 40 years old is a good sign that some deep spiritual reworking is occurring), are fueling these movements with their time, money, and energy. Politicians are sending these same organizations and/or personalities on "diplomatic" missions...and some of these famous people even use their own resources to undertake their own pride-driven diplomatic missions. This IS the beginning of the Harlot church. Jesus' real Church is on her way to becoming a bride, but the fake Church...the harlot (prostitute)... wants to steal the bride's role. This is what Jesus says about this fake church that is rising up:


Revelation 18:3-8 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.


The fake church...the prostitute...will give her loyalty to just about anything that furthers HER cause...feeding children, housing homeless, needles for addicts...anything except One Thing: loyalty to Jesus. The Harlot will eventually help kill anyone loyal to Jesus as the only way to heaven.


In Revelation 18 the Church is told to "come out of her." Which implies many will be caught up in her lies! Not only are we to "come out" we are to repay her double...and to give her sorrow! Ugh! What!!


This means we are supposed to pray against this media/religious/political system. Neutrality is NOT an option according to Jesus. I am not supposed to pick and choose the parts of the Harlot media empire that "aren't that bad" to enjoy. No! I am supposed to be actively praying against the deceptive tide sweeping over the land! Actively working to tell the truth about what is happening, not eating the Soma of her lies and pretending it will all work out in the end.


This is essential to wrestle with right now. The reason this is so important is because the Harlot isn't neutral! The harlot, and the spiritual principalities driving her, are working hard to deceive me, you, our kids, and anyone else who will listen! The less we do, the more she WILL do! The more we eat of her offerings, the more her lies will pull us and those we love away from truth. The Bible says MANY Christians are going to fall away because of confusion about the Harlot and confusion about what the Bible says!


II Thessalonians 2:2-3 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,


Matthew 24:9-13 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

In the end, everyone gets what they want. If I want to be entertained by the principalities that hate me, I will get their leadership. If I want to be fascinated by Jesus, I will get His leadership! All I have to do is point my desire to what I want!