This morning as I was reflecting upon tbe state off the American church before the Lord. Tbe thought cane to me. Persecution must come. Persecution must come upon the American church to drive the bride back to Jesus.
A casual reading of the Old Testament will see what happened when Israel rejected God in favor of an earthly king. For hundreds of years Israel paid tbe price dearly because she said we want a king. Even under David, tbe man after God's own heart. Israel suffered grief. Though there was prosperity under Solomon and peace. Solomon and eventually Israel turned away from God.
During these times God would send judgements and prophets to warn Israel and plead for her to come back to him. There would be a few times of national repentance and deliverance. But always then turning away from God and back to men for deliverance.
Even at the end of John's gospel one of the most tragic statements uttered in defiance to God was uttered by tbe religious leadership of Israel. These were the moral leaders of Jesus day. The religious conservatives if you will. We know them as the Pharisees. When Pilot asked shall I crucify your king. Their response was we have no king but Caesar. They paid for that statement 70 years later when Rome levelled Jerusalem to the ground. Caesar did not save them.
If we look at the pattern of the Old Testament we see the same thing being played out in the American church today. For the last several years the American church has rejected Christ in favor of political leaders to save her. Granted she would not be so blatant to say this. But slowly one sees a turning away from intimacy with the Savor to seek hope in political leaders who will bring a kingdom utopia on earth. In essence tbe bride has turned away from the Lover of her soul to commit adultery with the world.
As in any spiritual relationship the source of tbe bride's the turning away is Satan. The evil one entices the church to turn away from intimacy with her Savior to the distraction of the world. Thus the bride loses her fragrance and becomes carnal and worldly minded. She loves tbe security of the world and cries for a worldly leader to bring her peace and safety.
As in Israel God responds with judgement in the form of persecution to drive tbe bride back to Christ. Persecution must purify a worldly minded church to Christ mindedness. Persecution must cleanse the worldly minded church of her sins and dross. Thus a pure gold remnant will emerge. A remnant who are passionate about her Lord. A remnant who will truly follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
Thus saints I say persecution must come opon the American church. Let us not fear it. But welcome it as a refiners fire from a loving God who is purifying his bride.
Thus persecution must come.
Bearmaster.