I know, I know, people can’t help themselves. They see what is going on in America and are deeply disturbed. They feel the need to be heard. Social media provides them that opportunity. Fine. Go for it. That’s your right.
I, for one, don’t need to be heard. I promise. If you know me, you know that I really don’t comment publicly on such things. (You may disagree since I’m writing this to be seen publicly!) I prefer my peace and quiet. But know this: I am taking the time to write this in response to the events of January 6th, 2021 because of my role as the pastor of my church. There are people who actually look to pastoral leadership for guidance in such a time as this. So here is my two-cents’ worth. Continue (or not) as you like.
FACT: Biblically and spiritually, the government of the United States of America is no different from the government of any other country, with the possible exception of Israel. They are ALL currently under the control of the devil, Satan. He has been allowed a temporary reign over them and can delegate to whomever he chooses the positions of power (Luke 4:5-6). Yes, God allows it. For now, anyway. The Bible refers to the literal, earthly kingdoms of this world as the “kingdom of heaven”. And what we are seeing unfold here in America is eerily reminiscent of something that was described in Matthew 11:12: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”
This is the revelation of the word of God on human governments during the church age: they are under the direct influence of Satan. It’s always been the case, but maybe you have never really believed it, especially if you’re American and have lived your whole life in the most luxurious, accommodating country in modern history. Maybe you have “made friends” with this world (James 4:4). Maybe that’s why you are so sad to see it waste away — you hate losing a friend. I don’t know. But I know this: nothing substantial has changed concerning the kingdom of heaven during the church age. It is just that now, finally, it is more apparent to us in North America. God has allowed us all to see tangibly the real truth that has always existed, yet been hidden, for many, many years. If you have lived in other parts of the world, maybe this is not such a surprise to you.
FACT: We who make up the church of Jesus Christ are citizens of what the Bible calls the “kingdom of God” — a spiritual kingdom that is within us (Luke 17:20-21, Rom 14:17). Our job as born-again believers is to labor for the souls of men to enter the kingdom of God by preaching the gospel. We have no direct, kingdom business intermeddling with the physical kingdom of heaven. Not us. Not now.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
So, Christian, please don’t let the devil win in your life by distracting you from the real mission of winning souls. Don’t lower yourself and abandon your high calling just so you can fight for an earthly kingdom. Our true, eternal citizenship is in heaven. Our human example is the Apostle Paul, who said:
Philippians 3:17–20 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Remember this: the devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is a master of deception. Don’t believe your lyin’ eyes. We (regular folk) have no idea what is really going on behind the scenes in politics. The only thing we can know is that things are not what they appear to be. Whether it be BLM, Antifa, Proud Boys or any other group, we better be careful vocalizing our support lest the day come when all the truth is revealed and we are shown to be fools. There is always something else going on. So don’t get caught up in ANY narrative that comes from the media. They might be part of the problem. They might be those who are described in 2 Timothy 3:13: ”But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Consider this as well: we live in a time of history referred to biblically as “Laodicea” (Rev 3:14-22). We are Laodiceans. Most of us have enjoyed comfort and luxury most of our lives. We have enjoyed the freedom afforded us by the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, and yet we have failed to faithfully carry out His mission under that freedom. Think about it: if the church won’t serve God in freedom, maybe now God will ask us to serve Him under persecution. Maybe now He will purify His Bride, the Church, through the trials of overt oppression against us. Who will stand? Who will serve?
Many of us have done the study and know the serious possibility that the rapture of the church will be very soon. In our lifetime certainly, but possibly even in 2021, or 2022, or 2023… you get it.
IF THAT’S TRUE (we can’t know for sure), then we should EXPECT that the devil will ramp things up leading to that day and the ushering in of the time of tribulation described in the book of Revelation. He doesn’t know the day, but he certainly knows the times and the seasons (1Th 5:1).
IF THAT’S TRUE, why would anything that happens in human politics surprise you, Christian? Or were you deceived into believing in your favorite “Christian” politicians? No, nothing should surprise you. You should actually be encouraged that the current events are CONFIRMING biblical revelation!
IF THAT’S TRUE, we get to be the coveted generation that never dies and gets caught up together with the Lord in the air — alive forevermore!
Can I recommend to you that now, more than ever, we need to be about our Father’s business, the business that He specifically gave us to do: the ministry of reconciliation (2Co 5:18-20). This is evangelism. Sharing the greatest news ever told — the gospel of Jesus Christ that can save a person’s soul for eternity – with people who, these days, are often actually MORE willing to hear it than we would think!
Could it be possible that our great and merciful God is allowing the current crisis to prepare the soil of men’s hearts to receive the seed of God’s word so they can be saved? While living in abundance and peace (which we all enjoy), the average unsaved man is comfortable and disinterested in the gospel. What if God is allowing the destruction of Western civilization to break the love affair so many people have with it, thus causing them to finally seriously consider their need for a Savior? Today’s craziness could be God’s mercy! Especially if we are actually very close to the end. Once last chance…
Phil 3:7-8, 13-15 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, … Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jeff Bartell is a former long-term missionary to Albania and the head pastor of First Baptist Church of New Philadelphia, OH.
