THE END-TIMES CHURCH IN REVIVAL is coming, but I doubt seriously that it will be institutionalized. The real revival will occur in the face of increased persecution. Book deals, rock stars and video clips will not be involved, for the church will be driven underground, and the revival will take place among a remnant (a word that occurs 91 times in the Bible - KJV). God is used to dealing with remnants. Sometimes the remnant refers to that portion of Israel which remains faithful and will be saved (Romans 9:27). Sometimes the remnant refers to the true church as compared to the rest of the population, and the word remnant isn't even used. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Not that it hasn't been going on for centuries, but division between these two roads is becoming blurred, the more that ungodly agendas infiltrate the visible, institutional church. There is no attempt here to judge any particular church or denomination, but observations will be made as clearly as possible. On February 24, 2010 www.lifesitenews.com reported that the U.K. House of Commons passed a sex-ed bill forcing schools to promote sex outside of marriage, homosexuality and abortion. The sub-headline read, "Head of Catholic bishop's conference and the Catholic Education Service thanked for supporting bill." This enabled the provisions of the bill to apply to all schools, secular and faith-based. Parental opt-out provisions will apply only to students age 15 and younger. The article goes on to say that faith-based schools may introduce their theologically based position as "preferred" but all of the other options must be taught as "normal" and students must be given all information pertaining to these, including where and how to obtain an abortion.
The above is cited as only one of many clearly visible examples of the church compromising on biblical standards. Perhaps even more dangerous are instances where the church compromises in the area of false teaching. There is considerable warning in the New Testament against false prophets and false teachers. Two years ago, a questionable revival broke out in Lakeland, Florida under the ministry of Todd Bentley. Suffice it to say here that many strange phenomena accompanied this "revival" and, although I have looked, not one proof was forthcoming concerning the hundreds that were miraculously healed. In the midst of all the publicity, Bentley took up with a female member of his staff and divorced his wife. Rather than reconcile with his wife, within months he was remarried and recently has been proclaimed restored and fit for ministry by the leaders of Morningstar Church. This has produced an outcry from some evangelical leaders which has fallen on deaf ears at Morningstar.
Again, please let me reiterate that these observations are given as examples. No attempt has been made to wring out as many details as an investigative reporter might, but enough investigation has been made to convince this writer that these reports are essentially true. And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. All the while God is raising up men and women of God who are not afraid to take the Gospel (which includes the standards) of Jesus Christ to the streets. Smaller groups of believers are meeting here and there to be encouraged in the Word and to then to bring it by proclamation and by deed to places like abortion mills, high schools, and mosques. What a stark contrast to wild parties being held on mega-campuses where the music includes lines like: "Let go of your heart; Let go of your head; Just feel it now."
One of the 6 hour seminars which Encouragement for End-Times Endurance brings to the body of Christ is entitled, "A Thessalonian Model for End-Times Living." I don't intend to compress that seminar into one paragraph here, but perhaps you can get a taste of it from these few verses. "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you because you believed our testimony to you. With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our god may count you worthy of His calling. and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and in Him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)
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