Post Christian Church Age III

Today I want to begin with covering the first Church mentioned in Revelation chapter 2.  As I said in my last post there is a movement going on today and the Church is under attack.  Jesus is coming soon so we can know assure that Satan and his demons are working to destroy every soul they can.  This is just the beginning of this subject and I think you are going to enjoy these verses of scripture.

The book of Revelation is such a wonderful book that provides us with important details.  When you think of this book you think of prophecy and for good reason because the majority of the book is prophetic.  However the book is divided into three major sections.  First there is the past of John the writer.  Revelation chapter 1 shows the risen savior in his glorified body.  Then there is chapter 2 and 3 what we are looking at and it is John’s present day events.  Then beginning with chapter 4 we dive into John’s future (which is ours as well) in the prophetic scriptures.

Now let’s look at chapter 2 and 3, and I would suggest you read these two chapters first to get the feel of what is happening in John’s day. 

God could have picked any Church.  He picked these seven.  Why?  Well I believe it is because they represent the Church body in any era.  Too often when we think of our little world and we don’t consider the big picture.  There is more to the Church than our comfort zone.  There is more to the Church than the American Church.  These seven Churches tell us about the people around the world and the issues that the Church is always facing.  If you are a Christian the next part of this post will cover the category you fall into.  Which one describes you best?

1.    The Church at Ephesus

Revelation 2:4 says, "Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."

The Ephesus Christian has fallen out of love with Jesus Christ.  At one time they had a passion for Christ.  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say that they wish they could go back to the feeling that they had when they were saved.  Have you ever heard someone say that?  I have been married to the most beautiful girl I have ever known for the past 12 years.  What do you think she would say to me if I said “boy I wish I felt like I did when we got married”?  Well I know what she wouldn’t say “that’s ok honey” because it isn’t ok.  Do you know God is a Jealous God?  Exodus 20:5 says he is. Every time I think about this I hear in my head the David Crowder song “How He Loves Me.” 

  “He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me”

The Ephesus Christian may know all the stories, can quote scriptures, and understand sound doctrine but they just don’t have any passion for Christ.  This is a sad reality that describes so many Christians.  They will go to Church this Sunday because they are suppose to not because they want to.  They will sing in the choir because they are suppose to not because they want to.  They will teach a class because they are suppose to not because they want to.  Doesn’t Jesus deserve your time, love, and attention?  Sadly many people don’t consider Jesus.  So many minutes go by day after day where Christ and his suffering is never considered.  When this happens to an individual there is no desire to worship or to praise the creator of creation.

What happens when a Church has the majority of its members with this type of personality and attitude? 

In my next post I will continue in Revelation 2.

Jesus Saves,

RR

Post Christian Church Age II

Judges 21:25 = In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

As I said in my last post Aleister Crowley is a well know Satan Minister.  His belief is “do what thou wilt”.  It is direct attack against the Almighty God and minimizes the suffering of Jesus Christ.  Crowley has influenced many people in pop culture and music.  He even appears on the cover of the Beatles famous album cover Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.  But his motto is old news. One thing that those who attack the Church and attack Christ just don’t get is their works and theories are old and tired news.  Nothing has changed with the devil in the last six thousand years, but guess what; they lose in the end.

It is mans nature to do his own will.  This is why we must be born again.  The natural man does not desire the things of God nor does he understand God.  Paul quotes Solomon in Romans 3:11 when he writes “there is none who seeks God”.  So where do we fall in as believers?  Does the Church do what is right in its own eyes?  Is the Church doing its will instead of God’s will? Well the answer is no.  The Church is the body of believers who are truly born again.  Their membership and standing is written in the Lambs book of Life.   Jesus said in John 10:28 “My sheep hear my voice and a stranger they will not follow.”  The real Church is spirit led and each member houses the Holy Spirit.  It is made of people from every race and different denominations and non-denominations.

However there are millions of Church members who are not saved.  There are also many who may have once been saved but are living separated from God and do not desire his will and therefore submit to their own will.  This Sunday there will be pews all across America with husbands and wives sitting side by side and yet one if not both in some cases is committing adultery in secret.  There are sinners of every kind in Churches every Sunday and they are members, Sunday School Teachers, Trustees, Deacons, Board members, Auxiliary workers, Preachers, Youth Pastors, and Sr. Pastors.  Their lifestyle indulges as pedophiles, drug addicts, alcoholics, homosexuals, liars, murderers, atheists, agnostics, fornicators and believe it or not Satan worshipers.  This should be no surprise because Israel followed the same pattern century after century in the Old Testament.

Like I said the Church will be fine, but churches are collapsing within.  Too many Churches have more unbelieving members than believing members.  I really believe most of them don’t realize they are lost.  Paul said in 2Cor 4:3 “if our gospel by hid it is hidden to them who are lost by whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded.”  This leads to Church government that is anti spirit and they have grieved the Holy Spirit so long that God has no use for them.  Baptisteries are obsolete because nobody is getting saved.  Nobody is witnessing.  Nobody is praying.  Nobody is fasting.  Nobody is reading God’s word.  As Spurgeon said “everywhere there is apathy.”

The most common of sin in our Churches today is coveting.  This word describes the American Church.  We are in love with the American Dream.  Recently I was having lunch with a Pastor friend who is the president of a mission field in Mexico and I asked him why do I never here young people say I am going to be a missionary.  His response “ because mom and dad are teaching their children what pays good and what occupations will give them the most comfortable life.”  There is no wonder why our Churches are suffering.  They are suffering because we have grown a costumed to not suffering but instead living comfortably.  Jesus suffered shouldn’t we?

In the book of Revelation we read of seven churches.  Dispensationalists teach that these represent the seven Church ages, but I believe they represent the seven types of Church members.  In my upcoming post I will cover these verses in Revelation to begin the outline of a movement that will lead to a Post Christian Church age.  The movement has begun and it will affect many of our loved ones.  The coveting American Church will be exposed and it may make you uncomfortable when you read it.

Tell a friend.

Jesus Saves,

RR 

Post Christian Church Age I

Before I began let me say that "the Church" will make it through.  We are the Bride of Christ.  However there is a difference in the Church in America than in Sudan, China, India, and many other lands.

Our scripture reference comes from Judges 21:25 "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

When I was a child the Church was in what we know as the modern era.  We become sophisticated in the Church and spirituality was fading out.  We kept all the traditions of those before us like homecoming, easter dress-up, VBS, Christmas communion, Mothers Day service, and all that stuff.  Then as I grew older we moved into the Post modern era.  What changed? Well Christ's deity was put on trial not by some fancy lawyers but within the Church.  Beliefs like evolution as a product of creation became very popular as a way of compromise.  Also we began to hear less about Jesus and more about God.  Don't get me wrong Jesus is God but you can say God all day long and nobody is offended but you say Jesus and even some preachers squirm.

One of the most popular changes has been seen among the charismatics. In Post Modern Christianity the Church is perfect for Joel Osteen and those who desire to be like him.  A belief that God loves you so much that he wants to bless you so bad that all you have to do is claim your blessing and you will receive.  You see this belief requires no biblical basis and people love it.  However it is completely unbiblical.  Jesus never pimped a ride or a crib.  He never promised materialism instead he rebuked it.  People love the idea that God wants them to have a Tahoe and he wants them to have a bigger home and he wants them to make more money.  The reason people love this teaching is because it like in our verse from Judges is right in their own eyes.

Here is what Jesus said Matt 19:21 to the rich young ruler who asked Jesus "what shall I do to inherit eternal life."  In verse 21 Jesus said "sell all that you have and give it to the poor."  Have you ever heard anybody really preach that verse the way it is written?  I haven't.  People always say well now you don't have to do that to be saved Jesus was just making a point.  Yes he was.  The point is you can serve me or materialism but not both.  The first commandment only allows one God and Jesus is that God.

So what are these new age teachings doing to the Church well they are leading us to the last age and that is the Post Christian Church Age.  I will be covering more ground as we look at what lies ahead of the Church but in closing I want you to consider this. Aliester Crowely is known as the father and great author of the Church of Satans Bible "The book of the Law."  In it he writes his most favorite words "do what thou wilt shall be the whole law."  Imagine how far Israel had gone off path in Judges 21 to see eye to eye with one of Satans ministers.  Is this the attitude of Church members today?  I will answer that question in my next post.

Jesus Saves,
RR  

Welcome

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Hello I am Randy Runions and I want to welcome you to this blog.  The purpose is to glorify Christ in a world that seems to be constantly turning from truth.
I live in East Tennessee next to the Smoky Mountains.  I have been married for 12 years and I have three kids.  I work in engineering for Howmet Castings, and I have been working in the Church as a minster for 11 years.  I hope to use this site as a place to discuss issues that we face to encourage believers and reach out to those searching for truth.