reprobation and revival





The thing that amazes and truly concerns me the most, regarding the current "pandemic"-related crisis, is that multitudes are evidently blind to reality.  So many seem unwilling even to talk about real, that is to say factual, data; their heads seem ready veritably to explode when confronted with well-reasoned arguments.  How, I wonder, can social dis-integration (or worse) be prevented, if it be the case that sizeable factions of the population are unwilling to engage one another in a rational and civil manner?  It used to be that most everyone understood and agreed that to live in "society" requires a willingness to reason and negotiate with others who may disagree with you.  But such willingness lately appears to have almost completely disappeared from American society.

Yesterday, the Lord dealt with me, very specifically, about the political problems we are now facing.

The problem, as He showed me, is not so much that such persons are no longer willing to engage in rational discussion and debate; but it is actually true that multitudes are no longer capable to think rationally.

Such a phenomenon may seem, to most, too outrageous to be taken seriously.  But it is no exaggeration ~ nor is it a slander.  It is, in fact, a most important aspect of "reality" itself.  In the real world there are untold millions, yea, billions, perhaps, of people who CANNOT think aright.  Notably, their minds are particularly blinded to truth.

 It is immensely important, I believe, to be aware of that fact, and to be guided by a true perspective derived from that fact .  For, such knowledge and awareness may not only serve to mitigate a sense of frustration one is likely to feel when attempting to reason with those who themselves cannot think rationally.  More important, such wisdom also possesses great power both to explain why it is that "political" discourse oftentimes tends to hostility between proponents of dissimilar views; as well as that wisdom furthermore points one (who has eyes to see) in the direction of meaningful and fruitful action.

I am well aware of the mind-destroying effects of state-run systems of "education" (indoctrination).  I am also aware that mass-media, as well as certain, other institutions/organizations (including churches) have tremendous ability to influence perception and belief.  I of course know that the world is filled with deceitful, and deceived, persons.

But none of that I just described is the same as understanding that every human soul created by God is capable of rational thought ~ albeit, ONLY to the extent that any given individual's mind continues to be illumined by the light of Jesus Christ.  The so-called "light of reason" ~ which is another way to say "the light of Christ", will not forever shine brightly to illumine the minds of those who resist Christ.  Whereas the "mind of Christ" happens to be the ONLY perfectly whole, rational and true, mind there is; therefore, those who do not care to live in the light which Christ the Creator desires to shine upon them, must then live in darkness.

Yet, unlike the physical world, where "darkness" simply means the "absence of light"; in the spiritual sense, "darkness" means something much more than that.  It is one thing for the mind to be impaired, due to the absence of spiritual light.  But in such cases, the human mind is thus subject to be further bound and injured by the active presence of malevolent powers and influences (demonic assaults against the mind).

In reality, the vast majority of human beings goes about in a perpetual state of spiritual darkness, blindness.  The Bible has a great deal to say, upon this subject.

"But if [the truth] be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of ... Christ ... should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:3,4) 

"[Christ is] the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:9) 

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Ephesians 5:14) 

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) 

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end of them is worse than the beginning. (2 Peter 2:20) 

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee: and the Gentiles shall come to thy light.... (Isaiah 60:2,3) 

"Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, but they see not; they have ears to hear, but they hear not: for [because] they are a rebellious house. (Ezekiel 12:2) 

"[Jesus] answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matthew 15:13,14)

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, I became very deeply involved in trying to withstand against certain, tyrannical policies lately imposed by Ohio's Governor and his administration.  But when the Lord came to me, yesterday, and dealt with me about those things I have now revealed to you, it changed everything for me.

Before I explain that last statement, I want to say that I do not mean that, as a rule, Christians should not be involved in politics.  However, a Biblically sound philosophy pertaining to the question, of Christian persons' involvement in politics, must in order be established upon a much broader, solidly Biblical, worldview ~ which, unhappily, I have not the occasion herein to address.  Except, I will simply state that the following three Biblical principles, namely: a) God ordained the institution of human government; b) God prescribed very narrow limits for such government; including, c) that God also decreed explicit qualifications whereby civil rulers may exercise legitimate (that is to say, God-recognized) authority, in the context of civil government.

Little that has existed in America, from near unto the time of America's Founding, has closely comported with a Biblical view of government.  It is practically meaningless, therefore, to discuss the question of Christians' role vis-à-vis government, in the context of contemporary America.  We have long lived under the crushing heels of successive, tyrannical governments in America.  It is well nigh impossible, as I believe, for any genuinely Christian person to serve (for any substantial length of time) at any level of government in this country, whilst remaining faithful to Christ. 

Though some may object that the Bible contains examples of godly men who faithfully served in worldly government(s).  Yet, I would answer: firstly, that those governments were in every case monarchies.  Secondly, that those men, such as Daniel, or Nehemiah, were bondservants to their respective worldly masters (kings).  And, lastly, that even those men of God sometimes hazarded their own lives, to remain true to God, in the course of serving such, worldly masters.

But to return to my subject.  Let me explain how that the insight given to me by the Holy Ghost, yesterday, "changed everything for me".

Throughout my many years as a Christian, I have often wondered why it was, or so it seemed to me, that Jesus evidently had few direct encounters with government leaders and/or their agents, in his own day.  Of course, Jesus sometimes did engage various Jewish religious leaders (who, at that time, were also civil rulers beholden to their Roman overlords).  Yet, I suppose that no Bible student would seriously charge Jesus with having been a "political activist".  Even so, ever since Jesus's Resurrection and Ascension, his life and teachings have so radically affected the lives of multitudes that dictators and tyrants, throughout the intervening centuries, have all feared to allow the Word of God to have free course amongst the people.

Though I'd like to pursue further that line of thought; yet, I want to focus upon one inference that can be drawn from it.  Which is that a pure Church is a powerful Church; and, that a pure and powerful Church exerts a powerful, transforming influence upon culture and society.  That influence, moreover, appears not to entail political activism, as such.  Rather,

that influence entails the "leavening", as it were, of whole communities and even nations, with a living truth which has the power to change the hearts and minds of great numbers of those who comprise such, societies.  Which, no power or device or company of Satan can withstand.

Revival is the answer we need.  Hear me!  Revival is the ONLY thing that has any real hope ~ not only to resist the oppression of tyrannical government imposed by ordinary human beings drunk with (demonic) power.

Only the Spirit of God poured out in Revival power can dislodge and dispel those demonic powers that bind the minds and hearts of men and women and, so, keep them prisoners of spiritual darkness.  The people CANNOT perceive the truth: no, not until their minds may be freed and their consciences awakened by the working of the Holy Ghost ~ in Revival.

How, pray tell me, do we expect any ~ much less so very many ~ children of darkness to do righteousness?  How, do we suppose, may we have godly (or even peaceable) government, when the whole society, practically, is steeped in gross darkness?

Are we so deceived?  Do we understand so little of the mind of God?

It begins.   Or, so it should begin.  It is high time that it MUST begin . . . with prayer.  Earnest prayer.  For, no one ever got to go through to "prevailing" prayer without, first, humbling himself or herself and earnestly getting down to business with God.

I don't expect to be able to stop this evil government by means of argument, nor yet by means of protest.  What, then?  Do we have any hope that we may prevail in the courts of Law, to restore our God-given liberties?  Which of Ohio's ruling Institutions has not long been dominated by men and women whose minds are darkened by demonic powers?  If Ohio's courts were dominated by godly judges, we would not now be in the condition we are in.

"Needing a Friend, to help us in the End: Where can we go, but to the Lord?"

Ah, but he is "mighty to save"; "a very present help in the time of trouble".

"If my people who are called by my Name will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven: I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land."

So says the Lord God Almighty, whose Name is Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, Redeemer, Savior, Deliverer, a strong high tower....
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"O, Wonderful, I pray for myself and for this nation.  Come! come and judge us; reveal to us the true nature of our sins; forgive us, cleanse and heal us; come and revive us, again, that your people may rejoice and glory in you our God and our righteous King.  Revive us, O Lord: let the treasure of your fear be upon us, again, that we shall reverence your holiness and the greatness of your Name, as you alone are worthy.  O, God, be merciful to us your people: that the nations may also fear you and, so, coming to your light they will submit themselves unto You ~ and be healed!

"The awful Price was paid, O God!  'It is finished,' Christ declared (he lieth not).  What cost, now? that hasn't been paid for Redemption, for Revival, for the Harvest ~ for which Christ suffered and died, and rose again, and ever liveth to intercede for us?  O love of God, Calvary's Lamb: Hear the cry that comes from our now humbled, contrite hearts.  We have greatly sinned.  Our sins have deceived us and turned us away from you.  But, dear Jesus, I know you are seeking to return us to yourself; else, we would not seek you.  Seek us, precious Lord, make an entrance in us by the power of your Spirit, deal with us!  My God, convince your people that you are yet willing and able to do such a work ~ even in this evil day ~ that will surpass our greatest desires and hopes, bringing glory to you!  We are looking for your coming ~ not only to judge this wicked world; but, O Lord! we are looking for you to come and rescue multitudes who are perishing for want of your life-giving Spirit!  Did you not promise? that, "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I will not forsake them.  I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water".  You promised, Father.  It is your good will so to do.  We are thirsty for the living water of your own Spirit, Christ Jesus.  We have sought, and sought, and sought, for water ~ and there is none!  Come, Lord, our children need to know you for themselves.  This generation ~ greater far than has ever yet been on the earth ~ this generation cannot be saved, unless you pour out your Spirit ~ as you promised.  Come.  O, come, Lord!  According to thy Word, so let it be unto us.  Blessed be your great Name.  Praise your mighty Name!  Thank you! for what you are doing even now, and for what you are about to do...."