Judgment on the Church

America needs revival. But first God’s judgment must come upon the church. For it is the American church which has failed in its witness. We Christians in America live in the same way that the world lives. There is no great distinction believers and non-believers. For example, the divorce rate is about equal for both.

In Noah’s day there were warnings from God. But no one listened except Noah and his family. They were marrying and giving in marriage up until the very day that the rains came and the door of the ark was closed. What is going to happen to you America? What may determine that is the response of the American Church to God’s warnings. But many “prophets” are still forecasting prosperity.

Whether the church listens or not the judgment of God may still come. It is already here. We are seeing the liturgical churches falling apart. And now we are seeing the same thing happen to the evangelical and pentecostal churches. What has been hidden is now being revealed. Do not be surprised to see the mighty ministers fall from grace. Some have already fallen.

Judgment begins with the household of God. Let us rejoice in it and repent. Church, our nation needs us to get back to God. How can we call America to repentance if we will not repent?

The Fear of God

What is missing from today’s preaching? What is missing from the understanding of today’s Christian in America. If I had to say one thing I would say the “fear of God.”

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

There can never be a true revival without true repentance. True repentance cannot come without conviction of Sin. Such conviction is brought about by the preaching of the righteous requirements of God — His commandments. Jesus makes the commandments of God very clear in His Sermon on the Mount. We must keep all of God’s commandments and we must keep them in our hearts. Even lustful thoughts are the same as committing adultery. His message was repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. That message has never changed.

We have preached a “loving” God who will overlook Sin. We have watered down the commandments of God. We have even suggested that saying some “sinner’s prayer” will save us from living out the righteous requirements of God. Even behavior which is described as an abomination in God’s eyes is condoned in the Church.

The American Church is asleep and we have lulled potential Christians asleep. When will be repent? Judgment is coming to America. We are begging for it. But first judgment is coming to the household of God — His Church. It is already here. Look around. Watch the mighty fall.

What ever happened to sermons like Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?“ Today, in America, the message is how to be more blessed by God and be fulfilled. Never mind the Sin that is in the Church and in our lives. We’re saved! But Jesus will say to many of us: “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity. I never knew you.”

“Once saved always saved?” Has American protestantism failed so miserably? Did not Jesus say: “The one who endures to the last shall be saved?”

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2