The Truth About Submitting to Civil Governing Authorities

Romans 13:1-7 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

I have been praying about writing this for some time now.  It's been stirring in my spirit for awhile as this particular scripture is the main one that Christianity and the "church" uses as evidence for believers to submit to the civil government(s), participate in civil affairs and pay taxes.  This particular scripture is taught that it is our duty to support the civil authorities under which we dwell.  

When we look back to the time when Jesus was walking among man, Rome was the civil government and King Herod's was the nation's.  The people were under terrible tax oppression.  They had to pay taxes to Caesar and they had to also pay their taxes that Herod was imposing AND the temple tax (tithe) to support the temple rulership.  The tax collectors then added more on top of that to skim off the top, further extorting the people's hard earned labors and leaving them in terrible distress, thus the reason why the tax collectors were so despised.  

We find in Luke 23:2 the accusations the people made toward Jesus before Pilate as they: "began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.”  They were accusing Jesus of subverting Herod's government and opposing Roman rule.  Elsewhere, when accused directly, Jesus said to render to Caesar what belongs to Ceasar and to God what belongs to God.  These seem somewhat contradictory and confusing don't they?  But let me make my point .......   The people ACCUSED Jesus of subverting the nation (Israel, Herod) and OPPOSING payment of taxes to Caesar (Rome - civil)!  What?!?!  Jesus OPPOSED payment of taxes to the civil government?  Taxes to Caesar were SO unimportant to Jesus that He sent Peter for a fish to get the Roman tax from it's mouth showing us that God will provide to the civil authorities!  

To further enhance the point I want to make in this message, let me add one more scripture that's been taken out of context (I'm quite sure there are more than this but you'll get the drift).  In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 we find Paul instructing Timothy thus: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  Kings? Wait! Rome didn't have a king! Israel did! 

Now I'm probably gonna ruffle a BUNCH of feathers with what I'm about to say - one brother in particular maybe that I've already had a similar conversation with.  If so, I hope you will prayerfully consider these things and search them out for yourself and see if the Holy Spirit does not show you the same thing.  So here goes.....

We have been duped.  We have believed a lie that we owe our allegiance to the civil governments of this world.  Using these scriptures to make that case is error - and here's why.

Who are the authorities that Paul is referring to in Romans and Timothy?  Are they REALLY civil authorities?  Paul said "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."  He specifically identifies who these authorities are - they are the ones that are established by God.  What has ever been established by God?  The Torah government. Those in authority of THAT government are the spiritual authorities and the only authorities that Paul is referring to here.  The tax was to the Torah government for the caretaking of all of GOD's business.  Careful reading of Romans 13 will prove out that the entire passage is relating to rebelling against God's established authority in the earth - not civil as we know it.  Civil is man's government, NOT God's.  Does the federal government of the United States adhere to Torah governing standards? NO. This government is committing murder, thievery, idolatry, adultery, and a whole host of other sins against God.  Does the UK? NO.  Is there ANY nation on the earth today that adheres to these standards? NO - NOT EVEN ISRAEL.  ALL are civil governments EXCEPT the Islamic ones who rule by Sharia law.  

In the United States, the government is not ruled by just and righteous men who love and serve the words of Almighty God, though I'm sure there are some in elected office who are believers.  God has NOT established the government of the United States.  It was NOT founded on christian principles as many believe - it was founded on the ideals of men of whom some were godly.  But the foundational priniciples are civil, not spiritual.  Man did and still continues to believe otherwise.  The result?  MASSIVE INJUSTICE.  WORLDWIDE!!  I will not support that.  My allegiance lies in God's government - the kingdom.  We have NO KINGS today.  We have ONLY Caesars who have set themselves up as God and rule oppressively over the people.  Yet we stand in the guise of patriotism and allegiance to an unholy thing.  Much of Christiandom in the United States - especially the conservatives - have made the United States an idol of sorts.  Pledging allegiance to a flag that they believe stands for freedom, but in fact really stands for dominion.  Now that is not to say that we don't have freedoms - we have FAR more than any country on earth. BUT..... Just try to break any one of the civil laws - or even try to not publicly pledge allegiance to the flag and see how free you really are!  The police and civil authorities have been given rulership over the people and the poorer you are the worse it is.  The rich can be arrested but they have enough money to buy their way out of the system.  The poor don't.  Don't believe me?  Visit any criminal court hearing in this land and just listen.  They are debtor's prisons.  Jesus said "when I was in prison you did not visit me".  We have taken that to mean we need prison visitation ministries.  And those are good - by all means - they are very good! But think about this.  Who were the ones inprisoned when Jesus said this?  They were the poor who couldn't pay the taxes.  Some were murderers and thieves for sure.  And some, I'm sure were evil.  But the vast majority were there simply because they were poor.  

Now, don't get me wrong here - I'm not calling for a rebellion against the civil governments.  Jesus didn't, I won't either - he said give to Caesar what belongs to him, and I will.  But I won't give allegiance to him.  My allegiance lies only in and within the Kingdom of God as it rules in my heart.  I will keep the civil laws because I know what man's laws have the power to do - but not out of fear, simply out of obedience to live peacefully and uprightly before my fellow man.  For I have been on the brunt end of the government's authorities and it's not pleasant.  They smeared me and my family unmercifully and wrongfully - these things will haunt me the rest of my days.  BUT what the adversary meant for harm, God has meant for good and works all things together for good.

Today I have a very dear friend and brother who has been horribly and wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit.  His life stands in the balance simply because someone decided to harm him and the civil authorities took pleasure in honoring that one's wishes, even physical abuse.  I stand in prayer with and beside him and believe that God will deliver him and reveal His glory in the doing of it.  But let me tell you - it's a terrible thing to fall into the hands of those who have the power to kill you.  Jesus told us about that.  He said not to fear man who can kill the body - but rather fear the one who has the power to send both body and soul to hell.  So that's the side I'm on.  

Here we are.............. We are in the beginning of sorrows.  It's not my intent to be grim here, but I do want to give a wake up call.  If you are a true believer, then give your allegiance where it belongs.  Rightly divide the scripture and don't take other people's word for stuff - not even, and especially mine.  Pray fervently for yourself and your family.  Pray for one another.  Stand with one another.  Love one another - see that your brothers and sisters have no needs among you.  By THIS will ALL MEN KNOW that we are HIS.  As we move forward closer and closer to His coming things will get much worse.  They WILL hate us BECAUSE of HIM.  They will throw us in prison.  They will and can take from us.  They can harm us.  But they cannot take our spirit and we will overcome.  Jesus said "he who endures to the end......."  May we ALL endure to the end.

The Spirit of Adoption

Romans 8:14-17 ".....those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co–heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

John 1:12,13  "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Ever wonder why God always commanded the Israelites to make sure they included the "strangers and aliens" in their camps for all their feasts, rituals, harvests, blessings, etc.?  Ever wonder why God is so intent on caring for widows and orphans?  James 1:27 specifically defines what true religion is that God accepts

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

In Isaiah 58:6-8 God has rebuked the nation for keeping and practicing the fasts, but they have not pleased Him -  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard."

Throughout Old and New Testament writings we find the same theme, over and over again.  Take care of the people.  Take care of the orphans.  Take care of the widows.  Feed the hungry.  Clothe the naked.  And here in Isaiah He even says to "provide the poor wanderer with shelter".  Why are these things so important to God?  What's the message?

The strangers and aliens among the people have always represented the Gentile people and the Jews have always been the "natural born".  Why does God instruct them to care for them? Because they are the ones He is adopting.  We are not "natural born" sons and daughters of God.  But Jesus gives us the power to become that - by His blood and spirit.  Jesus was telling Nicodemus in the middle of the night that there would no longer be a proselyte among them.  He told him that we must be born of water (human birth) and spirit (faith - adoption).  Jesus was opening a doorway that had never been opened before except in instruction and symbolism.  God knew how deep the roots of rejection go.  He was making a way for all mankind - a door by which ANY could enter in and become sons of God.  No longer would they be strangers and aliens - there would be one new man, comprised of both Jew and Gentile, symbolized by the instructions through time to care for the strangers and aliens in their midst.  This new man was to be born of the spirit.  No longer would natural birth be the way into the realm of the Government of Grace as upheld by the law.  But rather a new way - the Throne of Grace - the rule of law, the spirit of the Law flowing THROUGH the Lamb - the door, the way.  

The law would be written on the hearts through circumcision of the heart.  The spirit of God would dwell in man and teach and guide him into all truth.  The evidence that it exists would be the true religion that God accepts - to care for the widows and orphans and to keep one self from being soiled by the world.  By caring for one another, bearing one another's burdens, a community of faith, trust, hope, love, provision and truth.  Reaching out and caring for others around them, thereby showing forth the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, lifting Him up with their lives and actions, and drawing all men to Him.  No words we can ever say will do that - only our faith put in action in this way.

Men and women who have been adopted can understand the spirit of rejection that must be overcome in their lives.  That ever present "nobody wants me" rooted deep inside them is difficult to overcome.  Receiving a message that God loves them is not always enough.  But when we ALL recognize that we are ALL adopted then we can understand, identify and have the heart of God to touch those wounded spirits and help them heal and feel wanted and accepted in the beloved.  

May we all pray for discernment, understanding and wisdom that we can fully grasp the width, depth, height and breadth of His love toward us.  We are sons and daughters of the Most High God, Creator of the universe and our Abba Father.

Harvest Time

winter wheat growing

October already.... cool, clear, crisp nights and mornings and comfortable days. The smell of a bonfire, weiner roasts and smores. Mulled ciders and pumpkin fields full and ready for picking. Apples, pecans, signs of squirrels getting ready for the winter approaching. Here in Tennessee the colors of autumn are everywhere as the leaves have started changing and some of the sugar maples are gently flowing from green to red as if someone is pouring red water gently over the top and it rolls down the tree. Saturdays filled with people raking and burning leaves. I love autumn. I always tell my grandchildren that the trees are going to sleep and when they wake up in the spring we can go fishing. They always wait and when spring comes and the leaves start to come out they come running and saying "look Mamaw - the trees are waking up!"

God too loves the spring and autumn. He set feast days around them, foreshadows of things to come. In the spring is the celebration of passover and death exchanged for life, the giving of the law and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Everything about the spring points to the death and rebirth experience. Fall is the time of change. Everything in creation changes in the fall. The feast begin with the Feast of Trumpets which always happens at the harvest time. It's the time of the new year - new beginnings, emphasized in the Feast of Tabernacles which is the foreshadowing of the time He will tabernacle among us. It's celebrated each year by living in a tent for a week to remember the wilderness experience and to look forward to the new world, new age to come. Paul said that we would not all sleep; meaning we would not all die physical death. Some of us will be alive when Jesus returns and be changed. At the last trumpet, Paul said, we will experience the corruptible putting on incorruption, the dead in Christ will rise first and then the rest will be caught up to meet Him in the air. This last trumpet blast is on Yom Kipper every year. So we don't know the day and the hour He will come, because that's the Father's decision only, and the Feast of Trumpets is not set on the same day. None of the feasts are - they all float about the calendar based on harvests and new moons.

In Luke 10:2,3 "He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." and in Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus gives the parable of the wheat and the tares - a harvest time parable.

"Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.  The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

Some of you reading this may be farmers or grew up farmers. Some may have never seen a farm or raised a garden. I did not grow up on a farm, but I was born and raised in central Indiana among the corn, soybeans and wheat fields. My father was from southeastern Kansas and we lived there a couple of times in my 5th and 6th grade years, but visited every single summer until I was married. That was wheat and sorghum country. I raised or was part of raising gardens my whole life, so I know a little bit about plants, farms and growing things.

With corn and sorghum, which is like corn, the plants grow thick stalks and grow fairly tall so they're planted a little ways apart from each other to allow for weed tilling. Great care is taken when weeding so that the shallow roots of the plants don't get pulled up, but they are fairly easy to till. Soybeans a little less easy, but done well until the plant gets too bushy, then the shade from the plant chokes out the weeds.

Wheat is different. It's in the grass family (well corn and sorghum are grasses too). When you try to pull up a dandelion plant, it will come up with earth and grass attached to it. Likewise with wheat and the weeds that grow in among them. Wheat is planted primarily in the fall - 3/4 of the wheat crops in the US production are winter crops. They are planted usually between August and October and harvested in the spring between May and July. The spring wheat crops are planted April - May and harvested August to October. Do you start to see a picture emerge her of the appointed times (spring and fall feasts) and the parable of the wheat and tares?

ripened wheat

Wheat crops are simply breathtaking - they are fields of the brightest most beautiful lush green you will ever see when they are growing. And when they are ripe they are like oceans of the most beautiful gold moving with the wind and the breeze. You cannot see the weeds. They have come up with the wheat, grown with the wheat, enmeshed their roots with the wheat. If you tried to pull a weed up, it would be like pulling up a dandelion - you'd have the roots and wheat with it in a lump. Jesus said "let them grow together until harvest".

When the combines come in to harvest the wheat the machines are incredible. It's cut about 2-3 inches up from the ground leaving a thick golden stubble. The shaft is the straw and is bundled along and sold for bedding, the weeds are burned. The wheat grain is sifted to remove the chaff and leave only the tender buds for grinding into flour. The only thing of value in the whole of the field is this bud. In it is sustaining life. It has grown and survived storms, winds, rains, droughts and the weeds. It survived and grew to fruition in spite of all the plant went through.

I think that Jesus was telling us many things in this parable and his calling for laborers. Each time Jesus referred to mankind he puts him in a context of agriculture. Something that is organic, it grows and bears edible fruit and life giving sustenance to the body. Many of you reading this will have all kinds of bells and whistles going off, some won't. Some won't even understand - and that's okay. Jesus spoke in parables for a reason. We are the wheat fields that the Father has so carefully planted. Entwined and unrecognizable to the one standing on the sidelines are the weeds that are among the wheat plants. To the naked eye, they look the same. But if you taste one of those weeds, you could be poisoned, at best it would be a very bitter taste in your mouth and could leave you scarred or your taste buds messed up. But the wheat plant knows what the weeds are and where they came from. They've been growing with them. The rain falls on the whole field - on the just and the unjust - when it rains. The storms hit the same field - the just and the unjust. Some of those weeds can so cross pollenate themselves that you would think you're looking a wheat plant. It wouldn't be until you tasted the bud that you would know it wasn't.

Among us - all around us - everyday is the battle over our lives, our minds, our hearts. The fields are now ripening - they are becoming more and more gold and the weeds are getting desperate not to be found out. Some of them may even think they're wheat so they stand tall and proud. They linked themselves at the root system with the wheat so they know they can't be yanked out and they just might be able to slip by in the harvest. Jesus said the angels are going to harvest these fields - the laborers only work them. The angels will gather it all up starting with the wheat and they are well trained to know the difference.

Timothy talks about perilous times. Jesus said to guard our hearts and minds. Peter, James, John, Jude, Paul, Timothy - they all sent warnings out on what to look for, how to identify, how to stand, how to not lose heart. Paul describes the armor we must wear at all times. Be careful not to forsake sound doctrine. Evil does exist - it's living in the field with you.

A good rule of thumb is this - does the world hate you because of Him? Luke 21:17 "All men will hate you because of me". If not, chances are you've got the wrong gospel. Scripture will bear me out on this. The religious system, and the people in the world, all hated the followers of Jesus then and down through time. Rejoice if people persecute you and say all manner of evil against you, or accuse you falsely - that means you've got the right thing. If what you are following and what you believe is a social club that has the biggest gatherings, the most "peaceful" experiences, generates no persecution or rejection, does not stir up the pot of religion, then chances are you've got the wrong gospel. True followers are few. Always have been. They've never been large numbers of the population. Even many of Jesus own disciples turned and left Him because they could not embrace the hardness of His teachings. The true gospel is radical and it's life changing. So look around you - have you stirred the pot. Is their a mob inciting a riot against you? Does anyone hate you for His sake?

It's harvest time...... we better be ready when the angel harvesters come.

The Church of Tomorrow

For awhile now I've been sensing in my spirit that there is something shaking.  Hebrews tells us that there would come a time when everything would be shaken and only that which remained would last.  In recent years I've witnessed a great migration taking place.  An exodus out of the organizations we call "church" to gatherings in homes and online.  There are several reasons for this exodus.  Most are waking up, looking around and saying "where am I? how did I get here? what do I do now?"  There's a disorientation that often accompanies a long deep slumber.  Some, when fully awake, realize that they were so horribly deceived that they determine to bring the system down.  Hundreds of books and websites, blogs and Facebook and other social networking pages have been created and published for this very purpose.  Some of them are really beneficial and water the soul.  Others are filled with rebellion, animosity and false teachings leading many astray.  Currently, it seems to me that the latter is gaining the most ground.  People are exchanging the truth for a lie and inventing a Jesus, God and gospel they can live with, rather than submit to the One and only True One.  We have never been called to bring God to our way of thinking - we have always been called to Him.  He is unchanging, unwavering, immovable.  One never brings a river to themselves - one must always journey to the river. 

God is shaking.  He is shaking the church and sifting it.  Those who are pure of heart will easily pass through the sieve.  Those who are not will not pass through those small openings.  Everything that can be shaken is being shaken.  Why? Because it's a preparation - a last push and call for the Kingdom that's coming in physical form.  Only a pure spotless Bride will be counted worthy to participate in the first resurrection, which is the marriage of the Lamb.  God is restoring the body of Christ to it's origins and purposes, accompanied by all the power of the Holy Spirit operating and confirming with REAL signs, wonders and miracles, in order to reach a lost and dying world and to hopefully snatch some from the fire that are caught up in the false doctrines and teachings.  I urge anyone reading this today to heed the call.  Purify your hearts and minds.  Reject all that is unholy and untrue.  Return to the real Jesus and the real God.  Repent.  Call on the Lord while He may be found.  The result?  A restored New Testament Church in full operation to usher in the return of the King.  What does that look like?  Well, I think Andrew Strom says it far better than me.  I want this.  I want this so bad I can taste it.

“THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW “

-by Andrew Strom.

A lot of people probably read some of the writings on this website and wonder, “Where is all this headed? What is the goal?” A glib answer might be- “We want to get back to real ‘New Testament’ Christianity.” But what exactly does that look like?This is an important topic – and something I have pondered a great deal over the years. What exactly would the ‘New Testament Church’ look like if it was translated into a modern western city?

To get started, I want you to forget about today’s church just for a moment – with all her obvious problems and contradictions, and picture something quite different. I want you to imagine that you are still living in the same city, in the same year, but you are right in the middle of a ‘Book of Acts’-type scenario. Somehow everything has changed.

For some reason, all of the Spirit-filled Christians in your city have left their Denominations and divisions behind. They have truly begun to fulfill the prayer of Jesus – “That they all may be ONE”. They now hold huge gatherings all over the city – right out in the open. And as well as these united gatherings, on most streets there is now a house-meeting, where all the Spirit-filled believers from that street gather together, eating and sharing and having communion, etc. (ie. A “NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH”). The power of God flowing in these house-meetings is amazing. Many healings and miracles are occurring. The ‘gifts’ flow freely every day.

It seems also that many of the church buildings and cathedrals have simply been abandoned. No longer do Christians want to hide themselves away behind “four walls”. They want to gather out where the people are – presenting Jesus to the whole world. They want to be truly “one body”. There is no way that any of their old buildings could contain the crowds, anyhow.

And the men whom God has raised up to lead this vast movement do not seem much like the ‘Reverends’ or even the ‘televangelists’ of old. In fact, quite a few of them have never even been to Bible College, and they seem to be very plain, ordinary people from humble backgrounds. But what an anointing! It is very clear to everyone that these ‘apostles and prophets’ (as they are known) have spent many years in prayer and brokenness before God – drawing closer and closer to Him. When they speak, the very fear of the Lord seems to come down, and many people repent deeply of their sins. Demons are cast out and the blind and crippled are made whole. -These kinds of things are happening all the time. The whole city is just in awe of what is going on, and thousands upon thousands are being saved. Even the newspapers and television are full of it.

As soon as someone repents they are immediately baptized in water and hands are laid on them for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. -This is expected from day one! And it is also expected that every Christian has a gift and calling from God – and that they should be encouraged to move forward and fulfill their calling. No longer is there a distinction made between those who are “ministers” and those who are merely ‘laity’. Now it is expected that EVERYONE is a minister of the Lord! (However, there are ‘elders’ – ie. older Christians to guide things).

Some of the bishops and pastors from several denominations have actually denounced this great move of God very strongly. They say it is “deception” and warn their people to stay away. (-Every Revival in history has been accused of this – usually by religious leaders). But to be honest, it is so obvious to most people that God is the one behind it all, that very few take these men seriously. The Spirit of God is sweeping all before Him. The glory of the Lord has come.

One of the reasons that these leaders are so upset is that a lot of the Christians’ GIVING now does not go to church buildings, but rather to the POOR. In fact, God has spoken to many people to start supporting widows and orphans overseas, etc. They also give generously to anyone in their midst who is in need. Many even sell their own possessions in order to do this.

The huge over-riding theme of this great movement is LOVE. “Behold how they love one another” is the catch-cry of many who watch this ‘new church’ in action. And everyone is given to MUCH PRAYER.

And so, gathering “as one” in the outdoors and breaking bread from house to house, they eat together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord adds to their number daily those who are being saved.

CAN THIS REALLY HAPPEN?

The above description is taken straight out of the Book of Acts – as applied to today. Everything in the above paragraphs is put there to give you an idea of what it would be like to live in the Jerusalem church at the start of Acts. -And it was like that for YEARS. Imagine the impact of such a church on the world around it! God is wanting to do this again. And He wants to use ordinary people like you and me to help bring it to pass.

I am convinced that we are NOT supposed to treat the early church as a “special case”. It was given to us as an ‘example’. It is what the “normal” church should be like all the time! And yet we have fallen so far below this standard. Only in times of Revival do we approach it again for a time. But I believe it is supposed to be “normal” for the church to be like this – day in and day out. This is the way that Jesus always wanted us to be.

However, one thing is clear. It will take a great “SHAKING” for us to get anywhere close to the above description today. You have to be aware that in order to get there from here, a whole lot of ‘hierarchies’ and church boards and careers and titles and positions would be on the line. And a lot of men simply don’t want to lose those things. It doesn’t matter to them whether it is Truth or not. If it affects their reputation, their position or their organization, they will oppose it with everything they have.

Sadly it is very difficult to see a “smooth” transition to this kind of Christianity. I believe we are in for a shaky ride. But I certainly believe that it is on God’s agenda. And like the Great Reformation before it, I believe He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES in order to get us there.

Here’s to true ‘NEW TESTAMENT’ Christianity, my friends – the kind that Jesus and the apostles actually invented in the beginning.

Let us settle for nothing less – WHATEVER IT TAKES.



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