This
word was last posted 11/2/2012. We typically do not repost articles so
soon; however, with lawlessness increasing, republishing this post was
appropriate.
The Great Revolt
As though Jesus were reading a news summary of recent years, His prophecies of two thousand years ago clearly describe our times. Thus, we are compelled to discern accurately the significant era in which we live. Indeed, of the many prophetic fulfillments of our day, one in particular rises with undimmed candor. I am speaking of what the Bible calls the "apostasy." Recall Paul's warning:
As though Jesus were reading a news summary of recent years, His prophecies of two thousand years ago clearly describe our times. Thus, we are compelled to discern accurately the significant era in which we live. Indeed, of the many prophetic fulfillments of our day, one in particular rises with undimmed candor. I am speaking of what the Bible calls the "apostasy." Recall Paul's warning:
"Let no one in any way deceive you, for [the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first" (2 Thess. 2:3).
The
apostasy has traditionally been described as a time of deception and
massive falling away from authentic faith in Christ. Depending upon your
specific view, sometime before or after the apostasy the rapture of the
church will occur. However, the concept of apostasy as merely "a
falling away" is incomplete. The original Greek word for apostasy, apostasia,
when used in classical Greek literature, meant "a political revolt."
From this we understand that the end-time apostasy is not just a time of
sinfulness or large scale backsliding; it is actually a time of open
defiance and warlike aggression against godliness in general. In other
words, the apostasia is a political insurrection against the laws of
God.
This
interpretation of the apostasy is not an isolated view. The New
International Version, Revised Standard Version, Phillips Translation,
and New English Bible all render apostasia as "the rebellion."
The Living Bible interprets the apostasy as the "great rebellion," while
the Jerusalem Bible assigns a proper name to this era: "The Great
Revolt."
As
we consider the fulfillment of so many other prophecies, let us
carefully observe: mankind has entered an era of open revolt and
outright rebellion -- an apostasy -- against the moral standards of God.
Today,
we are witnessing a large-scale rebellion against traditional moral
values. Indeed, this brazen attitude has had a name for itself since the
1960s: the sexual revolution. And "revolution" is exactly what it is.
Our moral standards have not only been challenged, they have been
replaced by a nonstandard. Indeed, the great rebellion seeks to
legitimize and then mainstream every perversity known to man!
There
is much to say on behalf of those trapped in perversity and who hate
sin's affect on their lives. We must be compassionate toward them and
not strident; many are sitting in our churches afraid to even speak of
their need lest they be disowned. I am not speaking with reference to
the victims of this advance, but of those who are engaged in a mutiny
against the sway of God in our nation. They argue the only standard
Americans have is the standard of individual freedom. In their view,
freedom itself is the "god" ruling America, with self-indulgence sitting
as prime minister.
Yet
the God of Heaven desires the nations of the world. Though the apostasy
will certainly intensify, we must remember it is only one of many
prophecies unfolding in our day. The same divine Word that warned of the
Great Rebellion also assures us that ultimately God's kingdom shall
crush the demonic influences in our world (Dan. 2:44).
Yes,
evil shall mature into full rebellion, but good is also ripening into
full Christlikeness! (See Matt. 13:40-43; John 17:22-23.) True, the
apostasy shall reveal the nature of Satan, but the true church shall
manifest the nature of Christ! Our King is not only coming in the skies,
He is coming "to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be
marveled at among all who have believed" (2 Thess. 1:10). What seems to
be Satan's hour, full of darkness and rebellion, is simply the
opportunity for grace to abound to the glory of God in the church!
Seated with Christ!
The Second Psalm, perhaps more then any other Bible text, accurately portrays the spirit of our time. Indeed, it also proclaims our correct response to Satan's bold advance. Although it was quoted by the early church (Acts 4:25-26), God has set its full realization for the end of this age.
The Second Psalm, perhaps more then any other Bible text, accurately portrays the spirit of our time. Indeed, it also proclaims our correct response to Satan's bold advance. Although it was quoted by the early church (Acts 4:25-26), God has set its full realization for the end of this age.
"Why
are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The
kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel
together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear
their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!'" (Ps. 2:1-3).
Although
"the rebellion" reveals itself worldwide in many ways, in America many
of our leaders have certainly been counseling together "against the
Lord" in their decisions. We see it in the efforts to mainstream
perversion and give shelter to satanic rock music. Again, our
anti-censorship laws, like armor plating, in many ways now defend sin
against the Lord. The virulent cry of those in rebellion hammers
relentlessly upon the fetters of moral restraint!
This
railing against God has not gone unnoticed in Heaven. Is the Almighty
confounded? Has fear concerning recent developments gripped the Lord's
heart? No. The Psalm continues:
"He
who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will
speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury" (Ps. 2:4-5).
The
Lord laughs at the foolishness of those in full revolt, as they imagine
God's judgments cannot reach them. Why then, you ask, does the Lord
delay His full judgment? In part, the Lord waits for us, His church. For
while the world shall demand, and receive, the reign of hell, the goal
of the praying church shall be for the reign of Heaven.
You see, all
prophecies shall be fulfilled: not only those concerning evil but also
those concerning righteousness. The Lord has purposed to have a "bride
without spot or wrinkle" and a "kingdom" of wheat without tares. The
transformation of the church will be fulfilled as surely as every other
prophecy occurring before the Lord's return.
Thus,
with great fear and holy trembling, we must review what God has
promised concerning us. Let us remember, the Lord is not alone in the
heavens. According to His Word, He has "seated us with Him in the
heavenly places" (Eph. 2:6). It is time for our identity as Christians
to shift. Our nationalities only define our ambassador status; our true
citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20). And if God is laughing at the
mocking of those in the rebellion, let us also, as His subjects, share
His confidence!
Thus,
He commands us to sit with Him in the completeness of His purpose. He
requires us not only to live without fear but to stand in prayer for
these very nations that defy Him!
Listen
again to this Second Psalm, for in the very context of worldwide
rebellion against the Lord, it records the most remarkable discourse:
"Ask of Me," the Father says to the Son, "and I will surely give the
nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your
possession" (Ps. 2:8).
When
I first came to Christ in 1970, churches in America were deeply divided
and rather cold in organized prayer. Today, leaders of denominations
are working together, and it is estimated that more than a quarter of a
million American churches are moving toward deeper unity and increased
prayer for this nation. Jesus has asked the Father for the United
States, and in response, the prayer movement has been born!
As
Christ's church, we do not deserve a national revival, but Jesus does!
As His representatives, in His name and virtue, we ask of the Father for
America! We stand in prayer for the church to become one, filled with
Christ followers from every ethnic background! Our prayer is not only an
act of faith, it is an act of obedience: we are commanded to ask God for the nations!
Therefore,
while the perverse strive toward complete rejection of God, even as
their mocking words fill the air, the Almighty's unchangeable promise to
His Son (and by extension, His church as Christ's body) is "Ask of Me,
and I will surely give the nations!''
As violence, New Age religions and witchcraft flourish in our schools, ask
God for this nation. While all restraint is removed from the
entertainment industry, ask God for this nation! While perversity
dresses in normalcy, ask God for America! While abortion remains
protected by laws, ask God with confidence, with boldness, and with
faith for our land! Where you see injustice in any form, ask God for His
kingdom to manifest on earth!
"He who sits in the heavens laughs."
Put
away fear and discouragement; repent of fretting. The more we accept
our place in the divine plan, the more we shall laugh at the enemy's
plans. The faith that relentlessly asks God, pleases God. Now, as the
fullness of the times unfolds, as the world around us clothes itself in
prophetic fulfillments, let us put away unbelief; let us repent for
withdrawal. It is a time to boldly ask of God. As He has promised: He
will give the nations as an inheritance to Christ!
Let's pray: Lord
Jesus, how blessed we are that as evil matures into full rebellion,
Your church matures into full Christlikeness. Teach me to pray for my
inheritance, my nation. Use me to stand in the gap until my people
become Your people.
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The preceding teaching was adapted from a chapter in Pastor Frangipane's book, The Days of His Presence. This book can be ordered from Arrow Publications at www.arrowbookstore.com.
