We have been discussing the topic of judgment relating to specific cities across the US and whether or not they are in fact a judgment from God or just acts of nature or terrorism. This is my response today as part of a thread of discussion.
This topic has generated some discussion here in Osceola among several of us. I think we are coming it it from a different perspective – of end times urgency. If, in fact, we are living in the last days, shouldn’t that change the tone of our speech, the urgency of our action? If you accept prophecy as true and currently happening, which I do, then shouldn’t that wake us up to the reality that there is something bigger going on in this world. I just heard a CD the other day from a woman in Kansas City who is a wholehearted lover of God and a forerunner of the end times message. Her message centered around living wholeheartedly in a fasted lifestyle like John the Baptist (Matthew 11).
“Offense is one of the number one things that keep us from whole-heartedness. We get offended when we are in it for the wrong reasons. Be in it for Jesus � not for your ministry, not for recognition � for all that will be swept away in a moment. Jesus is on-purpose offensive. (Matthew 11:6).
Spiritual violence (vs. 12) is not military violence with a seen enemy. When we live a spiritually violent life, it is a judgment to our selfish generation. Even humanitarian acts are based on the need for people to build themselves up. There is no greater expression of love � or more romantic � than the fasted lifestyle. Choosing to lay down your life for the one you love is outrageous. That is a judgment to our generation. This is not “religiousity” or stirring yourself to �one-up� your peers, but doing it because you are so in love with Jesus. This lifestyle brings so much joy. (John was full of joy in the wilderness) Why do we get so caught up fighting for our platforms when we are going to die in just a moment. There is nothing more wise and brilliant than living the fasted lifestyle. The idea that I am going to forgive and love because I don�t have time to be weighed down by bitterness.
We are so afraid of being wholehearted. What do we think we are going to lose? It is violence because it is the narrow gate that few find. It is violent because few see it. It is violence because it is building treasures in another world. It is violence because men will not understand you. It is violence because the devil will hate you. It is violence because you cannot relent. It is violence because you have to keep at it. You need to press in (the violent take it by force). We need to press into the kingdom. It is violent because he is a lover and he only wants lovers. He won�t reveal the depth of his heart to the casual passersby. He is looking for friends � deep friends � people who are not of this world. The point is to press them into a fiery love and a fiery affection. He wants to raise friends and messengers who are equally yoked with him � who know where they�ve been and where they are going. The only ones will stand in this hour are those who KNOW him and who lived the lifestyle that John lived. You will not enter into the fullness that he has ordained for your heart, life and future unless you enter into the fasted lifestyle. It is not enough to be in the midst of people who fast� you will not know your destiny and purpose unless you embrace fasting.
We have heard the flute and we have not danced (vs 17). We have heard the voice of the bridegroom and we have not responded. This generation has been inundated with the sound and we have not responded. We have heard the sound of the funeral � that judgment is coming � trouble is coming trouble is coming� and we do not mourn. We are unresponsive. That is terrifying. Woe to the generation that has heard and did not respond. We don�t want to know, we just want to go on, business as usual. We are like children that stick their fingers in their ears, “I can’t hear you!” We don�t want to be responsible. New Orleans is a dirge � the song of the funeral. Heaven was trying to resound in our nation and we did not mourn. All over this land there is a church on every corner spreaching the gospel. We know the flute and we do not dance.
I get nervous for the cities that we think of as “sinful” cities. Woe to the city who has heard and did not respond. We hear of the angel who is about to blow the trumpet and say judgment is coming. What are we going to do about it? How then will we live? If I believe half of what I sing and have heard preached, it should radically change the way I live. Why do we gather, what are we going out to see. What are we doing?
Wisdom will be justified and vindicated (vs 19). In just a moment we will stand in front of the great IAM. I played the flute � did you dance? He is looking for response, for lifestyle change. He is searching and pleading with a generation saying, �You are in a prophetic transitional generation. I am about to come back to this planet.� There is so much grace available to this generation. If John the Baptist can have the grace to live so wholeheartedly, how much more should people who have the whole Bible and the Holy Spirit inside of them, how much more should they be living wholehearted. We are inundated with teachers and prophets � we have absolutely no excuse!
If you want the deep things of my heart, it is not too mysterious. It just simply cost everything. It is violent� and easy (vs 30). The yoke of wholeheartedness is so much easier when you live with your entire hearts. Knowing what you know and living with a little sin is miserable. You were made with our whole hearts. We were made to live for someone other than ourselves. If you build your own kingdom you have to keep your own kingdom. This is a lifestyle that screams transcendence. You can jump through all the hoops but unless you change your lifestyle, you can not truly advance.
I believe the Lord is coming with judgment to our nation and is raising up messengers to our nation. He is raising up singers because of the judgment that is coming. Their new song will oil hearts, it will raise up musicians who are not flaky, making millions � but who will press in with violence and their song will bring light like arrows – like lightning flashing into the darkness of the planet. A wave of delusion is about to crash into the planet and men will be raised up to declare the truth against the darkness. He wants to raise up burning, shining, lamps as judgment against the darkness.
If not us, then who?
If not now, then when?”
All that to say… God is active in this world. He has given us sign after sign. The trumpet is being sounded and we have to decide whether we will languish in apathy, dismiss it as just another crazy word from some right wing radical, or that we are strong enough to ride it out (like so many citizens of New Orleans did) or whether we will respond with urgency. Whichever way we choose, it will not change the purpose and destiny of God on this earth… for it has been set from the beginning.