From: The
Bible Condemns Sodomy
When
Pastors and Prophets are Blind as Bats
As
the blind lead the blind into apostasy, we must remember Who makes blind men
see and sets the captives free.
"Brethren,
our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the
land, the fault is ours in a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience,
the pulpit is responsible for it. If the public press lacks moral
discrimination, the pulpit is responsible for it.
"If
the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the
world loses its interest in religion, the pulpit is responsible for it. If
Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If
our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are
ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it."
Those
were the words of Charles G. Finney, a leader in America's Second Great
Awakening, recorded on Dec. 4, 1843. Those words were true then but are
especially prophetic for our generation. Immorality is prevailing in the land.
There is a decay of conscience. The media lacks moral discrimination. The
church is degenerate and worldly. The world has lost its interest in religion.
Satan rules in our halls of legislation. Politics are corrupt, and the very
foundations of our government are ready to fall away.
History Repeats Itself
Yes,
those words are true today, they were true 171 years ago—and they were true
thousands of years before that in Isaiah's day. Indeed, history continues to
repeat itself as spiritual leaders are struck blind in their disobedience to
God's Word. Many are hearers—and preachers—of the Word but have deceived
themselves by not walking in truth (see James 1:22).
The spirit of the world has invaded our church—but some pastors
embrace carnal Christianity and are unwilling to confront sin for fear of
losing tithes to an ear-tickling church. Their conscience is seared
with a hot iron (see 1 Tim. 4:1) so they can't see how their compromise is
affecting the flock—leading them down a broad path that leads to destruction
(see Matt. 7:13). I sometimes wonder if God has given some pastors and prophets over to a
reprobate mind (see Rom. 1:28)—or at least left them in their blindness and
slumber. Isaiah put it this way:
"Pause
and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine;
They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink. For the Lord has poured out on
you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets;
and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers" (Isa. 29:9-10).
Although
many in prophetic ministry are sounding the alarm, blowing the trumpet and
stirring souls to wake up and understand the signs of the times, many in
pulpits are blind watchman who are just out for greedy gain. Isaiah prophesied
to the irresponsible leaders in his day:
"All
you beasts of the field, come to devour, all you beasts in the forest. His
watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot
bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs which
never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; They all look
to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory"
(Isa. 56:9-11).
Will History Repeat Itself
Again?
Saints,
immorality is prevailing in the land. There is a decay of conscience. The media
lacks moral discrimination. The church is degenerate and worldly. The world has
lost its interest in the saving grace and knowledge’s of the Savior Jesus
Christ. Satan rules in our halls of legislation. Politics are corrupt—and the
very foundations of our government are ready to fall away.
But
here's the good news. History repeats itself. Just before the first two Great
Awakenings, people thought the church was done for. Many thought there was no
hope. But with God there is always hope. God is a God of hope (Rom. 15:13). I
am hoping—I am believing—for another Great Awakening in this land. I am
hoping—I am believing—that the pastors and prophets will repent from their
ear-tickling messages. I am hoping—I am believing—that the remnant will rise up
in intercession for this land so that God will intervene.
I've
been called a false prophet for hoping and believing. So be it. If we cannot hope
for another Great Awakening, then we may as well give up. We have Christ in us,
the hope of glory (see Col. 1:27). Church, it's time for us to wake up as
individuals and begin hoping and praying again despite the darkness we see all
around us. It's time to walk by faith and not by sight (see 2 Cor. 5:7). It's
time for us to release believing prayers, because our intercession is what can
turn this around.
"Behold,
the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy,
to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine" (Psalm
33:18-19). Amen.
Jennifer
LeClaire
Charismanews.com
