June 1st, 2023
by Broxton Gannon
by Broxton Gannon
This is the warning that Jesus gave to the church at Sardis in Revelation 3. Sardis had become complacent and compliant with the surrounding culture they were living in having forgotten the teaching and the practice of God’s Word. When I began this series of articles the purpose was to bring awareness to current events that coincide with Biblical prophecy. There is so much more I could write and most likely will in the future. But essentially the articles have been intended as a call to fidelity in an age of perversity. They are a warning against naiveté so that we are not taken by surprise. They are a reminder of the accuracy of the prophetic scripture, and they are a wakeup call to believers to strengthen what remains while we have some time, and with the pace quickening, who knows how much time we have left.
While the articles were intended for your education on these matters, which is much needed, they also were written to encourage our response to the growing darkness before Christ returns. So let me suggest some responses to help us stand fast.
Do not compromise the truth of scripture to accommodate cultural values.
There is going to be greater pressure than ever before on you in the days ahead demanding that the Church and Christians adjust their biblical beliefs to go along with popular sin. This pressure will come from family, friends, the workplaces, and everything imaginable, even things like recreational events. Jesus said, “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:36)
Don’t be surprised that “Woke” will get worse.
Woke ideology is just another way of packaging abnormal values and practices to try and make them appear normal. Fortunately, there has been some recent push-back against the lunacy of woke corporate agendas, but don’t expect it to go away… this ship has sailed and will continue its journey. Our response is to live the truth in order to contrast light and darkness. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)
Don’t cave to the increasing pressure around you, stand fast in the faith.
This was essentially Christ’s message to the church at Sardis. At some point your faith and belief will be tested. Prepare to stand knowing that you will be called a bigot, a problem that prevents progress, and an enemy of the state. ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
Don’t go silent! Speak the truth in love.
Loving and saving the lost was the mission of Christ, it must remain ours. Graciously and lovingly, we must continue to proclaim the message of the gospel which is more needed than ever before. Paul wrote in response to deceitful beliefs that we must speak “… the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Eph. 4:15)
Expect spiritual warfare to intensify in your life and against Christianity.
This is already happening on a scale previously unknown in America. It is going to get worse! The reason for this is that biblical Christianity and the Church is the only remaining opposition against the dark agenda of our arch enemy, the devil. If the devil can minimize your walk with God and compromise the Church of God, the darkness will dominate until Christ returns. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1)
Don’t be ignorant and don’t live in denial.
Stay in the scripture and stay informed by the events around you… They do have biblical significance. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:38–39) And be of good cheer knowing that God is in control and His outcome is certain.
And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
While the articles were intended for your education on these matters, which is much needed, they also were written to encourage our response to the growing darkness before Christ returns. So let me suggest some responses to help us stand fast.
Do not compromise the truth of scripture to accommodate cultural values.
There is going to be greater pressure than ever before on you in the days ahead demanding that the Church and Christians adjust their biblical beliefs to go along with popular sin. This pressure will come from family, friends, the workplaces, and everything imaginable, even things like recreational events. Jesus said, “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:36)
Don’t be surprised that “Woke” will get worse.
Woke ideology is just another way of packaging abnormal values and practices to try and make them appear normal. Fortunately, there has been some recent push-back against the lunacy of woke corporate agendas, but don’t expect it to go away… this ship has sailed and will continue its journey. Our response is to live the truth in order to contrast light and darkness. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)
Don’t cave to the increasing pressure around you, stand fast in the faith.
This was essentially Christ’s message to the church at Sardis. At some point your faith and belief will be tested. Prepare to stand knowing that you will be called a bigot, a problem that prevents progress, and an enemy of the state. ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
Don’t go silent! Speak the truth in love.
Loving and saving the lost was the mission of Christ, it must remain ours. Graciously and lovingly, we must continue to proclaim the message of the gospel which is more needed than ever before. Paul wrote in response to deceitful beliefs that we must speak “… the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Eph. 4:15)
Expect spiritual warfare to intensify in your life and against Christianity.
This is already happening on a scale previously unknown in America. It is going to get worse! The reason for this is that biblical Christianity and the Church is the only remaining opposition against the dark agenda of our arch enemy, the devil. If the devil can minimize your walk with God and compromise the Church of God, the darkness will dominate until Christ returns. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1)
Don’t be ignorant and don’t live in denial.
Stay in the scripture and stay informed by the events around you… They do have biblical significance. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:38–39) And be of good cheer knowing that God is in control and His outcome is certain.
And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
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