Unfortunately, many Christians have been so assimilated into the social fabric of our world that it’s difficult to recognize them as being any different than the average person.  Or if they are recognized as a Christian they are found to be quite immoral, blatantly opinionated, and harshly judgmental.  As the world recoils in one natural disaster after another the prophetic message to a dying world is ridiculed or simply ignored. God’s message of love is completely lost among the pagan do-gooders or openly rejected as a clanging cymbal of empty rhetoric. Sadly many so called Christians are swept away by the same flood of dissipation as the pagan world and have lost their footing not allowing them to stand firm.

As we approach another year of uncertainty, a mounting national debt, a possible economic earthquake, lawlessness in our streets, and a real threat from foreign enemies one begins to wonder how he can stand firm. As the storm clouds arise and another pending catastrophe looms on the horizon one wonders deeply how he can stand firm in 2012 and beyond. As the world rushes to purchase more guns, store up food, and harden their heart to the less fortunate one may question their own ability to stand. As excessive passion is demonstrated to force a candidate to victory in order to save the world from its pending doom it boggles the mind and still leaves the question on how to stand firm unanswered.

So we must return to our original question; “What is the one thing you can do to stand firm in 2012?” As a born-again Christian you must allow transformation to take place in your life. You must be growing from one degree of glory to another. That is the only way you will ever be able to stand firm. For many it might mean returning to the basics, getting back to the first principles of your faith asking God to help you put off the old life and put on the new. It will be a complete re-orientation for some who have been caught up in the ways of the world or in their favorite theological doctrine. You have been made into a new creation and it’s time to start acting like it allowing God’s love to flow through you to others.

As the world grows more ruthless and self centered you will grow more loving and other centered. As the world grows deeper in debt you have learned to live debt free. As the world has grown more materialistic you have learned the bondage of material items releasing them to the four winds. As the world has grown more dependent on government you have learned the humility in accepting any kind of work. If the only job you can find is washing dishes then be the best dishwasher you can be allowing your face to radiate God’s love as bright as the noon day sun. To do so will not only help you to stand firm in 2012 and beyond, but it will also allow you to experience the real joy of being a Christian.

For those who stood the test and weathered the storm this will be a happy day indeed to see their Lord coming in great power and glory. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So it shall be! Amen! (Rev. 1:7, italics are mine). The persecution will stop. The pain and suffering will stop. The prison doors will fly open, the shackles will fall from their feet, and there will be freedom. Freedom at last! Those who caused you all the pain and torment will now suffer for their misdeeds. They will stand shaking before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Each of them will bow in submission before receiving their final sentence of eternal punishment.

But for you dear saint things will be gloriously different. You will be caught up in the clouds to meet your Savior! “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (I Thess. 4:16-17). Your filthy rags and prison clothes will be exchanged for the white robes of glory. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” (Rev. 21:1a). The Evil One Satan and the beast had destroyed God’s original creation by raping it of its natural resources, destroying its beautiful forests, polluting its lakes, its rivers, and the air. But now there are a new heavens and a new earth re-created in all of its original beauty, free of smog and pollution. The forests will look greener, the skies bluer, and the rivers crystal clear. To look at the heavens and see the other planets, moons, and stars will look as though you could reach out and touch them. The freshness of the air will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Everything will be made new! It will be like being in the Garden of Eden all over again, but this time there will be no Evil One coming along to tempt humanity. This time God will make His dwelling among His people.

This entire blog is quoted from my book: Final Warning.

Blair, Daniel, Final Warning (Tate Publishing & Enterprises 2006) pp. 209-211

During the Great Tribulation when rebellious man worships the beast, his image, and takes his mark, I am convinced that he will begin to experience some of the torment of hell in this life and if magnified will give him a glimpse of hell and eternal doom. There are a number of striking images of eternal torment and we will only look at [one]. This image is taken from Matthew’s gospel (See Mt.:22-1-4) where an uninvited guest at the wedding banquet between Christ and His Church is thrown into “outer darkness.” Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (Mt. 22:13).

If we put this image into its historical context it has a chilling effect. At the banquet hall there was warmth from the torches and fires to illuminate the hall. There was warmth generated from the many friends in the hall with pleasant conversation, merriment, delicious food, and good drink. To be cast into the outer darkness was an awful thought. There were no streetlights, everything is pitch dark. It’s a place where thieves and criminals slink around in the night to abuse and prey upon the poor and helpless. There are sounds of people crying out in anguish all around. There is tremendous fear from being left all alone, and as the temperature drops your teeth begin to chatter. As the night wears on and you remember all the peace and comforts of the hall you can’t help but gnash your teeth from being cast out, from being excluded from a place of warmth, light and protection from the evil all around.

Now when we bring this into the present reality for those who worship the image of the beast and take his mark, they too will immediately be cast into outer darkness. To be cast into the dark night of evil where there is no protection from the predators of evil that slink through the dark alley way catching you in their web of immorality, plunging you into their seditious life style. Nor is there any escape from the seductive influence to entrap you into a life of prescription drug addiction [of psychotropic drugs]. Their endless psychological counseling leaves you no better off, but still immobilized with the anguish of depression. In the dark night of your soul there is no one to protect you from the voices that frighten and the loneliness that tramples your heart. The agony of despair keeps you far from peace and in bed with constant feelings of stress, anxiety, and panic.

Worse yet, there is an emptiness in your heart that befuddles the mind and causes you to gnash your teeth for missing something in your life and feeling helpless to fulfill it. This is only a faint glimmer of eternal torment.

This entire blog is quoted from my book: Final Warning.

Blair, Daniel, Final Warning (Tate Publishing & Enterprises 2006) pp. 166-167

The election process was of no concern to Jesus Christ, because His method for bringing in the Kingdom would be radically different. Many of His fights with the religious leaders were over this very point. They simply could not understand why He would not take His place upon the throne of Israel, throw off the yoke of the Roman Empire, and institute His laws for all mankind to follow. They wanted to forcefully bring in the Kingdom and require everyone to be subject to its laws. But what did Christ say, “render unto Caesar the things of Caesar and render unto God the things of God.” So apparently Christ had a different way to bring in His Kingdom. It would not be done by force like the Muslim religion or other man made governments to rule the people. It would be done radically different. It is to these principles we must return even in the face of violent opposition.

Let’s be clear, this is a spiritual battle that must be waged if we are to stand firm in the last days. At this point God is still calling people into His Kingdom and away from the kingdom of this world.  Our Job has not changed in over two thousand years. We must proclaim the whole gospel whenever and wherever we go. We must proclaim a Gospel that teaches people how to die to self (deny self), pick up their cross, and follow the King by obeying His laws and serving His interest. Friends, when we follow His ways we will let our light shine as brilliant as the noon day sun that will attract others to Christ and bring glory to our risen Lord. When we follow His unchangeable laws then our righteousness will become our breastplate in our struggle against worldliness, materialism, and the antichrist forces arrayed against us.

Friends, the Kingdom of God is within us and only manifested in the assembly of God’s Holy people the true Church of God. Any attempt to manifest this Church in the governance of man will only lead to legalism, corruption, and bloodshed. On the other hand, following God’s commandments placed upon the heart of every Christian in the Kingdom of God would have a profound effect upon the world as we know it.  To reject excessive materialism would impact our economy more than any elected official. To reject the use and proliferation of drugs would impact the physical and mental health of this nation more than any health care plan pushed by an elected official. To reject the culture of immorality will impact the world more than any of the empty promises of an elected official. To overthrow what is wrong in our world can only be accomplished by doing what is right – one person at a time – obeying our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

The world leaders look at the economy and think if we fix that then all is well; or they look at the other problems individually and think if we can solve each problem then all is well, but the truth is if all the problems were fixed they would still be left with an encroaching catastrophe. The political leaders go to great length to convince the population that their plan of socialism, capitalism, or communism will solve the problems facing mankind, that all will be greatly improved if they only adopt it as their new form of government. But if the world chooses either of these choices it still faces insurmountable troubles continuing to plague the greater part of humanity. The planet is on a conclusion course with destiny and mankind will be left in the balance of its inevitable consequences.

So what can mankind do to save himself?  How can he fix the problems facing him and his world? As seemingly natural disasters increase in number and severity around the world he cannot even get a consensus as to what is causing the problem nor does he see it as being relevant.  Yet it’s these very things that are causing a drain on the world economy, loss of life, and property. It is causing global unrest and great anxiety among the world’s population. It is bringing out the best in some but the worse in most. Riots and mass demonstrations have become the norm as the world marches relentlessly to its pending doom. Even if mankind cures all of his problems the planet will continue to convulse – with an increase in volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and deadly hurricanes.

The powers unleashed against the planet are beyond man’s ability to stop. The powers unleashed against humanity causes an increase in mental stress and a myriad of unsolvable psychological problems. It is time for humanity to realize that there is a bigger picture to be seen, a new perspective to be realized on the problems facing this world and humanity in particular.  The forces at work are greater than the world has ever known and quite simply man is incapable to do anything about it. He can fix his economy; establish peace between the nation states; offer health care to its people; and offer a new form of government to please all the people, but it will not solve the bigger problem facing this planet and its people. So again what can we do?

As a religious man I would like to believe if the world population repented of its many sins then things might get better. I would like to believe if man learned how to truly love one another then we might begin to see the makings of an earthly paradise. I would like to believe if people saw the light of God’s truth and decided to follow Jesus Christ as their only Lord and Savior then we could see many more delightful years upon the planet. But as a realist I know that they will not! They will continue to allow Satan to dictate their destiny by controlling their behavior and blinding them to God’s holy truth.

No matter how you interpret the end time scenario we will all agree that time is running out for humanity as the planet groans under the weight of God’s judgment and humanity suffers the consequences of its own sins. We are facing the inevitable. So the only thing mankind can do is to choose whom He will serve and if He chooses to follow Christ then he must prepare for what lies ahead. He must learn how to stand firm against the powerful forces arrayed against him and he must do it now while he still has a chance to make a choice. Weak and wobbly Christians will be no match for the satanic forces unleashed upon the world and unprepared for global disasters and unfeigned persecutions.

Before it’s too late we must ensure that we have a firm foundation in Jesus Christ and dressed in the full armor of God. The true believer in Christ learns how to die to self and follow Christ by picking up his Cross. He learns how to fear God, to give Him the glory, and worship Him as the Creator and Sustainer. He learns how to come out of the world, resist the apostasy, and endure patiently. He learns how to harness the power of God by standing in His strength. Let me invite you to visit my Facebook page: Stand Firm to learn about my upcoming book that offers godly counsel on how to stand firm in the last days.

Part I of a II Part series that demonstrates that the Church has already begun to enter the Great Tribulation. This is a powerful and moving video that will awaken the spirit in every Christian who wants to know the truth and to be prepared for what lies ahead.

But now we see something new, instead of attacking the West the people are attacking their own leaders seeking to throw off their old restraints and find a new path. What is really happening in the Middle East? As stated in my blog last week some believe that there will be a new spiritual leader, the Mahdi that will come in the last days to unite all the Muslim nations and dominate the world. There is a call from some to institute Sharia Law not only in the East, but also in the West. Quite clearly they see Islam as the only true religion that can save humanity from certain calamity as it sinks further into the pit of moral degeneration. There is a real fear that as each country’s dictator is overthrown it creates a void to be filled by radical Islam. And it’s this radical element that longs for their spiritual leader to bring all Muslims together in a Holy war against the West.

From a biblical perspective God deals with the entire world and that includes the Muslims. It is written in our sacred text, the Holy Bible, that in the last days when the revived Roman Empire and its political leader is exercising his authority over the entire world, that God’s angel will “pour out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water is dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.” (Rev. 16:12) Why would God allow this to happen? Are not most of His people living in the West? Before we are too critical of God let’s be clear that the Bible does not say that the kings from the East will defeat the West, nor does it say that West under the leadership of the Antichrist will defeat the kings from the East. What is clear, however, is that he brings them both to the valley of decision – which is also referred to as Armageddon. It is here where the great battle takes place between God and all of fallen humanity. It is very instructive that prior to God destroying all of fallen humanity in this final battle, God issues a final warning to His people. “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Rev. 16:15)

So here is the point friends, we do not need to fear what is happening in the Middle East, but we do need to fear God who is sitting on His Throne. As the biblical Antichrist begins to exercise his power in the West this country will not become more righteous. On the contrary those in the West will be deceived into thinking that they can build the perfect world without God. They will be deceived into thinking that they can develop their own self righteousness to save the world and defeat their enemies (specifically the hordes from the East). In fact this deception will deepen where the Antichrist will promise to protect Israel, and then break his covenant with her at the last moment. Retrospectively, as the Antichrist tightened his grip on the entire world through miracles signs and wonders the deception will grow. But the truth is man must die to self and trust in God alone for His imputed righteousness. Those who awake to this truth and put on the righteousness of God will “not go naked and be shamefully exposed” at Christ’s magnificent return to earth. Friends, we need to be more concerned about our being ready for the coming of Christ rather than the turmoil in the Middle East.

As we enter one of the most aggressive hurricane seasons on record, I cannot even imagine what a hurricane would do with oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Dealing with oil on the beach is one thing, but what if we had to deal with it in our streets, in our businesses, in our homes? What if we had to rescue humans covered in oil? What if this is no longer isolated to just the Gulf Coast but found its way up the great rivers to our inner cities? Now imagine if you will, the dispersants mixed with oil which could possibly cause untold diseases and catastrophic health hazards of a biblical proportion. It staggers the imagination, or is it prophetic?

What if we are dealing with the wrath of God? The Bible clearly indicates that during the Great Tribulation that his angels, “will pour out his bowl (God’s wrath) on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.” (Revelation 16:3) The shocking truth about this prophecy is that dead man’s blood is a brownish red color that is very similar to that of the oil spill. And we have all seen the devastation it has had on the wildlife. Our hearts have broken when we have seen birds and other wildlife struggle to free themselves from the encasement of oil.
God loves you. He loves His world, but he will not allow greed which is idolatry to capture the souls of men. He will not stand by idle as lawlessness ravages the helpless and drugs rob a man of his character. He will not turn a blind eye to the hate that pits one man against another. He will not rest as man destroys the world and himself in the process. God will continue to pour His wrath down on a wicked world until everyone who is called repents of their sin and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. God will not rest until all that is destined to be saved are saved.

No matter how hard we try to reverse the effects of these plagues they will only get worse until Christ returns at the end of the age to rapture His Church and send the evil doer to hell and eternal punishment. Christians must strengthen their faith and boldly witness to their neighbor while time is still left to do so. There will come a time when no man will receive your witness, but blame you for what is happening in the world. Christians can no longer remain silent!

Furthermore, we have all gone for years having the experts tell us the truth, only to find out years later that they have changed their mind and it was not truth after all, but just another hypothetical truth or learned opinion. We have seen this in science, politics, psychology, and even medicine. Think about the number of times the experts have changed their mind on child rearing, global warming, traditional medical practices, the safety of prescription drugs or what is the best health care plan for America. Isn’t anyone speaking the truth? If we listen to God and not the world then we will come to know the truth – revelation truth.

We have had politicians say that they are speaking the truth to only discover that it was just a lie and of course this was after we voted for them thinking that they would really bring change to a besieged world. Most are caught in a web of deceit, being tossed in one direction and then another. More and more information is thrown at you daily and even on an hourly basis. It is coming at faster and faster speeds from many different channels. The world is on information overload and it does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Not only are people more confused, but they are always learning but unable to come to the truth. They are always seeking, but never finding. Only the bright light of God’s revealed truth will expose the lies and deception. God’s truth will show you the way. It will set you free!

God’s truth will guide you along the narrow way – a way that is so opposite from the world that only a few find it – a way that will bring you from death to life, but first you must stop listening to the world and start listening to God. Really listen, not just sort of listen. Doing so will set you free from the bondages of this world and open your eyes to a new reality. “Once I was blind, but now I see.” God’s truth allows you to see things from a new perspective. It gives you a new world view. You will see things differently. You will understand things differently. Then you will soon discover that Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of truth.

Friends, my desire is to look only briefly at the events unfolding in this world and then to look intently at God at work in His world, listening only to His voice. Many of our leaders foolishly think that they are controlling events in this world and don’t realize that they are either pawns of the devil or servants of the most High God. I have said it so many times in the past and will say it again– “nothing happens by accident, God is in control”. God will bring this world to a conclusion at the end of the Great Tribulation and at the glorious return of His Son Jesus Christ. I pray that you come to the Truth so that the scales will fall from your eyes so that you can really see what is happening in the world. You may be shocked!

Now immediately the walls start coming up over such a notion because the world has been conditioned to think of things without God’s personal involvement. As the world increases in more global tragedies which appear to be getting larger by the day she is forced to follow her leaders in responding to each of these devastating events. The international news organizations are on top of everything with reporters on the scene with a moment by moment commentary on the unfolding event. International governments begin to swing into action with relief efforts of food, medicine, and a team of secular counselors to help the depressed. Then after things seem to be well in hand everyone begins to congratulate them for a job well done honoring the heroes and glorifying their own efforts.

But where is God in all of this? Has He gone to sleep? Is this not His world and is He not in charge of it? Well most theologians will say they agree on this point. Yes, even Christians of every stripe will sit in their churches every week and say emphatically God is in control of this world and nothing happens by accident. Yet when a tragedy like this one comes on the scene where over 500,000 people have died in one day they are extremely quiet. They somehow believe it is easier to just follow the world in their relief effort and say nothing for the fear of being misunderstood.

So dear friends, if we believe that God is truly in charge of His world and nothing happens by accident then we have only two choices. We either believe that God has allowed the event to take place without divine intervention or He actually caused the event to take place. There is no middle ground here for if you believe otherwise, then you cannot say that you believe that God is in charge of this world. So now as believers we must ask ourselves do we need to ask God for wisdom to understand the difference. And this is not just for one person to ask this question and speak as a prophet unless he feels led to do so, but for each and every person. To do so will help you to respond properly to God’s mercy and or judgment.

I can’t say why this calamity has specifically come upon the Haitian people, but I can tell them to call out to God, the One true God for mercy and if repentance is necessary, do so immediately asking Him for forgiveness. I can say that God is in control! His Word in the Bible indicates that He will and already has poured out his wrath upon a wicked world. God is the one who sends the seven angels forth to blow their trumpets which unleashes the plagues and woes descending upon the earth. He is the one who sends forth the angels with bowls of His wrath to be poured upon the earth in the last days. And if there is any misunderstanding about the last days, the coming of Christ ushered in the last days to come to a conclusion on His mighty return to earth. The Christian Bible clearly indicates that the hour of his judgment has come and it is time for all people from every nation, tribe and people to repent asking God for forgiveness.

Finally, we can help the Haitian people in the relief effort, but if we do not seek to lead them to repentance of their sins and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord then we have really done nothing but given them momentary relief. And if that is all we can do, then are they really any better off when they face the judgment seat of God and eternal damnation? As the world races toward the end of days will the Church remain silent or will she speak in a unified voice proclaiming God’s truth about His involvement in the world. Will the church become a true witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

It is time for all Arab countries including Palestine to recognize Israel’s right to exist in their own homeland – “they must recognize the right of the Jewish People to its own state in its historical homeland.” It’s time for Christian brothers and sisters in both Israel and Palestine to join hands together in a united effort to work for peace. Let them be the first in setting an example on how to live together side by side in peace. Let them both proclaim Yeshua as the true Prince of peace. Let the Palestinian Christians seek to encourage their Palestinian neighbors to stop fearing the State of Israel, but rather to lead them to lay down their weapons of war through a process of demilitarization.

I also call on both Palestinian and Israelite Christians to join hands together and help the Palestinian State to accept all Palestinian refugees back inside the borders of the their new State. Moreover, Christians should set an example of humanitarian aid and assistance to every Palestinian refugee; to help each refugee to find their place back into a productive society. Let Christians from around the world become a beacon of hope and true messengers of hope from their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

I must admit I don’t understand the thorny issue concerning “Israelite Settlements” in the West Bank. Did not each of the Israelite Settlements purchase the land from its owners? And if the answer is yes and if the settlement is inside the border of the new state of Palestine and if taxes are paid to the Palestinian authority then why is there a problem – treat them as immigrants. And if the answer is no, then a price must be agreed upon to pay the Palestinian authority for the land built upon, if they are willing to sell the land.

Finally, the true road map to peace has always been reconciliation. God wanted peace with fallen humanity so He sent His Son as the Prince of Peace. His job was not to condemn but to bring about peace between sinful man and a Holy God. Only by Christ shedding His blood on the cross could man receive forgiveness for his sins. And only through His resurrection from the dead could man be born again into a new transformed life and capable of having a relationship with God. Our peace was not negotiated by given up a piece of who we are; our peace was obtained by giving up everything for the promise of a better future. I will continue to pray that the Jewish People of the Nation of Israel find true lasting peace by accepting their true Messiah, Jesus Christ.

And the truth is the good news of Jesus Christ. It is good news that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus Christ is the Messiah who had been prophesied thousands of years prior to His coming. One who would preach the good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind. Although He was killed by lawless men by hanging Him on a cross, it was all in God’s plan to use His death and resurrection to bring salvation to the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) As Christ hung on the Cross of Calvary all the sins of the world past, present, and future were placed upon Him as He became the perfect sin offering for the entire world. Through faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and by believing in your heart that He was raised from the grave then you too can receive forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life.
True faith is more than just believing the historical facts of who and what Jesus Christ did. No longer do you trust in the works of your own hands. No longer do you trust in the establishment or other world religions. No longer do you trust in your own knowledge or understanding. No longer do you trust in the counsel of the world. Through God’s grace you learn to trust in Him alone. In order to receive forgiveness you must repent. Agree with God that you are a sinner, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); then repent of your sins by turning away from them. The good news is Jesus Christ will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Power on high to show you your sins and help you to turn away from them and live a godly life.

Then you must be baptized which is an outward act of an inward change that takes place in your life. As you are plunged into the water it signifies your dying with Christ – you choose to no longer live the old life but you put it off by dying to self; then as you are raised up out of the water it signifies that you have been raised with Christ and given a new life in Him. No longer do you live for self but you live for the Lord Jesus Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (II Corinthians 5:17)
Dear friends, this is only the first step into the Kingdom of God, the step of faith. Although you will encounter many trials and tribulations they are meant for the strengthening of your faith and the outcome is more glorious than words can describe. As a new disciple of Christ you want to read His Word daily (the Christian Bible) allowing the Holy Spirit to lead, convict and encourage you. You want to immediately begin to tell others about Jesus Christ and the good news that He brought to a dying world. You want to spend time in prayer to God the Father and meditate on His Word. And finally you will want to join with other believers in Christ to experience the joy of true fellowship and mutual encouragement.

Friends when you come to Christ the blindfold will be removed from your eyes and for the first time you will see and understand spiritual truth – truth that will set you free.

A large part of humanity has rejected God as their Divine Creator. Everywhere you look God’s sovereignty has been exchanged for the fatalism of Mother Nature. The dependence on God has been exchanged for self-help. The sufficiency of God has been exchanged for counseling from the professional psychologist, which is the new world religion in disguise. Faith in God as the Divine Healer has been exchanged for dependence on drugs and the medical practitioner, who sanctions the intervention of psychology. The absolute truth from God has been exchanged for tolerance – a clear agenda for the “Global City of man”. The only way to God has been exchanged for religious pluralism. Dying to self has been exchanged for increasing your self-esteem – a major doctrine of psychology. Obedience to God has been exchanged for lawlessness. A heterosexual relationship has been exchanged for same sex marriage. And God’s structure for the home has been exchanged for social intervention and its perverted teachings of psychology.

When the Church also follows this same path of unchecked rebellion against God she becomes the lukewarm church spoken of in the book of Revelation. Her witness to a dying world will all but cease. No more revivals, no more saw dust trails, and fewer crusades have weakened the church. Watered down preaching and the introduction of secular psychology has lessened the effectiveness of gospel preaching. And as the world slips deeper into the abyss of gross immorality with the church not far behind, the modern day prophets are proclaiming that all is well and the church can expect a secret rapture to deliver them from this evil world.

But what does God say? Will God really deliver the lukewarm church prior to the Great Tribulation or will He allow her to go through the Great Tribulation to strengthen her faith and cleanse her of all unrighteousness? “God uses trials and tribulations in the believer’s life to remove the barnacles of the old sin nature… He uses the powerful storms of life to strengthen your faith and dependence on Him. Only a lukewarm church that has been essentially free from persecution will fabricate the secret rapture to whisk them away in the nick of time to escape the Great Tribulation.” (Final Warning, Daniel W. Blair) Great trials and tribulations have always been the seeds of the church. Why would God expect anything less in the last days? When Christ returns in magnificent glory to punish those who are disturbing you and to rapture His Church at the end of the age, will you be ready?

So what must the church do? She must prepare for the Great Tribulation, but more than that she needs to repent of her unholy exchange. We must believe that God is in control of this world and nothing happens by accident. Mother Nature does not send the storms or the severe weather; God does it with the hope that men would repent and turn back to Him. The church must stop trusting in the world to counsel her people. Let the church return to God’s Word that has given her everything she needs for life and godliness. Let the church return back to trusting in God alone to bring complete healing to man – physical, mental, and spiritual healing. God saves the whole person. Finally, let the church return to the commandments of God and reject the perverted teachings that have been accepted by the modern world. And if she refuses, then true believers must come out of her and form their own fellowships trusting in God to give them godly leaders.