Keeping America The Land of the Free

An article discussing about keeping America the land of the free seems to be a strange time to be posting it on October 1rst. We are no where near a holiday such as Memorial Day, Independence Day or Veterans Day. The nearest “holiday,” if you can call it that, is Halloween. We won't go into that right now. Please, I beg you to read this entire article.

With all that has happened in the last few weeks, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the murders of two young girls, the despicable display of many celebrating Charlie Kirk's death, and the unleashing of hell in the form of violence in major cities throughout America at a level that is quite alarming. Hence, the article.

Some people will say, “it's the sign of the times.” That's the go to phrase whenever events like this happen throughout history and throughout my lifetime. We just had a situation where some minister (?) had a dream of Jesus come to him and said the rapture was going to take place on September 23rd or 24th during Rosh Hashanah. On my phone I saw video clips of Christians around the world waiting for His coming and the rapture. I saw video's of people saying goodbye and that they were recording their last video, leaving notes and saying they'll be praying for the people left behind. Also two notable ministers (if I named them you'd know who they are) said the last sign before the rapture just occurred. Those statements were made in early to mid September. I do believe in the the second bodily coming of Jesus Christ, but I'm also not an end time prophesy guy. Besides, lest we forget, our salvation is not based on whether the rapture or end time prophesy is believed. Our salvation is based on being cleansed from sin with the blood of Jesus Christ, so that we can be made a righteous new creation that is restored to right relationship with Father God.

Samuel Adams, known as the Father of the American Revolution said, “Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness. Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure liberty and happiness of people whose manners are universally corrupt. A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous, they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”

Samuel Adams, as were many of the Founding Fathers, despite what revisionist historians insist, was a devout Christian. He was basically saying that that Christianity, which is the source of good morals, are the only solid foundation for public liberty and happiness. Many people in America from its founding were Christian, and if not Christian at the very least had a Biblical world view. Although this was true, things were not perfect in America. But can anyone point to me a nation in which things were better throughout the history of the world? What nation has not committed atrocities? What nation has not experienced racism, injustice and groups of peoples having wars against other groups of people? At least in America, as a nation we have always strived to do better.

Having been born in the mid 1950's and raised in the 1960's through the mid 1970's, I can attest to the fact that pretty much until the Counter Culture and Sexual Revolution, many people were Christian, and those who were not typically used the ten commandments as a moral compass. However, there definitely has been a gradual erosion of Christianity and the Biblical world view since the late 1960's. This erosion has taken place within the American Christian Church itself. What we see happening in our culture and society is a direct result of the erosion that has taken place within the American Christian Church. I do not say this to anyone's condemnation. We are in a situation in which God is using currently to bring a shift and a turning tide if the American Christian Church seizes the opportunity. If we seize the opportunity properly we can all participate in a move of God in which part of the result will be keeping America the land of the free.

I did not follow Charlie Kirk much although he was obviously a very prominent man. I'd see clips of him on college campuses speaking with people who agreed and also disagreed with him. I saw portions of Turning Point USA conferences. From what I saw, I liked him. I thought he handled debate intelligently and respectfully. And, he had a unique way of being able to glorify God/Jesus while taking on political and cultural issues. He was truly an anointed man of God to be able to do that.

I do not for a moment believe it was God's plan for Charlie Kirk to be murdered. To get into what I just said would take another entire article, but I did feel the need to say that. However, I do believe that God is using Charlie Kirk's assassination as a touchstone for a shift in the spiritual realm of this nation, if not the world. Anyone who has ever read some of the articles I've written, or have seen some of my YouTube videos has heard me on more than one occasion say that what we see happen in the natural realm is due to activity in the spiritual realm. A brief reminder:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB

What happened almost immediately after Charlie Kirk being assassinated, it appeared that the American Christian Church rose up in a way that I have not seen throughout my lifetime. In the mid 1970's I was saved during the Jesus Revolution that became the Jesus People/Charismatic movement. In the mid 1990's Deborah and I among many others were involved in the Father's Blessing outpouring of God that was in Toronto, Canada and Pensacola, Florida. There have been revivals that have occurred the last few years on college campuses throughout the nation. But none of those compare to what was beginning to happen in the days after Charile Kirk's assassination where there was such an outpouring of people not only honoring Charlie Kirk, but also calling out to the Lord Jesus Christ. The memorial service on September 21rst was indescribable. As I watched portions of the service, I could feel the Presence of the Lord coming off the television. The Presence and Power of God filled our living room.

What brought joy to my heart was not only were the people giving honor to the memory of Charlie Kirk, but they were also giving glory to God. It was as much, if not more of a worship to God as it was a tribute to Charlie Kirk. From what I knew of Charlie Kirk, that is likely how he would have wanted the memorial service to go.

Here's the thing, though. As Christians on an individual level and in the corporate church level, we need to keep the momentum going. How do we do this? This is how-first of all, we do not need another revival where it blows in, blows up, and blows out. We don't need another revival that makes us feel good in our emotions. Yes, the Holy Spirit will touch emotions and emotions can be expressed by how the Holy Spirit touches us. However, we have gotten too much into having and going to revivals for an emotional fix. What we need is a new American Revolution. Not so much a political/cultural revolution, but a revolution in our spirit/soul. What do I mean by that?

The word revolution means a forceful overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system. When Jesus Christ came, and became our substitute on the cross for our sin to be judged once and for all, Jesus initiated a forceful overthrow of a governmental order and arrangement (kosmos) that was alienated and opposed to God under the influence of demonic forces. This is what took place in the spirit realm at the cross and at His resurrection. What took place in the spirit realm has been

manifesting in the natural since the time of Jesus Christ through now, and will continue to manifest.

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven AND ON EARTH.” Matthew 28:18 NASB

When Daniel was interpreting a dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had which featured a huge image made up of four parts representing the four major world empires of the Biblical times, Daniel saw the Kingdom of Jesus Christ established during the fourth empire, that being the Roman empire.

Thou sawest till that a stone (Jesus Christ) was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay (Roman Empire), and break them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain (the Kingdom of Jesus Christ), AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH. Daniel 2:34-35 KJV

And in the days of these kings (Roman Emperors) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall NEVER be destroyed: and shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof is sure. Daniel 2:44-45 KJV

According to what Jesus said, and to what Daniel interpreted of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, God established the Kingdom of Jesus Christ at the time of the Roman Empire. The Kingdom being established at that time is a Kingdom that can never be overthrown, can never be usurped. Jesus Christ has already overthrown forcefully by going to the cross and resurrecting, the kingdom of darkness. That is why Jesus said He has all authority not in heaven only, but on earth as well. Since that time, His kingdom has been growing and swallowing up the world, as the stone grew into a mountain and filled the entire earth. As the gospel has been being preached, and continues to be preached, the mountain of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is filling the earth. It does not matter what we see happening, it does not matter what the New York Times, the Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC is reporting. God's Word is either true or it is not. Just because we may not recognize it, does not mean it isn't happening. Remember:

We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

The revolution that needs to happen in conjunction with revival, is allowing the Holy Spirit and the Word of God overthrow the government and social order of self that has a tendency to rule in our soul-our mind, our will and our emotions. The Bible shows that our spirit is already perfect because it is already in the image of God that He intended for us to be.

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge of after the image of Him that created him. Colossians 3:10

Although our spirit is perfect upon salvation, we are still dealing with the effects that the government and social order of sin had on our soul when we were slaves to that government of sin and social order before Christ overthrew it. That is why 1 Peter 1:9 says:

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

This verse may be translated “Receiving to goal of your faith, the salvation (the making whole) of your soul (mind, will, and emotions).

The revolution that we as Christians individually and as a corporate church in America has to do, is allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God continue to do a transforming work in our soul in which the government and social order of self is overthrown. Jesus tells us how to go about it.

And as they heard these things, He added and spake a parable, because He was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought the Kingdom of God would IMMEDIATELY appear. He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called to his ten servants and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Occupy 'till I come.'” Luke 19:11-13 KJV

When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is NOT for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8 KJV

In the Scriptures found in Luke 19:11-13, Jesus is heading for Jerusalem. The people saw and heard things that caused them to immediately believe Jesus the Messiah was going to bring about the Kingdom of God. Jesus then tells a parable in which He concludes with “Occupy until I come.” The word occupy means to carry on a business, to busy oneself with trade.

In the Scriptures found in Acts 1:6-8, the disciples asked Jesus (after His resurrection) if He were going to restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus answer was for them to wait until they were baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit, which was going to give them the power to be His witnesses. The word witnesses means to be a witness, to give record, to testify of the truth. It has in it's meaning to also be proof and evidence.

In both instances, Jesus is wanting those who follow Him not be so focused on the “event” of when the Kingdom of God will appear, or when Jesus returns. He wants us to be busy about the business of His Kingdom, and to BE His witnesses, to be proof and evidence of Who He is. In order to do this effectively, we have to allow His Holy Spirit and His Word do a continual transformative work in our mind, will, and emotions, a continual making whole of our souls. To do that means as individuals, we need to make it a priority to spend time in His presence in personal worship and praise, even when we are going through things where we don't feel like doing it. We need to renew our minds with His Word on a continual basis, again it being a priority not just an “add on” to the activities of our lives. As local Christian Churches we need to spend more time in corporate worship and prayer, not less, not when it's convenient. Ever since the memorial for Charlie Kirk, the Church seems to be on fire. However, it was on fire right after 9/11. Shortly after that, things went back to being “business as usual.” We have to allow God to overthrow the government and social order of self in our soul to where we reach the place of loving and serving God on HIS terms and NOT on OUR terms. That will cause revival and revolution to intensify and flow onward. That will cause revival and revolution to bring about reformation. Reformation has to be the result of revival/revolution. This will keep America the land of the free. Love and God bless, Pastor Paul.