The title of this blog is actually taken from the book of that same title written by Robert Bork, former Solicitor General of the United States.
Loving the imagery invoked by that title! As a kid my Mom was always on my case, “Stop slouching. Stand up straight. Stomach in. Shoulders back.” Too bad I didn’t listen and take action because now it’s my chiropractor and physical therapist who are saying those same things. But not slouching takes work; slouching is so much easier. Just let everything slump. Don’t think about it; (my posture) everything will be fine. And I didn’t see consequences right away. Nor did I wake up one fine morning and discover there was a serious problem. It happened so gradually.
The more time spent thinking about this blog, the more Jesus’ use of the birth pains and birth analogy seem very apropos. If a couple decides they want to have a child, they do not expect to wake up one morning and discover a crib next to their bed with a squalling baby in it. Rather, it takes time to develop from conception to full term. At first there is not even an awareness that one is pregnant. Then, over the course of time, more and more evidence makes the couple realize that a baby is indeed coming into their lives.
This same principle applies to the coming antichrist and the coming one world government. We are not going to wake up one fine morning and discover that there stands the antichrist and a one world government under his absolute control. People are not going to be able to say, “How in the heck did that happen?” It’s happening now and it will continue to move in that direction. But it’s easier to live and let live. To buy into the lie that morality is relative. That Truth is relative. That there are no absolutes. That only science has the answers. That there is no God. That there are no consequences. But God has told us over and over and over that, in fact, there are consequences to our choices. Serious consequences. Look at Gomorrah. Utterly destroyed. Some say it was because of rampant and aggressive homosexuality. Some say it was because of a lack of social justice. Both are things God says He hates.
Evil is at work trying to convince people that “we’re all in this together” and that a kinder, gentler world could be achieved if we were all operating as one. We are hearing that that the continuing worldwide economic problems can only be solved with a global perspective. The 2016 US presidential election brought out a lot of chatter about getting rid of national boundaries. In December, 2018 the UN Climate Chief said, “We require deep transformations of our economies and our societies.”
Little by little people have allowed the erosion of individual freedoms and national freedoms. Just look at what freedoms we’ve given up with this virus. It’s less stressful to simply let things slide. It takes work to check out the issues and the candidates. It’s easier to vote along party lines. It’s easier to turn a blind eye.
The same principles apply to today’s Church. We have settled for the easy way. Let’s sing, and pray, and listen to “Your best life now” sermons, and do New Testament Bible studies, and send people on mission trips and coast along. None of those things are wrong, but they are inadequate. Jesus says we are to watch and to be prepared. So many times I’ve heard Christians say, “I don’t watch the news; it’s too depressing.” Or, “I don’t want to know about prophecy, it’s too scary.” Or, “I don’t want a God who is wrathful.” A few weeks ago I heard a sermon about people’s various views of Jesus. Nowhere on the list presented was a Jesus who executed harsh judgement on behalf of His Father. We don’t want to think about it. Satan doesn’t want us to think about it.
If someone told you that a tornado is headed toward you, what would you do? Would you say, “Tornadoes are too scary; I don’t want to think about it?” Would you just continue with what you’re doing or would you check the news to see if it’s true? And if the experts say, “Yup, tornado headed your way,” wouldn’t you take actions to prepare and protect your family and your property?
Well, the experts are warning the Church that a “tornado is coming your way” in the deceptive form of a one world government and a diabolical global dictator. God’s Word warns us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)
What are you going to do?
Next time we continue talking about the antichrist.
Please, neither offhandedly accept nor reject what is said in this blog. Check it out. Look it up for yourself in the Bible. If you are a child of God, you are in good hands and there is the most wonderful eternity waiting for you. If you are not a Christ follower, now is a really good time to honestly explore the truth claims of the Bible.
Ringing the Bell 