Give America a Break – Please

[nebula]

Give America a Break – Please

October 7, 2013 at 10:52pm

Jim Croft

 

Throughout my Christian experience there has been a peculiarity with increasing numbers of believers that I find mystifying.  It is the assertion that political-religious tribulation, economic downturns and natural disasters will bring the unconverted masses to Christ and the churched to greater intensities of dedication to the Lord.

Some seem to get what might qualify as a crazed gleam in their eyes when they speak of America’s incoming just deserves.  It is as though their oratory is lathered with fervency about impending doom by the haunting cellos and French horns of the Jaws movie score.

 

The Scriptures, history and candid observation of the Church in oppressed nations do not support the premise that troubles guarantee massive upturns in zeal for the Lord.   Incessant pressures are more apt to incite frustrated discouragement that leads to willful departure from the faith.  There are relatively few who utilize subjection to life’s various tribulations as reminders of the brevity of this life and that Christians are to live with eternity in mind. 

 

<snip>

 

I have spent decades ministering in impoverished nations and in those under the antichrist thumb of Communism.  It is the best of the Christian harvest that are heralded as champions of righteousness in mission reports.  Those who have up-close and personal interaction with broad facets of the Persecuted Church are seldom candid about all that they witness.

Economic hardship does not inevitably produce holiness.  The nakedness of poverty creates boredom.  The prospects that nothing creative can be accomplished, ignites the challenge of lustful escapades.  My experience is that many poverty ridden believers in 3rd world nations have a brand of sanctification that exists from the waist up.

 

Politically based religious persecution does not always guarantee unified cooperation between different Christian groups.  Some of the most divisive attitudes and corrupt activity that I have ever seen amongst churches have been in Communist strongholds.  The shameful sins that are found in too many American pastoral leaders and their parishioners are just a prevalent with believers in countries closed to the Gospel.

 

It would be prudent for those who glamorize what tribulation can allegedly accomplish to keep the words of Jesus in mind.  The cares of this life include concerns about creative innovation to better livelihood and the resultant relational upheaval caused by the lack of reasonable provision.  These cares have no less capacity to choke out the Word’s productivity than the deceitfulness of riches.  When it comes to desires for more things, the oppressed are ever mindful; perhaps even more so than the affluent. (Matt 13:22: Mk 4:19)

 

<snip>

 

I do not think it is accurate to assume that the turbulence is solely designed to bring about experiential holiness in individuals.  I am of the opinion that the purification is more so a winnowing separation of chaff personalities from the Body of Christ. 

 

<snip>

 

During the Babylonian captivity, he commanded the Israelis to bless the cities in which they dwelt.  He promised that as they did so, the cities would prosper and the captives would in turn reap the benefits also.

 

I am confident that believers, who choose faith for America and resist condemning her, will experience greater measures of peace and prosperity than those who persist in woeful prognostications.  To give America a break is educated household preservation.  It will reap optimum results, no matter what the future holds.   

 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jim-croft-ministries/give-america-a-break-please/636838846359979

[other one]

thanks Neb,  i needed that.

[Qnts2]

Interesting, sad and unexpected.

 

Growing up in Messianic Judaism, we were 'persecuted' by our families and our Jewish community, when we came to believe in Jesus. While a small group, the persecution brought us closer together, and more dedicated to sharing the gospel. Messianic Judaism was and still is dedicated to sharing the gospel. Most Messianic Jews tend to be continuists as we saw God do many miracles during our trials.

 

I have read historically, when the Church has experienced a time of peace and grows, and then persecution comes, those who claimed to believe on Jesus but were marginal quickly renounced Jesus, while others who stayed became stronger. In Messianic Judaism, some left Messianic Judaism, when the persecution became too personal, but the ones I knew, I also found had not made a real committment to Jesus, and renounced Him, returning to Judaism when things became rough.  

[Micheal Westin]

Give America a Break – Please

October 7, 2013 at 10:52pm

Jim Croft

 

Throughout my Christian experience there has been a peculiarity with increasing numbers of believers that I find mystifying.  It is the assertion that political-religious tribulation, economic downturns and natural disasters will bring the unconverted masses to Christ and the churched to greater intensities of dedication to the Lord.

Some seem to get what might qualify as a crazed gleam in their eyes when they speak of America’s incoming just deserves.  It is as though their oratory is lathered with fervency about impending doom by the haunting cellos and French horns of the Jaws movie score.

 

The Scriptures, history and candid observation of the Church in oppressed nations do not support the premise that troubles guarantee massive upturns in zeal for the Lord.   Incessant pressures are more apt to incite frustrated discouragement that leads to willful departure from the faith.  There are relatively few who utilize subjection to life’s various tribulations as reminders of the brevity of this life and that Christians are to live with eternity in mind. 

 

<snip>

 

I have spent decades ministering in impoverished nations and in those under the antichrist thumb of Communism.  It is the best of the Christian harvest that are heralded as champions of righteousness in mission reports.  Those who have up-close and personal interaction with broad facets of the Persecuted Church are seldom candid about all that they witness.

Economic hardship does not inevitably produce holiness.  The nakedness of poverty creates boredom.  The prospects that nothing creative can be accomplished, ignites the challenge of lustful escapades.  My experience is that many poverty ridden believers in 3rd world nations have a brand of sanctification that exists from the waist up.

 

Politically based religious persecution does not always guarantee unified cooperation between different Christian groups.  Some of the most divisive attitudes and corrupt activity that I have ever seen amongst churches have been in Communist strongholds.  The shameful sins that are found in too many American pastoral leaders and their parishioners are just a prevalent with believers in countries closed to the Gospel.

 

It would be prudent for those who glamorize what tribulation can allegedly accomplish to keep the words of Jesus in mind.  The cares of this life include concerns about creative innovation to better livelihood and the resultant relational upheaval caused by the lack of reasonable provision.  These cares have no less capacity to choke out the Word’s productivity than the deceitfulness of riches.  When it comes to desires for more things, the oppressed are ever mindful; perhaps even more so than the affluent. (Matt 13:22: Mk 4:19)

 

<snip>

 

I do not think it is accurate to assume that the turbulence is solely designed to bring about experiential holiness in individuals.  I am of the opinion that the purification is more so a winnowing separation of chaff personalities from the Body of Christ. 

 

<snip>

 

During the Babylonian captivity, he commanded the Israelis to bless the cities in which they dwelt.  He promised that as they did so, the cities would prosper and the captives would in turn reap the benefits also.

 

I am confident that believers, who choose faith for America and resist condemning her, will experience greater measures of peace and prosperity than those who persist in woeful prognostications.  To give America a break is educated household preservation.  It will reap optimum results, no matter what the future holds.   

 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jim-croft-ministries/give-america-a-break-please/636838846359979

then again we could go by what the bible teaches in accordance with the last days and see that Christianity has a great falling away and decline in faith, and is further declined by the killing of those who really are believers, not to mention but the increase like birth pains of natural disasters and pestilances, floods earthquakes and the nuclear reactors that meltdown in there wake, 

hate to be such a Debbie downer but old testament instruction for a past captivity has no bearing on  what is promised in the last days for those who believe.

In fact Jesus has clearly stated "they will hate you and kill you"

 

now the good news He has overcome death and the grave, and the second death will have no effect on you

[alphaparticle]

What can I say, I agree with Michael here. We are told that we will be hated. Eventually believers will be violently persecuted. I don't see why the US should be an exception to that. What i don't understand is why anyone has high expectations for any nation in particular (except the future of Israel I suppose). The US at the current time is arguably the best place to live (depending on what you care to value most of course), greatest economic opportunity couple with personal freedoms etc. But it has never had a special relationship with God as a nation anymore than Sweden has had, and I see no reason to expect anything exceptional from either as history draws to a close.

[nebula]

then again we could go by what the bible teaches in accordance with the last days and see that Christianity has a great falling away and decline in faith, and is further declined by the killing of those who really are believers, not to mention but the increase like birth pains of natural disasters and pestilances, floods earthquakes and the nuclear reactors that meltdown in there wake, 

hate to be such a Debbie downer but old testament instruction for a past captivity has no bearing on  what is promised in the last days for those who believe.

In fact Jesus has clearly stated "they will hate you and kill you"

 

now the good news He has overcome death and the grave, and the second death will have no effect on you

 

 

OK, but it's been "the last days" ever since the Holy Spirit fell on the believers in Acts 2.

 

Why should we insist that the End will occur this decade or even this century?

[other one]

because Israel is a nation

[nebula]

Yes, and it's been a nation for 65 years. 

 

We are also in the Hebrew year 5774.

 

So really, we could have about 200+ years before the end - if we relate Hebrew mellenia with the 7 days of creation.

[Micheal Westin]

 

then again we could go by what the bible teaches in accordance with the last days and see that Christianity has a great falling away and decline in faith, and is further declined by the killing of those who really are believers, not to mention but the increase like birth pains of natural disasters and pestilances, floods earthquakes and the nuclear reactors that meltdown in there wake, 

hate to be such a Debbie downer but old testament instruction for a past captivity has no bearing on  what is promised in the last days for those who believe.

In fact Jesus has clearly stated "they will hate you and kill you"

 

now the good news He has overcome death and the grave, and the second death will have no effect on you

 

 

OK, but it's been "the last days" ever since the Holy Spirit fell on the believers in Acts 2.

 

Why should we insist that the End will occur this decade or even this century?

 

that's true and so like birth pains of a pregnant woman the increase of calamity will be even more every year we advance toward the end, the bible teaches it gets worse and worse the closer it gets to the end, nations will come and go, like someone mentioned the only nation that will not be removed is Israel, although she will go through difficult times until she is completely surrounded by her enemies

[other one]

Yes, and it's been a nation for 65 years. 

 

We are also in the Hebrew year 5774.

 

So really, we could have about 200+ years before the end - if we relate Hebrew mellenia with the 7 days of creation.

did you know that the Jewish zohar  says the messiah will come onto the scene in 5773  which would be the entity we call the Antichrist.