America 2017

For the past decade, it has been obvious that the LORD has been trying to get the attention of the American Christian.  There is within the church, in general, this attitude that in the future the End Time scriptures will be fulfilled.  The problem with this type of thinking is the future is now.  While the country is fighting over whose statue to take down, and what a terrible president we have, our nation is faced with serious issues that will bring this country to its knees.  It is not China, Iran, North Korea or Russia that should be our concern; it is America that we should be concerned about.

Ezekiel 14:13­14 "'Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, even though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,' declares the LORD GOD."

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Why do so many bad things keep happening in America?

Those who know me understand my passion for protecting our clean water source.  Water is the source of life, without it, we would cease to exist.  Yes, I know that we have the same amount of water that we had at the beginning of creation.  However, we have not been good stewards of that water, and we have less clean water than we had 100 years ago.

Most Americans have never heard of the Ogallala Aquifer, but it is absolutely critical to food production in many areas of the United States. The water from this massive underground lake is used to irrigate much of America's Great Plains. From 2011 to 2014, 8% of the total 2.92 billion acre-feet, has been depleted, an overall decline of about 267 million acre-feet.  At this rate, the water supply will be gone in a few short years.

So why is that a bad thing? Well, the Ogallala Aquifer is a gigantic underground lake that stretches from southern South Dakota all the way through northern Texas, covering approximately  175,000 square miles.  If it is gone, the era of "pivot irrigation" in the region will be over. That would mean that the Great Plains could quickly turn into the Great American Desert. America could very well see a return to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. Are you prepared for that?  

Conditions in the American West, especially in the Dakotas and northeastern Montana, are dire. The government’s own data, gathered by the US Drought Monitor indicate an “exceptional drought” condition in patches of these three states. Here’s the definition of that rating: “Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses. Shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies.” Scary.

The drought is so bad, in fact, that an estimated seven out of ten farmers in these areas have chosen not to even attempt to bring their wheat to full harvest, instead baling it early to create hay. That strategy drastically reduces the amount of wheat to be made into flour on the open market and also reduces the income of those farmers.

Sadly, the United States has only enough grain stored up to give about a half a loaf of bread to every man, woman, and child in the United States. How long do you think that is going to last in the event of a major emergency?

Ranchers and farmers are struggling with the lack of water already.  What will happen if the drought continues to move south across the United States?  Land use is aggravating the impact of drought when water users like farmers and landscapers, power plants, and urban populations must all draw from limited water supplies. Because of this, drought can impact everything from the availability and cost of food to the cost of electricity over a wide region. When comparing single events, i.e., one hurricane compared to one drought, drought is the most expensive natural disaster.

In North Dakota, it was reported on August 22, 2017,  that some ranchers are resorting to drilling new wells as the previously established wells have dried up. In South Dakota, reported impacts include: dry dams or unusable water, lack of well water, failed hay crops, and wildfire danger. In Nebraska, it was reported that crops are beginning to stress due to the lack of rain.

It was reported on August 22, 2017, that 98 percent of the topsoil moisture in Montana was rated very short to short and 90 percent of subsoil moisture was rated very short to short. The USDA reported 67 percent of the state’s pasture and rangeland was in poor to very poor condition. It was also noted that livestock sales have been accelerated 3 to 4 weeks ahead of normal due to the extreme lack of moisture. Wildfires have resulted in poor air quality. The Lolo Peak fire has scorched 32,000 acres thus far.

Added to this is the increased number of natural disasters that have taken place already this year.

In 2017 (as of July 7), there have been 9 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. These events included 2 flooding events, 1 freeze event, and 6 severe storm events. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 57 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. 

This does not include the latest hurricane, Harvey.  It is estimate $24 billion dollars in damages have already occurred.  Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler with Enki Research, said that he would place it among the top eight hurricanes to ever strike the U.S. “A historic event is currently unfolding in Texas,” Aon Plc wrote in an alert to clients. “It will take weeks until the full scope and magnitude of the damage is realized,” and already it’s clear that “an abnormally high portion of economic damage caused by flooding will not be covered.”

Over the past 5 years, there has been an increase in the number of natural disasters. These disasters are each in the billions of dollars.  The LORD is trying to wake us up.

The old saying, "when it rains it pours," is certainly applicable to the United States right now.

Already faced with some of the biggest economic problems in a generation, America is also being forced to deal with horrifying natural disasters, rapidly  growing  environmental  nightmares and agricultural problems that could end up being absolutely unprecedented. So why do so many bad things keep happening to the United States? Does there come a point when the economic damage from all of these disasters just becomes too much? After all, how much can the "biggest economy in the world" take and still remain standing?

In looking back over some of my sermons forty years ago, my concern was with a sleeping church.  Many churches today have become no more than a social or service club.  I struggle with how spiritually blind Christians have become.  America was once the Christian lighthouse of the world, but that’s all over.

The LORD has brought judgment upon this Nation, and we are so blind we cannot see.  We have had our focus diverted by those who manipulate the news media.  We have lost sight of who we are as a Nation.  We have allowed our sins to go unchecked until our country; it is filled  with hatred and evil.  The spiritual leaders have made the message of the Gospel little more than a means to pad their pockets.  This is also the judgment of the LORD on this Nation

Zechariah 11:16 "For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or sustain the one standing, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs . . .” (Because the spiritual hoofs have been torn off our people by self serving church leaders who know not God, we no longer know how to walk the Christian walk.)  Instead of repenting, we continue in our sin.

Just before the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., the godly sighed and groaned over the abominations committed in their midst, but do we?

Ezekiel 9: During the time of the prophet Ezekiel, the LORD spoke to Ezekiel about the condition of Israel.  The LORD was angry and sent angels to mark the people who groaned over the abominations which were being committed.  Those who were not concerned about the sin and evil going on the LORD sent angles to kill them.  The LORD told the angels that  it didn’t matter if they were elders, young men or young women, children or mothers—you must use your weapon and kill everyone who does not have the mark on their forehead. Don’t show any mercy. Don’t feel sorry for anyone. The Death Angels started at the elders in front of the Temple.

The LORD told Ezekiel, the sins of the country had filled the cities with crime.  The people had disregarded the LORD for so long that they came to believe the LORD could not see their sins.  The action of the LORD was  not to show any mercy or feel sorry for them. They brought it on themselves. They were getting the punishment they deserve.

Do you believe, the LORD of hosts, is going to act different now, just because you go to your spiritually dead church on Sunday, know the four spiritual laws and have said the sinners prayer?

The Lord is putting the above mark on many today. If you have that mark, you know it, because you recognize the lateness of the hour, Romans 13:11 “. . . knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep.”

Not All Quakers are Christian

I know the title will not make some Quakers happy.  I open the door for disownment by Friends who are Universalist.  However, this does not really bother me.

Several years ago (2003) I was faced with a decision to stay or leave the Yearly Meeting  I had been a pastor in for over 20 years.  It came down to condoning whose theology would be acceptable.  I made the decision that I could no longer support the leadership of the Yearly Meeting and made plans to leave.  However, the church I was pastoring made the decision they could no longer be part of the same Yearly Meeting, they made the decision to leave and to keep me as their pastor.  I have been able to continue my ministry in our community.

It was a difficult decision as a pastor of a church we had grown to love, but we could not in clear conscience continue to support the denominational leadership. Hardly ever does any minister face a decision quite as momentous as leaving the denomination that you have given so many years of service.  Having given consideration to the ramifications of a lost ministry within my community, the division of families within the church, the number of non-members who would not understand why decisions were made, and the possible demise of the church, yet, despite such possibilities, I left everything in God’s hands.  I made a clear and unfaltering decision that I would not compromise with unbelief and immorality found among some of  the churches and leadership of the yearly meeting.  I made the decision having taken into consideration the consequences to my own spiritual life if I were to be faithful to the message I have proclaimed during my ministry.  The Word of God binds me, as I see it.  I had to obey God, not men nor organizations.  Does the Word of God preach separation from unbelief and apostasy?  I cannot say for you, but I can say for myself: I will not go on in compromise.

It became evident that the leadership was not going to abide by the Essential Truths as taught by Orthodox –Friends), I am bound by the Word of God.  It is spiritually unsafe and dangerous to do anything against the Holy Spirit.  It was in a spirit of prayerful concern I made my choice.  So, in the words of Martin Luther, “Here I stand.  I cannot do otherwise.  God help me! Amen.”

That was in 2003.  Much has changed since then. Our church became independent.  We have grown in membership; God has blessed us financially, spiritually, and we have become a refuge for Christians of like faith giving them a place of worship.

On the other hand, instead of drawing closer to the LORD those who practice “another gospel” are slowly dying.  I am sure there are many within the church that have seen the powerlessness of the repetition of Bible verses, used as the basis for Christianity. They have a form of godliness but lack the power.  Authentic spirituality radiates from inside individual hearts, not collective tongues, or church buildings. Our current condition of the Church in general lays bear a system busy with perpetual committees, new programs that rely on man’s abilities rather than the Holy Spirit. Many within these churches are confused about where to look for real answers.  Many satisfy themselves with spiritual placebos and politically correct sermons. Self-appointed shepherds don't recognize the truth. But the most telling aspect of the drifting away is not the failure to guard the flock, or the ineffectiveness in the spiritual, social, or political realms, but its struggle with identify sin as sin.

The centuries old substitutes of words, verses, and chapters, platitudes, plaques, and songs will never suffice. No surface modifications will work, not even if every member agreed to live in unity. The only change to come from symbolic, meaningless gestures will be worse, turning into much worse. A silent, persistent truth fills the church that has forgotten the LORD. It says, there is an absence of a genuine connection to Him who gave rise to the Church. Christ is standing outside the door of the church knocking to come in.

This generation has been told such deep lies that all the efforts now are aimed at restructuring a belief system to fit their illusions and rid them of a guilt coming from a condition they have declared doesn't exist---sin. This prevents them from calling out to God who they need more every day.  We are admonished to repent.  But the question is, Why?  If all are going to heaven and Christ may not even be divine, what is the point?  The very doctrines they expound are destroying their belief system and leaving them with hoplessness.

I know that the issues facing the Church today, are theological ones and that our theology determines, not the emphasis merely, but the character of our message and the end and purpose of our ministry. In a word, I believe that the issue is between the gospels of Jesus Christ, attested by Christ and His Apostles, and recorded in the New Testament, and another gospel, which is not a gospel, but a perversion of the truth as it is in Jesus. This other gospel is the product of a theology that is, at every vital point, diametrically opposed to the doctrine we hold and results, not in a diluted gospel merely, but in a negation of all that is distinctive of Early Christians.

Paul said, “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Tit. 3:10-11).

The word translated divisive (hairetikos) in this context (cf. v. 9) denotes a person who follows teachings and practices that are contrary to Scripture. Heretical teachers are divisive for they seek followers of their own perverted doctrines. Paul obviously is not referring to atheists and pagans but to people who are part of the church. Can a person cause schism in an organization that is not a unified body? Can someone divide that which is not first united? A church must protect itself against false teachers by first a private warning and then if necessary  disownment. Such men who refuse to heed the warning and repent are “self-condemned” (Tit. 3:11). They are sinners and wicked men (Mt. 18:17). The apostle John wrote, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 Jn. 10-11). “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars” (Rev. 2:2).

Speaking as an Orthodox Quaker, I acknowledge that the doctrines of the trinity, the divinity of Christ, the virgin birth, the resurrection of Jesus, biblical inerrancy and salvation by grace alone are essential doctrines. When a church denies the doctrine of the divinity of Christ that church is labeled a cult. People are then warned to stay away from its teachers.  When churches deny biblical inerrancy (as the universalistic Quakers have done and continue to do), they call our LORD a liar and destroy the very foundation of all biblical truth. The results are individuals that deny the Virgin Birth, the miracles of our LORD and the literal, historical bodily resurrection of Christ. All such individuals are apostate and wicked. All Christians who refuse to leave such a denomination are participants in its sins and are guilty of supporting antichrists. Paul says, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith” (2 Tim. 3:5, 8).

This section mostly will apply to Quakers.  However, it may  apply to others as well.  Consider an area over which there is NOT agreement among current Quaker pastors and theologians—that is the discussion over whether or not universalistic Quakers are part of the body of Christ.   Is universalism a genuine form of Christianity that has some deficiencies and errors that do not strike at the heart of the Gospel? Or, is it a damnable heresy? Are the errors so fundamental that the true Gospel of Christ is denied? Although it has been fashionable during the last few years or so for Orthodox pastors and writers to speak of Universalistic Quakers as our brothers in Christ and to regard their churches as true churches of Christ, such speaking and thinking is not based on the teaching of Scripture or logic. Rather, such thinking is often based on sentiment, (they are good people, and many are my friends, they can’t be that bad).  People have a desire to fit in with current popular opinions, a desire to appear loving and friendly and the idea that Universalism is really Christian. People who really believe the tenets of Universalism, who hate the true Gospel, are not one bit closer to salvation than the rankest Jehovah Witness for both believe that salvation is achieved not by the grace of God alone but by a cooperative effort between God and man (synergism).

Universalism denies the effects of sin. The Bible teaches that man (as a result of the fall) is depraved and totally unable to respond to the Gospel without a prior work of sovereign grace. All men are dead spiritually (Eph. 2:1-5), hate the truth, hate Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:19-21), dwell in darkness (Jn. 1:4-5), have a heart of stone (Ezek. 11:19), are helpless (Ezek. 16:4-9), are slaves of Satan (Ac. 26:17-18), and cannot see or comprehend divine truth (1 Cor. 2:14). Universal Quakers deny the plain teaching of Scripture by holding to the old semi-pelagian notion that man is not dead but merely spiritually sick.  The whole point of denying man’s spiritual inability is so that the “first and chiefest part in the work of their salvation may be ascribed unto themselves; a proud Luciferian endeavor!”

Universal Quakers deny the gospel of Jesus Christ. While they loudly proclaim that we will all be saved by God’s love alone, they explicitly deny this truth in their doctrine of salvation. They do not believe Jesus Christ is the only part of the plan of salvation.  They explicitly reject the biblical doctrine of atonement, that Jesus Christ by His sinless life and sacrificial death perfectly satisfied God’s justice, thus meriting and procuring all the saving graces: regeneration, faith, repentance, sanctification, and glorification for the believer.

If an individual says, Jesus Christ is not the means of salvation and reconciliation with God the Father to save a people unto Himself, that faith is not a gift of God, that God does not draw sinners unto Christ, God’s un-judgmental love will not condemn souls to hell, then that individual is a dangerous heretic, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a false prophet. The apostle Paul said, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

Among Quakers there are different degrees of faithfulness to God’s word, there are different degrees of declension and corruption, and there are churches that are remaining faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ while others are moving backwards. There are even different degrees of faithfulness in different congregations within Friends meetings.  When choosing a church, you should look for a church that is as close to the biblical standard as possible. This is a difficult subject because no church is pure. Every church has defects. All churches are made up of saints and sinners. Yet, when churches obstinately depart from various important doctrines and cannot be won over to the truth through biblical means, Christians are justified in separating themselves from such an ecclesiastical body. However, they should do so “decently and in order.”

A church or denomination, which does not take church, discipline seriously, which allows sinful behavior and false doctrine to function unimpeded in the body is heading toward apostasy. The study of church history is to a large extent a study of what happens to churches, which refused to discipline false teachers.  Men who tolerate evil because of cowardice, or a false view of love, or a false understanding of unity are not fit to be pastors or elders or leaders. Further, men who rule arbitrarily as if authority originates from themselves instead of Christ and His word also are not qualified to govern Christ’s people.  Do not submit yourselves to such men. Does this mean that yearly meetings must function perfectly, or that leaders do not sometimes make stupid mistakes? Of course not. But when dangerous doctrines are repeatedly and openly tolerated (e.g., universalism, and denying essential Scriptural truths, etc.) the writing is on the wall.

Virtually all Friends churches today are deficient in certain areas. Even the apostolic churches that we read about in the Epistles and in Revelation had some serious problems with sin and doctrine. Although as church members we should not expect or demand instant holiness, we do have a duty to strive for the reformation of the church. The best way to avoid schism and preserve the peace of the church is to diligently work for its purity both doctrinally and ethically. Leaving a church is a serious matter that should only occur after all attempts at reformation have failed.  Believers should never separate themselves from a church, which, though still far from ideal in its exercise of discipline, was making a valiant effort to reform and purify itself according to the word. Further, we cannot expect a perfect church this side of heaven. It is, therefore, necessary that all believers embrace the true religion; and, in particular, that they deny none of those fundamental articles of faith which are necessary to salvation. It is not to be supposed that the members of any society have a perfect agreement in their views about all religious matters; for that is hardly to be expected in this world.  A person does not have to believe all the non-essentials of the church. However, once joined, such a person is required to not spread unbiblical opinions in the church.

The Bible makes frequent reference to false teachings, and it is often within the context of refuting heresy that its positive doctrinal material is cast.

There are also warnings about those who proclaim another Jesus or a different gospel, or who introduce a spirit other than God's Spirit (1 Cor. 15:3-5; 2 Cor. 11:4;

The denial of Jesus Christ's coming in the flesh is regarded as from the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:1-6). There are warnings about people who cause dissensions by teaching doctrine directly opposed to what Christians already know to be true (Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10-11). There are warnings about those who claim to love God but do not love God's people (1 John 4:20; 5:1), and who deliberately break away from the teachings of the church on the basis of perverted doctrine (1 John 2:19). Finally, there are warnings against adding to or taking away from the words of prophetic Scripture (Rev. 22:18-19) or twisting the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16).

Looking over these warnings from Scripture, we may classify heresies into six major categories:
1. Heresies about revelation — teachings that distort, deny or add to Scripture in a way that leads people away from truth
2. Heresies about God — teachings that promote false gods or  distortions of the true God.
3. Heresies about Christ — denials of His Divinity, His genuine humanity, His true identity as God.
4. Heresies about salvation — teaching salvation by works; denying the gospel of Christ's death and resurrection; and so forth.
5. Heresies about the church — deliberate attempts to lead people away from the fellowship of true Christians; utter rejection of the church.
6. Heresies about the future — false predictions for which divine authority is claimed;

Although heresies tend to fall directly into one or more of these six major categories, heresies can, in fact, occur on virtually any doctrinal subject. Nor should it be thought that the New Testament gives us a complete catalogue of all possible heresies. In our day there are literally thousands of clever distortions of Christian theology that deserve the label heresy, and they can be seen as such apart from being explicitly anticipated and identified as heretical in the Bible. The Bible teaches us what is absolutely essential, articulates principles as to what is basic to sound Christian faith and what is nonessential, gives us a wide variety of examples of heresies, and expects us to exercise discernment in evaluating new and controversial teachings when they surface.

Furthermore, it must be realized that as the church progresses through history and deepens its understanding of Scripture, heresies, in general, are becoming more subtle, more deceiving, more easily mistaken for authentic Christianity.

For example, modern-day heretics who reject the Old Testament are rarely as frank about it as the second-century heretic Marcion, who simply denied that the Old Testament was in any sense Scripture (he also discarded much of the New Testament). Instead, they adopt a method of interpretation, which, while formally admitting that the Bible is God's Word, in effect makes the Old Testament irrelevant to the Christian, which is contrary to the clear teaching of the New Testament (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16).  This is the same heresy that gives to us the idea of a “continuing revelation” while ignoring the written WORD.

In short, heresy is any doctrine which the Bible explicitly labels as destructive, damning error; or a doctrine which the Bible instructs is not to be tolerated in the church; or any doctrine which, even if not mentioned in the Bible, utterly contradicts those truths which the Bible indicates are essential for sound Christian faith.

The leadership in many churches today is creating turmoil of division and dissension, by judging those who have strong Biblical beliefs as dissidents who are unloving, unkind, judgmental and unstable and preying upon the weaker Christian.  Church leaders are developing an environment ripe with condemnation of Biblical beliefs.  How long can we halt between two opinions?

Here is an observations of the present- day “Christian”-- they lack moral courage. Moral courage involves the willingness to speak out and do that which is right in the face of forces that would lead a person to act in some other way.  For one to have moral courage, they must first have the courage to stand for the core values of the Christian doctrine.  Most Christians have an aversion to speaking about their faith, much less standing up for what they believe.  Moral courage is essentially an act it is a reflection of one’s character.

Moral courage comes from moral wisdom.  The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD.  The fear of the LORD is foundational to true wisdom.  All other types of learning are worthless unless built upon a knowledge of the LORD Himself. 

Solomon understood the importance of building the right foundation when he wrote Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  A wise person fears/reverences/obeys the LORD; a fool despises God’s instruction and cannot be told what to do.  The wise person has a foundation on which to build the moral wisdom to have the moral courage to do what is right.

The connection between the fear of God and wisdom means we cannot possess wisdom if we recreate God in our own image. Too many people want to “tame” God into a non-threatening nobody. But, if we redefine the LORD as a god that makes us feel comfortable, a permissive “buddy” who exists simply to bless us and give us what we want, we will not fear Him in the way He deserves to be feared. The Lord God Almighty is far greater than that, and the fear of the Lord begins when we see Him in His majesty and glory.

One of the major deterrent to moral courage is that of spiritual incompetence.  Spiritual competence requires a knowledge of the written WORD in order to respond to a moral problem unrestrained by emotional passions.  How often have you heard, “I know what they did is wrong, but they seem like such a nice person.” Spiritual competence, which comes by being Spirit led gives the believer insight into the situation at hand and the spiritual wisdom how to react to the situation.  When confronted with a situation that may require hard decisions and deterrent to moral courage is that of risk aversion.  Moral courage requires the willingness to take a risk that leaves one exposed to ridicule and mockery.  Standing for our Christian beliefs requires moral integrity.  This is the courage to speak out against what is wrong and sinful when others might see us as inappropriately crossing the line and oppose us for taking a stand.

Christians should understand that we should not be fearful of confrontation.  It is important to remember any confrontational situation can only be won when one has the moral courage to face what is wrong.  Our Nation is in moral decline because as Christians we have lacked the moral courage to speak against the evil of the day.

The amount of moral courage we have is directly related to our certainty.  When we lack certainty in what we believe is shows in our communication skills.  Often you will hear Christians talk about how they feel uncomfortable about being assertive.  Assertive behavior is an honest, direct, and appropriate expression of one’s thoughts, feelings, or opinions.  The reason to be assertive is to bring about a behavioral change in the other person.  As Christians, we allow others to be assertive in their actions because we are fearful of offending. This fear or anxiety has resulted in many Christians remaining silent in their testimony for Truth.  Moral courage is a means to triumph over fear by the certainty of our actions.

Today we need moral courage to overcome our fear and stand up for the core doctrinal beliefs of the Christian faith.  Overcoming our aversion to taking a risk and developing an assertive attitude will help us enhance our moral courage.  This can only be done by Christians taking the time to gain the knowledge of God’s Word and learning that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. 

 I would offer to you the challenge to return to the old landmarks of the past, which empowered the Church for service, gave victory in the life of the believer, and turned the world upside down.

Changing the Heart and Brain- A Spiritual Process

The purpose of this chapter is not to reduce the Gospel plan of salvation to a scientific explanation, but rather to show there is an actual physical change in the individual.  The steps of salvation are in a sequence that are important to bring about a change in the individual.  The plan of salvation starts in the mind.  Conviction is a process that starts one thinking about their wrong actions.  An individual must first realize they are a sinner.  Repenting is a change of the mind.  How we think is how we act.  To change those actions, we must repent.  Changing the mind will change our belief system, bringing about a new person. 

When Paul said we would become a new creation in Christ, he was correct.  Salvation brings about a physical change as much as a spiritual change.  Looking at the scientific research that has taken place and the discoveries of how the heart and brain works are proof of Paul’s statement.

Neuroscientists have discovered the strategy for rewiring the brain.  Contrary to popular approaches, this strategy involves more than just positive thinking or working hard.

In fact, there are pathways that must be activated in order to create new neural networks in the brain.  There are a few principles from the science of the brain that successfully activates these pathways.

First, the act of thinking sets in motion a chemical reaction in the brain similar to plugging in a string of lights.  As you think about something no matter what, you turn on the string of lights related to that topic.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Proverbs 23:7

Second, the more you think, feel and act the same way, the faster the lights turn on and the brighter they glow.  The longer the same action takes place, the faster the response.  We have trillions of brain cells, resulting in millions of strings of lights correlating with our habits in all areas of life.  The best explanation of this process is “neurons that fire together wire together.”  That is why the more you lie, the easier it is to lie the next time.  It soon is to the point you will have a hard time unraveling your own lies from the truth.  One pathway alone is not enough to rewire your brain.

Prior to taking action or deciding on something, you do so using your conscious mind.  Yet our lives are filled with different actions at every moment; those actions are not always a result of your conscious decisions.  Your subconscious mind plays a major role.  Actions controlled by your subconscious mind are beyond your control.  Your brain has been wired to act based on your prior thinking, feeling, and actions.

When you were first learning to drive a car, you were taught a sequence of events.  Your focus when first learning was on adjusting the mirror, fastening the seatbelt, adjusting the seat, putting the key in the ignition, starting the car, checking what is around the car, putting the car in gear and driving.  As you become a skilled drive, your subconscious mind registers your action, and you drive without making a conscious effort. You automatically avoid obstacles, change lanes, pass cars all while listening to music and talking with your passengers.  As your proficiency increases your driving process becomes natural, and your decisions are automatic.

As you gather the knowledge, you are wiring your brain to automatically act a certain way.  If your experiences are repeated, your beliefs and actions are wiring your brain to act to reinforce those beliefs and actions until they become automatic responses.

Your behavior is driven by the subconscious mind or how your brain has been wired.  When the subconscious mind takes control, your conscious mind is unaware you responded to the subconscious stimuli.

The way you have wired your brain will determine how you behave.  There are triggers that turn on our “string of lights”-- our thinking, feeling, and actions will determine how quickly we react to situations.  You go through many experiences and incidents in life, but few incidents touch your subconscious as your belief system. When you experience incidents that involve your belief system, you are overpowered, and your response is without your control.  

Paul in writing to the Church of Rome in the 7th chapter explained what happens when our brains are wired for sin.  Paul starts out by saying sin is the ruler and he is the slave.  In his conscience mind, he wanted to do good, but the subconscious mind controlled his behavior.  He said I want to do good, but I am not the one doing the evil.  Paul was not making a conscious decision he was acting on his subconscious mind that was wired for sin.  In his conscious thoughts he wanted to do good but his subconscious mind he was a prisoner of his past thinking, feeling, and actions that were programmed by sinful actions.  He goes on to say; I see another law working in my body. That law makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and that law makes me its prisoner. What a miserable person I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death?  I thank God for his salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So of my (conscious) mind, I am a slave to God’s law, but in my (subconscious mind) sinful self I am a slave to the law of sin.

We all have our idiosyncrasies. Whenever an experience, positive or negative has touched us, it has a major input on how we are wiring our brains. Since the thinking, feeling, and action will vary from person to person, different people respond to the same stimuli in a different manner.  There are some sins that do not have any influence on some people while others are in chains of bondage that seem unbreakable.

How does this knowledge help to understand the act of salvation?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor.5:17

Change begins with you making a choice to change, and that starts with being humble enough to realize that the events of your life are the direct product of your belief system and decisions.

The first step is repentance.  Repentance is properly understood to mean a change of mind--a change of the intention from wanting to sin to not wanting to sin--that results in a change in action. It involves the decision to make a change of behavior and/or attitude about something. 

It is important to realize that the brain must be re-wired in order to change your behavior.  Repentance is the changing of the mind.  Our brain must be rewired to see a change in our behavior.  The mind must become a new creation, old thinking, feeling, and actions must pass away.

The next step in salvation is belief.  Our belief system must change.  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

When you change what you think, say or do in response to an event or situation, you change inner emotional states. As emotions are molecules that transmit the “what” to fire and wire” messages, whenever your felt experience of event changes, accordingly, this physically restructures the gray matter of your brain.

There are many who will testify to the fact their life was bound by addiction that controlled their life but when they came to Christ and accept His salvation old habits were gone. 

Research has found even deeply entrenched behavior problems, such as addictions, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been shown to respond to treatment that follows proven methods of rewiring the brain by altering current thought-response patterns.  However, there is more to salvation than just “rewiring the brain.”

One question that goes unanswered is how was the brain wired for sin?  You do not teach a child to lie, steal, or hurt someone; they instinctively know how to do these things.  Why?

Traditionally, the study of communication pathways between the head and heart has been approached from a rather one-sided perspective, with scientists focusing primarily on the heart’s responses to the brain’s commands. However, that communication between the heart and brain actually is a dynamic, ongoing, two-way dialogue, with each organ continuously influencing the other’s function. Research has shown that the heart communicates to the brain in four major ways: neurologically (through the transmission of nerve impulses), biochemically (via hormones and neurotransmitters), biophysically (through pressure waves) and energetically (through electromagnetic field interactions). Communication along all these conduits significantly affects the brain’s activity. Moreover, our research shows that messages the heart sends to the brain also can affect performance.

There is much that is written about the heart of man.  In scriptures we are taught:

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Mark 7:21 - For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Romans 3:10-18 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 1:21 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Psalms 51:5 - Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

It is not the brain that conceived the knowledge and actions of sin, but rather the heart.  Many believe that the heart is spoken of in the scripture as symbolic of the emotions of man.

Ezekiel 36:26 - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

Psalms 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? 

Jeremiah 17:10 - I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

Matthew 5:8 - Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Ezekiel 11:19 - And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you, and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh:

Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Psalms 34:18 - The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  

 Here is what researchers have found about the heart.  This only verifies what the scriptures have said all along.

“A small group of cardiologists joined forces with a group of neurophysiologists and neuroanatomists to explore areas of mutual interest. This represented the beginning of the new discipline now called neuro-cardiology. One of their early findings is that the heart has a complex neural network that is sufficiently extensive to be characterized as a brain on the heart.  The heart-brain, as it is commonly called, or intrinsic cardiac nervous system, is an intricate network of complex ganglia, neurotransmitters, proteins and support cells, the same as those of the brain in the head. The heart brain's neural circuitry enables it to act independently of the cranial brain to learn, remember, make decisions and even feel and sense. Descending activity from the brain in the head via the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS is integrated into the heart’s intrinsic nervous system along with signals arising from sensory neurons in the heart that detect pressure, heart rate, heart rhythm, and hormones.

The anatomy and functions of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system and its connections with the brain have been explored extensively by neuro-cardiologists. In terms of heart-brain communication, it is generally well-known that the efferent (descending) pathways in the autonomic nervous system are involved in the regulation of the heart. However, it is less appreciated that the majority of fibers in the vagus nerves are afferent (ascending) in nature. Furthermore, more of these ascending neural pathways are related to the heart (and cardiovascular system) than to any other organ. This means the heart sends more information to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. More recent research shows that the neural interactions between the heart and brain are more complex than previously thought. In addition, the intrinsic cardiac nervous system has both short-term and long-term memory functions and can operate independently of central neuronal command.”

The heart is the first organ to form during development of the body. When an embryo is made up of only a very few cells, each cell can get the nutrients it needs directly from its surroundings. But as the cells divide and multiply to form a growing ball, it soon becomes impossible for nutrients to reach all the cells efficiently without help. The cells also produce waste that they need to get rid of. So the blood and circulatory system, powered by the heart, together form the first organ system to develop. They are essential to carry nutrients and waste around the embryo to keep its cells alive.

The neural output or messages from the intrinsic cardiac nervous system travel to the brain via ascending pathways in the both the spinal column and vagus nerves, where it travels to the medulla, hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala and then to the cerebral cortex.

Had the existence of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system and the complexity of the neural communication between the heart and brain been known sooner there would have been a clearer understanding of the heart-brain connection.  Understanding the heart/brain connection is vital in understanding the plan of salvation.  When the scriptures speak of the heart/mind it is not symbolic but the reality of how man is created.  Even researchers agree that the connection between the heart and brain tell us what makes each of us a whole person.

Having a pure heart and a mind fixed on Christ can restore a sinful person back to their rightful relationship with God. You always have the option, once you realize this, to choose the thoughts, emotions, actions you want to express in your life.  All automatic thoughts, emotion- or action-patterns that cause guilty in your life are based on misguided understandings, mostly subconscious, between your heart and mind.  This is from the old hard wiring of the brain.

It is important to see a transformation of the mind.  Paul understood the importance of changing the mind, “. .be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”Rom. 12:2

Repentance is changing the mind, certain thoughts or behavior patterns must change so you can clearly see what is true and what is not true. That is why the prophet said, You will keep in perfect peace the mind [that is] dependent [on You], for it is trusting in You. Is.26:3

To consciously shift your focus on something opposite from what your brain has been automatically trained to do to ensure your survival will require you to come at this with determined force, to understand and accept that this will be quite a challenge, incredibly so.  We grow in our Christian experience.  Daily we take up the cross and follow Christ. The process of repentance is the process of changing how our brain is wired.  We change our behavior by changing our thinking, feeling, and actions.  We have been admonished to have the mind of Christ.

To see a change in the way we think and act is to have a clear vision of what we should prioritize and value. To the extent you have a clear vision of your life and what you most value, your heart and mind subconscious galvanizes, and sharply focuses, your emotional energy to create thoughts, ideas, and actions that align with your highest yearning changing how your heart and brain changes your long-term behavior.

It’s not an option. It’s how your brain is designed to work. You need a clear vision of what you really want, who you want to be, what you’re willing to do and not do, clear enough so you can see it, preferably involving most or all of your senses, that is, you picture it, taste it, smell it, hear it, and feel it as if it were already a present reality—in other words, Faith.

When your vision is a passion, the part of your mind that is in control of forming and breaking habits, the subconscious, is more quickly persuaded to let go of and replace the patterns that have been causing problems. To influence change, you must gain the cooperation of your subconscious mind. You need the vision to energize your mind and body and focus the direction of change. You can achieve what you want, more easily and effortlessly, when your conscious and subconscious mind works together toward common goals.

This no doubt the reason many who start to follow Christ give up and fail to see a change in their thinking, feeling, and actions.  Their behavior has not changed.  They have not worked out their own salvation with fear and trembling.  They have not counted the cost of following Christ.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.2Cor.7:10

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9

The toughest work is repentance because it’s the actual changing of behavior. You have to perform another behavior instead of the old one. Once you recognize that you are a sinner, and why the cycle of sin is re-occurring, you now have to replace the old behavior by giving your brain new things to do. This is where the change in brain chemistry occurs, where you are creating new neural patterns, with your new mindset. By refusing to be misled by the old carnal nature.  Action seals the deal. When you consistently take action, going opposite the emotional response you used to respond with to a triggering situation; you are consciously self-directing changes in your brain. These changes will make it increasingly easier for you to train yourself to respond, for example, with relative calm and confidence to a situation that is normally triggering for you. The more you exercise a Christ-like behavior, the more likely your subconscious mind will integrate it as a learned pattern that becomes more and more automatic.   

Eventually, old thought patterns and intense emotional responses fade in intensity, and your brain is not high jacked by the old nature. You’ve developed the capacity to accordingly maintain an optimal emotional state of mind and body. Extensive studies say that, when you determinately decide to change your mind, you cause physical changes to your brain.

 It has been scientifically shown that the brain is structurally altered by changes in your behavior patterns. You can put off the old ways of thinking patterns and old limiting beliefs by the transforming power of Christ.  Salvation offered by Christ is truly a change in our thinking, feeling, and actions.

The Great Awakening or the Great Falling Away?

I was just reading a post concerning the Great Awakening that is coming. It is a hope that I am in agreement with, we need a revival in our churches today but I am doubtful that it will occur.  There are many who teach that in the last days there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  This is based on Joel’s prophecy of the last days.

“It shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” (Joel 2:28-32)

 Is this a prophecy that has already been fulfilled?  Jesus told his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they would receive power from the Holy Spirit. They sought the promise and tarried until the Holy Spirit came upon them in the upper room.  Peter explained this visitation of the Spirit as being that which was prophesied by Joel (Acts 2:16).  14Peter…said to them, “Men of Judea…let this be known to you…15these are not drunk, as you suppose…16but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.” (Acts 2:14-16)

Peter said that the outpouring of the Spirit would happen in the last days (Acts 2:17). The last days began with Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension and will culminate with Jesus’ return. The New Testament writers used the phrase “in the last days” five times and in two different ways.

                1. In Acts 2:17 and Hebrews 1:2, “the last days” is used to refer to the early church.

                2. In 2 Timothy 3:1 and 2 Peter 3:3, it refers to the generation in which the Lord returns.

James 5:3 could be used in either way.  14Peter…said to them, “Men of Judea…15these are not drunk, as you suppose…16But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17‘It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit…’” (Acts 2:14-17)

 (2 Thessalonians 2:3-42 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Some man is going to style himself as greater than God, pretending to be God—and people will believe him. Why? Because:“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-112 Thessalonians 2:9-11).

The “man of sin” posing as God will be performing supernatural acts with the help of the devil, deceiving all those who have rejected God and putting himself in a position to be worshipped by the world.

Revelation 19:20 Revelation 19:20describes this powerful religious leader as “the false prophet who worked signs” in connection with the political leader called the “beast.” The False Prophet is the same as the one called “another beast” in Revelation 13:11Revelation 13:11, who performs miraculous “signs” (verses 14-15). He is also the leader of the false church (“the harlot”) in Revelation 17:1-5Revelation 17:1-5. He is also referred to as “another horn” who will “persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law” in Daniel 7:8Daniel 7:8, 20-22, 24-25.

In looking at the New Testament writers, we find a warning about those who will depart from the faith in the last days.

1 Timothy 4- Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

There are many today who call themselves Christian but have never had the transforming power of salvation.  They are professors of salvation without being a possessor.  They hold to the name without being born again.

2 Timothy 3- This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This is an excellent description of many within the church today.  The doctrine that excuses sin in the lives of Christians has destroyed the power of salvation to live holy and godly lives.

Jude gives this warning of the end times in chapter 3.  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter gives us this warning of the end times in chapter 3.  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Will there be a great worldwide revival as so many teach today?   If not, will there be a falling away of believers as we near the return of Christ?  I also know some people that say that both will happen.  So which is it?

First, I want to say I do not believe in a great worldwide revival as many teach it today.  Does that mean I’m against revival?  Of course not.  I just don’t see it in scripture the way it is taught.  I’m concerned that we have had a blending of teachings about the End Times that is not based on the Scriptures. The Great Awakening sounds good, but the problem is that the Bible paints a very different picture.

Those who teach that there will be a great worldwide revival in the last days have a very different Eschatological  view than I do.  Many of them are Preterist.  Preterits is a Christian eschatological view that interprets some (partial preterism) or all (full preterism) prophecies of the Bible as events which have already happened. This school of thought interprets the Book of Daniel as referring to events that happened in the 2nd century BC while seeing the prophecies of Revelation as events that happened in the first century AD. Preterism holds that Ancient Israel finds its continuation or fulfillment in the Christian church at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

The term preterism comes from the Latin praeter, which Webster's 1913 dictionary lists as a prefix denoting that something is "past" or "beyond." Adherents of preterism are commonly known as preterists. Preterism teaches that either all (full preterism) or a majority (partial preterism) of the Olivet discourse had come to pass by AD 70.

Historically, preterists and non-preterists have generally agreed that the Jesuit Luis de Alcasar (1554–1613) wrote the first systematic preterist exposition of prophecy - Vestigatio arcani sensus in Apocalypsi (published in 1614)—during the Counter-Reformation.

Many of them are also Postmillennial in their teachings as well.  Postmillennialism holds that Jesus Christ establishes his kingdom on earth through his preaching and redemptive work in the first century and that he equips his church with the gospel, empowers her by the Spirit, and charges her with the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ's return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of men and of nations. After an extensive era of such conditions Jesus Christ will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously, to end history with the general resurrection and the final judgment after which the eternal order follows

Postmillennialism was a dominant theological belief among American Protestants who promoted reform movements in the 19th and 20th century.

I try to be a realist when I look at the condition of the world and Church. I do not believe that we should sit by and wait for the “Rapture” to take us out of our problems.  It will do us no good to become a "gun and grocery Christian."  We are not to hide the light of the Gospel nor are we to throw up our hands and give up hope.  While worldwide revival sounds nice, it does not fit the warnings given by the New Testament writers.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the Day of the Lord and our being gathered to Him/rapture) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.”  This verse says that there will be a time where many will fall away from the faith before Christ returns.

Matthew 24:10-12 “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.  Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.  Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”  Jesus made it very clear that the opposite of revival will be the norm.

Revelation 13:3 “I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed.  And the WHOLE earth was amazed and followed after the beast.”

Luke 18:8 “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power”

2 Peter 3:3-4  “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”

1 Timothy 4:1 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in latter times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons..”

Revelation 13:7  “It was also given to him (Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over EVERY tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.”

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 3, we are given a warning concerning the day in which we live.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.   Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

This does not sound like there will be a worldwide revival.  It is a call to repentance, and there will be those who will answer the call.  There are many who are accepting the message of the Gospel around the world. There are those who are experiencing the transforming power of salvation.  There are those who are turning from their false religions to find the peace in their soul that only Jesus Christ can give.  Yet, within the Church today there are those who continue to practice sin, deny the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ to destroy the works of the devil in their lives, and live ungodly lives without thought to the consequences.

My advice is to make sure that your personal salvation has been secured in Jesus Christ.  That you know in whom you have believed and are persuaded that Jesus Christ is able to keep you in the midst of trials and tribulations of this life.  Know what you believe.  Know the historical background of what you are being taught.  Just because it is popular and many are following after the teaching does not make it right.  The mission of the Church has not changed we are to make disciples and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have been commissioned to carry out message of salvation regardless of a worldwide revival or a falling away from the faith.  It is our duty to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.