Every Tuesday in May @ 8:00pm CST 

Description: In this four-week long webinar teaching series, Jerry Robinson explains the ancient practice of the blood covenant and how it relates to Bible believers today. In this online teaching series you will learn:

• What the practice of blood covenant meant in ancient times

• Why the ancient practice of blood covenant is important to understanding the New Covenant

• How the Old Covenant foreshadows the New (and better) Covenant

• How you can experience true spiritual freedom and rest in God’s eternal love

And much more… 

Historically, times of great crisis have galvanized the Christian community. I believe that the Body of Christ in America should be preparing for difficult financial times ahead. Having a network of godly friends and loved ones will become one of the most valuable assets that you, as a Christian, could ever hope to possess in a time of crisis.

How can you get started?

• Update your rolodex and reconnect with long-lost friends. 
• Invite your neighbors over for dinner. 
• Join a small group in your church with the purpose of seeking intimate friendships.

Our ministry is in the process of unveiling a home fellowship network called the Acts 20:20 Network. Through this network of home fellowships, we are seeking to reach out and provide physical aid and spiritual growth to people in neighborhoods all over the country. Our vision is to have “a church in every neighborhood.” As these home church fellowships grow and mature, we expect to see those attending to form new friendships and have deep spiritual intimacy with one another. I believe that this network, and others like it across the country, will greatly serve those in the Christian community in times of need and crisis. As the economy gets worse, churches, small communities, and neighborhoods will be required to work together. Why not get started now?

>> Learn more about the Acts 20:20 Network

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

One of the greatest hallmarks of true Christianity is generosity. The Bible tells us true happiness is found when we give. And when we give, we are simply imitating God who is the biggest giver of them all. As the Scripture says, “For God so the loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . .” (John 3:16).

It can be tempting to slow your giving to the work of the Gospel when you are dealing with a time of lack. But this is a dangerous practice to get into because the Bible tells us that God watches how we use the money that He places into our lives as a way to examine our hearts.

The money that has entered your life is a test, pure and simple. We know that God owns everything. Everything is His, including the money sitting in your bank account. He is not a tyrant that demands all of your money. Instead, He is a loving Father who knows what’s best for His children. And He knows that the greatest joy in the world is found in giving of ourselves and our resources for His divine purposes.

The first thing we must do is change our thinking on giving. Our beliefs on Christian giving have been beaten into us many times by well-meaning preachers who need funds to pay a utility bill and who view you, not God, as their source. As such, they ask you to reach deep down into your pocket to receive God’s “extra special” blessings. This is absurd and must end. God is not concerned with how much you give. Instead, what He cares about is what your gift costs you. Again, God is not impressed with the size of your gift. Instead, what He cares about is what your gift costs you. The reason God cares about what your gift costs you, and not about the size of the gift, is because giving is worship. And for giving to become worship, it must cost you something. But obviously, if worship must be commanded, then it is not truly worship. You can give but not worship. (Consider the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.) But it is impossible to worship and not give.

Think about it this way:

   •  When you give because you have to . . . it is law.

   •  When you give because you feel like you need to . . . it is an obligation.

   •  But when you give simply because you want to out of the depths of your heart . . . it is love.

If you are currently giving to a church or to a ministry, examine why you are giving to that particular ministry. Are you giving simply because you feel like you have to? Or because you need to? Or are you giving because you simply want to bless the Lord with your gift?

If you are not currently giving any money to further the cause of Christ, you should search your heart to find out why you are not giving. Eliminate every obstacle to giving.

It has been said that Christians show who they are by what they do with what they have. That is true because “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).

One thing that our supporters always hear me say is that “man cannot rule man.” I say this because man was never designed to rule himself. Instead, he was designed to be led by our Heavenly Father. 

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, it is my earnest belief that hope is never completely lost, because God’s sovereign plan of the ages will forever prevail — no matter how desperate things may appear on the surface. But if my brief time on this earth, and my understanding of history, have taught me anything, it is that only a fool would place his wholehearted hope and trust in man’s ability to rule himself. In fact, if history is a guide to anything, it is a guide to the consistent knucklehead acts of mankind throughout the ages.

Our deceptive generation has convinced us that man can rule himself. Sadly, millions of Christians today blindly believe this lie. But the Bible makes it abundantly clear that mankind was created and designed to be led by God Himself. Man was created to be a follower of God, not a leader of man. However, in response to man’s fall in the Garden of Eden, man opted for self-rule. This act of defiance has led to nearly 6,000 years of failed human government, beginning with the Tower of Babel. Since then, mankind’s attempts at self-rule have only intensified. And the consequences have been tragic.

I believe that mankind’s current predicament stems from the fact that man was not designed, nor was he ever meant, to rule himself.

According to an orthodox view of the Christian faith, human suffering is rooted in man’s rejection of the omnipotent rule of his Creator. When given a choice, man opted for self-rule. This ancient act of rebellion, in the Garden of Eden, explains humanity’s pain and suffering over the last 6,000 years. And if we choose to believe the Bible when it explains that mankind’s rebellion will become worse with time, it would also explain why the 20th century has been noted as the “bloodiest century” on record. 2 (Ironically, the 20th century has also been labeled the “American Century.”)

Today, we live in the chaotic and confusing environment of man’s rule gone bad. Politicians promise peace and deliver war; they promise certainty but deliver chaos. And yet what is so amazing is that Christians today still believe the lie that men are quite capable of ruling themselves. It should come as no surprise that God disagrees with this line of reasoning because at His return He will come and smite the nations with His wrath. Then He will set up His own Kingdom on the earth in which He will reign for 1,000 years.

I often wonder when the Body of Christ will awaken to the fact that this world and this life offer no real lasting hope. As Christians, our only hope is found in Christ and in His soon coming Kingdom. Like the patriarch Abraham, we too are looking and longing for that city “whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). This world is not our home and could never even come close. In fact, in the Book of 2 Peter, the Bible tells us that Christ’s final act of judgment upon this failed world system will be full annihilation. It says that “the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10).

With this in mind, ask yourself this question: According to the Bible, which one of this world’s governments will be shielded from the wrath of God’s anger on that great “Day of the Lord”?

The answer is none.

This world is doomed because people have dared to defy the supreme rulership of the living God of heaven. Man’s failed quest for self-rule will end in absolute annihilation. That is why the man-made earthly hopes and values promoted by this world are vain and empty.

The world’s political systems, its bureaucracies, organizations, religions, pleasures, and philosophies are all going to be destroyed at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Apostle Peter continues by asking: “Since all these things [earth and all of its works] will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Pet. 3:11).

I believe that this question is highly relevant to our current generation. Peter’s question is one that every church in America should be asking from its pulpits. Sadly, many churches in America encourage friendship with the world. But the Bible says that those who are friends of this world are the enemies of God.

In many ways, America represents the culmination of all that man has ever aspired to: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And yet despite the amazing personal freedoms, rights, and liberties that the “American experiment” graced upon the Western hemisphere, man’s inability to lead himself has continually bubbled to the surface. Unable to personally rid himself of his true sin nature, man has attempted in vain to cloak his inherent deficiencies at self-rule. As a result, America is following the same path as every economic empire before it. And lest we confuse — or even deceive — ourselves, American Christians must quickly grasp this point: America is not the light of the world. The sun shone before America was here, and it will continue to shine long after our nation’s self-inflicted demise. So let us not proceed in shock or surprise at the complex political and economic webs that have been woven in America. Despite what the Western-centric thinker may suggest, the ancient writings of the Bible are clear. They confirm that the biblical prophecies concerning the “last days” are Israel-centric and Middle Eastern-centric. They are anything but America-centric. In other words, I believe that the Bible clearly suggests that the global political and economic spotlight will be firmly transferred to this volatile region in the coming years.

Put simply, America’s fall is historically identifiable, though unfortunate. And it is all but certain.

So how should we, as the friends and followers of Christ, respond?

Our response should be twofold: (1) awareness and (2) conformity. The first step in any direction begins with awareness. Becoming and remaining aware of man’s need for God’s leadership will help you properly evaluate man’s aspirations and hopes of self-rule. If anyone in this world should know that man cannot rule himself, it should be the followers of Christ. The Bible is so clear on this point. The only way that we can lose awareness on this issue is to ignore the Bible’s clear teachings.

The second step is to seek to be conformed to the likeness of Christ (see Rom. 12:1–2). There is great reward found in immersing yourself in the Father’s business. As Christians, we are to be in this world, but not of it (see John 17:14–15). This means that we must operate here but simply as pilgrims and sojourners.

Those who are deceived by man’s great swelling words and false promises of utopia should know better by now. We know that his end is destruction without Christ. We know that Christ’s kingdom will be far better than anything here. So why settle for a poor substitute? Why not live in great expectation of Christ’s kingdom?

By admitting that man is incapable of truly ruling himself, your eyes will be opened to the deceptive nature of our day. You will no longer be shocked at man’s failures at self-government. Instead, you will expect them and make preparations for them. In these wicked times, deception permeates our world so greatly that it is impossible to quantify. Obviously, these days call for great discernment. Without discernment, you will be susceptible to this world’s deception, and you too will follow the world’s herd mentality. And without discernment, your judgment on economic and political topics will be impaired, thus placing your future financial health in danger.

An Afghan woman gestures to the body of a child, who was allegedly killed by a U.S. service member in Panjwai, Kandahar province south of Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, March. 11, 2012.

News Report: Reports have emerged this morning of a U.S. soldier murdering at least 16 innocent Afghani civilians near his base in southern Afghanistan. The murders reportedly occurred around 3:00am local time as the Afghani villagers slept in their homes. At least nine children and three women were among the dead.

One Afghan father who said his children were killed in the shooting spree accused soldiers of later burning the bodies.

Initial reports were that the terrorist attack on innocent Afghani civilians was led by a sole U.S. soldier. However, according to new details from Reuters news agency, witnesses claim that the murders were not the work of a sole U.S. soldier, but a group of U.S. soldiers. According to the witnesses, several U.S. soldiers arrived at their village in Kandahar’s Panjwayi district at around 2 am and began randomly moving from home to home opening fire.

Haji Samad said 11 of his relatives were killed in one house, including his children. Pictures showed blood-splattered walls where the children were killed.

“They (Americans) poured chemicals over their dead bodies and burned them,” a weeping Samad told Reuters at the scene.

“I saw that all 11 of my relatives were killed, including my children and grandchildren,” said Samad, who had left the home a day earlier.

Neighbors said they awoke to crackling gunfire from American soldiers, whom they described as laughing and drunk.

“They were all drunk and shooting all over the place,” said neighbor Agha Lala, who visited one of the homes where the incident took place. “Their bodies were riddled with bullets.”

The attacks come just weeks after U.S. soldiers burned copies of the Qur’an, the most holy book in Islam.

And in January, before the Qur’an burning incident, a video that showed U.S. Marines urinated on corpses of men they had killed sparked widespread outrage.

Source: Reuters

What Jerry Thinks: My headline says it all. To call this anything but a terrorist attack is to minimize the tragedy that has occurred here. It is time to bring the troops home and end the suffering and fear of the local civilians. It is hard to imagine the fear that the local civilians must feel as they sleep tonight.

What should be done? The soldier (or soldiers) responsible for these heinous acts of terrorism should be judged under Afghanistan law. The guilty parties should not be brought back to the United States. The United States has been nation building in Afghanistan for years. The current situation offers the U.S. a wonderful opportunity to test out the legal system of Afghanistan.

I fear however, that the innocent blood that was shed in Afghanistan by these random acts of U.S. terrorism will be explained away as the “stress of war” and the difficulty of the circumstances. It is likely that the Western corporate-controlled mainstream media will tell us that the soldier (or soldiers) were “deranged” “stressed”, or even “insane.”

However, if those are valid excuses for killing innocent women and children in cold blood and then pouring chemicals on their dead bodies and burning them, then all future “terrorist” acts committed by all people groups should be condoned for those same reasons.

by Jerry Robinson

Mark you calendars!

This Sunday, February 5, we will begin our long-awaited webinar teachings series on the religion of Islam.

The webinar series is entitled: Unveiling Islam: Understand What Islam Really Teaches

This series will take place over the next several weeks and will begin each Sunday evening at 6pm. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes.

I received many questions from readers who said that they would not be able to attend the live online teaching sessions due to a variety of reasons. They asked if the Islam webinars would be archived for later viewing. 

The answer is yes. The entire webinar series will be archived for later viewing for a small fee. However, all of our 300 Club partners will receive complete access to the teaching series for free. (To find out how to become a 300 Club partner, click here.)

I am very excited about this new webinar on understanding the Muslim religion. Islam is a very complex belief system. This teaching series will provide you with a very basic introduction to the religion and will help you gain insight into the Islamic mindset.

Learn How to Effectively Share your Christian Faith To Muslims

As you may know, I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And while I came to Christ when I was 17 years old, the impression that Jehovah’s Witnesses had on me was deep. It literally took years for me to be “de-programmed.” My background and experience gives a real appreciation for those who have been raised outside of the Christian faith. It seems that many Christians that I have met over the years are impatient with those outside their own faith. Instead, however, we should strive to be highly patient with those outside of the Christian faith. So one of my goals with this webinar on Islam will be to help cultivate that attitude towards those of the Islamic faith.

There will be a lot of new ideas and concepts discussed in this series. If my in-depth research serves as any indication, this will be a highly intriguing teaching series. I can’t wait to see you there!

I encourage you to invite your friends and your family members to this free webinar series. 

Here’s the link to send to those you wish to invite. >> https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/537323154

See you Sunday!
Jerry Robinson 

by Jerry Robinson

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“There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit (debt) expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit (debt) expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved.” (Ludwig von Mises)

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2 NKJV)

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OVERVIEW: As the American economic empire enters its final stages of decline, the message that arise will one of sacrifice. This coming era of ‘sacrifice’ will do more than simply reveal the absurdity of America’s immoral financial excesses. It will expose the American church’s reliance upon man-made kingdoms. Instead of focusing their adherents upon the necessity of the coming Kingdom of God, the American church has often misplaced its hope in the earthly kingdoms. When the government is finally forced to demand sacrifice from the living, an American church, inebriated by a false prosperity, may finally awaken to the need for the coming Kingdom of God. Then, various versions of the message of sacrifice will ring loudly across the United States of America. Some will be genuine, but many will not be.

Awakening from the American Dream

What is strangely missing from the majority of today’s churches is solid teaching regarding the most pressing issues of our day. This list would include: the global food crisis, movement towards global political integration, and the threat of worldwide economic collapse. These, and other important issues, are bearing down on our nation. Ignoring these matters does little to reduce their size and their scope. In the midst of the chaos and confusion confronting our world, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is mysteriously quiet. I am convinced that this silence exists for a number of unfortunate reasons. I will not go into all of those reasons here with the exception of one, which I feel is the most important and relevant to our discussion: The idea of American exceptionalism.

According to the idea of ‘American exceptionalism,’ America is such a unique and special nation that it will not face the same fates as nations and empires that preceded it. Of course, every empire that has existed before America has fallen. However, those who subscribe to the idea of American exceptionalism believe, rather vehemently, that America is a special kind of earthly kingdom. Perhaps, they believe, since America is “special,” it can somehow defy the laws of economics and even of logic itself. In essence, because America is so special, it is somehow viewed as an exception to the rule of history.

It is expected that those who do not view themselves as pilgrims in this earth would perhaps fall for these ideas. But on what basis does the American Church subscribe to these beliefs?

Some in the church have attributed America’s exceptionalism to God’s divine protection due to America’s stance on Israel. They quote God’s words to Abraham in Genesis 12: “I will bless him who blesses you and curse him who curses you,” to defend America’s insulation from the trends of history. I will certainly not debate the merit of this logic from Genesis 12 because I do believe firmly that God has future plans for the nation and people of Israel. Therefore, I believe it is in our nation’s best interests to pray for the peace of Israel. However, to claim that America’s failing economy is due to our stance on Israel is absurd and plainly uninformed. America’s economy is in peril due to same poor monetary policies that have taken down every fiat empire before it. The logic behind this becomes even more suspect when we question it further.

Does America’s support for Israel negate God’s displeasure of America’s obsession with sacrificing 5,000 unborn children every day through abortion in the name of inconvenience?

Does America’s support of Israel mean that God will suspend his disgust with the abomination of our fiat currency system?

Does supporting Israel get our nation off the hook for its unfathomable obsession with, and its exportation of, the most obscene forms of pornography?

Will God turn His head while the American church ignores the poor and the needy simply because of our ‘support’ for Israel?

This thinking is obviously very dangerous. I have heard many Christian leaders and mega-church pastors succumb to this teaching by telling their followers that God will never allow America’s economy to fail as long as our nation supports Israel! Not only are these types of teachings at the pinnacle of arrogance, they are also extremely illogical.

‘God is not an American’

I still remember my first lecture in which I explained that God was not an American, and that God’s throne was not draped in an American flag. Many in the audience that day later informed me that they had never thought about it in that way before. Yet, this concept is important to grasp. America, like all empires before it, views everything through its own special ‘Americanized’ lenses. Simply put, Americans are America-centric. Unfortunately for Americans, the Bible is not. It is Israel-centric. It is Middle Eastern centric.

To many, the logic goes something like this:

Is America facing calamity? It must be a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy!

Did America have a major natural disaster? It must be that God is sending us a special message.

Never mind that many nations around the world are facing severe tribulation today. In Sudan, millions of Christian men, women, and children are facing great tribulation and are suffering in silence. However, this means virtually nothing to the America-centric. Now let’s reverse the roles. Imagine that white American Christians were being physically persecuted for their faith. The church would declare the ‘end of the world’ to be at hand. Yet, the tortures in Sudan simply are a small piece of the “prophetic puzzle” to many with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

In North Korea, Christians face death camps and horrific persecution for their faith in Christ. But unfortunately, this does not pass the America-centric test.

Christians attending China’s underground churches number into the millions. Each week, these Chinese brothers and sisters meet in secret due to the threat of intense persecution from China’s intolerant communistic regime. However, this is not enough to get the attention of the American-centric mindset.

To the American church, “real” persecution is defined in the following ways:

• Walking into a non-Christian retail store during the Christmas season and being greeted with the words “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

• Threats and/or the removal of a ten commandments display from a local courthouse.

• Outspoken protests regarding nativity displays during the Christmas holiday season.

• Threats of removing “In God We Trust” from the U.S. currency.

Amazingly, the American church seems to want those, whose minds have not been enlightened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to at least ‘act’ like Christians. Modern Christianity appears to be extremely concerned about keeping “the outside of the cup” clean.

But should Christians expect those who do not believe in Christ to promote Him?

By attempting to force non-Christians to act like Christians, the American church exposes its own ‘Achilles heel.’ Is not this “acting” what they expect from their own as well?

Missing the Point?

As the American economic empire completely collapses, many will inevitably point to its demise as proof that God is “judging” America for its immorality and other sins. Or perhaps for its lack of support of Israel.

The truth, however, is that the American economic empire will fall due to its faulty foundations.

Because of these flawed foundations, the prosperity that America has enjoyed has in fact been an illusion of paper wealth. Other paper currency empires have enjoyed similar (albeit) smaller periods of prosperity prior to their collapse.

This means that the prosperity that America has enjoyed up to this point has been an illusion of wealth.

The absurdity becomes even clearer as we take this logic further.

Does the Christian God ‘bless’ nations with illusions of prosperity? And will the Christian God threaten to remove this ‘blessing’ of fake prosperity – made possible through deficit spending and fiat currency – depending upon our treatment of Israel?

The fact that some in the American church have misjudged this brings us right to the heart of the matter.

I will submit to you that the American church has bought the ‘illusion of prosperity’ that has been packaged and sold to America, as fact. Do we really believe that God’s ‘blessing’ involves extending our nation’s economic delusion and our debt-based paper money system which has enslaved us – and which He calls an ‘abomination’ in His Word?

“You that trample on the needy, and bring ruin to the poor of the land, saying… We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances.” (Amos 8:4-5)

How the “Prosperity Gospel” Feeds the “Consumption Gospel”

It should also be noted that the American church’s fascination with ‘prosperity’ has helped create the financial excesses of America itself. In their haste to get rich, ‘in Jesus name,’ many deluded ministers inadvertently taught their flocks to value over-consumption. Some of these “prosperity ministers” teach that Christians should not settle for less and instead, they should expect the best. Bigger houses, bigger cars, more money, etc. In other words, personal spirituality is enhanced through a pursuit of visible blessings. This focus upon mass consumption by many churches has exacerbated the financial problems of millions of their loyal adherents.

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”(Matthew 21:12-13)

But as the U.S. economy begins its all-but-certain chaotic economic descent, how will those who promote the prosperity gospel respond? How will they explain to their congregations that they have promoted a fiat currency as “God’s blessing?” How can they say that the unjust weights and balances that fueled American ‘prosperity’ is ‘God’s best’ when He clearly calls it an ‘abomination’ in His Word? Will they pray for more of the abomination to fill their bank accounts with? How will they explain their lack of wisdom in such evil and perverse days?

While confronting such questions would be the responsible thing to do, it is also the most unlikely. Instead of examining their theology, it is more likely that they will search for new ways to pick the pockets of those who believe their rhetoric. The transformation will occur before our very eyes. Those who once promoted the failed prosperity message will turn to their new message of choice: the message of ‘sacrifice.’

Why the Message of ‘Sacrifice’ is Coming To The American Church

Today, much of the American Church has embraced the economic delusion that will ultimately lead to our nation’s downfall. Unfortunately, this blind trust that has been placed into the American illusion of prosperity has rendered the Church impotent in offering solid Biblical solutions to a clueless public regarding the economic crisis. Undoubtedly, the crisis that is unfolding offers the American Church a strong evangelistic opportunity to expose the modern version of the ‘Tower of Babel’ that America has built upon its economic prowess and political exploits. But while the ‘Tower of America’ stood strong and deceived many, much of the Church instructed its members with shallow teachings on finances that rarely pointed to the futility of man-made kingdoms.

When America needed to hear a strong message of ‘sacrifice’ from the American church, what they got instead was feel-good messages designed to stroke the ego and stoke the fire overconsumption. Besides, in our modern era of ‘positive thinking,’ messages on sacrifice could be taken as “intrusive,” “demeaning,” or just plain “mean.” Obviously, this is no way to grow a church. Teaching on “sacrifice” would be an obstruction to church growth.  So the American church continues its fixation ‘growing’ its numbers, building more buildings, and spread the worldly kingdom of Republicanism to the nation.

As the economy moves into a downward spiral over the coming years, it will catch most off guard. Not because they were not warned; but instead, because the severity of the collapse will complicate their lives by ruining the effectiveness of their philosophies. Many of the philosophies that will be most under attack will be financial and theological philosophies. Those who have believed in American exceptionalism and perpetually inclining financial markets will be rudely awakened.

One of the benefits of the coming economic hardships that America will face will be found in our rediscovery of community. Neighbors will once again know each other’s names. Communities will have the chance to rally together in an effort to bring aid to the financially destitute. In the coming era of ‘sacrifice,’ life will consist of more than simply working, consuming, and sleeping. Instead, Americans will have the opportunity to band together in community-organized social networks to solve local challenges.

In a day where Hollywood, the media, and corporations urge Americans to please themselves through mass consumption, the message of sacrifice is coming.

But what about the American Church? Surely while the masses shopped till they dropped and lived above their means, the Church in America was calling for fiscal restraint, right? Haven’t they been urging sacrifice from Americans for decades? Well, perhaps a few. However, we live in an hour where much of the American church has urged its adherents to “live their best life now,” to “love their life,” and to consume ‘big’ as only “the King’s kids” should. It should be noted that the American church’s promotion of unsacrificial living is at the height of irony. This is especially true when one considers that the entire Christian religion is rooted and grounded in the idea of self-sacrifice.

But the real indictment against the American church is their sheer lack of insight into the failed kingdoms of this world. As the false prosperity bubble got bigger, the American church believed it to be real.

In fact, most evangelical Christians unknowingly considered the fiat fueled debt-based economy to be a divine ‘blessing’ from God. Only because America was ‘special’ were they able to possess such a large bubble economy. Even worse, many thought that God might prematurely terminate this fiat-based prosperity if homosexuals were allowed to marry; or if “In God We Trust” were ever removed from the worthless fiat U.S. dollar.

It is important to note that much of the American church’s numerical growth in the twentieth century came from the explosion of interest in the health and wealth gospel. When the growth of this prosperity movement is measured against the growth in American consumption, one finds a curious thing indeed. The growth of the prosperity movement is directly tied to America’s explosion in credit, debt, and money supply.

This means that when the economy goes up, times are good in the prosperity movement. However, when economic conditions become difficult, the prosperity gospel will suffer. The economy’s effect upon the prosperity movement will render it impotent in the face of the coming economic chaos that will strike America. As the economic pain becomes evident to all, those who have promoted the prosperity message will use a new message of ‘sacrifice’ to sustain their ministries. Amazingly, those ministers who had promoted overconsumption to their adherents for decades will discover the ancient principle of sacrifice. But when these former prosperity preachers begin to wax eloquent on their newfound message of sacrifice, it will be far from sincere. Instead, it will be designed to continue the cash flow.

In our current environment, the American evangelical church’s lack of insight have transformed it into a declining subcultural phenomenon; a voting bloc easily manipulated by certain keywords uttered by informed politicians that are designed to elicit the right response.

Until the American Church desires the coming Kingdom of God as desperately as it wants the American kingdom to reflect its own glory, it will remain irrelevant.

But despite their irrelevance, the message of sacrifice is still coming.

The ancient principle of ‘sacrifice’ – proclaimed by Christ himself – will ring throughout this land as America’s sins of excess and immorality become evident through the ‘false weights and balances’ created by its economy. Sacrifice will not be the natural response from a people accustomed to over consumption. However, it will be the only possible response.

Facing the Facts

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:22)

What is at the root of the problem in the American church? I submit to you that the root of our problem is the American church’s ignorance to God’s coming Kingdom and ignorance of the greatest issues facing mankind. For decades, the American church has been pillaged due to its lack of knowledge. As it says in the book of Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones, and those who have knowledge than those who have strength; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 24:3-6)

A loss of strong theological teaching in the American church has breeded a new generation of ‘believers’ that seek self-satisfaction, instead of sound doctrine.

Instead of treating the kingdoms of this world with godly suspicion, many have believed the satanic lie that men can rule men.

Instead of pointing people to the hope of the coming Kingdom of Christ, many churches have been all to willing to promote the counterfeit kingdoms of this world. The result has been disastrous.

“Its officials within it are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. Its prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and divining lies for them… The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery; they have oppressed the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 23, verses 27-29)

In truth, the fiat currency and debt-based economic growth that has fueled America to the stratospheres of this world system were never blessed because they were flawed from the beginning. They were doomed to failure from the start.

Therefore, when the house of cards collapses, it will not be because we stopped supporting Israel, or because same-sex marriage became legal. Instead, the system will collapse because it is a man-made system.

The entire American economic system is laughable in the eyes of God because of its ineffectiveness and unsustainability. Our failed man-made systems are clear testaments to mankind’s need for God’s Kingdom.

Those who seek to blame particular political philosophies, corporate scandals, etc. are completely missing the point.

Their media-inspired focus upon the ‘effects’ have blinded them to the real culprit: the ‘cause.’

The reason that our systems are failing is because man cannot rule man. Sin is taking hold of our society and is choking it before our eyes. This is the gospel, not according to the culture at large, but according to the Bible. Those who are aware are able to view the problems as they truly are. And they realize that these problems are rooted in man’s inherent deficiencies in ruling himself.

Let’s make an important distinction: Awareness is not the equivalent of activism. However, those who favor activism will always have the loudest voices. They are quickly recognized as the ones who insist on re-arranging the furniture on the sinking Titanic. In contrast, the aware recognize the root problem and see God’s Kingdom as the only real solution.

So, Are You An ‘Activist,’ or Are You One of the ‘Aware?’

The activists are biblically aware, but politically motivated.

In contrast, the aware are politically aware, but biblically motivated.

The activists insist that by getting the right political party into office we can “take back America for God.”

In contrast, the aware realize that no matter which political party gets elected, nothing can slow man’s sin problem. They avoid political games knowing their futility.

The activists think that getting prayer back into America’s schools will change the nation.

The aware pray with their children at home and do not expect government-controlled institutions to teach their children spiritual values.

The activists extol the virtues of man’s kingdoms (political platforms) and follow them with a religious fervor.

The aware endure man’s kingdoms all the while praying and longing for God’s Kingdom.

The activists demand ‘Merry Christmas’ be spoken – even in secular settings. The phrase, ‘Happy Holidays,’ is viewed as religious persecution.

The aware do not expect non-Christians to promote Christ.

The activists want “In God We Trust” to be remain plastered on the U.S. fiat currency.

The aware realize that fiat currency systems, such as the U.S. Dollar, are “unjust weights and balances” and therefore are an ‘abomination’ to God.

The activists take their cues from, and measure themselves by, their culture.

The aware know that God will never judge anyone based upon their culture, only based upon God’s Word, the Bible.

(This was an excerpt from Jerry Robinson’s best-selling book, Bankruptcy of our Nation, released in March 2009. Preview the book here.)

Related articles

• Is God to Blame for the Japan Disaster? (jrmi.wordpress.com)

In our current economic, cultural, and political environment, it is easy to become anxious and full of fear.

Today, many Western political leaders are systematically destroying their entire economies through poor financial policies.

Western culture has become obsessed with overconsumption, death, violence, and a myriad of other issues.

And the utter corruption that flows through our entire political process seems to be tearing apart everything that we hold dear.

But… there is hope.

In fact, the turmoil in our world today provides those, who place their belief and trust in God’s Word, with more answers than questions.

Why is there so much political, economic, and cultural strife today? Because man is attempting to rule himself. From the dawn of creation, mankind has been in desperate need of God’s rulership. But instead, at the Fall of humanity in the Garden, man opted for self-rule.

Today, we are experiencing the fruit of mankind’s desperate attempts to rule himself. Our failure at self-rule is proof that we need Christ. This is why God’s answer to our problems is His unshakeable Kingdom.

Don’t place your hope and trust in man’s ability to rule himself. That is God’s role.

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness…”  (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

An inexplicably devastating natural disaster has struck our world. At 2:46pm on Friday, March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck under the Pacific Ocean near Northeastern Japan. Scientists are now reporting that this quake packed so much power that it was enough to shorten Earth’s day by 1.8 microseconds. It also added an extra 6.7 inches (17 centimeters) into the planet’s wobble. GPS data has also revealed that parts of Japan were moved by as much as 13 feet as the quake shifted the underlying fault plates.

Those who have been following the media coverage of the aftermath have witnessed the heart-wrenching images and stories from the victims. Incomprehensible videos have emerged showing us the fury of nature. And, as the events are replayed on our television and computer screens, it seemed everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The largest earthquake in Japan’s history was followed by one of the nation’s worst tsunamis. And then, the sudden loss of electrical power to strategic areas of the country led one of the largest nuclear meltdowns in recent memory.

The lessons that this, and other natural disasters, seem to teach us is often the same: Human life is utterly fragile and tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

Needless to say, the broken people of Japan have been through much over the last several days. The death toll continues to climb and some experts are now predicting that in the final analysis, those who have perished will reach into the “tens of thousands.” Families have been ripped apart by unbelievable loss. Entire cities are gone forever. Fears of radiation exposure haunt the nation. Hundreds of thousands are wandering the streets in their homelessness. Fear of the future and an uncertainty of the present hold the Japanese people tightly within their grip. For millions, life will never be the same.

At times like these, it is natural to look up to the heavens and wonder: Where is God in this tragedy? And how could a loving God allow the deaths of so many innocent men, women, and children?

As often happens, some within the Body of Christ are now beginning to speculate whether the Japanese disaster is somehow related to God’s displeasure with humanity or with the Japanese people, in particular.

This week, I received a forwarded email claiming that one of Japan’s recent stances on Israel, which was considered unfavorable, could have led to the calamity.

Later in the week, I saw footage of TV entertainer, Glenn Beck, who had recently stated that the disaster in Japan could have been the act of an angry God. His solution: To have humanity follow the Ten Commandments.

It should be pointed out that throughout all of recorded history, mankind has often viewed natural disasters as judgment from the gods. History demonstrates that early civilizations perceived that it was their religious duty to placate the various gods which controlled the food harvests, the seasonal cycles, and nature in general. Much of ancient religious activity appears to be consumed with soothing the gods and keeping their explosive wrath at bay.

Even the early Israelites fell prey to this concept. Instead of obeying God and focusing on His law and precepts, many of them sacrificed to other gods to gain favor in the natural world. Some Israelites resorted to sacrificing their own children to the ancient pagan god, Molech, in an effort to avoid his demonic wrath. Suffice it to say, major natural disasters in the ancient world were viewed as the divine anger of the gods.

Given mankind’s historic propensity to view God as the source of all natural disasters, it should be no surprise that the question has arisen again. In fact, the horrific events that have transpired in Japan have, in some ways, called God’s character and motives into question in the minds of many.

So, is God to blame for the disaster in Japan? Or to state the question more directly, did God’s anger towards mankind’s sin lead to an act of Divine wrath in Japan?

We should first put to bed any discussion that would limit God’s ability. The Bible portrays Him as the omnipotent God of all nature. (Col. 1:16-17) He is in complete and total control. We can also ignore any question as to whether God has ever used natural disasters to judge mankind in the past. The scriptures clearly explain that He has. (Deut. 11:17; James 5:17; Num. 16:30-34) The Bible even predicts that God will use natural disasters to judge mankind in the future. (Romans 2:5,6; Rev. 6)

However, the question at hand is much deeper than determining whether or not God controls nature or has used it for His divine purposes in the past. Instead, our goal is to discern if God, in His wrath, is using his power over nature to selectively destroy humanity as a result of their sin in our modern era.

To get a satisfactory answer on a topic of this weight, we do well to turn to the scriptures themselves.

Our first stop should be with the words of Christ Himself. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he confronted this very topic.

About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” (Luke 13:1-5 NLT)

Jesus explains in the simplest terms possible that death, even when it comes in tragic form, is not the result of excessive sin. Instead, death is inevitable and unstoppable. It comes to all. (Heb 9:27) According to Jesus, the question is not, “Why does death come?” Instead, the question is, “Am I myself ready to die and stand before God?” In classic fashion, Jesus tells his listeners to take their eyes off of the sins of others and, to instead, consider their own.

Given this scripture, is it plausible that those who seek to blame the untimely deaths caused by natural disasters upon God’s anger upon one nation’s sins misguided? Could it be that speculation over such matters is completely unwarranted, and even deceptive? Are such speculative conversations truly the best use of the Church’s time and energy? Especially given the Church’s dismal collective evangelism efforts?

Furthermore, is it really even Biblical to think that God issues forth his divine judgments upon the regenerate along with the unregenerate?

As stated, the scriptures are clear that God has a history of punishing the wicked in the Bible. In Genesis 6, He declared that mankind’s wickedness and sinfulness had provoked Him to destroy every living thing upon the face of earth with a raging flood. But the Bible carefully points out that not a drop of rain fell to the ground until “righteous” Noah and his family, were safely within the ark of safety.

This is an important concept as it openly displays God’s will and character. His refusal to pour out His wrath upon His own children is consistently woven throughout the scripture.

It appears again in Genesis 19. Here the Bible tells of God’s wrath being poured out on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, the raining fire and brimstone would not begin until Lot and his family had fled to safety. In the story, the angels of God commissioned with bringing destruction on the cities urge Lot to flee for the mountains. Lot begs the angels to allow him and his family to flee to a nearby city instead. The angel’s response is remarkable: “I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” (Genesis 19:21b-22 NKJV)

Friend, is there any biblical evidence to support the theological concept that God unleashes His furious wrath and judgment upon both the wicked and the righteous simultaneously? If so, where is this evidence?

Furthermore, if those who claim that the disaster in Japan was provoked by God’s furious anger at a selective people’s sin, which nation is safe? Have not all nations sinned? Have not all people groups sinned?

The Bible tells us that none who reject Christ are safe. Instead, it is full of prophecies that portend the destruction of the earth and its unregenerate inhabitants in the Book of Revelation.

The apostle Paul warned his readers of this coming judgment when he said:

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. (Romans 2:5,6 NLT)

Note the future tense of this phrase. The day of God’s anger is coming. It is a future event. It is not here yet. The Bible warns that one day, God’s righteous wrath and fury will fall upon all those who have rejected His Son, Jesus Christ.

So if that day of wrath is reserved for the future, what about today? Is God angry at the world today? Is His wrath full to the brim?

Once again, the Bible is crystal clear on this point too. When Jesus Christ took on the punishment for mankind’s sin at the cross, He bore all of God’s judgment and wrath towards sin. The wrath that had been reserved for the ungodly was instead poured out upon Christ. All of mankind’s sins, past, present, and future, were laid upon Christ at the cross. The Bible tells us that God was satisfied with the offering of His Son in our stead. All people, regardless of their current spiritual state, now have the opportunity to be at peace with God. How? God has sought to reconcile all men through the death of His dear Son.

Again, the Apostle Paul says:

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV)

Friends, this is the glorious good news of the Kingdom that true followers of Christ are called to share around the world. According to the Bible, God is not angry with his creation. Instead, He is full of mercy and forgiveness towards those who do not know Him. While those who reject His loving offer of salvation no doubt hurt Him, He remains patient and kind towards them – even causing good things for them – longing for them to turn to Him as their Savior and Lord. Why? Because the Bible says that ALL of His wrath was poured out upon Jesus Christ at the cross. God’s wrath was poured upon Jesus as He suffered on our behalf. God is totally satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice. This is the day of salvation and the age of total grace.

And while the Bible warns of a day that is coming in which God’s judgment will come upon those who have rejected Him, that day is not here yet. And regarding that day, Paul tells us that a saving faith in Jesus will deliver us from this “wrath to come.” (1 Thess. 1:10 NKJV)

Some believe that God is now residing in heaven in a perpetual state of anger. But the Bible assures us that God is now actively engaged in loving on the world through His Church. His goal is mankind’s repentance. And the Bible tells us that “it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance.” (Rom. 2:4) God knows men’s hearts and he has chosen to lovingly call the world to repent through his earthly Body, which is made up of true followers of Christ. The Bible says that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” (Acts 17:30,31 NKJV)

Sadly, today many Christians do not lovingly reach out to those who do not know God. Instead, they detest them. They look down on them. They segregate themselves away from them. They argue and debate them. At the root of the problem is a sick body of modern believers that have become so detached from solid biblical teaching, and so enraptured with earthly politics, speculation, and superstition, that they have become completely irrelevant and spiritually impotent to a broken and dying world.

Today, there are Christians who would prefer to spend their time with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other attempting to solve the riddles of the age instead of obeying God’s call to evangelize their neighbor.

Today, there are Christians who would rather hear the latest speculations on how the disaster in Japan fits into Bible prophecy than in hearing how they can help a child buried under the rubble of stones from a massive earthquake.

Faith without works is dead. And dead faith is what produces declining numbers in America’s churches. Take one look around and you will see that dead faith on display in this nation.

God’s Word to the Hurting Japanese People

The message of Christianity to the broken in Japan tonight is simple.

To the Japanese mother whose heart is aching so deeply at the death of her child tonight, know this: God did not kill your child. He loved your child, and He loves you and He gave His very own son for you that you could have eternal life with Him.

To the middle-aged Japanese man who is desperately wandering the streets tonight searching for his beloved and precious wife who will never be found, know this: God did not take your wife. He laid down His life for you and your wife and is desperately searching for you tonight. I pray that you will find Him.

To the young Japanese child who is newly orphaned, completely scared, dirty, and entirely alone tonight, know this: God did not take your parents from you. But if you will let Him, he will become a Father to you because He is known as the “Father to the fatherless.”

This is the gospel.

Any concept, theology, or idea which is not rooted in love, mercy, compassion, grace, and meekness is not of God.

So, does the Bible give us any good reason as to why natural disasters like the one that struck Japan occur during the age of grace?

The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans:

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Romans 8:20-22 NKJV)

The Bible tells us that the earth is groaning and laboring in pain in anticipation for its redemption. There will be more natural disasters coming. The Bible tells us that these will be a sign of Christ’s return which will herald the beginning of God’s wrath upon the earth. That day is coming. It is not here yet.

So since that day has not yet arrived, let us work while we still can, for night is coming when no man can work. (John 9:4)

For now, we are charged and commissioned with sharing the gospel with the lost, with the hurting, and with the broken.

Christian, what are you doing to help?

- Jerry Robinson