January 24, AD2012

A group of some “150 Evangelical Leaders” recently met to anoint a candidate for President of the United States of America, primarily because he shares their pro-life and pro-family values.

In doing so, whether intentionally or unwittingly, they have spawned two false perceptions:

1. That they are the new Elitist Priesthood that represents Evangelical Christianity (if not the universal true Church); and,
   
   
2. That they speak and act in behalf of Evangelical Christianity by giving their blessing to this sort of engagement by the Church with the world system.

Do the 150 comprise an Elite Priesthood?

Perhaps in appearance, but there is no provision for such in the New Testament.

Do the 150 represent Evangelical Christianity?

Segments of the Evangelical community, of course, but not Evangelicals at large. Their chosen Presidential candidate was determined by a third ballot vote of 75 percent in favor of the selection, and 25 percent opposed to it. Those opposed might well have opposed the man selected, but some also might have opposed the selection process or that such an activity is inappropriate for Christians.

Do those who voted for the candidate really believe he can be elected?

Given the moral climate of the electorate today, and the electorate’s preoccupation with economic issues, not so much social issues, getting the group’s candidate elected President on essentially pro-life and pro-family issues is more wishful thinking than realistic expectation. However, the candidate might, for additional reasons, win the election.

Then why support a candidate who many not be electable?

Understand that the 150 Evangelical leaders, for the most part, represent organizations whose missions are to advance pro-life and pro-family causes. (Noble causes, if understaken with righteous motives.) However, as I have observed over several decades of involvement with similar ministries, such causes can become an institution’s raison d’être (reason to exist)--and means to exist. Therefore, causes or missions are marketed in order to build a support base that is vital to the institution; political influence and financial support being no small needs.

Furthermore, recognition of leadership is vitally important to the heads of ministries. And such recognition is enhanced through a leader’s participation with other leaders in conclaves, conferences, seminars and other such activities. In worldly marketing terms, it has to do with image-building and positioning. And that begs to bring motive and style into scrutiny.

So, even if the group’s candidate is not elected President, the group’s ministries still stand to benefit from the conclave and its activities because of publicity. Perhaps, for some attendees, that was the primary objective.

A Marriage Not Made In Heaven

The historical backdrop

Actually, all of this is about American Civil Religion--that rocky marriage between Christian political activists and the state.

It began as an odd-couple courtship in America’s Colonial days when a political Establishment seduced naive Christians to become their mistresses with enticements of lofty promises of an Exceptional Rosy Future in the New World, touted then and still, as “Christian America,” “The New Promised Land,” and “A Shining City on a Hill.”

Over the generations, some in the political Establishment, in the interest of getting votes, gaining power, and amassing wealth, have also relied on the old, always-works-tactic (and its variations): “Candy is handy, but liquor is quicker.”

What has always made the Establishment’s promises so alluring is that they appeal to the flesh and are said to be backed with assurances of the guidance and blessings of “Divine Providence.”

Indeed, the Establishment has always patronized their mistress’s vision that their affair will bring about Heaven on Earth--far surpassing anything ever envisioned, let alone accomplished, by even the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Media-Persians, Greeks and Romans.

Of course, the Establishment has long covered-up its illicit relationship with worldly Christians by insisting there exists a rigid separation of Church and state. Actually, such separation is an absolute biblical truth. But the Bible also recognizes that worldly Half-Hearted Christians do, in fact, commit spiritual adultery with the world.

A dreamer mistress in denial

Sadly, the giddy and starry-eyed mistress continues to be in denial.

And all the while, the world and its dreamer mistress continue treading that same old utopian path that is paved with a confusing conglomerate of ecumenicalism, synergism, nationalism, universalism, humanism, natural law, human rights, democracy, and capitalism.

Road signs along the way point to exotic destinations with alluring names, such as Equality, Inalienable Rights, The Abundant Life, Liberty, and Happiness.

“Are we almost there?” asks the mistress.

“Almost,” assures the Establishment.

And yet America is farther away from utopia than ever before.

Down through history, there have been plenty of directional signs along the way.

Like Burma Shave signs from the Bible.

Most were read; but mostly ignored:

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4).

Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-18).

So where is the road of American Civil Religion headed?

The dreamer mistress missed the signs of history, but will she see signs beside the road ahead?

The Establishment and Christians

Revelation chapter 17 tells that, in the end time, the world’s seventh and greatest nation will rise, and aspire to become an eighth world empire (Revelation 17:11). Symbolically called “Mystery Babylon the Great,” the Establishment (“ten kings” or literally foundations of power) will “have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast [Antichrist]. These will wage war against the Lamb and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:13, 14).

The Establishment and Babylon

And the ten horns [also called “kings”] which you saw, and the beast [Antichrist], these will hate the harlot [national Babylon] and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is the great city [national Babylon], which reigns over the kings of the earth [global Babylon] (Revelation 17:16-18).

God’s “purpose” in all of this is introduced in Revelation 18, and is explained in more detail in the remaining chapters of the Book of Revelation. Here is the introductory passage from chapter 18 that pictures the Church and Babylon in the last days.

After those things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! And she has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, that you may not participate in her sins and that you may not receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning, for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong” (Revelation 18:1-8).

What does all of this mean for you?

The historical record and Bible truths of yesterday, today, and tomorrow open the eyes of the elect to see that both the Establishment and its mistress are caught up in lies, deceptions, and fantasies.

The time is fast approaching when "10 kings" and an apostate church will support the rise of the Antichrist to become king of the nation of Babylon and the leader of Satan’s world order.

Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) ... “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25).

“The called and chosen and faithful,” who are in the world but not of it (John 17:14-16), are to “Crucify”--separate--themselves from the world and its ways (Galatians 6:14).

If you are one of the “150 Evangelical Leaders,” or one who has been attracted to the false promises of American Civil Religion, you can end your adulterous affair with the world through confession and repentance.

“Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Restore yourself as that “called, chosen, and faithful” bride of Christ Jesus. Surrender yourself whole-heartedly to Him, to His righteousness, and to His kingdom.
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Further reading on this web site:

The World vs. God’s Kingdom

The Whole-Hearted Christian
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I urge you to share this article--email, Tweet, or on FaceBook. Sorry, I don’t have convenient share button software.--Frank
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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. (New American Standard Version of the Bible) unless otherwise indicated. For more information, please see Legal and Acknowledgments.
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