Posts Tagged ‘The Fourth Wave’
A Paramount Issue of the 2020s
There are many priorities this decade that demand our attention and prayers. Fulfilling the Great Commission has remained God’s paramount priority for the past 2000 years because it’s the command of Jesus that will bring the greatest good to the planet–now and in eternity.
We could also list issues like abortion–the great sin of shedding innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17). This quiet slaughter of over one billion innocent children worldwide in the past three generations certainly qualifies as paramount in the eyes of God.
But I’m thinking of another problem I never saw coming in the United States and world until just a few years ago. This issue may greatly impact the other two.
The silencing of free speech.
My View of the World 2022
Roly Houghton, a New Zealand spiritual father, passed away this week at the age of ninety-two. I lived with him and his family in Auckland in 1972-73 while seeking God’s will for my life. He was a man of God’s Word–distributing Bibles to every home in NZ. He also served in leadership with Open Doors, including smuggling Bibles into China and other nations where they were in short supply.
Because he loved and trusted the Scriptures, Roly shared a big view of the world and God’s Kingdom purposes. I dedicate this annual “View of the World” to his memory and influence. He taught me to see things through the “eyes of God.”
Here’s my view of the world in 2022.
My View of the World 2022
From a big picture point of view, here’s what I see in the 21st century after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Sadly, we are witnessing the greatest turning away from God (numerically) in human history –primarily in different portions of the Western World. One writer believes that The West is Burning Down Before Our Eyes.
Happily, we are also seeing the greatest turning to Christ the world has ever experienced–primarily south of the equator and in the Middle and Far East. This latter subject is the focus of my book The Fourth Wave: Taking Your Place in the New Era of Missions.
These two opposites remind us of Jesus’ famous parable of the wheat and the weeds:
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the weeds also appeared. So, the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the weeds you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them but gather the wheat into my barn”’ (Matthew 13:24-30).
Notice the phrase “let both grow together.” That continues to happen in 2022. We live in the best of times and the worst of times–maybe in all human history. Sin and salvation. Judgment and mercy. Weeds and wheat. We are seeing an explosion of both good and evil in the 21st century.
The Weeds
The China virus, unleashed two years ago by unseen demonic forces (the world’s truest conspiracy), has softened us to increasingly accept tyrannical leadership and a coming world government. Though we never quarantined well folks before, today’s elites convinced us to lockdown our economies, pick and choose “essential” services, wear masks, and obey their edicts. Now vaccine mandates and Covid-omicron hysteria are causing riots in numerous countries.
We should view this increased government control as a diabolical “Reset” for globalization (no more nation-states). The Bible calls it the tyranny of an inevitable one world government (Revelation 13 & 17).
President Harry Truman warned us two generations ago that turning away from God and the Bible brings tyranny:
“The fundamental basis of this nation’s law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul. . .If we don’t have the proper fundamental moral background, we will finally wind up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State.”
Since America remains the leading beacon of freedom on earth, totalitarians work tirelessly to destroy or diminish the USA. Donald Trump’s election in 2016 brought a temporary halt to globalist ambitions through a renewal of religious liberty, a revived the American economy, and a short halt to porous borders.
But the new American Axis of Evil (Democrat Party/Secular Media/Deep State bureaucrats) succeeded in winning the 2020 presidential election through questionable means. We may not know the details until eternity–though we understand that Mark Zuckerberg money played a major role in “ballot harvesting” in many swing states.
The Biden administration’s first year in office has accelerated America’s demise through a war of fossil fuels, vast inflationary spending, re-opening the border to two million illegal aliens in the past year, and a litany of secular-progressive causes.
On the positive side, the corruption, ineptitude and anti-American policies of the current administration are beginning to awaken the America public. Virginia voted in a slate of freedom-loving leaders. Parents are mobilizing across the nation to fight gender confusion and Critical Race Theory (the new racism) in the schools.
And the 2022 Congressional elections look like a bloodbath for the Democratic Party with a possible loss of the White House in 2024.
Some believe the “tide is turning.”
For this we work and ask God for a heaven-sent revival.
If we don’t see it, the onslaught of evil will continue. We don’t know when the prophesied one world government will emerge–soon, one hundred or one thousand years from now. But if it’s imminent, it could be Marxist in nature (just like the Black Lives Matter Global Foundation) and probably led by China–after an inflation-produced economic global collapse.
If the world locked down and turned to “experts” in 2020-21, can you imagine the call for global governance the day the dollar dies?
The Wheat
It should thrill our hearts that for the past forty years God has been pouring out His Spirit on Africa, Latin America, and parts on Asia with hundreds of millions coming to faith in Christ. More born-again followers of Jesus live out their faith in Africa and China than in Europe or the United States. The southern hemisphere now boasts more Christians than the north.
That great harvest may increase by billions of people in coming years.
It’s also possible that American believers and patriots will awaken and elect good leaders in government in 2022 in response to reckless progressive rule. A full-blown revival of the Church could sweep new leadership into office in 2024–and even multiply global awakening.
It happened in a smaller nation two generations ago.
When I met Roly Houghton in the fall of 1972, New Zealand was experiencing spiritual renewal through united prayer, nation-wide Bible distribution, vibrant, growing churches, and global missions outreach. I caught their passion, joined YWAM, and came home to help “revive America.”
That’s been my life pursuit.
Here’s what it may take in 2022.
On July 2, 1776, John Adams wrote two letters to his wife, Abigail. In the first he opined:
“It may be the will of heaven that America shall suffer calamities…still more dreadful. [But] it will have this good effect: it will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor and destroy us…The furnace of affliction produces refinements in states as well as individuals.”
And the second:
“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means.”
May we rise to that vision and challenge in 2022.
Where are the Saints and the Patriots?
No, I’m not talking about those Saints and Patriots.
The football Saints rode a future Hall of Fame quarterback to a Super Bowl victory. Another G.O.A.T. quarterback carried the Patriots to the pigskin promised land six times. One month ago, he did it again with some pirates (Buccaneers).
I know where those Saints and Patriots live–in New Orleans and New England. But, America is in trouble and I’m looking for the real ones needed to fight our current spiritual and cultural war.
Where are the saints of God and patriots of the American Republic?
Where are the Saints and the Patriots?
We live in dangerous times. The United States remains engulfed in a worldview battle that could decide the future destiny of this nation and the world as we know it–in our lifetime.
Yet, America remains the guardian of the Free World and the beacon for spreading the Good News of Christ worldwide. We send the most missionaries, provide the bulk of humanitarian aid, and have kept evil nations at bay with our military force and nuclear arsenal for the past one hundred years.
The Fourth Wave of Modern Missions is helping in positive ways as believers from Africa, Latin America, Oceania, and Asia are rising to take their place in sharing Jesus’ love with the nearly eight billion world inhabitants. This is a wonderful and providential act of God.
But America and the Western World still play an important role. The United States in particular fuels the economic engine of progress and innovation–pulling millions out of poverty and inspiring hope and human initiative. If America’s biblical values, economy, and military strength degrade, then the world will be a darker place. Same with Europe.
The Fourth Wave could ebb in this generation. That’s the plan of the forces of evil.
I have been writing for months about the new American Axis of Evil (AAE) that threatens our country and the world. I described them this way five months ago:
“The real collusion in America comes from three powerful groups who have joined forces to obtain power in our country:
- The Democratic Party which has been taken over by secular-progressives (leftists).
- The liberal media including the three major networks, CNN and MSNBC, The New York Times, and the Washington Post.
- The Deep State (the Swamp) –federal workers entrenched in the D.C. bureaucracy.”
“All three groups were once mainstream (fair and decent), composed of varied factions, and generally adhered to Judeo-Christian values. No more. In 2020, they have deceptively aligned to dismantle America as we know it.”
I wrote those words before the November election. Shockingly, eighty million people elected a mentally challenged Joe Biden to the U.S. presidency and gave the “Axis” control of both chambers of Congress.
Georgia electing two radical leftists to the Senate sealed the deal. Since that time, the Biden administration has moved quickly to destroy many aspects of American life.
I do not use the word “destroy” carelessly. Standing invisibly behind the evil triumvirate are demonic forces who’s multi-thousand-year goal has been to destroy human beings and bring them to a hellish end. Jesus himself said: “The thief (Lucifer and his demons) comes to steal, kill and destroy” (John 8:10).
Is there any doubt that the AAE is committed to destroying our nation?
- They are destroying the family through sexual liberation from biblical norms which bless individuals and support family harmony and happiness. The latest push is forcing transgender confusion in the schools, women’s sports, and every public bathroom.
- They are committed to destroying unity and equality through preferring certain groups over others (equity) and using racism as an excuse for violence.
- They are destroying our history by tearing down statutes, re-naming buildings, and re-writing the history books (1619 Project) while blaming white supremacy for all social ills.
- They are destroying free speech and due process through the cancel culture, woke intimidation, and the media censorship (Dr. Seuss and even Disney movies).
- They are destroying our cities by condoning rioting and looting (when it fits progressive causes), defunding he police, and giving free bail and benefits to lawbreakers.
- They are destroying the economy through reckless deficits, the war on fossil fuels (do you like the rising gas prices?) and increasing regulations.
- They are destroying our national sovereignty through open borders and free handouts to illegals.
- They are destroying children through abortion and working people through lockdowns and fear-peddling.
I could list numerous other categories. But I think you see it with your own eyes.
Of course, satanic legions have been battling human culture since the beginning of time. That is not new. But we live in an era of nearly eight billion people with high tech capabilities, weapons of mass destruction, and a growing global homogeneity.
In America’s past, generations have risen to check and stop the tide of evil.
Where are the saints and patriots of the 2020’s?
Early America had the Pilgrims and Puritans. The Pilgrims were the prayer warrior separatists of the day and the Puritans the reformers in American society. Together, they pushed back evil through revivals, godly education, and strong families.
The Revolutionary War saw ministers sound the alarm for liberty while others joined “Committees of Correspondence” and fought in the army against tyranny. One American clergyman preached a sermon with vestal robes, then tore them off revealing his military uniform. He then signed up recruits for the Colonial Army in the church hall.
The Civil War period produced great revivalists like Charles Finney and abolitionists like Harriet Tubman. God’s saints called the people to repentance and his revolutionaries won a victory over slavery and a divided Union.
In the 20th century, FDR led the nation in prayer over the radio against the fascists and Nazis of East and West (Japan and Germany). Millions of folks joined the army while others prayed, manned the factories, and trusted God for deliverance.
Both saints and patriots are needed in our day to defeat evil. Saints are believers in Christ who share the Good News, pray, and live holy and virtuous lives. They act as a spiritual air force in confronting the powers of darkness.
Patriots share similar values but focus more on issues, order in society (self-defense, police, and armed forces), and social reform. They form the cultural army.
More recently, Martin Luther King led the Civil rights movement of the 60’s, and in the 1980’s, Washington For Jesus fueled the election of Ronald Reagan and “Morning in America.” The Moral Majority and other groups fought the culture wars. Two decades ago, Tea Party patriots organized to oppose big government and elect fiscal conservatives.
Most of the saints and patriots in American history were young. Youth carry the passion and strength needed for renewal and victory. Older “generals” are needed, but the energy and vision of younger generations always propel both revival and social reformation.
Where are the youthful saints and patriots of today? Were they killed in the abortion holocaust (65 million kids)? Have those who survived been brainwashed into voting for their own destruction?
Every major city and town in America need a rebirth of passionate saints and patriots. Prayer people and activists. Good News proclaimers and societal guardians.
I encourage you to call people together using every means possible. We must develop greater unity than the forces against us. Gather God’s saints and political patriots as one to stand up in this generation. Inspire them to protect and renew the precious heritage God has given each American city and county.
“When the leaders led, and the people volunteered. Bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:2).
What is your part in the next American revival and revolution?