I didn’t get the memo, but apparently a lot of people did. Here it is: Jesus Christ has abdicated his throne in heaven because of the last election. At least that must be what the memo said after looking at some ministries around the nation.

Ministries that are otherwise sound in doctrine have in practice determined to surrender all but a small slice of life and culture to radical atheists, so called “secular progressives,” and to the liberal, apostate religious left. This is as dismaying as it is foolish.

Perhaps you noticed the atheists and liberals did not throw in the towel on the larger culture when their movement was struggling or when their leaders were inept. They kept plugging away and when they had opportunity they were ready and prepared to act. They seem more committed to advancing their godless utopian schemes than Christians are to furthering the Kingdom of God.

Because of the last election cycle, many who say they believe that Jesus Christ is Lord have retreated. They have effectively reduced Christ’s kingly claims to matters of personal piety, family and church life. But our apostolic faith says that Jesus Christ is Lord of all (Acts 10:36).

Many Crowns

Perhaps what is most frustrating about the retreat from the cultural mandate on the part of many ministries is that it is so unworthy of Christ.

When Christ is revealed in His glory, He is portrayed as the invincible King of Heaven, and on His head are many crowns (Rev 19:12). These crowns are not merely decorative symbols of his majesty, but reveal the full extent of His Lordship over all His creation.

Theses crowns, with all their rights and privileges, were bestowed on our Christ for His perfect obedience and sufferings. Therefore, God has declared him to be the Son of God with power by raising him from the dead (Rom.1:4). On the cross, Christ conquered all of God’s enemies, both visible and invisible (Col.2:15). He will rule and reign until he makes all his enemies, even death itself, his footstool (1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 10:13). This is our confidence!

To exclude any sphere of authority from the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a grave misunderstanding of both His divine nature and His meritorious work. As very God of very God, Christ rules over all the affairs of men and upholds the world by his Word (Heb.1:3). As God the Son, all the nations of the world are His inheritance. (Psalm 2)

As a believer in Jesus Christ, it is not for victory that we preach the gospel and declare the rule of Christ. Rather, it is from His victory that we dare defy the wicked powers and principalities of this world, both visible and invisible. With the first martyrs of the church we declare that Jesus Christ is Lord and will not bow to any earthly Caesar. We are unabashed, unapologetic Christocrats.

Nor will we water down and stop declaring the gospel of the King.  In His name we will sue all of Christ’s rebellious enemies for peace. The price for peace with God is unconditional surrender to His Son. Having once ourselves been at enmity with God, we have been humbled by God’s grace and must urge all to find mercy while it can be found.

Because all sinners need to repent, therefore we urge all people everywhere to reach out and touch the golden scepter of Christ’s grace. Nor will we stop confronting the injustice and unrighteousness of our day. We will warn the kings of this world that King Jesus rules the nations with His rod of iron and will judge the world in righteousness. Kiss the Son lest he be angry with you!

Last days?

Some actually rejoice in the decline of our culture as if it is a sign of the last days. Isn’t that a very diabolical strategy? If Satan could convince his spiritual enemies that it is futile to resist him and that it is a good thing when the world gets darker, then he has a very powerful psychological advantage.

Is this what Jesus taught?

There are at least a dozen different major views of end time theologies, or eschatology. Every time there is a major shift in political realm there are those who claim to know who is the anti-Christ, etc. Remember when Henry Kissinger was supposed to be the anti-Christ? There are lots of books sold, but so far they have all been wrong. 

So what do we learn from this? Don’t speculate! Certainly don’t let eschatology, the most speculative department of theology, trump what the Bible clearly states are your Christian duties.

No one knows when the end will come, therefore get busy doing what you know to do- preach the gospel and stand up for God’s kingdom. This doesn’t sell many books because it is not popular to call people to be responsible, but that is exactly what Jesus calls you to do (Luke 19:13).

But It’s Not Popular

With the death of many of the leading conservative Christian leaders, like my mentor, Dr. D. James Kennedy, some think we must change our tactics. Baby boomers are not supposed to like controversy, so we are told we must accommodate their tastes. Certainly we don’t have to go out of our way to be offensive, but since when did marketing plans trump theological conviction? Are we supposed to get our doctrines from the Bible or from polling people?

If you visit some churches or watch some Christian broadcasters you will see them studiously avoid any biblical truth that the world finds offensive. This may make you popular. You may even get a crowd of people to support you who think they are Christians, but where is the fear and love of God?

Why can’t we just do what Christ calls us to do and trust Him to build His church? We are supposed to be on the offence spiritually and intellectually attacking the gates of hell. Gates are the places of influence in a culture and where we are supposed to be bring the crown rights of Christ to bear. We are commanded to take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. We are to be on offense.

We are also called to be the salt of the earth, not the sugar, and certainly not artificial sweetener. There is no need to sugar coat the gospel, it alone is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe (Rom 1:18). The deepest need of the human soul is answered in the gospel, so why does the church give sinners hollow, pop psychology instead? 

The American culture is adrift in a sea of moral relativism and multiculturalism. The deepest need of a just society is moral clarity that can only come from God’s Word, not man’s opinions. There’s plenty of work to be done, so unpack your bags, roll up your sleeves and be found working when the master returns!

Signs?

Gallop has recently revealed some very hopeful polling data. For example, three in four Americans (77%) say Christianity is their religious preference. While three quarters of Americans prefer Christianity, it is painfully obvious this does not mean they practice the faith. Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments, but most Christians in America can’t even name the Ten Commandments.

So we have a very long way to go, but there is a lot of good will for the church to appeal to. If 77% of people prefer Christianity that means that they at least affirm some validity to the faith, even though they may be largely ignorant of it. How many companies would love to have 77% of market share and brand loyalty?

So stop wringing your hands and get out there and work hard. Pray for divine appointments to share the gospel. Take a stand in the market place for God’s Kingdom, oppose injustice and unrighteousness. In other words, let’s get busy reclaiming this world for Jesus Christ.

What a glorious cause and an unmitigated honor that God would condescend to use us. What a joy it is to know that Christ will receive the reward of his sufferings through our weak and fallible efforts. You were created in Christ Jesus unto good works, now get back on the field of battle until you hear the trumpet sound.