CHURCHES NEED TO RECONNECT WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES

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Thousands of people flocked to the National Mall in Washington, DC on May 17 for a massive faith event organized by President Donald Trump’s administration. Dubbed “Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving,” the event was tied to the nation’s 250th birthday.

Commencing in 2004, many churches across Australia began celebrating the National Day of Thanksgiving, on the last Saturday in May. FamilyVoice over the years has encouraged the “attitude of gratitude” especially commending the National Day of Thanksgiving.

The first commemoration (2004) was launched by Governor-General Michael Jeffery, with the aim of restoring Christian values in society. At the launch, Prime Minister John Howard said the day “encourages Australians to recognise the values and people that sustain the nation.” Each commemoration follows soon after the 9th May anniversary of the opening of Australia’s first federal Parliament in 1901.

As one of the most peaceful, prosperous nations and one of the longest continuously democratic countries, we have much reason for thanksgiving! Certainly national confession and repentance is greatly needed – but thanksgiving also.

Churches need to connect more closely with the community – particularly all manner of civic authorities whom sadly we have largely abandoned and remind them of our rich Christian heritage. And as churches lead the culture in the expression of gratitude, we perhaps help to “prepare the ground” for crucially-needed confession and repentance.

It’s important to echo words that describe Australia’s rich Christian heritage as we connect to churches and schools.

Australians such as Alfred Deakin, he was a key architect of Australian federation and a three-time Prime Minister who shaped the nation’s early policies and institutions. Deakin composed the following prayer in 1898 as momentum built towards Federation:

“Father of Nations, receive our psalm of thanksgiving. Enable us to pursue the cause of unity in spite of the obstacles which at present appear to beset our path …. God preserve this people and grant its leaders unselfish fidelity and courage to face all trials for the sake of brotherhood. Thy blessing has rested upon us here yesterday and we pray that it may be the means of creating and fostering throughout all Australia a Christlike citizenship”.

What has happened to church parades, commissioning services, connections to Cubs, Scouts, Guides, St John’s Ambulance, and the military etc?

When I was a child in the mid 1900’s most children were sent to Sunday School even if their parents did not go to church. They understood that this is where their children would learn about right and wrong and about God and justice. Churches need to tell people what was lost when this practice ceased. Meaning and purpose in life was lost. Fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom was lost. No wonder children suicide rates have increased.

What has happened to the simple action of offering “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for kings and all those in authority” as a priority Paul urged: “First of all, then” (1 Timothy 2:1)?

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4

We are fast approaching the time of Jesus return to Earth to restore righteousness and not only rescue the nation God established for His purposes but to fulfil the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for Israel to be the lead nation of the world with their Messiah as king of the world – Jesus Millennial Kingdom. Go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net for more on what is next on God’s agenda for planet earth. Hence, with an urgency inspired by His soon coming, we need to get on with the job of bringing the Good News to our family, friends and neighbours.

COME CREATOR SPIRIT, FOR RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH

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In 1964, noted Scottish Presbyterian theologian, Dr Thomas F. Torrance, addressed the World Alliance of Reformed Churches on the theme of Come Creator Spirit, for the Renewal of Worship and Witness. In that address, he said:

If our worship and witness are conspicuous for their lack of Holy Spirit, it is surely because we Protestants, whatever we may confess in our creeds, have diminished belief in the transcendent power and utter Godness of the Creator Spirit, and have become engrossed in our own subjectivities and the development of our own inherent potentialities.

Hence the first thing that must happen to us is a glad subjection to the lordly freedom and majesty of God the Holy Spirit, and a humble readiness for miraculous divine acts that transcend all human possibilities and break through the limitations of anything we can conceive. Come, Creator Spirit, is a prayer of open surrender to the absolute creativity of God. 

That is a staggering challenge from an eminent Reformed theologian of a past era. I believe the challenge is even more relevant for today. It may cause us to reflect on our experience of the Holy Spirit at this time.

The Book of Acts describes the outcome of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I follow it briefly.

A Church of Power

The disciples were promised power when the Holy Spirit would come on them.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Pentecost was the realisation of this promise. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 

“Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4

The Day of Pentecost records the outpouring of the Spirit in power. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones has said, “It is really almost incredible that people would go on saying that what happened at Pentecost was once and for all.”

In fact, the progress of the mission of the church showed this empowerment in action.

Acts 3:1-10 relates the healing of the lame man at the Temple gate. Of course, this is not a once-off event. The miraculous occurs again and again in the narrative of Acts.

Dr Craig S. Keener examines the claims for miracles in his magisterial two-volume Miracles. He draws this conclusion at the end of volume one:

Many healing claims involve blindness, inability to walk, and even raising from death. Other claims involve sudden changes in nature after prayers; despite some debatable instances, some other cases are fairly clearly extraordinary. It seems to me that to dispute such phenomena have sometimes occurred is not really possible for open-minded people.

What Keener asserts and what is reported in Acts is to be the continuing experience of the Christian Church.

A Church Unified

Here is what was said of the earliest believers after Pentecost.

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” Acts 2:46 (NKJ)

The term “of one accord” (omothumadon) occurs multiple times in Acts (1:14; 2:1;46; 4:24; 5:121; 7:57; 8:6; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12; 19:29). Such frequency highlights the importance of the unity the early believers experienced.

We struggle for unity today. Often, we let secondary issues restrict whom we fellowship and work with. However, our nation is in a spiritual crisis like never before. We need those who are authentic Christians believing in the inspiration and authority of Scripture, coupled with absolute faith in Jesus as the only way of salvation, to come together and work for the good of the kingdom of God.

A Church at Prayer

Faced with a crisis, the early believers were praying and then, when they heard the report of Peter and John, they broke out in this striking prayer:

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” Acts 4:24-26

 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. “They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:28-30

We will see the true church operating in Holy Spirit power in the days ahead as persecution of Christians standing on their faith increases. The church will be like it was in the Book of Acts and it is already in places like China, Iran and many countries in Africa where persecution of Christians is prevalent. They will be praying prayers like the one quoted above.

WHAT GOD IS DOING IN IRAN PART 1

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This post follows my earlier post “What is God Doing in Iran?“. If you have not read it, I suggest you do so before reading this one. There is no doubt that God is converting Iranians supernaturally through dreams and visions and the movement is now widespread. I mentioned the following Scripture in the previous post as this  prophecy about Elam (Iran) in Jeremiah 49:34–39 is fairly unique. It foretells both judgment (the sword, dispersion, destruction of leadership) and restoration “in the latter days.” This is one of the few places where Elam specifically receives that kind of dual prophecy.

“I will terrify Elam (Iran) before their enemies and before those who seek their life. I will bring disaster upon them, my fierce anger, declares the Lord. I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them, and I will set my throne in Elam and destroy their king and officials, declares the Lord. “But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 49:37-39

 Jesus is appearing to many Iranians in visions and dreams resulting in many converts to Christianity. Reports have indeed circulated widely, especially from missionaries, Iranian Christian networks, and ministries that serve believers from Muslim backgrounds.

What’s known with reasonable confidence is this:

  • Christianity has grown rapidly in Iran over the past two decades — one of the fastest growth rates in the world, despite official restrictions and persecution.
  • Many Iranian converts—both inside Iran and in the diaspora—personally testify that their first awareness of Jesus came through a dream or vision.
  • These stories are hard to verify scientifically, but they are consistent across numerous independent testimonies, including from former Muslims who later joined underground churches.

From a theological standpoint:

  • Scripture records God sometimes revealing Himself through dreams and visions (e.g., to Daniel, Cornelius, and Paul).
  • Many Christians understand these modern experiences as ways God personally draws people in regions where the Gospel is suppressed and other means of hearing about Christ are restricted.
  • Others are more cautious, viewing such accounts as sincere experiences best tested against Scripture and the message of the Gospel itself.

In simple terms:
Yes — numerous reliable witnesses describe such encounters among Iranians, and the resulting conversions are widely documented. Whether one sees that as “Jesus personally appearing” or as God using visions to awaken faith, the movement toward Christianity in Iran is real, large, and ongoing.

 Growth & Scale of the Underground Church

  • Estimates vary, but most credible sources place the number of Christian converts from Islam in Iran between 300,000 and 3 million. This movement is regarded as one of the fastest-growing in the Middle East. (buzzbeatmedia.com)
  • The U.S. State Department, academic studies, and the World Watch List provide more conservative figures:
  • Between 250,000 and 300,000 ethnic Christians remain in Iran, largely from recognized Armenian and Assyrian communities. (buzzbeatmedia.com)
  • Open Doors estimated about 800,000 Christians in total for 2026. (opendoors.org.au)
  • Iran Alive Ministries, an evangelical network, puts the number of Muslim-background believers around 2 million and suggests the real figure may be even higher. (mbcpathway.com)

2. Nature & Dynamics of the Movement

  • House churches are the core expression of the movement—small, unregistered gatherings that meet in private homes. These meet without legal protection and face relentless surveillance and risk. (buzzbeatmedia.com)
  • Digital evangelism plays a pivotal role. Converts often come to faith through satellite TV programs, encrypted messaging apps, and online Bible studies—tools that offer relative safety and privacy. (terreneglobe.com)

3. Dreams & Visions: A Common Testimony

  • Numerous testimonies report Iranians encountering Jesus through dreams or visions—often described as deeply personal and transformative experiences. (aquinas.ac)
  • A survey referenced on social media notes that 25–27% of Muslim-to-Christian converts in the Middle East cite dreams or visions, with the figure rising to 40% in Iran. (x.com)

4. Persecution & Government Response

  • The Iranian regime views the movement as a serious threat, frequently prosecuting converts and targeting underground leaders. Arrests of Christians have increased dramatically—up sixfold between 2024 and 2025 in Tehran alone. (religionnews.com)
  • Despite the dangers, the underground church remains resilient, continuing to expand through digital discipleship tools, mentorship, and discreet gatherings. (transformiran.com)

Summary Table

TopicInsight
Scale of MovementEstimates range between 500,000 to 3 million believers, including converts
Form of ChurchPredominantly underground house churches and online platforms
Dreams & VisionsUp to 40% of Iranian converts cite visions of Jesus as catalyst
Government PersecutionLegal repression and arrests are increasing, yet the church persists

In short: While precise numbers are hard to verify, the evidence points to a significant movement of Persians discovering faith despite persecution. The prevalence of dreams and visions in these conversions echoes patterns seen throughout Scripture—miraculous, personal encounters that awaken faith where traditional evangelism struggles to penetrate. Hallelujah!

HOW CHURCHES SHOULD FUNCTION AND INFLUENCE SOCIETY

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This week’s’ Israel Matters explores the current state of anti-Semitism, particularly in Hungary, and the role of the church in combating it. Stephen Briggs discusses recent events, including a controversial Super Bowl ad and the reception of the Israeli delegation at the Winter Olympics. He then speaks with Sara Kulifai, who shares insights on Hungary’s historical context regarding anti-Semitism and the church’s proactive stance in fostering Jewish-Christian relations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of education, activism, and biblical understanding in addressing anti-Semitism. Israel Matters to God so should Matter to Us. The interview with Sara Kulifai is enlightening as she shows how one church with the right leadership can make disciples like Sara that can influence nations for good. Make sure you share this video widely as hopefully it will challenge many churches to look at how they are influencing at least the communities they serve.

IS THE CHURCH READY FOR WHAT COMES NEXT?

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In this gripping episode of Directed Life, Kap Chatfield sits down with evangelist and end-times scholar Tiff Shuttlesworth for a prophetic conversation on Bible prophecy, Israel, deception in the Church, and the urgency of the hour. Tiff unpacks how global chaos, rising antisemitism, transhumanism, and misinformation are all aligning with biblical prophecy. From the significance of Israel’s rebirth to the role of deception in the rise of the Antichrist, this episode is a wake-up call to the Church: it’s time to get rooted in truth and prepared for what’s coming. This isn’t fearmongering, it’s a faith-filled call to clarity, conviction, and commitment. Whether you’re curious, confused, or confident about the end times, you need this conversation.

WILL THE CHURCH IN AMERICA RESPOND TO THE OPPORTUNITY GOD HAS PROVIDED WITH THE TRUMP ELECTION VICTORY?

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“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil... that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. .” Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6 explains the spiritual battle that we are in and it urges us to put on the full armour of the Lord and then to stand. So the battle is never done this side of heaven. We have to continue to perpetually stand for the truth. The church in America has in the main compromised with the world just as Jesus said it would in the last days before He returns to Earth.

As a result of Trump’s remarkable win in the 2024 Presidential Election U.S.A. God has allowed the church time to put the country back on the right track. As Family Research Council’s (FRC) Mary Szoch said after voters knocked off three radical pro-abortion ballot initiatives, this is the opening believers have been waiting for. On Tuesday, “Americans … re-elected the most pro-life president in the history of America,” she emphasized. “Now is the time for us to work together to promote strong, faith-filled marriages, strengthen families, and create a society that values every single person from the moment they come into existence. The opportunity to build a culture of life in America is great, and we cannot waste it.”

We also need to remember, Hibbs said on Pray Vote Stand: Decision 2024, “The church needs a revival. We will still wake up tomorrow knowing that the church needs to turn back to Scripture — and pulpits … [need to address] through the Scripture the issues that shape our congregants and their life, their worldview. And so, we need a revival. We pray that this election is a little part of that, but the bottom line is the answer. Are God’s people stepping up? Are God’s people getting involved?”

Another thing Christians need to realize, former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann said, is that “we have a lot to be grateful for.” The Trump campaign is in a “good place,” she acknowledged, “[but that’s] in the natural. I felt like the Lord was saying to me early on in this campaign that this [race] won’t be won in the natural, it will be won in the supernatural. And I truly believe that we need to just keep leaning in [with] prayer and what we’re [doing]. Where Scripture has taken me this week is [to Exodus] where Moses is standing when the Israelites are battling with the Amalekites — and then Hur and Aaron are holding up Moses’s arms — all while Joshua was on the field at the battle. And so it’s both: it’s prayer, and it’s action.”

When the church does both, she explained, “then we see victory.” “… But we can never, ever take it for granted.” The reality is, Michele pointed out, “Four years is going to go fast. And again, we only have two years until the next midterm, so … we’ve got to get to work. … It’s like there was a party and the furniture is all broken and the drapes are torn down from the windows, and we’ve got to get America’s house back in order fast and do what the American public believes that Donald Trump and a Republican Senate and a Republican House can do.”

That takes work, it takes commitment, and it takes an army of men and women determined to pay the price to speak up — and stand up. Whatever happens from here, Tony Perkins (FRC) urged, “Election 2024 must not be the finish line for Christians in America; I pray it is a starting point. It’s time for the church to arise. Our hurting nation needs a revival that only God can provide.”

As I said in my last post Donald Trump will not make America great again. Unless God brings revival to America and the nation gets on its knees to repent of all its abominable sins: abortion, gay marriage, homosexuality, transgenderism, etc. God will not lift the judgment that America is already under. Sadly, I just do not believe Scripture shows that this will happen. We are already in the Biblical prophesied end times many of the Biblical prophesied end times signs have already manifested and persecution of Christians will only intensify.

Much of this post has been extracted from an article by Suzanne Bowdey, Trump’s Win ‘Isn’t the Finish Line – It’s the Starting Point’, She serves as editorial director and senior writer at The Washington Stand.

THE CHURCH THAT IS LEFT BEHIND TO FACE THE WRATH OF GOD

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Televangelist Keith Moore’s ministry Faith Life International has purchased a third jet following a fundraising campaign to raise $10 million. The used Dassault Falcon 7X jet acquired by Moore’s ministry was listed for sale at $17.5 million, while a new model would have cost $60 million.

In addition to the Falcon 7X, Faith Life International also owns a Dassault Falcon 900 EX (tail number N7KM) and Raytheon 390 (tail number N8PJ) jets. Moore is a licensed pilot and certified to fly all three jet models; however, both Falcon jets require an additional pilot in the cockpit.

Creflo Dollar’s new Gulfstream G550: After televangelist Creflo Dollar asked for 200,000 donors to give $300 each to fund the purchase of a new $65 million Gulfstream G650 jet back in 2015, he faced an immediate backlash due to critical international news coverage. Instead of purchasing the Gulfstream G650, Dollar’s property holding company, World Heir, acquired two used jets: a Gulfstream G-IV (tail number N878SM) and a Learjet 60 (tail number N978SM), which was recently sold.

Why can’t these churches see that they fit God’s description of the church at Laodicea? It is the seventh church representing the church in the seventh year of the 70th Week of Daniel, the final year before Jesus returns to Earth with resurrected Saints to fight the battle of Armageddon and usher in His Millennial Kingdom (http://www.millennialkingdom.net) The church of Laodicea is left behind to face the wrath of God that is poured out with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements over the final year. The sixth church, the church of Philadelphia, is raptured and kept from the wrath of God.

CHURCH OF LAODICEA: LEFT BEHIND TO FACE THE WRATH OF GOD

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:15-17

CHURCH OF LAODICEA: “BE ZEALOUS AND REPENT“

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:18-20

CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA: “KEPT FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL”

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name... Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:8,10

KENYA HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT

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I received the following email from the leader of the Kenya House Church Movement in the north of Kenya. Charles is based in Migori, close to the border of Tanzania.

Hi Ron, Glad you will hit 88 yrs next week and you are using your years wisely.
I will be praying for your son Glenn that God will use this life-threatening illness and he will come back to Christ.
Your commitments and effort to writing and LEN posts is a great blessing to the entire KHC family.
We shall keep upholding you, your family, and your grandchildren in our prayers.
Keep praying for me and the KHC movement, We just came from a discipleship mission trip to Tanzania now 4 days ago, a successful meeting. We were able to witness the mighty working of God in our midst. I have attached some pictures.

Blessings, Charles

I am unable to support the KHC group as I have in the past so I am hoping that God will prompt some of my readers to connect with Charles and provide support, prayer, and finance as God leads. You can donate on this website see the link on the Home Page or contact Charles directly Phone:. (254)741196559, Email otienochris@yahoo.com, Address: Charles Otieno Owino, Isbana Rd, Migori Kenya.

Charles is the large man on the left of the bottom picture. This was taken on my visit in 2022. We had a meeting of house church leaders. Some are holding a copy of my most recent book: Living Eternal Now – Ready for Jesus Return.

THE CHURCH THAT WILL BE LEFT BEHIND TO FACE THE WRATH OF GOD

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“Thank you, Jesus”: Kenneth Copeland praises God for a new Bentley car. Prosperity gospel preacher Kenneth Copeland thanked Jesus for a dying man’s seed offering of a Bentley with a Breitling clock, which he had given in the hope that it would bring healing. It did not.

At Kenneth Copeland Ministries’ annual Southwest Believers’ Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, held from July 29 to Aug. 3, the 87-year-old televangelist regaled attendees with stories about his passion for Breitling watches, of which he owns around 36 coveted timepieces.

Speaking on “How to Walk by Faith and Not By Sight” two Mondays ago, Copeland delighted in showing off the diamond-encrusted Breitling adorning his left wrist to a man seated in the front row. “Do you think that one’s pretty?” Copeland asked the man. “It’s a Breitling. It has diamonds around the edge. Someone gave me that one.”

Copeland said he began gifting Breitling watches as seed gifts, adding that he and Pat Robertson, the late founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and host of “The 700 Club,” had a “tradition” of gifting Breitlings to each other.

Bible scholar Justin Peters, a harsh critic of World of Faith prosperity preachers and the New Apostolic Reformation movement rebuked Copeland’s “wicked” teaching that sowing “a seed” will heal the sick.

“Kenneth Copeland knows full well that the people listening to him don’t follow him for exposition of Scripture; they are there for promises of health and wealth,” Peters said. “And there are a lot of sick people listening to him. Not just at this convention but all over the world. And they are sick; they are dying, some of them. And some have sick children, children who are dying.

As a warning to the televangelist who has boasted of being a billionaire, Peters quoted from Matthew:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” Matthew 7:21-23,

Peters said he does not hate Copeland but was filled with “righteous indignation” because of the “audacity” the televangelist had to tell the story of a man who sowed a seed for healing from cancer yet died. “He’s dead,” Peters lamented.

Kenneth Copeland and all those he has deceived represent the seventh church of Revelation 3, the Church of Laodicea. It is the church that is left behind to face the wrath of God with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. It describes the church in the seventh year of the 70th week of Daniel 9:24-27.

“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:17-19

The sixth church, the Church of Philadelphia, is raptured. It represents the church in the sixth year of the 70th week of Daniel 9:24-27.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:8,10

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ‘AT ODDS’ WITH MAINSTREAM CULTURE

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An increasing share of Americans think their religious beliefs are “at odds” with “mainstream American culture.” 48% of citizens say there is either a “great deal” or “some” conflict in this area, up from just 42% in 2020, according to a Pew Research Centre Survey. The survey also found 29% of Americans believe they are religious minorities, up from 24% in 2000.

Meanwhile, most U.S. adults, 80%, said “religion’s role in American life is shrinking,” a percentage that’s the highest it has been in Pew’s research history. Just 18% expressed the belief faith is gaining influence in American society, with 49% saying religion’s influence is on the decline and that it’s a bad thing, which is unsurprising considering 57% of U.S. adults believe religion’s influence on American life is positive.

Americans’ political affiliations impacted their view of religion and public life. Republicans (51%) said it is important to have a president with the same religious beliefs they hold; just 25% of Democrats said the same. Pew found some interesting statistics regarding this year’s presidential candidates with 13% stating they believe Biden is “very religious” and 4% expressing the same about Trump. Source: Faithwire

Sadly, the majority of the people in the survey who claim to be religious are not born-again Christians who hold a Biblical worldview. Already, most of the denominational/institutional churches have compromised with the world on big issues such as gay marriage and homosexuality. These churches will be among those who thought they were part of God’s church but will be left behind to face the wrath of God. In Revelation 3 each of the seven churches represents the church in each of the seven years before Jesus returns first to rapture His church – the church of Philadelphia. The church of Laodicea is the church that is left behind to face the wrath of God but note they still have the opportunity to repent and be saved.

To the Church in Laodicea

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:15-22