| What Dangers Should Watchmen be Warning Against? |  |  |  |
"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls… Also I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'." Jeremiah 6:16-17
Christian Civilisation is at Stake
Since 1914, God's people have been subjected to a hundred years war. There is a concerted and comprehensive conspiracy to undermine, subvert, eradicate and annihilate the company of nations, who have been the bastion and bulwark of Christian civilisation for centuries.
Recognising the Threats
The threats to Bible-believers are very real and extremely serious. Never have the people of the Covenant faced such extraordinary hostility from such a bewildering array of enemies. Centuries of Evangelism and discipleship have been eroded. Centuries of Reformation work and Revival blessings have been subverted. Centuries of progress and technological advances have been side-tracked and spectacular achievements are being undermined and sabotaged on almost every side. Schools, universities and churches have been hijacked by secular humanism and radical atheism.
The New World Order
The United Nations is ploughing ahead with its New World Order agenda of centralising control, disarming, drugging, sterilising, pornifying, aborting, homosexualising and perverting the world.
Multiculturalism
In the name of multiculturalism, God's Covenant people are being guilt manipulated, indoctrinated and brainwashed to accept invasions of welfare junkies to parasite off the productivity and hard work of God's peoples, turning vast areas of our cities into Third World ghettos of litter, pollution and rampant crime.
Social Engineering
The homosexualists are subjecting school children to their radical social engineering agenda to not merely have the deviant declared normal, but to have the normal declared deviant. Not satisfied with tolerance, the homosexual bullies are demanding approval and conformity.
Homosexual Bullying
Bed and Breakfast owners in Britain and South Africa have been targeted for ruinous legal action for recommending homosexual couples to rather use any of the many other Bed and Breakfasts that had no problem with such conduct. Bakers have been harassed and even hounded out of business for preferring not to cater for homosexual "weddings", or produce "Gay-themed" cakes.
Persecution by Perverts
Christian florists have been vindictively persecuted out of business for preferring not to accept contracts to provide flowers for so-called homosexual "weddings". Pastors and Evangelists have been harassed and prosecuted for preaching what the Word of God teaches in Romans 1, concerning the sin of homosexuality. Adoption agencies are being targeted for preferring to place children for adoption in homes with a husband and wife, rather than with homosexual live-in lovers. People have been fired from their jobs. Teachers have been kicked out of schools. The homosexual agenda has taken on the role of a bulling inquisition.
Imperialistic Inquisition
Whole countries are being bullied by the US State Department, the British Foreign Office and the European Union to decriminalise homosexual activity. Foreign aid is being withdrawn and political pressure exerted on countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda, for their laws upholding traditional marriage.
War Against the Family
Sneak attacks, assertions of victimhood, name-calling and expensive time wasting litigation are only some of the weapons being mobilised against those who hold to traditional marriage. The family is the basic building block of society. Marriage is an institution established at Creation by God. Marriage, a life-long partnership of love between one man and one woman, is a sacrament and an ordinance of the Church. No government has the right to interfere in religious freedom and presume to redefine a creation ordinance.
War Against God
At its heart, the battle to redefine marriage, to incorporate what God in the Bible condemns as perversion and an abomination, is a war against the family. It is not only a battle for the family, but it is a battle for civilisation itself. It is a battle for religious freedom. More than that, it is part of the New World Order's war against God. Turning reality upside-down. Delighting in wickedness.
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
It is Easier to Destroy than to Build
It takes longer to build than to destroy. For example, it took the Americans seven years to build the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. However, it only took an hour for Muslim terrorists, to destroy the remarkable feet of engineering. Similarly, while it took 90 years to build Rhodesia into one of the most efficient and productive agricultural economies in Africa, it took Robert Mugabe and his Marxist government just a few years to destroy it.
The Building Blocks of Civilisation
Civilisation needs: The rule of Law, the fear of God, knowledge of the Bible, a strong work ethic, respect for life and property, an efficient infrastructure of roads, railways, means of communication, educational institutions, literacy, moral standards, respect for contracts, concern for neighbours, compassion for the weak, practical help for the poor and lots of hard work. However, what does it take to destroy civilisation?
"Confuse, Divide and Conquer"
If we can be confused, then we can be divided and conquered. If we do not understand the nature of our enemies: secular humanism, evolutionism, antinomianism, egalitarianism, radical Islam and Marxism, we will not be able to counter what we do not understand. We must understand our enemies, and we must recognise their tactics.
Antinomianism
Antinomianism, the belief that the Law of God does not apply today, and the just-believe minimalist gospel, are hopelessly inadequate in conveying the Biblical message.
Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism is humanism. It says that everybody is equal. But everybody is not equal. Zebras are not equal to lions. Pigeons are not equal to eagles. We should honour our father and our mother and we should respect our elders. "The eye that mocks his father and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley will peck it out and the young eagles will eat it." Proverbs 30:17
Socialist
Secular humanist philosophers may wish that everyone be forced to be equal, but it has proven to be unworkable. As Winston Churchill declared: "Socialism could only work in Heaven, where it is not needed, or in hell, where they already have it!"
Margaret Thatcher observed: "The problem with socialism is that sooner, or later, you run out of others people's money!"
Productivity is to be Rewarded
Those who work hard are to be rewarded. Those who are unprofitable servants will be cast into outer darkness. In the parable of the Talents (Luke 19:12-27), our Lord taught that He would generously reward those who were faithful and wise in serving Him, but the unproductive, He will condemn. "For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even the little he has will be taken away from him." Luke 19:27
Nobody is Equal
There is nothing egalitarian about the Bible. Equality before the Law is commanded (Numbers 15:15-16). However, no one can enforce equality of effort, or equality of results. Nobody on earth is equal. Not in height, not in size, nor in looks. People are not equal in intelligence, talents, motivation, energy, dependability, competence, trustworthiness, productivity, devotion, dedication, capabilities, or achievements.
Egalitarianism is Unbiblical
The Ten Commandments effectively forbids egalitarianism. We are not to covet what others have. We are not to steal others people’s property. Nor are we to dishonour our parents, or other superiors. Neither may we lie, gossip, or slander others.
Degrees of Judgement
The Lord made it clear that there would be different degrees of judgement. He warned that it would be better for the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah than for Capernaum, on the Day of Judgement. How could that be? Because evil as Sodom and Gomorrah were, they never had a Bible, nor did the Messiah walk, and work miracles in their streets. However, Capernaum had the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles working miracles, in their streets: Yet they rejected His grace and mercy. The Apostle James warns: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement." James 3:1
To Whom Much is Given Much is Required
We will be judged by the light that we have received. To whom much is given, much is required. To whom much more is given, much more is required. The Scriptures make clear that there will be different degrees of rewards in Heaven. "Each one's work will become clear for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
But Does God Not Love Everybody Equally?
To all this the egalitarianism objects: "But, does not God love everybody - equally?" The answer is clearly, No! The Bible is quite clear that there are actually many whom God hates. "These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord amongst brethren." Proverbs 6:16-19. The proud, liars, murderers, the wicked, those who rush to do evil, false witnesses, and those who sow discord amongst brethren, are among those who God declares that He hates. God is a Holy God. He is a God of justice and a God of wrath. God will call us to account for every idle word ever spoken. Our Creator will judge us for our beliefs and for our behaviour.
Inequality in the Bible
In the Scriptures we read that Enoch walked with God. Abraham was chosen to be the Father of God's people. Abraham is described as the friend of God. Moses spoke to God face to face. David is described as "a man after God's own heart!" Our Lord Jesus described John the Baptist as the greatest man born of woman. John the Apostle is described as "the disciple whom Jesus loved."
Respect Your Leaders
We are commanded: "Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17
HMS Birkenhead
On 26 February 1852, one of the worst naval disasters occurred off the coast of South Africa. Her Majesty's Ship Birkenhead struck a rock shelf off Danger Point, near present day Hermanus, East of Cape Town, and began to sink rapidly. The Birkenhead was carrying the 74th Regiment, made up mostly of Irishmen and Scotsmen. This Regiment had distinguished itself in conflicts throughout the Napoleonic Wars. That night the Birkenhead had 638 people on board, including 138 naval officers and crew and 480 army officers and enlisted men under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Seton. Also on board were the wives and children of those members of the military who were married. The Birkenhead was an iron paddle-wheel frigate of 1,400 tonnes. Built in 1845 and converted into a troop ship in 1848, the Birkenhead was considered to be unsinkable and therefore had few lifeboats on board.
Women and Children First
The sudden inrush of water flooding the lower deck swamped the boiler fires and caused the funnel to crush the paddle-wheel life boat. Only two cutters and a gig were able to be launched. The order went out: "Women and children first!" As the women and children were rowed away to safety, the horses were cut lose so they could attempt to swim for shore. Captain Robert Salmond gave the order to "Abandon ship!" adding "Every man for himself!"
Stand Fast
At this Lieutenant Colonel Seton shouted: "Stand fast!" He instructed the men to remain in their ranks and go down with the ship. Should they attempt to make for the lifeboats they would overload these fragile vessels, swamping the lifeboats and endangering the lives of the women and children. The 480 officers and men of the 74th Regiment stood in their ranks on the sloping deck of the doomed Birkenhead as the pipe band played. Singing Christian hymns, these Scottish and Irish soldiers went down with the Birkenhead into the shark infested waters of the ocean. No man attempted to swim to the heavily laden lifeboats, as they realised that any attempt to do so could destabilise and swamp these boats and risk the lives of the women and children.
The Women and Children were Saved
The Birkenhead sank within 20 minutes. Not a women or child was lost. 444 men drowned. 193 people, including all the women and children survived. Some of the soldiers and sailors managed to swim the 2 miles (3.2km) to shore. In the tossing seas that took over 12 hours. Of the horses, 8 made it safely to land.
The Birkenhead Drill
Rudyard Kipling immortalised the courage of these men with the phrase: "Birkenhead Drill."
"To take your chance in the thick of a rush, with firing all about,Is nothing so bad when you've cover to hand, and leave and liking to shout!But to stand and be still to the Birkenhead drill is a damn tough bullet to chew.And they done it, the Jollies, Her Majesty's Jollies - soldier and sailor too!Their work was done when it hadn't begun; they were younger than me and you;Their choice it was plain between drowning in heaps and being mopped by the screw,So they stood and was still to the Birkenhead drill, soldier and sailor too."The Birkenhead Drill became synonymous with: "Women and children first!"
Titanic Tragedy
The maritime disaster of the Birkenhead popularised the protocol of "Women and children first." This became standard evacuation procedure in maritime disasters. When the titanic sank, 15 April 1912, 1,503 passengers and crew drowned. 651 people were lowered into lifeboats. 703 survivors were picked up by the Carpathian and were saved, this included 54 who went into the water and were also saved.
Christian Chivalry
For every women who died on the Titanic, 13 men died. Some of the richest men in the world gave up their seats to women and children, of all classes, and went down with the ship. The portrayal in Hollywood's Titanic film of 3rd class passengers being prevented from reaching the lifeboats is fiction. There was no class warfare evident in the loading of the lifeboats with women and children first. Some women chose to stay on board and go down with their husbands. But the plain disparity of 13 times more men drowning on the Titanic, for every women who was lost, makes clear that most men on the Titanic adhered to the Birkenhead Drill.
Modern Egalitarianism
However, the consequences of modern egalitarianism has been seen in modern maritime disasters, where thousands of women and children have died in horrific ferry sinking’s in Asia. Unlike the Titanic, most of the survivors of these disasters have been men! Interestingly enough, feminists and suffragettes in 1912 argue the case that the Titanic women were wrong to have accepted seats on the lifeboats from the men! To them the philosophy of men being protectors and defenders of women was "offensive" and an obstacle to their cause. "Votes or boats?" was the title of one prominent newspaper article at the time. The answer to those who asked Why, is found in the Bible: "Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her…" Ephesians 5:25
God is not egalitarian. Nothing in nature is egalitarian. Each one of us are called to be faithful to our duty.
"Corrupt and Conquer"
Legalised pornography, the toleration of prostitution, the popularising of perversion, degenerate Hollywood entertainment, corrupt and corrode the very fabric of society.
Recognise the Tactics of the Enemy
We need to recognise the very serious threats to Christian civilisation: The threat of confuse, divide and conquer, corrupt and conquer, guilt manipulation, the rewriting of history, the lawlessness of antinomianism, the poison of secularism, the corruption of worldliness, the covetousness of materialism, the disastrous consequences of egalitarianism, the confusion of multiculturalism, the idolatry of the interfaith movement, and so many other seeds of destruction.
Termite Strategy
Each of these ideologies work like termites in a wooden house. While the outward structure may look unaffected, the termites can be eating away at the inside, rotting away at the very foundations of the structure, until it all collapses. A fresh coat of paint will not change the fact that the beams and pillars are rotten and cannot stand strain and pressure.
We Need to Rebuild Christian Civilisation
Our Christian Faith is the foundation of civilisation and Biblical ethics are the mortar. To rebuild Christian civilisation, we must start with reforming our families. There is a battle for the mind, a war being waged against marriage and against the family. Our children are at risk. Education has become a battlefield. It is a battle for the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Two Extremes to Avoid
Facing the threats of secular humanism, multicultural mongrelisation, the New World Order attempt to rebuild Babylon, privileges for perverts, interbreeding and interfaith, many respond in one or two extremes. There are those who want to deny that any problem exists, and those who declare that there is no hope!
No Problem!
To try to deny reality and claim that there is no problem, is to fail to recognise the depravity of man. Mankind is in rebellion to Almighty God. It is impossible to violate God's Laws without serious and disastrous consequences.
No Hope!
On the other hand, those who claim that there is no hope are failing to take into account the sovereignty of God, the power of the Word of God and the power of prayer.
The Power of God
"Greater is He who is in me, than him who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:17
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loved us." Romans 8:37
The Valley of Dry Bones
"The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' So I answered, 'O Lord God, You know.' Again He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.' So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.' So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.'" Ezekiel 37:1-11
When last did God speak to you?What did He say?Did you obey?
When man listens, God speaks.
All around we are surrounded what seems to be dead churches and we are confronted with lifelessness and disorder. Our prayer is: "Will You not revive us again that Your people may rejoice in You?" Psalm 85:6
When last did you experience the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you?
What is the condition of your soul? Is your Faith dry? Do you have the Bible in your home? Do you have the Bible in your hand? Do you have the Bible in your head? Do you have the Bible in your heart?
"Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17
Just as the dead Lazarus was raised by the power of the Word of Jesus: "Lazarus! Come forth!" So we can see the power of the Word of God, as it is faithfully proclaimed, bringing the spiritually dead to life.
"The Gospel is the power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes." Romans 1:16
Jesus said: "If anyone is thirsty, he should come unto Me and drink and out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living waters." John 7:37
Reformation and Revival
We must know the Truth in our head. We must believe the Truth in our heart. We must live the Truth in our hands. We need to be faithful watchmen on the wall, proclaiming the Word of God in season and out of season, working for Biblical Reformation and praying for spiritual Revival. The Word of God assures us, that the whole Church will be revived and stand up, a vast army!
"Then say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: 'Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land… They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God… they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given… and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever… Moreover I will make a Covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting Covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore'." Ezekiel 37:21-28
Dr. Peter Hammond
Livingstone Fellowship P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725 Cape Town South Africa Tel: 021-689-4480 Fax: 021-685-5884 Email: mission@frontline.org.za Website: www.livingstonefellowship.co.za
See also: Where are the Watchmen on the Wall?
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