Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Exodus 5:1
We are looking for the Lord JESUS CHRIST to return to rapture believers to the Father’s House (John 14:1-4). This is our BLESSED HOPE! (Titus 2:13) Jesus’ imminent return in the air to take away His church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) is also our incentive to rise up in boldness to witness biblical, moral and Gospel TRUTH to all, and no less, to those in spiritual and governmental leadership.
After the Rapture, the Antichrist will arise along with many false Christs to mislead many. Preparations are now being made through deceptive spiritual and political leaders for the rise of this Man of Sin.
Biblical preachers, though few, have long been sounding the prophetic alarm of the sure and certain arising of this global diabolical pretender who will, as many would-be leaders today, have “an itch for the praise of fools.” (Browning)
He will be a false Christ, who will perform many “signs and wonders” (Read Revelation 13) on account of which millions of the spiritually gullible will instantly worship as god, king and promised restorer of world peace. Jesus clearly warned that we should be aware of the factual arising of false teachers and false Christs in the last days and so He commanded His disciples:
“Take heed that no man deceive you. For many will come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Read Matthew 24:4-14)
Even now biblical Christians should be familiar with Scriptural and prophetic truth. If not, then we/they must familiarize themselves with Bible prophecy concerning the latter days to recognize the vile and immoral errors being pushed today by many spiritual and political leaders. Then, we need boldly to speak in the way the Bible commands:
“Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:2)
The atheistic and Marxist Left are decidedly anti-family, highly disparaging of Bible believing Christians and of America as a nation. But I believe God truly raised up the United States fundamentally to be a place of freedom to believe and teach the Bible, preach the Gospel and to stand against the enemies of Israel.
The Bible is without error. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It often speaks against those in spiritual and political power who refuse to believe in the Lord. These were leaders (both of Israel and other nations) whose beliefs and policies were condemned by prophets as wrong and who were warned that judgment would come if there was no repentance.
The Bible clearly shows us many examples of men, and often women, who boldly stood firm with Scriptural conviction against spiritual and political leaders that needed warning, correction, or judgment. Look at the prophet Elijah’s correction of King Ahab, for example:
“And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, ‘Art thou he that troubleth Israel?’ And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel; but thou and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and thou hast followed Baalim.’” (1 Kings 18:17-18)
Another example: Moses repeatedly stood before Pharaoh and confronted him with God’s command: “LET MY PEOPLE GO!!” (Exodus 5:1) Moses would not compromise or back down. Even the Hebrews themselves blamed Moses for their increased burdens because he, as many would put it today, “brought politics into the pulpit.”
Read the prophets who repeatedly stood before wicked kings with a convicting Word of the Lord. “THUS SAITH THE LORD” was the battle cry of the godly to the powerful who presumed to defy God or to destroy the people of God.
Liberals have used the anemic and meaningless phrase: “speaking truth to power.” The Left has no idea what truth is. They speak their misleading lies with boldness using intimidation and position sometimes even quoting the Bible but always out of context in order to deceive.
This vapid expression: “speaking truth to power” has no bearing on what the Bible says for believers to do when applying biblical truth to leaders of churches, denominations, or even nations. God has a purpose in whom He allows to occupy positions of spiritual or governmental leadership. He calls believers to apply the Word of God to them in the ways we counsel them, guide them and sometimes even correct them.
Remember that even the believer’s vote is only one of many ways to bring biblical truth to bear upon those in political leadership. Certainly, political leaders who are pro-life would invite the vote and ongoing guidance of Bible believers to better enable them to fulfill their roles with consistency and wisdom.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:1)
Believers need to take up their Bibles and actually READ THE WORD OF GOD! Then, we need to apply God’s truth to those who are in places of influence. This should be done consistently, biblically, respectfully, without swear words, and without rancor. Remember that, if you SPEAK moral and biblical truth to leaders, then you need to be LIVING in moral and biblical truth. Do not be a HYPOCRITE!
Preachers should speak to the issues of the day with their congregations in a way that accurately reflects a thoroughly biblical perspective. Preachers should not act like they do not know what is going on in the nation or that they do not care. Nor should preachers take the position that the nation’s spiritual and resulting political condition are unimportant to their spiritual walk and responsibility as Christians.
People in their churches need to know how they should understand what is happening in their country and in the world. A preacher who fears or refuses to do fulfill his biblical responsibility needs to re-examine his “calling” or find another way to make a living.
The great old hymn: “Rise Up Oh Men of God” is a great one to sing in churches today!! The liberal seminary I graduated from outlawed this hymn because of the use of the term “men” and its “militaristic” message. It is still a great call for believers to rise up in a world that is growing increasingly godless, humanistic, and cruel.
As we wait for the coming of the Lord to rapture His church, let’s be bold and biblical witnesses for Christ to all those in spiritual and governmental leadership.
1. Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
to serve the King of kings.
2. Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
and end the night of wrong.
3. Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
her strength unequal to her task;
rise up, and make her great!
4. Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where his feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
rise up, O men of God!