In the late ‘60s
and early ‘70s, millions of youthful Baby Boomers became unified around some
positive ideals such as racial equality, anti-sexism, and anti-materialism.
However, this movement commingled with psychedelic drug use, counterfeit
spirituality, and sexual promiscuity. An entire generation began to come under
heavy satanic bondage.
At the same time,
a powerful revival began to unfold. Millions of young Americans were
dramatically saved out of the tight grip of the enemy. A foundation was laid
for a resurgence of Christianity in America that continued into the ‘80s.
However,
beginning in the ‘80s, many Christians became more focused on being blessed and
happy than growing closer to God or laying their lives down for the gospel.
Others became discouraged by the nation’s moral decline and began to hunker
down in premature expectation of the Lord’s return. Gradually, many Baby
Boomers and Generation X-ers became like the seeds in Jesus’ parable that fell
among the thorns:
“…the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of
riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it
becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)
In turn, my generation, Generation-Y and
Millennials, have become like the seeds sown beside the road or on rocky places
(Matthew 13:19-21).
We have heard the word of God, but have either rejected it outright or received
it for a little while and then fell away. The vast majority of children or
teenagers who professed Christ over the last 20-30 years fell away after
becoming adults. We have dishonored our parents and embraced the world’s value
systems.
Revival
Is Needed
Almost
no one would argue with the assertion that Satan’s kingdom has advanced in America
over the last 25 years more than God’s kingdom. What are the possible
explanations for this? Is it due to God’s lack of desire to move in America?
Has Satan out-strategized God? I don’t think so. Truthfully, the responsibility
likely lies with us, the church. We are the vehicle of the advancement of God’s
kingdom on earth. As the church goes, so goes the nation.
Lukewarmness
grips our nation. Lukewarmness is possibly the greatest stronghold to overcome
in the last days. Jesus said to the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:16), which some
scholars believe is prototypical of the church in the last days:
“So because you
are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
We
are judged according to how faithfully we steward that with which we are
entrusted. Jesus said in Luke
12:47-48:
“And
that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord
with his will, will receive many lashes… From everyone who has been given much,
much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask
all the more.”
America
is in great danger. We have been entrusted with more spiritual light and truth
than possibly any nation in history, yet the depths of depravity we are headed
toward are beginning to rival some of the wickedest nations in history.
There is Hope
Many
preachers have recently applied 1 Chronicles 7:13-14 to America. The passage
says:
“If…
My people who are called by My
name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their
land.”
This
is certainly an applicable message for our time. We have never been in more
desperate need for revival than we are right now.
Even though lukewarmness grips our
nation, many Baby Boomers and Generation X-ers have fought against it. Their
hearts remained turned toward God despite access to wealth
and comfort beyond any other generation in history. This is very difficult to do, perhaps even more
than clinging to Him through hard trials. I believe many who overcome in this
way could be extremely useful instruments to God in their later years.
Likewise, many Generation Y-ers and Millennials have rejected the lies that
enslave their peers and have sought to live wholeheartedly for Christ despite
the cost. Their example could help lead many others out of bondage and into
freedom.
I believe the
church’s greatest need in this hour is for spiritual fathers and mothers to
arise. I believe this calling is available even to a believer who spent decades
as a lukewarm spiritual wanderer. The wonderful thing about life in God is that
true repentance changes everything. The most important segment of any race is
the finish. It is never too late to finish strong in the Lord.
I believe it is
time for a new start in the Christian family. It is time for each generation to
conscientiously help the next continue building with regard to loving God and
loving others. It is time for parents to carefully pass on generational
blessings and overcome generational bondage. It
is time for generations to start treating one another with honor, forgiveness,
and humility. It is time for the hearts of the fathers, mothers, and children
to be restored to one another. It is time to restore the family in America. It
is time to bring heaven into the home.
A Concluding Illustration from Exodus 17
In Exodus 17, Israel faced the prospect of war for the first
time since leaving Egypt and becoming a nation. They must have been terrified.
They had been slaves their whole lives. They had no military training, unlike
the Amalekite army they faced. To muster courage, they needed a constant,
visible reminder of both the faithfulness of God and the trustworthiness of the
leaders who shepherded them up to this moment. Moses stationed himself atop a
hill with the staff of God in his hand while Joshua, his spiritual son, chose
the best young Israeli men to lead into battle.
Whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel prevailed, but
whenever he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. Therefore, Moses’ brother Aaron and
another elder named Hur held up Moses’ hands until the sun set. As a result,
the sons of Israel overwhelmed and defeated Amalek by the edge of their swords.
What an incredible picture. Look at how
the generations needed one another. Look at how the young men drew inspiration
and hope when their spiritual fathers and leaders stood together in unity,
lifting the staff that testified of the great things God had done for them in
the past. Look at how the older generation relied on courageous, pure-hearted,
zealous young men like Joshua and his brothers to fight for their nation’s
survival.
Does this picture have any relevance
today? Of course, it does. In a spiritual sense, this is what is needed to save
America. The family is being decimated rapidly, and uncompromised Christianity
right along with it. We are in a battle for survival. The only hope is for each
generation of believers to take their places in the fight, through our prayers
for mercy, through our steadfast obedience to God and His Word, and through our
witness to the lost.
Can America be saved? Is it meant to be
saved? How will the coming decades unfold? How soon will the Lord return?
Honestly, I don’t know the answer to any of these questions. But I do know
eternal souls hang in the balance of the collective choices of the body of
Christ. And I do know we have a duty to contend for the spiritual welfare of
whatever city or nation God has us in for as long as we are alive on earth. Hebrews 11:13 says that Christians are “exiles”
on the earth. Therefore, perhaps it is appropriate to apply the spirit of
Jeremiah 29:7 to our lives, which God commanded to the exiles of Israel:
“Seek
the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord
on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”
We are the light of the world. We are the
salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14). We are a fragrance of Christ to God among
those who are being saved and among those who are perishing (2 Corinthians
2:15). Therefore, what sort of people ought we to be in holy conduct and
godliness (2 Peter 3:11)?
Next
Next, we will consider the intergenerational ministry of John the Baptist.