Something is coming and the church is not ready. In recent days God has been trying to warn the American church about what is coming, but, what have we done with these warnings?
I heard one preacher exclaim, “Teaching that anything bad is coming, is defeatism.” He refused to give his children a defeatist world view. What he thinks is love is the ultimate abuse. His children will not be ready.
It’s not as if God hasn’t warned the American church that perilous times are coming. One choice instrument was David Wilkerson. Many listened to his predictions, but many others wrote him off as an angry prophet.
I dare you to reread his words, go back and watch his videos, they are still on YouTube. David will come across completely different to you now. Now that libraries are bringing in drag queens to read to children. Now that abortion is no longer just a ‘right,’ but a cause for celebration. Now that our halls of power are sewers of falsehood, betrayal, ambition, greed, and lust, and now that the very fabric of civilized society is unraveling.
I dare you to call him legalistic, now that you can see that exactly what he predicted is happening. Now that you see churches have abandoned the Bible. Now that every day you hear of one more minister condoning materialism and promoting a ‘cheap grace’ that covers lust. Disdaining holiness and denying the existence of Hell. Just as he predicted, there is an epidemic of preachers who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, and pornography.
Our young daughters have unwelcome transgender visitors in the girl’s restroom at school. We are a nation of drug addicts. Tens of thousands die every year from opioids.
The bane of Modern Christianity can be summed up in just 2 words: Entitlement and Escapism.
Go back with me to a time before all this madness, and see when a sense of entitlement began to infect the church.
No one got saved in the early church because they were promised a lavish life. Each convert knew from the jump they would pay a price for following Jesus. They embraced Christ because something real happened to them. They knew—beyond knowing—that He was the Truth and the Life. Knowing Him was infinitely worth the cost. All they wanted was Jesus.
It is ironic that we tend to feel sorry for them, when in fact they would pity us! Yes, they were persecuted, but God was real in them. Their clarity unlocked something most of us do not have: inexpressible peace and joy.
Entitlement rolled into church like a Trojan horse. Certain preachers, like all good marketers, considered true discipleship a hard sell, so they replaced it with perks, inducements and flattery. Church became one giant participation trophy. The unspoken boast was, “What have we to do with self-denial? What have we to prepare for?” We as American Christians became too good for suffering. That was for other people, in other nations.
What edge did believers in the first century have over us? A massive one. They could survive anything that they encountered, whereas many today will be taken out the moment something happens that their pastor said God would never let happen.
Since ancient Christians expected to suffer, suffering never threw them for a loop. It never dawned on them that they would escape trials and tribulations. Because of that, they had a singular power that we don’t: the power to glory and thrive in evil times. Compare that with today’s Christian whose idea of spiritual warfare is claiming a parking space.
This is the person Jesus warned us about in Matthew 13:20, “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.”
The shocking thing will not just be how many entitled believers will stumble, but how little it will take to make them stumble.
Now let’s talk about escapism. The world that vessels like Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin, Steve Hill, and yes, David Wilkerson warned us about is here. The world that your favorite pulpit babysitter promised would never come—came anyway.
We didn’t escape. We have already witnessed this mass tragedy. Life has taken a turn in these United States that many churchgoers never believed could or would happen. There has been a falling away: because so many were ignorant, so many were offended.
Even many of the Christians who remained faithful, express their escapist denial in many ways. Instead of searching the scriptures for truth, they delve even deeper into teachings that now look silly. They want more materialism; they want more entitlement; they plunge into more false teachings and false ways. They go heavier into emotionalism. Their escapism is expressed in a sanctimonious tone, and then they lie about their reasons for believing they will escape all suffering. They say we must stay out of politics and not choose sides, even as it has become undeniable that we must take a stand. Instead, they bury their head in the sand and are oblivious as evil takes away our freedom and our children’s future.
Escapism is what gives them a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. Denial is why they imitate New Age teachings and make prophecy into a kind of game.But David Wilkerson also saw something else: A fresh and mighty move of the Spirit. He saw Jesus pulling people aside to enter into a close relationship with Him, and to instill in them the power needed to save this nation. He said, “God is revealing to all praying people that a glorious new work of the Spirit is about to break forth. God is going to shake everything that can be shaken. He will tear down the old political, backslidden, ecclesiastical system. He will disown the formal, super-church structure. He will chase out of His presence all those who are engaging in self-promoting ministries.”
Many will fall, but many will rise to levels of power and usefulness that are astounding. God not only knew the insanity of today was coming—He took steps to prepare a special relationship that would produce special powers in His Children. You already know who you are.
God is taking you aside to give you nation-saving power and skills. All glory to His Name!
Mario, I have been following your comments for a while now. I think anyone who reads what you write can agree that things have taken a bad path. But, instead of continuing to write about what is wrong isn’t it time for you to lead us on the path that will turn the ship around. When Trump became President he didn’t continue to bash Obama for how he ran the country but started correcting course. We need a course correction and leadership that will show us how to get where we need to go. You need to lead us in corporate prayers. If everyone who reads you daily would pray whatever God leads you to pray over our country, I think change would start. We need a leader. Patton didn’t go to war to lose. He was determined to win. And you are determined to win. So, lets start winning this war together. We are the ground troops in this battle and are waiting for the General to give us his commands. We may lose some in the battle but when the war is over we will proclaim victory. God bless.
Dearest Mario,
I was not privy to David Wilkerson’s teachings, thank you for revealing them to me & to us. I was intrinsically involved and familiar with Oral Roberts and his ministry, Dr Billy Graham, Dr Richard Jackson and Pastor Tommy Barnett’s, beliefs and teachings. These were all brave men (like you) who told the divine truth about the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, our responsibility to HIM and to HIS Kingdom and what could and would happen in the now moment of our lives and in the future, according to God’s word. Recalling all that they taught me along with all those who they touched with these truths. You are correct!… so many of these realities have come to pass.
We, simply put, must ‘be strong and of good courage’ in order to face the future boldly no matter what it holds in store for us. In many ways I blame the “prosperity gospel” for much of the great falling away from the doctrines of our Faith. I remember when the Charismatic trend was to promote the narrative of the FAVOR of God over everything one did or said. Then there was the “name it and claim it” period, and the “latter rain” movement. I would conjecture that the original first century church who suffered so bravely & magnificently on Roman crosses, public burnings, and Circus Maximus animal rendings, for the privilege of knowing Jesus as Lord, would look upon these modern American faith based trends with broken hearts.?
Hebrews 12:12-17 NKJV — Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Prov.1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,but fools despise wisdom and instruction….The only way to receive the ‘power’ we need,in the coming days..James 4:7 SUBMIT YOURSELF THEREFORE TO GOD,resist the devil he will flee from you!!
An enemy has sown tares amongst the wheat. Denominations have rejected the Bible. They have embraced doctrines of devils and man made rules of religion. They speak of Christ’s love as the way, while denying that He is also the Truth. A relative of ours performs gay marraiges and rejoices when sin wins a victory over righteousness. I heard David Wilkerson speak at different meetings and conferences over the years, as well as being blessed to spend some time with Leonard Ravenhill in Lindale before his passing. Neither one of them were well received by some preachers. “Too legaistict,” they said. But these men stirred souls, built fires, and warned of a falling away. My experience today seems like living in two parallel worlds. The compromised “church” presents a false Jesus who is only gracious and loving and” inclusive.” They fail to mention he will also preside over a White Throne Judgement of sinners. My wife and I preach Jesus, the cross, and the blood to prisoners, the drug and alcohol addicted, and in evangelism. We warn of demons, hell, and eternity. But we also tell them how they are so greatly loved and of such great value to a savior who died that they might have life. And because of His great love for the lost, we are experiencing an unprecedented harvest of souls. We KNOW it is God and God alone, we touch not His glory!! I only share these words to give hope, that God is on the move now. God is restoring years locusts have eaten. Retrieving prodigals. Binding up broken hearts. Rescuing the shipwrecked.
Thanks for this timely article.Unhappily we have a simelar situation in the UK.
There is a great need that in God’s mercy He will visit us once again with Revival.
Until that day we depend upon the wonderful Holy Spirit to give us the power and
strength to continue to witness to His saving Grace.
I had such great respect for David Wilkerson. Even the Baptists respected him, at least, the ones that I knew. It grieves me when I see the labels that the finger-pointers and judgmental “Christians” slam his memory. They are the real legalists. It won’t be long and they will find out how completely right that he is. I agree with what Pastor Mario says about those who immediately come into threads and start chirping about how, “God is love”, and “My Jesus would love and accept everybody”, and such nonsense. Of course, God is love, but He is also righteousness, judgment, Holiness, and Ruler of the Universe. It seems like even common sense would tell them that He created the universe and the Earth in perfection, and He cannot be happy with the state of this world, or the state of America, today. Why would He condone that which is, not only imperfect, but vile, and accept ALL into the Kingdom without repentance? He told us in Revelations what He thinks about compromise and lukewarmness. Pastor Mario is right about what will draw this generation to the Cross, to the altars. They have to be told that they are going to Hell, that there is no other way, that Eternity could begin for them today, and it is time to make a choice. There really is too much emphasis on how to get blessed. Yes, I believe that God wants us to be blessed and He does shed His favor on those who are loving, generous, and kind to the less fortunate. But is that supposed to be our goal? Give more to get more? That kind of teaching does not prepare Christians for the hard times that will still come, no matter how much they give or how generous they are. Souls are going to Hell daily. And we know the ONLY way that they can be pulled out of the fire. It really is time to get back to basics. Count the cost, take up the Cross, and win the lost.
I am weeping as I read this. Such truth and conviction and I say “Bravo” to your courage, faithfulness and willingness to speak/write these words. Sending this to everyone I know, posting it on FB and beyond! I do most of your messages! This one is solid from the gut level of the Spirit, so to speak!! Bless you!
Only that which is genuine will endure the kind of persecution that is growing and will only intensify because satan knows that his time is short. Praise God for the everlasting, uncompromising Gospel message, present purifying fire, and outpouring that will make ready a people prepared for the LORD for eternity.
The Church in America must be cleansed and will be baptized in fire before she can be baptized in the Holy Ghost. There is no other way for her to be made spotless and ready for her groom. I believe many have and will continue to go through the purifying fires till He comes. He is worth it and eternity is worth all the sufferings we go through now.
Thank you Mario. I reposted this on my blog to help spread this message.
Yes and Yes….we are called and set apart for God’s purposes and not He for our purposes. Praying for those set apart to proclaim His Gospel with boldness.
Reblogged this on nuggets4u.
Yes Mario I have of late been going over Dave wilkerson you tube videos and drawn too them like a moth to the frame , I listen to him at night driving semi truck wow this man saw what is now here and thriving in churches like mold.
I have been very broken-hearted lately can find a church to call home . Or a preacher that only can puncher my ear drums not a heart.
Reblogged this on Covenant Chronicles with Chris Lovett.
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On Fri, 17 Jan 2020 10:04 pm Mario Murillo Ministries wrote:
> mariomurilloministries posted: “Something is coming and the church is not > ready. In recent days God has been trying to warn the American church about > what is coming, but, what have we done with these warnings? I heard one > preacher exclaim, “Teaching that anything bad is coming, is de” >
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