July 21, 2000
Many heartfelt thanks to those of you who wrote and expressed your
appreciation to this ministry.
- Francis Frangipane
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"Ask of Me!"
We live in unparalleled times. Not since the first century have more
scriptures been fulfilled in a single generation. Each unfolding word
brings down another mountain; it lifts another valley. In truth, the way
is being prepared for our King's return into this world.
The Great Revolt
The Lord forewarned that, during the end-time, "many will go back and
forth, and knowledge will increase" (Dan 12:4). Contrast our time with any
other in history: Not only are we traveling farther and more frequently,
but we do so in a world inundated with increasing knowledge. It has been
our privilege to behold the prophetic return of Israel to its land (Jer
16:14-15), and our misfortune to live when "the earth is...polluted by its
inhabitants..." (Is 24:5).
As though Jesus were reading a news summary of recent years, His
prophecies of two thousand years ago clearly describe our times. Thus, we
are compelled to discern accurately the significant times in which we
live. Indeed, of all the prophetic fulfillments of our day, one prophecy
in particular rises with immediate implications. It concerns the
"apostasy."
Paul warned, "Let no one in any way deceive you, for [the day of the
Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first..." (2 Thess 2:3).
The apostasy has traditionally been described as a time when many
quietly slip into a "great falling away" from true faith in Christ.
Depending upon your specific view, sometime before or after the apostasy
the rapture of the church will occur. However, the concept of apostasy as
merely "a falling away" is incomplete. The original Greek word for
apostasy, "apostasia," when used in classical Greek literature, meant "a
political revolt." From this we understand that the end-time apostasy is
not just a time of expanded moral compromise; it is a time of open
defiance and warlike aggression, a political insurrection, against the
laws of God.
This interpretation of the apostasy is not an isolated view. The NIV,
RSV, Today's English Version, Phillip's Translation and the New English
Bible all render "apostasia" as "the rebellion." The Living Bible
interprets the "apostasy" as the "great rebellion," while the Jerusalem
Bible assigns a proper name: "The Great Revolt."
As we gaze in awe at the fulfillment of so many other prophecies, let
us carefully observe: Mankind has entered an era of open revolt and
outright rebellion-an apostasy-against the moral standards of God.
Today, we are witnessing a large-scale rebellion against godliness and
moral values. Indeed, this brazen attitude has had a name for itself since
the 1960s: the sexual revolution. And "revolution" is exactly what it is.
Our moral standards have not only been challenged, they have been replaced
by a "non-standard," one which seeks to promote every sin from obscenity
to homosexuality and witchcraft!
Those caught up in this mutiny against morality boldly defy the sway
of God in our nation. They argue the only standard Americans have is the
standard of individual freedom. In their view, Freedom itself is the "god"
ruling America with Self-indulgence sitting at Freedom's right hand.
Yet, Jesus still wants this nation. Though the apostasy will certainly
intensify, we must remember it is only one of many prophecies unfolding in
our day. The same Divine Word which warned of the Great Rebellion also
purposed that God's kingdom shall crush and put an end to all nations (Dan
2:44).
Yes, evil shall mature into full rebellion, but good is also ripening
into full Christlikeness! (Matt 13:40-43; Jn 17:22-23) Yes, the apostasy
shall reveal the nature of Satan, but the true church shall manifest the
nature of Christ! Jesus is not only coming in the skies, He is coming "to
be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all
who have believed..." (2 Thess 1:10). What seems to be Satan's hour, full
of darkness and rebellion, is simply the opportunity for grace to abound
to the glory of God in the church!
Seated With Christ!
The Second Psalm, perhaps more then any other Bible text, accurately
portrays the spirit of our time. Indeed, it also proclaims our correct
response to Satan's bold advance. Although it was quoted by the early
church (Acts 4:25-26), God has set its full realization for the end of
this age.
"Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain
thing? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take
counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed: 'Let us tear
their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us!' " (Ps 2:1-3).
Although "the rebellion" reveals itself worldwide in many ways, in
America many of our leaders have certainly been counseling together
"against the Lord" in their recent decisions. We see it in the legal
protection offered the gay movement and the shelter provided for satanic
rock music. Again, our anti-censorship laws, like armor plating, take
their stand against the Lord, shielding the perversity of our
entertainment industry. The cry of those in rebellion hammers relentlessly
upon the fetters of moral restraint!
This railing against God has not gone unnoticed in heaven. Is the
Almighty confounded? Has fear concerning recent developments gripped the
Lord's heart? No. The Psalm continues,
"He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He
will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury." (vv 4-5).
The Lord laughs at the foolishness of those in the rebellion, that
they imagine God's judgments cannot reach them. Why then, you ask, does
the Lord delay His full judgment? The Lord waits for us, His church. For
while the world shall demand, and receive, the reign of hell, the goal of
the praying church shall be for the reign of heaven. You see, all of God's
prophecies shall be fulfilled: those concerning evil and those concerning
good. The Lord has purposed to have a "bride without spot or wrinkle" and
a "kingdom" of wheat without tares. The transformation of the church will
be fulfilled as surely as the increase of knowledge, the return of Israel
and the apostasy itself.
Thus, with great fear and holy trembling, we must review what God has
promised concerning us! Let us remember, the Lord is not alone in the
heavens. According to His word, He has seated us with Him in the heavenly
places (Eph 2:6). It is time for our identity as Christians to shift. We
are Americans only by virtue of our ambassador status; our true
citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). And if God is laughing at the
mocking of those in the rebellion, let us also, as His subjects, share His
confidence!
Thus, He commands us to sit with Him in the completeness of His
purpose. He requires us not only to live without fear but to stand in
prayer for these very nations which defy Him! Listen again to this Second
Psalm, for in the very context of worldwide rebellion against Him, it
records the most remarkable discourse.
"Ask of Me," the Father says to the Son, "and I will surely give the
nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy
possession" (v 8).
This request has little to do with the goodness of the church, but
everything to do with the virtue of Christ and the love of the Father
toward Him. Look around you: Twenty years ago this nation was cold in
prayer. Today, leaders of denominations comprising 180,000 churches in
America are calling their churches to unite in supplication for this
nation. Jesus has asked the Father for America, and in response the prayer
movement has been born!
As Christ's church, we do not deserve a national revival, but Jesus
does! As His representatives, in His name and virtue, we ask of the Father
for this nation! More than an expression of faith, our prayer is actually
an act of obedience: We are commanded to ask God for the nations!
Therefore, while the perverse strive toward complete rejection of God,
even as their mocking words fill the air with curses, God's unchangeable
promise to His Son, and to His church as Christ's body, is "ASK OF ME, and
I will surely give the nations!'' As violence, New Age religions and
witchcraft flourish in our schools, ASK God for this nation. While all
restraint is removed from the entertainment industry, ASK God for this
nation! While perversity dresses in normalcy, ASK God for America! While
abortion, partial birth abortion and the abortion pill remain protected by
laws, ASK God with confidence, with boldness, with faith for our land.
He who sits in the heavens, laughs. So, put away discouragement;
repent of fretting. The more we accept our place in the divine plan, the
more we shall laugh at the enemies' plans. The faith that relentlessly
asks God, pleases God. Now, as the fulness of the times unfolds, as the
world around us clothes itself in prophetic fulfillments, let us put away
unbelief; let us repent for withdrawal. For it is a time to boldly ask of
God. He has promised, He will give the nations as an inheritance to
Christ!
* * * * *
A number of you have written, asking how you could help us reach the
nations with this message. Your tax-deductible gifts can be sent to
Advancing Church Ministries, 125 Robins Square Drive, Robins Iowa 52328.
For more info, please call 319 395 7131. Again, thanks for partnering
with us.
Jan Ross
jross@...
http://focusontheword.com
ICQ#18767082
"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness." (Psalm 84:10)
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