AMERICA IN CRISIS: 7.31.21 - How Woke Culture Is Spreading Anti-Biblical Messages

How Woke Culture Is Spreading Anti-Biblical Messages � Dan Heart - https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=4867 In November 1957, towards the beginning of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s leadership of the civil rights movement, he delivered a sermon at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church inMontgomery, Ala. In describing the biblical importance of loving one's enemies, he said this: When you come to the point that you look in the face of every man and see deep down within him what religion calls "the image of God," you begin to love him in spite of.No matter what he does, you see God's image there. There is an element of goodness that he can never slough off. Discover the element of good in your enemy. And as you seek to hate him, find the center of goodness and place your attention there and you willtake a new attitude. This profound message of reconciliation, rooted in the gospel, was at the heart of King's monumental "I Have a Dream" speech in the summer of 1963 that laid down the foundationsof what race relations in America should strive for. Ever since the end of segregation and Jim Crow laws and the signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the road to racial reconciliation and progress for black peoplein America has steadily improved. In the 50 years since then, black people have seen a 60 percent increase in high school graduation, a 20 percent increase in college graduation, a poverty rate that has been cut in half, a record low unemployment rate, a 1,325percent increase in members of Congress, a twice elected president and a sitting vice president of the United States, and almost universal agreement among all races on the positive impact of the Civil Rights Act, to name just a few indicators of progress. To borrow a phrase from an old tag line, "You've come a long way, America." However, over the last year, views on race in America seem to have gone haywire. The idea of "wokeness" -- believing that America is, as we speak, a "systemically racist"country -- has steadily pervaded almost every corner of American public life, from academia to corporations to the mainstream media. Even professional sports have succumbed, much to the dismay of fans. Perhaps even more concerning are signs that "wokeness" is now hijacking the gospel and is creeping itsway into churches across America. Owen Strachan, Senior Fellow at FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview, joined "Washington Watch" to discuss his latest book Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social JusticeMovement is Hijacking the Gospel -- and the Way to Stop It. He related examples of what is happening in our culture. "When you are told that white people are 'white supremacists,' you are hearing wokeness talking," Strachan said. "When you had, for example, a LinkedIn training sessionsome time ago that asserted that white people should try to be less white, that was woke teaching. When you hear people say that white people have 'white privilege,' that's wokeness. When you hear a critique of 'heteronormative capitalist sexist white oppression' in anyform, you are hearing wokeness talking." As Strachan went on to observe, what has become clear from this movement is the central role that guilt plays in advancing its cause. "Guilt is absolutely the currency of wokeness," he underscored. "It really is targeting white people. It wants white people to feel tremendous guilt for past evils. Andthose are real evils, things like slavery and Jim Crow law, things that no person in their sane mind is going to support. But wokeness says the past is not the past. Basically, the crimes of yesterday burn today. You can smell them in the air ... we need to impute guilt to white people today because their whiteness implicates them inthis whole systemic order of racism. And if we can successfully make them feel guilty, then we will advance our ideas and we will succeed in flipping the culture, which is really what this movement is about. It's not about promoting true unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ ... it's about making predominantly white people feel guilty for being white and then mobilizing that guiltto leftist social ends." Strachan made it clear that the leftist tactics being used by the woke movement fly in the face of any semblance of a diverse, civilized society, and that the gospel isthe only way out of the mess we're in. "What I make clear in my new book Christianity and Wokeness is that rioting isn't going to work for our culture. Arson is not a strategy for the public square, nor is itgoing to work in the church. This is not going to produce unity. This is not going to produce peace. This is not going to produce healing. This system produces division, resentment, and alienation; whereas when you go to Scripture, when you go to truth, when you go to the gospel of grace, that's where you actuallycan now find forgiveness and oneness and unity." -------------------------------------------- Wokeism and Oppression - Bill Wilson � www.dailyjot.com Opposing voter integrity investigations and blocking public release of a report on the origins of the COVID 19 virus are two of the latest torches picked up by the wokeDemocratic Party leadership. What are they trying to hide? A lot of speculation can go into answering that question�all the way from wild-eyed crazy conspiracy theories presented as fact to would-be brainwashed disciples on both fringes of the political spectrumto those who are earnestly trying to seek the truth in order to make reasonable and legitimate plans for living their lives. But the bottom line is that Democrats are suppressing truth and Republicans are so weak-kneed about prodding the woke, that they areineffective opposition. Under the guise of Republican voter suppression and raising the specter of the racist Jim Crow laws, the Democratic party is in full gear suppressing the truth about voterintegrity. At every juncture, either through political maneuvers or using the court systems, Democrats in key states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin have done their level best to thwart efforts to improve voter integrity�not onlyby suppressing investigations into allegations of fraud, but also to block new laws to prevent cheating. All the while, they are screaming racism and Jim Crow. Democrats invented Jim Crow laws that oppressed black people for over 100 years after the CivilWar. Now they projecting them onto the very people who are trying to ensure voter freedom and prevent breeches in election integrity. The Democrats have led yet another attempt to lockdown information about the origins of COVID 19. In May, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to declassify intelligenceon the origins of COVID 19 and the Chinese coverup. On July 20, 216 Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to block making the information available to the public. And what about the Biden Justice Department deciding not to investigate those governorsthat sent COVID-infected people to nursing homes resulting in the deaths of thousands of elderly? It just so happens that the governors of those states�New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey�are Democrats. Question: What are they trying to hide? Answer:These are tactics employed by communists when they are trying to take over a country. President Trump is being ridiculed by the press for pointing this out in a recent speech. He said, �We are at the beginning of a communist system. Radicals are seizing powerand destroying everything we hold dear as Americans and it�s happening.� He added that the left is trying to �dismantle the rule of law, censor speech, take over the free press, imprison political opponents.� In a land where people claim to be woke, they areslumbering when it comes to preserving freedom. Wake up!!! Marxism (communism) is the absence of freedom and social justice. The First Commandment says �Thou shalt not have any other God�s before me.� Communism replaces God with government. It�s a horror showthat has ended millions of lives, and it�s coming to us on a daily basis from the left. Stand with God or fall for the devil. It�s very clear. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Children as battlefields - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com Children should not be battlefields. But the public school system, excuse me, the government schools, have made children the battlefield. The government schools are perpetratinggreat abuse on America’s children. They have allowed the LGBTQ agenda to confuse children about their sexuality. They are teaching revisionist history. They are promoting socialist principles and turning children against their parents. Some have suggestedthat the only way to reverse this brainwashing is to pull your children out of the school and homeschool them. It makes a lot of sense, but can be overwhelming to some. Notwithstanding, your child/grandchild should not be a battleground. Consider the recent push back by parents in Loudoun County, Va where the school board there was taken to task for policies on transgender sports and bathrooms. The MarxistCritical Race Theory being pushed by Democrats, the National Education Association, and radical leftist groups like LGBTQ organizations, is yet another obvious battleground. Breitbart News reports that a fourth grade student in the Sartell-St. Stephen schooldistrict in Minnesota testified before the school board that students were required to complete an “equity survey” and were told not to “repeat any of the questions to our parents.” School boards don’t want to hear this opposition. And unless members are removed,there will be no changes. All this is part of a larger, more sinister agenda. The 45 communist goals revealed by Cleon Skousen’s 1958 work, “The Naked Communist,” informs what is happening in the government schools. Number 17, “Get control of theschools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks.” Number 25, “Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornographyand obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.” Number 26, “Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, and healthy.” Number 28, “Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the groundthat it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.” Number 40, “Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.” Number 41, “Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influenceof parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.” Number 42, “Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interestgroups should rise up and use [“] united force [“] to solve economic, political or social problems.” While communists are anti-God, they know very well Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Our nation is in crisis and children are the battlefield. The only way to stop it is to take control of what our children are being taught. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ America in the Crosshairs � Jonathan Brentner - https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/https/jonathan-brentner-g8fgsquarespacecom/config/2021/7/27/america-in-the-crosshairs If I did not believe in the Rapture and the following seven-year tribulation, that would not deter me from anticipating God�s judgment on America at some point in the nearfuture. Because Scripture teaches Jesus� imminent appearing followed by the wrath of the day of the Lord, I am all the more certain that the U.S. now rests in God�s crosshairs. After reviewing a chapter in her husband�s book on the evil in America at the time, Ruth Graham replied, �Billy, if God doesn't come soon and bring judgment upon the UnitedStates, He's going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!" Wickedness in the U.S. has grown exponentially in the decades since then. The words Job spoke long ago still ring true today and certainly apply to God�s sovereignty over all nations: He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. (Job 12:23) With these things in mind, let�s look at a couple Old Testament passages regarding ancient Judah that we can apply to the U.S. and other nations across the globe as well. SIGNS THAT GOD�S JUDGMENT HAS ALREADY BEGUN Has the Lord already begun to take action against the U.S.? Yes, I believe He has. One passage that speaks to me in this regard is Isaiah 3:4-5, a passage of warning to ancient Judah and Jerusalem: And I will make boys their princes, / and infants shall rule over them. / And the people will oppress one another, / everyone his fellow / and every one his neighbor; /the youth will be insolent to the elder, / and the despised to the honorable. Let�s examine how these verses might apply to the United States. 1. IMMATURE LEADERSHIP The Hebrew word for �boys� in Isaiah 3:4 suggests a young lad or perhaps a servant. In this context, it denotes an immaturity of leadership that the Lord said would characterizethose in charge of Judah ahead of His judgment falling on the nation. One could translate �infants� in verse 4 as �malicious young men,� or even tyrants. This signifies the inexperience of a child or babe who rules by selfish inclinationsor perhaps the whim of the moment. Its usage includes the evil motives of those in positions of authority. These words aptly characterize those in charge of the United States at the present moment. President Biden�s dementia makes him appear childish as he stumbles through sentencesthat make no sense whatsoever, expresses fear of disappointing those who control him, and behaves in a bizarre manner (or talks about it). Other nations recognize his diminished mental capacity. Vice President Harris lacks any semblance of maturity; it wouldbe an unmitigated disaster should she become president. The executive orders that have come from the White House since Biden took office reflect an evil and totally unbiblical world view. In many ways they reflect the �malicious� intent that the Lord said would characterize the immature leaders of Judah as His judgment drew near. 2. DIVISION The picture in Isaiah 3:5 is that of a land where people fight against and oppress each other with the youth acting with brazen disrespect toward the older generation. Itgoes without saying that this describes America today. Just as with ancient Judah, I see this as an indication that the Lord�s judgment has begun. Jesus said, �Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand (Matthew 12:25). Does not this principle apply tosuch a splintered nation as we see in the United States? So many of those in high elected offices seem intent on using division as a means of destroying America. The �perilous times� that the apostle Paul describes in 1 Timothy 3:1-5 denote selfish arrogant people living for themselves with no regard for others. The results of thesetraits automatically lead to much strife and disharmony, which sadly characterizes life both inside and outside the church today. WICKED BEHAVIOR THAT GOD WILL NOT ALLOW TO CONTINUE In addition to the indicators that the Lord�s judgment on the United States has already begun, we also see evil behavior about which the Bible warns God will absolutelynot allow to continue without at some point intervening to stop. Habakkuk is a book that speaks to us today. The prophet�s complaint in Habakkuk 1:2-4 provides us with a list of items that possess a remarkable similarity to life in theUnited States. O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, / and you will not hear? / Or cry to you �Violence!� / and you will not save? / Why do you make me see iniquity, / and why do youidly look at wrong? / Destruction and violence are before me; / strife and contention arise. / So the law is paralyzed, / and justice never goes forth. / For the wicked surround the righteous; / so justice goes forth perverted. Let�s examine how these things fit with our world. 1. VIOLENCE In America, we now have the most pro-abortion administration in our history. The horrors of the senseless murder of our most vulnerable grieve my heart. Will not the Lordhold our nation accountable as we continue to elect Congressman and Senators who not only actively promote abortion, but also refuse to outlaw infanticide for babies who survive the horrors of abortion? He absolutely will. The carnage in America extends far beyond the river of blood that flows from our abortion death mills. The violence propagated against children via sex trafficking is mindboggling, it�s horrific! The Lord will surely judge all those involved in this abomination, which the Biden administration has made far worse with their open border policy. 2. DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE Habakkuk reemphasized the �destruction and violence� that confronted him in ancient Judah. In America, I see far more violence than that of the murder of the unborn or that propagated against our children in sex trafficking. The destruction and bloodshed in ourmajor cities increase by the day. A few weeks ago in Chicago, thugs pulled a Hispanic couple from a car and shot them. Law and order have all but vanished from our major cities. Murder rates in large cities in the U.S. have skyrocketed due to efforts to defundour police, which have been propagated solely by the Democratic party. 3. INIQUITY The prophet Habakkuk also complained that the Lord caused him to see much wickedness with apparently no action to end it (v. 3). Why did He seemingly look the other way? As for America in the twenty-first century, this almost needs no comment. I never thought I would see so much evil behavior and lawlessness before the rapture. The influenceof the LBGTQ agenda on our children is beyond despicable. It begs this question: Why do we as a nation continue to elect men and women who wholly support the wicked agenda of the LBGTQ and openly promote transgenderism for seven-year-old children? Behavior that would have outraged the majority of Americans sixty years ago has now become commonplace and accepted by many as normal. We see the words of Romans 1:18-32springing to life. As God gives the wicked over to increased forms of depravity, many have reached the end that Paul talks about in verse 32, �Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do thembut give approval to those who practice them.� This is life among so many in the U.S. today. 4. INJUSTICE The words of Habakkuk 1:4 perfectly portray life in the U.S., �So the law is paralyzed, / and justice never goes forth. / For the wicked surround the righteous; / so justicegoes forth perverted.� Although these words speak to conditions in ancient Judah, it�s as if the prophet was depicting life in the twenty-first century. Due to the fact that thefts under $950 are no longer prosecuted in San Francisco, California, looting has become commonplace. Stores in the city no longer report stealingto the police and store clerks do not dare risk their lives to stop it. Many retailers are going out of business or closing shop as of the widespread stealing. Target recently reported that they are closing all stores in the area at 6 p.m. as a result. In America, many of the guilty are set free or never charged for their crimes. On the other hand, people lose their jobs or face lawsuits for defending what the Bible saysabout marriage and sexuality. The rich and powerful never face the consequences for their criminal behavior for which less influential people spend years in jail for crimes that the elite commit with not repercussions. THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION IS AT OUR DOORSTEP The Lord�s response to what He sees in the U.S. would most likely be quite similar to what he told Habakkuk. Then, God assured His prophet that He indeed saw the wickednessand bloodshed and that judgment was already on the way in the form of the Chaldeans (the Babylonians) who would later destroy Jerusalem and the temple. This occurred a decade or two later, perhaps while the prophet was still alive. Skipping ahead to the twenty-first century, the Lord indeed sees the bloodshed, deception, oppression, and vileness rampant in the U.S. And I believe He will intervene muchsooner than most imagine; His answer is already on the way. He will not let wickedness of our day continue unchecked. Scripture assures us that God will someday pour out His wrath on sinful humanity in what it refers to as the day of the Lord. The book of Revelation adds more detail tothis time in what we refer to as the tribulation, a seven-year time of horror upon the earth. The New Testament assures believers, however, that the Lord will take us home to heaven before the start of this time of wrath upon the earth. In 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and5:9-10, the apostle Paul confirms that Jesus will come for His Church before the onset of the terrible day of the Lord (see Isaiah 13:9-13; 24:3-20), which includes all of the tribulation period. How much longer will the Lord�s patience endure in view of the senseless bloodshed and exceeding wickedness that grows worse by the day? How much more distress will we seebefore our departure from this world? I do not know the answer to these questions. I am certain, however, that judgment is coming. Evil people might enjoy success for a little while longer, but God will have the final word (Psalm 37:7-15). He always does. Please know as believers, our hope rests in Jesus� imminent appearing (Titus 2:11-14; John 14:1-3). As we see God�s judgment start to fall on the nations of the world, werest in His promise to deliver us before He pours out His wrath on the Christ-rejecting world (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). It would be very wrong to set a date for the Rapture, but one would be equally mistaken to assume that it will not happen in the very near future. Note: Please consider signing up for my newsletter on the homepage of my website at https://www.jonathanbrentner.com/. It will greatly help me in reaching more people. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------- VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM