nefarious
[ ni-fair-ee-uhs ] adjective
extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous

As I think about various online church services, meetings that consist of no more than ten people on site due to lockdown laws in our nation, I see something else. As these governmentally controlled worship events play out on the screens of American Christians on Sunday mornings, it’s easy to miss the strings. Most don’t notice them at all.

A nefarious group of people, made up of politicians, those in the media, social networking executives and other cultural leaders and influencers, are just off screen, positioned above the puppets they are controlling.

These puppet masters have been exposed and their evil schemes have been made clear. President Trump called them out as he sharply decreed that churches should open immediately. The Associated Press reports:

“Governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now — for this weekend,” Trump said at a hastily arranged press conference at the White House.

“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential” but not churches, he said. “It’s not right. So I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential.”

“These are places that hold our society together and keep our people united,” he added.

A Bold Call for Repentance

While it’s true that every one of us must embrace the call to repentance, and we all must be surrendered to Jesus at a much deeper level, I’m specifically addressing our nation’s leaders.

Politicians such as Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Governor Andrew Cuomo: I implore you to humble yourselves and to bow your knees to Jesus.

Media moguls including Mark Zukerberg and Jack Dorsey: Just like all of us, your time is limited. The Holy Spirit is drawing you to surrender your pride, your dreams, your ideals, your philosophies and your power to Jesus. All of it. There is no other way to God than Jesus Christ. I’d have it no other way.

Living radically, zealously for Jesus is indescribable. The split second after you make the decision to live wholeheartedly for Jesus, you are sure to weep over the wasted years of your lives. The freedom, joy and explosive life that will hit you will rock you to your core.

No political power, media empire or personal pursuits could ever compare to the tangible, overwhelming love and power of Jesus.

When I Cried Out to God

I told God many years ago that I refused to follow him, or even acknowledge him, if he wasn’t a very real, omnipotent, just and loving Creator. If he didn’t heal the sick or deliver the tormented I would have nothing to do with him. If he was just a story in a book instead of a living and active person, I’d reject Christianity fully. I was serious.

As I walked around that lonely, empty room in Dayton, Ohio, many years ago, desperate for God to actually be real, I then declared, “But, if you are real, if you do work miracles, if I can know you personally, if you are all powerful, I will die for you.”

Again, I was serious. You see, I only have one very short life to live and I have no desire to waste it on religious foolishness. However, I’ll surrender this very short life for someone I love, and for the one who loves me, if Jesus is, in fact, real.

Allow me to confirm, he absolutely is. After that prayer, that cry for a legitimate revelation of God, he invaded my life in ways I could never explain. The absolutely ridiculous, indescribable and countless miracles I’ve experienced since that fateful day continue to stun me time and again as I remember all he has done. Without question I’m willing and ready to live and die for Jesus.

So, again, those who are closing churches, censoring Christian and conservative messages and resisting God in favor of your own pursuits, please, speedily repent. Sin kills and the finality of Hell is so terrible to consider it’s hard for me to even think about. God is love and he is just. Eternity is about to reveal itself to all of us. It won’t be long. Entering into the rest of forever, the moment after we die, without surrendering our hearts and bowing our knees to Jesus results in the unthinkable. I am crying out for your souls. Don’t delay for even a moment. Repent, turn from your wickedness and proclaim to the nation your newfound love for Jesus!

Pastors, You Aren’t Off the Hook

If there are puppet masters, that means there must be puppets.

I am thankful for people of God like Rodney Howard-Browne, Jeremiah Johnson and many others who refused to be controlled by the state. They rejected the strings of the puppet masters as they continued to gather in worship.

It’s one thing for pastors to shutter services because God told them to. It’s entirely another thing if they do so because secular government forces them to. Pastors, you have to ask which voice you heeded.

I suggest there might be cause for repentance among many of God’s leaders who have refused the fiery furnace in favor of taking a knee at the command of a wicked king. The music played and the worship environment was affirmed by the nation’s evil leader (Daniel 3).

The king required all to bow to an idol as worship music played, and all but three did. They were thrown into a furnace and we all know the rest of the story. Today we have pastors being arrested for refusing to bow. We have threats, citations and legislation put in place that defy God’s people.

When We Are Willing to Lose Everything

However, when God’s people take a stand against wickedness, against nefarious puppet masters, God is exalted.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, NLT2)

When we are willing to lose everything, including our lives, our churches, our money, our reputations and everything we value to stand for Jesus, miracles happen.

What happened next is what must happen in America now.

But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” (Daniel 3:24-25 NLT2)

And, ultimately, the leaders of America will proclaim devotion to the Lord. It’s time to stand in defiance to the wicked puppet masters who would demand we bow our knee to their decrees. When we do, America just might be saved, and so might the puppet masters.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” (Daniel 3:28-29 NLT2)

 

John is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.