Today something very unusual occurred. In the United States, there were two simultaneously very rare medium strong earthquakes. One was centered in Virginia near the nation’s capital. The other in Colorado. If you draw a line connecting the two, you would find it goes through the center, the heart of America. Between the two earthquakes, it seems that the vast majority of Americans felt some shaking. The Colorado and Virginia quakes occurred within minutes of each other.
Everyone is talking about the earthquakes. However it seems that most of the conversation is centered on joking about the earthquakes because apparently other than the great shaking, there was not much damage. In fact it seems that the only major damage was to the National Cathedral in our capital. Apparently, there has been quite a bit of damage to the church where presidents have come, presidential funerals have occurred and this national symbol of Christianity. The cathedral itself calls itself the spiritual home to the nation.
The damage was significant as reported by this monument to our nation’s Christian heritage. “The highest point in the nation’s capital, the “Gloria in Excelsis” central tower of Washington National Cathedral, sustained significant damage in the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Tuesday afternoon.”
I believe that this is a wakeup call from God for the church. This is not an act of judgment from God. In fact, the fact that there was no damage, shows the very loving-kindness and mercy of God. I believe because the only damage was to the church that symbolizes our nation’s Christian heritage, that this was a message to the church. I believe that this is the alarm clock to the church that it is time to wake up.
God has a promise for his people. “”This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”” (Haggai 2:6–9, NIV84)
God has a plan and a purpose for the church in America. He desires that once again His glory can inhabit this land. God desires a great glory, a great prosperity, and a great revival for our land. However we have been sleeping. It grieves me that we are joking about this. If the church will not wake up, then surely judgment will come. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God” (1 Peter 4:17, NIV84)
The call to wake up is a call for Christians to begin to live as Christians. It is a call to holiness and righteousness. It is a call to establish the Kingdom of God once again. It is a call to carry out the great commission. It is a call to love God and worship Him only. It is a call to walk in love. As Christians, we are the ones responsible for the state of our nation. We carry great authority before God and yet we have failed to use it.
Where is the church in Philadelphia where youths are running rampant with no direction inciting violence? Where is the church in the season of elections when we have the privilege of electing Godly leaders but choose to elect those who forsake God? Where is the church for those who feel hopeless in our tough economic times? Where is the church for those who are ill and are suffering?
Church we have a mandate. “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7–8, NIV84)
Church we have authority. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12–14, NIV84)
Church – it is time to wake up!!! This is no laughing matter.
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Is 56:10-12 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain. “Come,” each one cried, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today or even far better.” Is 57:7-8a You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking Me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, . . .”
Also, Ezekiel 33 speaks of the watchman’s duty and what will happen if he obeys God’s command; and what will happen if he disobeys. Some of our leader’s have chosen to listen to man, and not God in order to keep their position, their “respect”, their “peace”. They have “made a pact with those whose beds they love . . .”.