Greetings!
Is your church suffering from Post-Truth syndrome?
Christian researchers are concerned.
Many ministries and churches are now being classified as being a part of the Post-Truth Era. When we look at these kinds of labels, for example, the Church Age, which you might have heard about in your Sunday school class, becomes a very significant label to help learners understand the book of Revelation. The Church Age was a label to define an era where the local church dominated worldview on morality, spiritual thought and most importantly, salvation in, and through Christ. Our reality check, we no longer live in the Church Age. It has been completed and research is about to prove it.
The label Post-Truth has already been assigned to the church.
In the 70's & 80's, Truth was relative. Today, Truth doesn't exist, at least by the standards of most philosophical thinkers. We now live in a culture where there is little difference between "Christian" and that of a born-again Christian. In fact, there are over 300 religions that label themselves "Christian" - groups from Muslims to Mormons. Where is the Truth (Jesus) that sets you free? Honestly, by way of the pluralist, He has been retired with the Church Age. There is a new guy on the block, he is called by many Post-Truth organisms as -
The Millennial Jesus
.
When we look at the book of Revelation, an eschatology guy like myself should constantly look at the environment to figure out the state of culture. The reason this is important is, we need to map out our time and place within the book of Revelation. True Christians should be asking, “What comes after the Church Age?” Even though I am fully aware that there are old-time, or new-time preachers that will refute the idea of the Church Age being in retirem
ent. However, this doesn't change the reality that the church, as a whole, is impotent in leading people to Christ for a born-again experience. Evangelism is down 700% since the 50's. Our new label, the Post-Truth Era, must be agreed. For those who refuse to admit to this reality, will soon find themselves dancing around in a cesspool of emergence.
Is Post-Truth mentioned in the book of Revelation?
It certainly is.
Shortly before the Antichrist emerges, there will be a period of time when the people of the world will "whitewash" their flesh with fake peace. This is a set-up for the first three years of the Antichrist's reign. Consider this.
It is definitely because they have misled My people by saying, 'Peace!' when there is no peace. And when anyone builds a wall, behold, they plaster it over with whitewash; so tell those who plaster it over with whitewash, that it will fall. A flooding rain will come, and you, O hailstones, will fall; and a violent wind will break out. Behold, when the wall has fallen, will you not be asked, 'Where is the plaster with which you plastered it?' Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "I will make a violent wind break out in My wrath. There will also be in My anger a flooding rain and hailstones to consume it in wrath.
(Ezekiel 13:10-13)
Our theological challenge is real simple. The people of our culture today are desperate for "peace." But, most authentic Christians understand that peace can only be found in Christ. That means, you first must be in Him and He in you. If my theology is correct, this only happens through an exchange of the old-nature for a new one - the Holy Spirit. Secondly, we have some words from Jesus to tend with:
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)
Since there are 333 verses in the Bible that mention peace & the blessings thereof, what does this mean? It is pretty simple folks. Peace is ONLY promised to born-again indwelt believers. That's the facts. All others are considered an
enemy of the Gospel. Not only does our Savior take this seriously, He draws His sword on all those suffering with the modality of the Antichrist's fake peace.
Why all this talk on fake peace? I’m going to prove that the Antichrist is using Gen-Z to put the icing on his cake, so he can eat it too. From my eschatological studies, there is no "era" after this one. Now if I’m wrong, I’m okay with that. We need to prepare the authentic body of Christ to bypass this
modus-operandi that Satan uses as a default - as in playing into the plans of his fake peace. The only way to survive in this next phase of eschatology is to truly change your doctrinal thinking. It is imperative that we understand, know, and embracing the Truth (Jesus). The reality that the enemy is upon us is elementary. It is mandated by Christ to unite as one. I believe that Jesus Christ is calling the True Church to band together, so He can do what He needs to do with that eschatological sword.
The human mind is overtly affected by the pursuit of peace, so much so, most are willing to sacrifice speaking the Truth (Jesus) in order to save relationships. This is how researchers define our culture today. There is a buzz phrase out there, "Truth hurts like Hell." I chuckle every-time I hear it. Truth saves you from Hell. Is there a cost in speaking it? Absolutely. If you need a snap-shot of this reality, check out the earthly Life of Christ. I am certain you won't find prosperity/peace doctrines in His truth-sayings - outside of Him being peace. Did he pay the cost for speaking His Father's Truth? Need I answer that?
Throughout this series, we’re going to examine
the dynamics & inner workings of the Post-Truth era, particularly the Millennials and their children. What are their habits? What is the statistical number that proves their resistance to being disciplinarians and a people
of
discipline? The number one way to destroy a generation is to withhold discipline, and worst yet, not require them to "keep to the rules." If you read the news today, you will clearly see that chaos rules. Chaos is a lack of order. A generation will destroy themselves if left to themselves. Fake peace is made up of self-governed rules, while resisting rules handed down from those in authority. Here’s the irony of this - if you withhold discipline from a child, their entire generation will begin to implode; it doesn’t happen overnight, it's like boiling a frog in a pan of water. The boil is so gradual, the frog never realizes they are about to be lunch.
Every generation is being moved, motivated & led by someone. The question must be asked, "Who is that someone?" Is it Jesus? Is it the Antichrist? The answer is found in observing your children and grandchildren. It’s not difficult for this old eschatological mind of mine to ask these questions of the Lord, “What is at the end of this road; is it the real Jesus? Is it this Millennial Jesus?" "Is it the Antichrist?'” "What’s the real price-tag for being lured into the Post-Truth era?" These are some of the questions we will answering.
Since our culture believes statistics override absolute Truth, our objective will be to focus much of our series on facts, while migrating the Life of Christ into our Bible-based worldview. For now, know this, the Post-Truth label is new. I liken it to the FDA coming out with a new drug - until it has been on the market for a minimum of ten years, you don’t know whether it’s going to kill you or heal you. From what I can see, death awaits our children's children.
Please watch our latest IM Media Bite below AND be sure to forward it to all your contacts and social networks. It is titled,
The Identity Theft.
Until next time...
Stephen Phinney
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Content is taken from,
Discipling The Post-Truth Church, by Dr. Stephen Phinney 2018
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