We stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history. The light is getting brighter as the darkness is becoming darker. The greatest revival and the greatest crisis in human history are both soon to come. It is always darkest just before the dawn and so our hearts remain full of faith because know that a great awakening is soon to sweep across the nations. And though darkness is covering the earth, we look with eager anticipation to God’s promised outpouring on all flesh which will empower His people to bring the gospel to all nations. What a privilege it is to live in this awesome hour of history! (Acts 2:17-20, Mt 24:14)
2 Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. (Isa. 60:2)
THE GROWING CRISIS
Consider the crisis that is at hand. The nations are living under the threat of natural disasters, terrorism, lawlessness, and war (Mt. 24:4-12). Radical Islam is growing more violent as they seek global domination while Western governments are growing more morally tolerant as they legalize perversion and pass unrighteous laws. The result is that fear is quickly becoming more and more dominant in society. Furthermore, Abortion continues to kill 4,000 babies each day in America while the sanctity of marriage has come under siege, threatening to destroy the moral foundations of our nation. Sexual immorality, both heterosexual and homosexual, is reaching epic heights of depravity, with easy access to pornography via the Internet and the hyper-sexualization of our culture promoted by the media. Human Trafficking has become a plague in America and throughout the nations of the earth. The list could go on an on.
At the same time there is another crisis emerging in many churches across America. A new wave of confusion is systematically seducing young adults into deception. Sincere believers, once ablaze for Jesus, are being allured into compromise of biblical truths and practices. This theological crisis is emerging across America causing many to be unable to discern between truth and deception (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Though this movement espouses works of compassion and justice it’s followers are unaware of the true danger of this new kind of “Christianity”. The Scriptures are clear that at the end of the age many will fall away and depart from the faith in the midst of crisis, fear, offense, and deception (Mt. 24:9-13; Lk. 21:26; 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:3-5; 2 Pet. 2:1-3).
The stark truth remains; there is no amount of ministry activity that can “balance out” the profound spiritual compromises that many are embracing. They are doing more and
more in the name of justice and compassion, but less and less in the name of Jesus. In the name of tolerance they are settling for politically correct theology that trivializes Jesus’ glory. Works of compassion and justice must flow from allegiance to Jesus and His Word or they are actually in opposition to the Lordship of Christ.
THE NEED FOR FORERUNNERS
The greatest revival in America’s history is coming even as our nation stands on such precarious footing. The onslaught of darkness has spanned from our classrooms to our boardrooms, from courtrooms, to our bedrooms. Confusion is pouring forth from many pulpits as well as from the halls of Washington. It is time for the uncompromising voice of forerunners to speak clearly in the midst of this confusion. Yes, it is time to draw a line in the sand and to take a bold stand for truth.
Today’s hollow programs, prayerlessness, and preaching of a false gospel of cheap grace will not prepare believers for the coming revival of glory nor the encroaching storm of darkness. There is a great need for the prophetic voice of forerunners who will speak with clarity into the confusion.
The Spirit is preparing forerunners from many streams in the Body of Christ worldwide. The forerunner calling is not reserved for the elite; it is available to anyone who wants it.
Forerunners emphasize the nearness of Jesus’ second coming, while proclaiming and manifesting the power of Jesus’ first coming as they win the lost, heal the sick, help the poor, and walk in love and holiness.
BIBLICAL FORERUNNERS
The end-time forerunners can find inspiration and instruction from New Testament forerunners like John the Baptist, the first apostles, and the seventy disciples, who all announced the first coming of Jesus to their generation (Mt. 10:5-8; Lk. 9:1-2; 10:1). John the Baptist functioned as a forerunner by announcing Jesus first coming as well as the glory and pressures that would result from it in that generation (Lk. 3:3-9, 16-18).
The apostles functioned as forerunners in two ways. First, they announced the first coming of Jesus to the cities of Israel (Lk. 9:1-6). Second, they proclaimed the second coming of Jesus and the resulting glory and pressures (Acts 3:19-21; 2 Pet. 3; 1. 4-5; 2 Thes. 1-2; Rev. 6-19).
END TIME FORERUNNERS
Today’s forerunners will imitate the message of John the Baptist and the apostles by proclaiming the first coming of Jesus and the salvation accomplished by it, as well as proclaiming the second coming of Jesus and the unique dynamics created by events that will accompany it.
Forerunners will imitate the lifestyle of John and the apostles as they pray, fast, and go deep in the Word, while at the same time winning the lost, healing the sick, making disciples, church planting, and operating in the power of the Spirit to meet the needs of people. As they proclaim the Word and do the works of the kingdom, they glorify Jesus and deliver the oppressed; by the very same activity they are being prepared for even more in the years ahead.