By:  Norm Rasmussen

Where is China in prophecy?  Where is Africa in prophecy?  Where is Australia in prophecy; etc.  Pick any country you choose.  Sorry - All wrong questions!

For the sake of making an explicit point, no matter what country you live in and consider your home country; no matter where in the timeline of the “last days” we are in as you read this; no matter what disturbing events may be happening to you, near you and around the globe … in one very specific sense … here is one of the wisest questions you can keep asking yourself right up until your time on earth is done: 

Where is the CHURCH in prophecy? 

Go to Bible in the book of Revelation, starting right near the end of the very first chapter.  You’ll find what God has to say to the seven churches.  Six of those churches you do NOT want to be identified with, starting IMMEDIATELY.  There’s only ONE that you do want to be identified with, if you’re wise.  It’s the church of Philadelphia.  Of the seven churches, it’s the one God is pleased with the most (though there are pleasing things to God obviously mentioned in the other churches that are worth our seeking for).

We’re not talking about the specific name of a local church here, nor a denomination either.  We’re talking about Christians who have these priorities at the very top of their “I WILL do list”:

1)    Committing sin is no longer an option … disobedience to God’s written Word period is no longer an option.

2)    Persevering in doing the work of helping advance the Kingdom of God in the lives of other people (“Kingdom of God” meaning: Soul winning efforts and helping disciple new converts and encouraging emotionally wounded soldiers of Jesus Christ as God desires to use you at any given point of time) is no longer an option, nor is staying angry at God for any trials (which obviously includes any persecution) you are going through, or may go through.

3)    Fear of what Satan or people can do to you because of your obedience to God is not an option.

Let’s read about the church of Philadelphia so you can see why these above three priorities are given.  It’s crucially important the reader gains a sobering understanding of their importance.  I’ll bold certain portions of the scripture, to help you zero in on key thoughts God is communicating to this group of Christian believers:

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

“I know your works.  See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied My name. 

“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie – indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

“Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 

“Behold, I come quickly!  Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.  And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My new name.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  (Revelation 3:7-13 NKJV)

Let’s address this “hour of trial that will come upon the whole earth” to test (try) people.  It makes little difference what all this trial consists of, nor when this hour of trial officially begins on God’s clock, so we won’t waste words speculating … other than to say that it obviously would clearly indicate that God is going to keep “Philadelphia Christians” from much greater pain that others are going to be experiencing.  God promises that He is going to grant a special blessing to those Christians alive at that time because they have proven themselves to God worthy to be kept FROM that “hour of trial.” 

How did they prove themselves worthy?  By making obedience to God in accordance with God’s wisely applied New Testament Word without compromise their HIGHEST PRIORITY in life.  (In specifically stating “New Testament” Word, this does not imply to disregard all of God’s Old Testament Word.  Just make SURE what God had to say in the Old Testament applies to you NOW, and then diligently seek God in HOW to apply it). 

Dear reader … if I’m hearing ANYTHING from the Holy Spirit these days for Christians, I’m hearing this:  “Spiritual compromise is no longer an option for those who are wise.” 

We ALL better get squeaky clean (spiritually right) with God in every area just as fast as we can … because there is ample evidence unfolding around this globe that emotional stress is only going to continually increase until Jesus Christ returns and clearly establishes His global rule.

To Christians reading this, I’m no way implying that we shrug from our responsibility to vote when we can - serve in any public fashion - protest in accordance with the law - be a model employee and model citizen in every way God would have us to be - - do everything God is asking us to do to help preserve God’s blessing upon any group of people in any country around this planet actually; not just America. 

Nevertheless - Let God decide when and how persecution may be allowed to come against us, wherever we are on this planet.  Let’s not bring it unnecessarily upon ourselves out of lack of wisdom from listening to the Holy Spirit. 

Please don’t misunderstand by the title of this writing: Sure I care about what happens to America … because if God never cared about America, I can’t fathom why in the world He would have blessed America in the first place for as long as He has/did, other than for one main reason: America enables Israel to exist. Up to the present, God has enabled America and Israel's allies to exist in Israel since 1948.

And yes -- God has used America to help take the message of the Cross (Gospel Message) to nations around the world, but I don't believe God needs America much longer to do that.  He has many other ways to accomplish that.  And as of 2010, I’m seeing less and less that motivates God to keep blessing America as He has in the past, without major change at the highest level, and those who would have the moral courage to change things at the highest level are being hindered in an increasing manner to rise to any position of power to implement needed change.  And make no mistake: This is exactly what Satan desires, so he can use America more and more to fit his plans, not God’s.

Many Christian voices have been trying to tell every American president since 1948:  "Do not turn your back on Israel's ability to protect the Jews that live in Israel.  Remain Israel's ally at all costs ... or suffer various consequences from God."

Satan full well knows the KEY to move God to remove blessings from a nation such as America is to begin to give place to Israel's enemies that want to destroy the Jews living in Israel (Christians, of course, as well).      

Christians … if you enjoy living in America (this applies to wherever you live around the globe for YOUR country; not just Americans), pray for the leaders of your country on a regular basis.  It may NOT bring about change the way you would like to see change happen, but common Holy Ghost sense says that things can get a whole lot worse faster than what we might think if Christians DON’T pray (and fast) for their leaders. 

As a STRONG suggestion ... I would highly encourage Christians to non-stop pray that every President we have in America, and the leader of every nation of another country you may currently live in other than America ... pray that this person and his/her staff will have it in their heart to be an ally to Israel (Jewish people, actually) where it counts.

It is clear in the Bible is that God obligates Himself to grant blessing to those who are obedient to Truth.  God’s Word is Truth.  Strict, wise adherence to it in all areas is what God clearly promises He will bless.  When leaders of a nation place strict, wise adherence to God’s Word, the people in that nation can expect a greater degree of blessing.  When leaders of a nation or country steadily make an essential mockery of God’s Word, (which is usually for political gain, in their minds' anyway) the people in that nation can expect a lesser degree of blessing as a whole. 

Yet we must not forget:  People living in that nation can receive special blessings of various sorts from God if they purpose to walk in uncompromising obedience to Him, no matter how evil the leaders of that nation participate in. 

So in summary, for the wise, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 is not an option.  It’s to be obeyed.  Purposing to be a “Philadelphia Christian” is even wiser YET:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Here is an excellent yet sobering video message given in mid-2010 on America that you may greatly appreciate.  You may have to wait about 30 seconds before a connection is made, so be patient: 

Part 1:  http://connect.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=7341133b35dbd9d5e37b
Part 2:  http://connect.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=8916efbae128ce3be775

Here is a writing that is very hopeful concerning America's future:  http://www.americaisraelprophecy.com/godspoketome.html

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