Nations in Crisis
“Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.” (Rev 14:6)
Introduction
This prophetic teaching follows on from my previous https://cross-connect.net.au/apocalyptic-trauma. My current sensitivity to the existential crises concerning the survival and/or identity of nations, is deeply connected to my own survival as a living human sustained by divine grace. As Jesus himself knew “from the beginning” (John 6:64) that he was destined to die, unjustly and painfully, and as Paul was destined to pass through “the sentence of death” so that he might learn to rely on “God, who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:8-9), the present prophetic testimony of Jesus, can only be heard by a Body that walks in the S/spirit of martyrdom. “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Rev 12:11). The Church in Perth is called to walk in this S/spirit, the willingness to die for Jesus. Whilst the comfortable Laodicean Church in our city (Rev 3:14-21) is not yet at that point of maturity, the sovereign Spirit of Jesus (Luke 4:18) is irresistibly moving the whole of the people of God in this direction. Without the gift of faith many of my current readers will think I have gone mad (Hos 9:7). To begin at a natural level, what makes me suggest that much of the world is in existential crisis? But first, let me expound my theological bases for today’s teaching.
The Normality of Crisis as Opportunity
Whilst “crisis” has no linguistic relation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_word_for_crisis) to “opportunity”, the same is not true of the dynamics of the mystery of the plan of God. This plan, “hidden for ages and generations in God” (Eph 3:9; Col 1:26) hinges on the fact that if the Lamb of God were not “slaughtered from before the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8 cf. 1 Pet 1:19-20; Rev 5:6) the nations and their peoples would never have been created, nor have a blessed destiny in God (cf. Gen 12:3; Eph 3:14). Through the death-and-resurrection of Jesus, the followers of the Lamb can discern that every crisis necessarily contains a kairos (Mark 1:15), an occasion of opportunity. The necessity of living in kairos time explains why the “spirit of martyrdom” is essential to receiving end-times revelation. “Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matt 16:24-25). The heavenly ascended Jesus is no longer restricted to ordinary chronological time (2 Cor 5:16).
Global Existential Crises
Let me begin with that nation that considers itself to be at the centre of God’s purposes for the world. One of my American friends said, some months ago, before the Trump election, “I am not sure we would have survived another 4 years under the Democrats!” Meanwhile, Trump’s America first, policy, is sending many other countries into a spiral. Closer to “the navel of the earth/world axis” (Rev 21:10) we should see Israel, however we might understand that term, as crucial to the divine purpose. Since 7 October 2023 Israel has been fighting for her survival on multiple fronts. The Hamas invasion was a catastrophe which is surely divinely designed so that in the end “all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26). Who, but those who understand the Scriptures, would have thought that antisemitism was so prevalent globally. Today is an opportunity to pray against the introversion of the Jewish people and for a final revelation of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah.
Meanwhile, in traumatised Europe, the recent falling out between the USA and Ukraine has catalysed a radical rethink of what it means to be European. Russia, whilst not Gog (https://harvest.org/resources/gregs-blog/post/are-russia-and-ukraine-in-bible-prophecy/) is being sovereignly used by the Lord to fulfil his broader purpose in the world. Myanmar, DR Congo, Nigeria etc. could be added to a list of nations whose identity is being hammered out on the divine hammer of affliction (cf. Jer 23:29). I will be in PNG later this month for a South Pacific gathering, many of its smaller nations are slowly sinking due to rising sea levels. (It is irrelevant to the purpose of this teaching as to the cause.) I will be concerned to bring what I believe is a Word from the Lord to Christian leaders of these nations. Meanwhile, back home, the abject failure of the Voice referendum has cast a shadow over our majority population’s relationship with Indigenous Australia. There is however a simple all-powerful Word for all peoples (Rev 14:6)!
Global Forgiveness
In recent months the Lord has shocked me by highlighting the Church’s sin in relation to the everlasting Gospel. With respect to colonisation, in Australia, and beyond, he brought to mind some photos I saw in Africa taken by as local Congolese journalist and refugee whose life was under threat. Photos of intentionally mutilated bodies. Then the Spirit of the Lord said, “This is what colonisation does to indigenous cultures. First by removing language, then customs.” The only answer, that will break the trauma on all peoples, is for native populations to turn from cursing to the blessing of total forgiveness in the way of Christ. “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”” (Luke 23:34). Whether it is Aboriginal Australia blessing the European invaders (Luke 6:28), Pacific Islanders praising the Lord for Western culture, or minority ethnic churches of Myanmar interceding for the long lost Burman Buddhist majority global revival awaits the release of global forgiveness through the Church.
A Strategic Direction
Some decades ago the Lord shared with a small number of us that he wanted to raise up a 24-7 Mission-Prayer Centre in Perth. The heart of this entire Body of Christ movement, open to funding and participation from all churches, must be total forgiveness. Given the truth of this scripture, “But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” (Ps 130:4), we await the day that the Church in Perth will radiate her own experience of holy fear out to the nations of the world. Let as pray that “the Lord of the harvest” (Matt 9:38) pour out his “eternal Spirit” (Heb 9:14) on the Church so that she might, in union with her Saviour and Lord, offer herself to him in costly service for the salvation of the world. When this takes place, those suffering from existential crises will no longer hear curses from the earth but a word from infinitely worthy holy blood that “speaks better things than the blood of Abel” (Heb 12:24). “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20)