Woke or Awake

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,

it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us."

That is part of the opening paragraph in "The Tale of Two Cities," the historical novel written by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution.

Dickens begins this tale pointing out a major conflict between good and evil, light and darkness, wisdom and folly, and rich and poor. He wrote his novel in 1859, but it could easily be written today in 2020.

American city streets are filled with depraved men and women, blaming someone else for what they consider their victimhood. But in the end, the moral of Dickens' story is that every person must be responsible for their own choices, the people they trust, and the actions they take.

We are in serious trouble; many people are predicting terrible things that are coming this fall.

I am not a prophetess; I have no predictions for you. But, I do know that God is trying to awaken His church.

First, we have to acknowledge that there is a tale of two churches in America. They both claim to belong to Jesus Christ, but there is a vast difference in them. One church is the "woke" church. They are easily identified because they have been very vocal. The "woke" church has proclaimed Jesus is okay with same-sex marriage in 2020, and abortion is a human right.

The "woke" church has filled their buildings with thousands by tickling their ears and making sure to preach nothing that would make anyone feel uncomfortable. The "woke" church professes Jesus Christ, yet denies His Incarnation and His deity. Members of the "woke" church have called for the removal of Franklin Graham as the head of Samaritan's Purse because they did not like his prayer at the Republican National Convention. Believe it or not, Jesus Christ had something to say about the "woke" church.

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7: 20-23

Those are sobering words of judgment but thank God there is a true church. A body of believers not only call themselves Christians, but they are indeed "in" Christ. They love God and obey His Word. This church belongs to Jesus Christ, and He expects us to be "awake!"

I heard someone say, "There cannot be a  great  awakening until we have a  rude  awakening!" It is safe to say that God has given us a rude awakening.

The Apostle Paul said, "And that, knowing the time, that NOW it is high time to awake out of our sleep."

That is a battle cry to the church! Undoubtedly, we are at war. We are facing a movement, birthed in hell, and the main objective is to shut out, shut down, and shut up the church of Jesus Christ!

What distinguishes the "woke" church from the church that is "awake"? In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul gives a detailed description of a Christian that is awake and prepared. Drawing from the image of a fully-equipped Roman soldier, he describes the armor of a Christian soldier ready for battle.

Paul begins in Ephesians 6:10, telling us to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Jesus said in John 15:5b,  "without Me ye can do nothing."  Paul then commands us,  "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

In verses 14-17, he describes the Christian armor.

1. The belt of truth - Jesus said,  " I am the truth." John 14:16

2. The breastplate of righteousness -  "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God, is made unto us...righteousness." 1 Corinthians 1:30

3. Feet prepared with the Gospel of peace - " Christ is our peace."    Ephesians 2:14

4. The shield of faith -  "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." Galatians 2:20b

5. The helmet of salvation -  "He only is my salvation." Psalm 62:2a

Many of the anarchists in our streets are highly educated young people. Lacking the protection of the helmet of salvation, they have been hit over the head with atheism, socialism, and Marxism.

I saw Kayleigh McEnany, President Trump's press secretary, being interviewed, and she was asked how she was able to go through modern universities and come out still believing in God. She gave a detailed answer giving credit to her parents for her godly upbringing. The main reason Kayleigh McEnany is still a believer is she went through college with her mind protected by the helmet of salvation!

6. The sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God -  "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14

During the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell's Ironsides fought with a sword in one hand and a Bible in the other.

There is a common theme running through our armor - Jesus Christ! If you have "put on" Christ, you have put on the armor of God!

J.B.Phillips gives a detailed translation of this passage.  "We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist evil and stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness as your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet, and in your hand the sword of the spirit, the Word of God. Above all, be sure to take faith as your shield for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you." Ephesians 6:10-17

Robby Robins was an Air Force pilot during the first Iraq War. After his 300th mission, he was surprised by permission to get his crew together and go home. He reached his house just after sun-up and was shocked to see a big banner across the garage -- "Welcome Home Dad!" How did they know? He had not told them. Robins said, "When I walked in the house, the kids, about half-dressed for school, screamed, 'Daddy!' My wife Susan came running down the hall - she looked terrific - hair fixed and wearing a bright yellow dress. 'How did you know?' I asked. 'I didn't know,' she answered through tears of joy. 'Once we knew the war was over, we knew you'd be home one of these days. We knew you'd try to surprise us, so we were ready every day.'"

We were ready every day! Paul said, "Now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for NOW is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Jesus is undoubtedly coming soon, but He has told us to occupy until He comes and to work while it is still day.

Every member of the true church of Jesus Christ needs to heed Paul's warning to wake up because we only have a tiny window of time. We can no longer be passive and apathetic; we must fast, pray, and vote. While it is true to say that God has everything under control, for reasons known only to Him, He works in response to fasting, praying, and intercession. That is why Chronicles 7:14 begins, "If  My  people...."

"God of His own motion placed Himself under the law of prayer and has obligated Himself to answer the prayer of men. He has ordained prayer as a means whereby He will do through men as they pray, that which He would not otherwise do."  ~ E.M.Bounds

I implore you, do not just quickly read that quote. Read it slowly and let the full meaning sink in.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." Ephesians 6:18