In times of crisis, dangers, breakdowns, or laws and orders, governments declare a state of emergency, which is a temporary suspension of normal operations to address threats and, if possible, restore normalcy. But what if God were to do the same because of what is happening in our churches today? Would we be surprised, or would we celebrate it because it is long overdue? It is obvious that God has been very patient with this, our generation, and we seem to take God's mercy for granted.
Is today's church not in a spiritual crisis? Or are there no breakdowns of God's laws and orders in our churches? The early church, as described in the Book of Acts, was marked by one accord spirit, holiness, humility, prayer, and power. The mandate of the early church was the Great Commission, the message was Christ and him crucified, and the Holy Spirit was the administrator of the church. Today, however, many churches have drifted dangerously far from the foundation of the early church.
The nation once known for its belief in God and for high moral values and standards is now descending into moral decadence. Abortion, transgenderism, homosexuality, lesbianism, unethical behaviors, atheism, and pornography are all indicators that the entire world is degenerating toward moral failure and apostasy. Materialism, celebrity culture, and apathetic faith have become alarmingly acceptable in churches across the world. Leaders are falling into moral and financial scandals, worship has turned into entertainment, and biblical truth is now diluted and replaced by false doctrines. Would it really be surprising if God decides to declare a spiritual state of emergency on the global church because of what is happening in churches today?
We should not be oblivious of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). Our God is merciful, but He is also a consuming fire! Eli and his sons were rejected by God because of Eli's inability to chastise his sons (Hophni and Phinehas), who were involved in extortion, greed, lust, and abuse of priestly authority. A child who did not know God was chosen by God to replace them. "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him." (1 Samuel 3:7) During a spiritual state of emergency, spiritual leadership is suspended, and the offices of the leaders are taken over by new persons appointed by God.
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:16) Jesus rebuked the church in Laodicea for being lukewarm, loveless, compromised, and spiritually dead. He threatened to disown the church and called them to repentance and warned them of judgment if they did not repent. How many of our churches these days are better than the Laodicean church? Why do we think that God will keep on tolerating all our excesses? Are we not seeing Laodicean church characters in our churches today, or are we enjoying spiritual immunity from God's rebuke and punishment?
If God's wrath comes, will it affect the Chinese church? Has the Chinese church joined the wave of the prosperity gospel movement that focuses on material gain at the expense of the souls of worshipers? An honest answer to these questions will be of immense help to Christians in China. We are now living in the end time, and our focus on sound theology will help every church, denomination, and individual Christian to prioritize and strategize in preparation for the second coming of Christ. How the church carries out its activities in a time like this should be a concern to every Christian leader. This is injury time, and we have no time left!
Waiting for God to manifest His anger on us is dangerous; let's do the needful before it gets too late. Personal and collective cries for mercy for the sins of churches globally can avert the wrath of God. This is the time for repentance, reformation, and revival. We must all go back to the Acts of the Apostles and borrow a leaf from the biblical apostles - their message that pricked the hearts of sinners and caused them to repent, their social justice system that left no one poor in the church, the one-accord disposition that enabled them to remain united even in persecution, their zeal for the mandate of the Great Commission, their sacrificial and holy lifestyles, and their willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and instruct them.
If the church takes its position as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, Christian influence will be made manifest in the development of social structure, political system, and cultural norms and values in all nations where Christ is named. "It is time to wake up from our slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11) If God declares a spiritual state of emergency, it will not just be about punishment; there will be restoration and revival. He will replace corrupt church leadership, remove unproductive ministries that are not bringing fruit to the kingdom, purge His church from moral decay, chase away the likes of Hophni and Phinehas from His church, and raise end-time missionaries for the end-time harvest.
If God is calling the global Church to urgent repentance, revival, or awakening, then the Chinese Church, like all others, would be part of that call, but how it will affect it is determined by the state of the church presently. Is God happy with its leadership, or will He suspend the leaders and appoint little boys to drive the affairs of the churches, just like he did in the case of Eli when He suspended Eli and appointed Samuel? Despite government pressure, the churches in China have long been known for their faithfulness, resilience, and revival. I suspect that God's state of emergency will have a positive impact on the Chinese church, as it is likely to provoke increased intercession, intense evangelism, and missions, which will usher in the long-awaited revival in China.
If God "declares a state of emergency," the Chinese church wouldn't be exempt. But instead of being weakened like many churches globally, it may actually shine more brightly, drawing strength from its deep roots of underground discipleship and suffering for Christ theology. Many churches all over the world that have chosen to practice Christianity without the cross are likely to be affected adversely. "For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again, even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things." (Philippians 3:18-19)
These enemies of the cross are working so hard to ensure that their cross-less Christianity is exported all over the world. Their theology is an ideology from the pit of hell. Their messages, which emphasize complete focus on worldly matters, neglecting spiritual and eternal considerations, are aimed at drawing Christians away from God and focusing them on the pursuit of material gains. The Chinese church should do all within its capacity to stop these wolves in sheep's clothing from invading the Chinese church. Otherwise, when God declares a state of emergency in her church globally, the church in China will be affected adversely.
