“If you don’t stay closed, we will close you.” Comments like these are commonplace, especially in liberal states. Like most American churches, we closed our doors when President Trump first issued the order early in 2020. We were very willing to submit to the governing authorities and protect our community — that is, until the political motivation of the lockdown became obvious.
A clear agenda is at work, one with scores of inconsistencies. One day government officials tell us to wear masks and the next they tell us not to. Prisoners are being released while law-abiding citizens are arrested. Numbers are being altered, and hospitals are benefitting from COVID cases. Riots and protests are encouraged while church attendance is banned. We can no longer hide behind excuses like “Staying closed is loving our neighbor.” No, staying closed now is loving laziness.
Dr. Fauci, when speaking at Georgetown University in 2017, warned of a “surprise outbreak” during the Trump administration. Was this just a good guess? Many say that the World Health Organization, the CDC, Bill Gates, and Dr. Fauci are all connected, each having vested interests in the current pandemic (as does a certain political party). There are numerous other stories as well, such as doctors being told to write COVID-19 as the cause of death even if it was not. In short, the virus is real, but the numbers are not.
What about the increased suicide rate, the alarming divorce rate, the surge in alcohol and drug addiction, and the fear that we are instilling into our children? Should we not take these into consideration as well? At what point does the church take a stand? Thank God for people like John MacArthur, Rob McCoy, Jack Hibbs, Ken Graves, and others who are fanning the flames of boldness. I believe that if some churches don’t open soon, they won’t open at all, especially once flu season arrives and those who have the flu will then be suspected as having COVID. The agenda is crystal clear to those who are looking through the right lens — a biblical lens.
I have a hard time seeing how we are supposed to capitulate to reckless oversight under the banner of “submitting to governing authorities” when those authorities are in clear violation of our governing document as well as God’s Word. We have reached the point where we must lovingly but resolutely confront the fake narratives. If not us, who? If not now, when? Irrational reactions, inconsistent policies, and a severe overreach of authority are devastating our nation, our families, and the next generation.
I do believe that some elected officials and medical personnel are trying to do what they believe is best from their vantage point, but many others are pushing their agenda to see what the American people will allow. It may sound reasonable, even wise to those who are panicked about COVID-19, to take these extreme measures, but stop for a moment and ask yourself, Why are we shutting down the economy for this when we have not done so for other, arguably far more deadly, pandemics?
As a matter of fact, since the 1600s America has experienced health-related epidemics such as typhoid, scarlet, and yellow fevers every 15 years or so, but we have never taken such extreme measures, nor has our media and elements of our government purposely fostered such a level of panic. Want something a bit more recent? Do you remember when, under President Obama, we closed businesses and enforced mask mandates and sought to destroy our economy to combat the swine flu. No? That is because we didn’t do any of those things, despite 60 million cases in the US (compared to 6.8 million COVID cases). Why? Because it’s not worth destroying America from within (unless there is an agenda at play — a global agenda).
Many believe that this is an orchestrated attempt to destroy our economy, disrupt the November elections, initiate a global reset, and ultimately, silence the churches. Peaceful protests are infiltrated by hate groups paid by individuals with deep pockets to create confusion and chaos while governments concern themselves with policing church parking lots and making sure believers are not allowed to sing. This is beyond ridiculous!
Folks, how much more do you need to see before you wake up and take a stance? Yes, we must be loving and gentle, but we also must be wise as serpents and bold as lions when it comes to holding the line. God commands us to expose the unfruitful works of darkness with the truth (Ephesians 5:11). Truth is the only thing that stabilizes.
I recently saw a survey on Facebook that asked, “Do you feel that most church leaders speak up about the real issues facing us today?” The overwhelming response was a very loud and clear no! Pastors and Christian leaders alike, we must take responsibility for the spiritual health of our nation — and make no mistake, whether we accept that responsibility or not, God Himself will hold us accountable. The pulpit inevitably sets the tone of the religious climate of the nation. A fearful church simply reflects fearful pastors. The silent pulpit is not God’s pulpit.
The Bible calls pastors “watchmen” who cry out and sound the alarm to awaken a sleeping church, not sing her lullabies. Few Spirit-filled preachers are left, and when one rises, he is quickly dismissed as too political and labeled narrow-minded, legalistic, and extreme. The so-called evangelical church in our land is on the verge of having the Lord remove our lampstand because pastors are missing this incredible opportunity to take a bold stance (see Rev. 2:5). Silent shepherds are speaking volumes.