Look Up Fellowship "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

This is an unusual entry today. I don't normally write an Open Letter of sorts to other people much less other fellow bloggers. In fact, I don't believe I've ever done this sort of thing before. But when the Holy Spirit leads, I hope to always follow obediently even if I have no clue what's going on.

Below is a quote or two that comes to us from Christopher Knowles of The Secret Sun. I know I always catch some flak whenever I bring his name and his work up in these parts, but please hear me out on this one.

Yes, I realize that he is more interested in the esoteric than the revealed Word of God (i.e. the Holy Bible) and that he doesn't profess to believe in any god to the best of my knowledge (much less the one, true God Almighty), but I still admire the man's insights and God-given ability to "spot the signs" even if he fails to realize that it's not only a talent on loan from the Lord, but that what he's noticing is directly connected to the history of mankind (past, present, and future) as written by our Heavenly Father.

I've often said that where Mr. Knowles stops and falls short by ending his research without demonstrating how it all ties in with Biblical end times prophecy is precisely the the place where I want to pick up the torch, run with it, and try to do my part.

For those who, at this point, want to caution me about using anything that is found on his blog don't worry. I'm not sitting here saying that everything that appears on his site is prophetically relevant and that it just needs to be filtered through a Biblical worldview before it can be presented in forums like this one, but there is enough there to demand a closer look. Like I said, he may not realize it (or want to acknowledge it), but His intellect is a gift from God whether he chooses to use it to point people in the right direction or not and so every now and then he comes so close to the truth without actually intending to.

In any event, I want to share a quote that he wrote the other day. It's powerfully spot on! It's also indicative of how we all sense something big is going on here that we're all a part of. Even non-believers sense it. I just pray that the good Lord opens his heart and mind to the truth before it's too late because he's so very close if he'll only let go of his biases and misconceptions and take that next step.

"Do you ever get the feeling that you're playing a part in some incredibly elaborate staged drama, that all falls together like a too-clever detective novel? I've been finding out that all of my disparate interests aren't disparate at all, but in fact very tightly and intimately and profoundly connected. I just didn't realize it. I knew the keys to the puzzle all along, I just thought it had to be something else, something less obvious. But it isn't. And it's not the key that matters, it's what's behind the door.

All I know is that I no longer pay attention to the conventional wisdom (sic) when it comes to anything of importance, since 'conventional wisdom' is an oxymoron. Certainly, the insidious and duplicitous nature of the 'official version' of events† has been scratching at my door recently when it comes to another longstanding obsession of mine, but that's a story for another post. In the meantime, question the answers and make the uncomfortable connections. Spit in the eye of causality and its bastard children, because greater wisdom awaits you."

Christopher, life appears that way because the Creator of the universe is the One who designed it to work that way. He's the same God who created you as well, and the One who gave you those interests that are "very tightly and intimately and profoundly connected" for a specific reason.

He's "what's behind the door" and He's simply waiting for you to knock. In fact, He's been waiting for you to knock on that door your whole life. The beauty is that it's not only not too late (it's never "too late"), but also that He knew that everything that's happened throughout the course of your life has prepared you and brought you to this specific moment in time.

Jesus Christ Himself said:

Luke 11:9 (KJV) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (emphasis mine)

I could be speaking out of turn here although I don't believe that I am (Lord, if I am then please forgive me!), but it could be now or never. Why put off a decision that is standing before you, just begging you to make it? It's marvelous to see how your God given brain works (Proverbs 25:2), and every now and then (much like when I read the words I quoted above) I read something of yours and a smile comes upon my face even though we've never met and certainly never spoke or exchanged private emails.

I smile from ear to ear for a complete stranger like you because I can sense when the Lord is working in someone's life on a very specific, very personal level. The irony is that they may not realize it when it's happening (or perhaps they do and they just can't bring themselves to acknowledge the truth yet for what it would mean, and because of how it would change them, and maybe even impact their relationship with others around them), and the truth is that it's ALWAYS happening.

God loves us -- loves you -- that much. But this won't be you're ususal God-Loves-You-And- Has-A-Wonderful-Plan-For-Your-Life-And-If-You-Want-A-Happy-Life-Than-Choose-Him-Now type of message. More on that in a moment.

Superior intellect aside, what it boils down to is that this isn't about "head knowledge" but about "heart knowledge" instead. It's about what happens "when life happens" and brings us to our knees. For some, it doesn't take a crisis to get them to see the truth. For others, it's the only way.

Brian Welch Quits Korn And Kicks Drugs



Make no mistake, however, that once you choose Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you will be persecuted by family, friends, and by Satan himself. Think of it in terms of the great spiritual battle that it is. Right now, just moving along by not choosing either side is still, in effect, choosing a side! You've chosen neutrality. Well, choosing anything but Jesus Christ is to side with Satan and once you finally step out in faith and place that faith in the shed blood and sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf it enrages Satan. So, naturally, he will do everything he can to get you to come back to his side of the fence so to speak. Hence, the guaranteed persecution that accompanies being 'Born Again' in this life.

It's also not just about a person choosing God, but about God choosing them too. Rest assured, once He gets hold of you he NEVER lets go! He will complete the good work He began in you after you accept His Son Jesus Christ, the simplicity of the truth, and allow Him to become your Lord and Savior.

Earlier today, I shared a couple of videos that highlighted everything that's wrong with the Christian church today as well as with the evangelical movement. I highly recommend going back and taking a look at that before you assume this is just another run-of-the-mill modern Gospel message. It reminds me of these next three short clips:

Why Is The Modern Gospel Un-Biblical?



Witnessing Honestly



I'll Be Honest. Will You?



Turn To Jesus Christ!



Either way, God works in our lives in an individual and unique manner whether we see it or not. It's hard to explain to someone unless they've gone through it. All I can tell you is that for whatever reason, I read those words of yours today, had a feeling that something bigger was going on below the surface than just another blog entry perhaps, and felt very strongly that I needed to comment on it and write what was placed upon my heart. This is the product of that process. In my limited experience, when this happens it's a pretty good indicator that Someone's trying to get your attention.

Look, I don't know you and I don't even know why I felt the need to write this today. Gosh, you may never even read this from beginning to end and consider the genuine, heartfelt concern that was put into it. Still, whatever this is ultimately about I can assure you that it was no accident. Looking back at the theme of the other columns I published before this already today I see a clear common thread so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised to be typing this at the moment.

This all reminds me of something else another Brother in Christ wrote the other day:

Many people walk away from the Creator because they say "He doesn't speak to me" or "He is silent" or any number of statements to that effect. I believe the Lord told me to write about this by answering the question: "Is the Lord really silent?" The Lord himself addresses this idea in at least two places. Let's start here:

Isaiah 57:11 Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?

Notice that was an old testament passage of Scripture. What are we told now about the Lord speaking to us?

Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Now think hard about what the Lord is saying in this statement because it's a biggie. Is the Lord really "silent" as many people claim He is? Not by a long shot...The Lord is speaking to us every second of every hour of every day. How? Hebrews 1 tells us that "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son". Spoken to us by his Son? What is the Son of God? Answer? The Son of God is the Word of God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

So, putting this together we see that "in these last days" the Lord has spoken to us by the Word of God, which is an equivalent statement to saying in these last days "he has spoken to us by his Son." So if you want to know what God is saying to men today, open the Word of God and start reading. The Lord will speak to you through his Son, which is the same thing as saying through his Word.

You can read the Bible cover to cover for a lifetime and the Lord will speak to you in new ways as your walk and your life move forward in time with Him. The Lord tells us this:

Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

Deep calls to deep...that's Spirit speaking to spirit...God talking to us. The problem people have is not God being silent, it's them not listening or their sin separating them from Him. God is not the problem, we are. We need to change, we need to align ourselves with Him not the other way around. Open the Word of God and stay in it if you want to hear the Lord speak.

In the end, the question is not "Do you want to go to Heaven?". No, the question is: "Has God so worked in your heart that the God you hated you now esteem and desire?"

The Psychological Manipulation of the "Invitation"



A quick prayer:

"I pray that you make a decision for Jesus Christ. I pray that you recognize that we need Him because we are all sinners, and that you see that we can never get to Him on our own. There's nothing we can do on our own to make up for our sins; nothing we could do on our own to earn favor and forgiveness from Him, or to secure our place in Heaven when we die. The only thing we can do is to make a conscious decision that He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ, and that He came to this world for us. He took our sins upon Himself, was crucified in our place, died for us, and was resurrected so that we may live forever. Will you accept Him and His sacrifice, and do you desperately want to receive His Son Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? When He conquered death for our sake He us me access to the Father. Thank God for His grace and His mercy! For even now at this late and urgent hour people can still approach Him and receive His forgiveness through deep repentance. Thank You Lord for forgiving us and for sending the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. I pray that You transform our lives from this day forward and give us hearts and minds that desire to not only get to know You, but to be close to You in fellowship and prayer as much as possible. Please help us to remember always that if we should decide to walk with You today, but fail to show any fruit, any progress of your sanctifying power in our lives from this day forward, that it means that we were never legitimately walking with You to begin with. God forbid! Teach us how to live, and teach us how to share this message with others before it's too late for them. Please count us worthy to escape the things to come. Amen."

Remember that once we make a decision for Christ (or re-commit ourselves to Him) it's a starting gun -- not a finish line.

I know perfectly well that "The Secret Sun hews to no political, religious or philosophical agenda." I get that. Even so, the Lord is doing everything He can to get you to hew to Him despite your open rejection of Him.

Knock on that door! Seek Him! Walk through it once and for all! Return home my friend!

Revelation 3:20 (KJV) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (emphasis mine)

Christopher, I may be way off and completely wrong, but I believe you hear His voice. If not, I pray you hear His voice in your life because it's there (2 Peter 3:9). Now, He's the One standing at the door and knocking. If you hear His voice, then open the door! What do you have to lose except EVERYTHING?

Mr. Knowles, I hope that you are not offended by this message this morning, but encouraged by it. As mentioned, I never intended to write this when I went to bed last night, and yet here we are. Funny how that works sometimes, isn't it?

Wanna know who Jesus Christ is? He's the Not-So-Secret-Son! The truth He embodies will set you -- set all of us -- free! All we have to do is answer the call that we know is there.

Lastly, I'm no one except a young man who loves Jesus Christ and who desires to live obediently to His Word while also professing His life-saving Gospel to as many people as I possibly can and am allowed to.

No, I don't pretend to have all the answers, but if you ever want to chat you know how to find me. My email box is always open and my phone still works.

May God bless you and your family dearly. In love and peace my friend.