The 'Children Of Issachar' In The 'Kosmos'

It never ceases to amaze me how cohesive the Body of Christ can be when it's apparent that the Holy Spirit is genuinely moving and speaking through it.

Take, for instance, the unique religious phenomenon of how one Pastor in America let's say can give the same message with the same warnings for true believers as a Christian speaker at a conference in say Europe -- at the same time!

That's exactly what's been transpiring lately as I've attempted to work my way through various Bible studies over the past week. The common theme? Genuine Christianity vs. False Converts, or Christians-In-Name-And-Action vs. Christians-In-Name-Only. The common passages that keep coming up? Those found in the Book of 1 John.

Brannon Howse recently told the story of how he personally worked his way through that book because he was told that there were 'signs' listed in there about what it meant to be a Christian. It was virtually a test for him. You could read that book and every time you found a characteristic or a hallmark of a Christian you were to underline it, and he did.

He says that no one told him what they were, no one told him what verses to look up, but just that if you read the book of 1 John you will find the hallmarks of a true convert. Howse did that and admits that he found himself severely lacking, and this was when he was already a married adult, with kids, running a Christian organization as a 'false convert'.

For him, he describes the problem as being one where he had a 'worldly sorrow' rather than a 'Godly sorrow', which is essential to a proper Christian life because it is Godly sorrow that produces repentance unto salvation.

Anyway, what is it that God is trying to tell His people right now by constantly bringing this Book to the forefront? Also, what is He trying to tell each and every one of us on an individual and personal level about our current condition? We know that this is not about 'cleaning-up-your-life-first-and-then-God-will-really-accept-you-and-love-you-more', but instead is about 'cleaning-up-your-life-so-that-your-Christian-walk-matches-your-Christian-talk' since we are instructed to be in this world -- not of it.

John 17:14-15 (KJV) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Naturally, that got me thinking about this world. We live in what many call a 'Postmodern' world. I think it's more accurate to call it a 'Post-Christian Swamp' when you consider how far removed God and His ways are from the public arena these days. Even a quick glance at life on this planet just a few decades ago reveals a shocking reversal.

We have Postmodernism to thank for that I think. Instead of life being interpreted honestly, it's now interpreted emotionally. Instead of the real being 'real', it is now distorted and 'virtual reality' has taken charge.

We've changed our thinking based on objective instruction (based on the truth of the Holy Word) to the subjective secular thinking (based on a 'do whatever feels right to you' mentality). This is our world today. It's one that's based on humanism where the self is always the dominant driving force.

When we read of the 'world' in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word 'kosmos'. Kosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this 'kosmos' (John 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 5:19).

By the simple definition that the word world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we can more readily appreciate Christ's claims that believers are no longer of the world -- we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of the world. In addition, we are being changed into the image of Christ, causing our interest in the things of the world to become less and less as we mature in Christ.

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world -- physically present -- but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life -- to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.

We must also understand that being in the world, but not of it, is necessary if we are to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is something 'different' about us. Christians who make every effort to live, think, and act like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows that "by their fruits you shall know them", and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us.

Being 'in' the world also means we can enjoy the things of the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us, but we are not to immerse ourselves in what the world values, nor are we to chase after worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life, as it once was, but rather the worship of God.



Perhaps it's time to recall what God warns us about:

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

When John says 'don't love the world' or 'the things in the world' he really understood what our times would be like when he wrote of the last days.

In fact, 6 times in 3 verses (verses 15, 16, and 17 above) the term 'kosmos' appears. The 'system' (the 'world system') that is headed by Satan, that leaves God out, that is hostile to Jesus Christ and His Word -- that's the world.

That's what we're not to love. Of course, the difficult part is that it's the world in which we live. Under God's permissive will, this world is running its wicked course filled with lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life all under the guidance of the one He allows to have his way for awhile -- yes, even Satan.

John writes in verse 18 that it is "the last hour" too. I began thinking about all of this today in light of recent events and since this week kicks off what I believe will become the infamous, world changing Coppenhagen Summit. Now, let's juxtapose all of this with what we find in 1 Chronicles 12:32 because it's relevant to this study.

1 Chronicles 12:32 (KJV) And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

The context of 1 Chronicles 12 would be the days of battle when Israel was fighting for its life and its very existence. Boy, if that doesn't feel like most nations in the world today (especially America), then I don't know what does.

The astounding events we're all witnessing wherever we are in the world are part of a much larger picture, with momentous implications. Believe it or not, there are definite historical themes and spiritual threads behind today’s current events, which ultimately point to the agenda on God’s heart for our generation.

Anyway, this was in the days of David and in the midst of the fight (in the midst of David's desire to bring order and direction in the chaotic world of Israel) God raised up a small body of men called the 'sons of Issachar'.



These were men who understood the times and who had knowledge of what Israel should do. Their chiefs were 200 and all their kinsmen were at their command. It's a small cadre of warriors in a sense, but courageous and discerning and decisive. That's why the men of Issachar were so valuable.

They had discernment. They understood their culture and the forces at work behind the scenes, and because of that they knew what Israel should do.

Isn't that a powerful reminder for those of us alive today in the face of tyranny? I'm floored by the striking parallels between this account in the Bible and all of the things that we've been exposing lately as it pertains to this 'Order of Out Chaos' belief system that many who stand in opposition to Jesus Christ hold on to.

My hope is that as a result of a message like this we will all gain some discernment, but it will not be easy. Still, I urge all of us -- sons and daughters of Issachar -- to see what is occurring and then to play our part in doing what ought to be done.

What am I suggesting? What can we do? No, I'm not suggesting for a single second that we take up arms and turn to violence, but that we turn to prayer and God for direction. Specifically, those of us who are devoted to Jesus Christ should also be devoted to calling forth 'sons and daughters of Issachar' for this 21st century.

I believe that if God so desires He can surely raise up a generation of young men and women who 'understand the times and know what to do' (1 Chronicles 12:32). These will be people who grasp the stakes in this hour for the Church, for America, and for Western Civilization. These are people who are impassioned to give all they’ve got to battle for Revival and for Spiritual Awakening, Reformation, and Transformation. Most importantly, these are people who understand that they cannot do anything apart from God and His blessing upon such a movement.

It's not about a 'Kingdom Now' type of theology where we somehow arrogantly assume that we can hasten Christ's return by establishing His Kingdom first here on earth. It's also not about thinking that we can somehow prevent His plan for humanity (as described for the last days throughout Scripture) from happening.

No, if nothing else this is just about recognizing these times that we're in and responding accordingly -- responding like all Christians should with the proper Christian response in the midst of burgeoning Satanic evil.

At the same time, do we really understand the depth of that statement 'let us be as the sons of Issachar', or what the requirements are to operate like Issachar and his sons?

Thankfully, I found one such group that is taking this idea to heart. Called Sons of Issachar for the 21st Century, the group proposes the following mission:


> Communicate an urgent message for this generation.

> Cast a compelling vision for Revival, Spiritual Awakening, Reformation, Transformation.

> Call to repentance and prevailing prayer with fasting.

> Create a passionate movement of sons and daughters of Issachar who understand their time, know their God, and move into every arena of society for the sake of the Great Covenant, the Great Commandments, the Great Community, and the Great Commission.


I also liked what I read on their website:


America stands at the greatest crossroads in her history. Our nation is in crisis, both within and without. Our future literally hangs in the balance. As we go about business as usual, America faces the greatest threat in her history, from a militant Islamic advance. And, at the same time, she is ill-equipped to meet this challenge as she is imploding from within, both morally and spiritually.

The only hope for America is the Church. The only hope for the Church is Revival. And, the only hope for Revival may be how the "Millennial Generation" responds to the message of the Gospel.


In a sense, I think that some might argue that 'becoming sons and daughters of Issachar' is what this entire ministry (if it's even appropriate to call Look Up Fellowship that) has always been about. It's about being aware of culture (even pop culture) without being yoked to it, and standing up to expose the darkness of deceit with the light of truth.

Bottom line? Understand your time, and know your God because Postmodernism thrives on chaos. It desires to destroy all moral criteria and replace it with no criteria. It seeks a world in which everything is right and relative, where there is no truth, and perception alone is reality.

Make no mistake about it, it is both insidious and subtle -- just like it's father the Subtle Serpent. Thus, precisely why we need to look at everything that's going on around us today with an eternal and spiritual perspective rather than merely an earthly and physical one.

Thank you Heavenly Father for bringing this sobering topic to mind today. I pray that we all take it to heart and prayerfully consider the implications and applications of this study.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Becoming Sons of Issachar
Balancing The Christian Life By Charles Ryrie

Posted in: America In Prophecy,Bible Study,Daily Bread,How Close Are We?,Prophecy Basics,Revelatory Revival,Spiritual Growth,Why Study Prophecy?