Almost daily, there is evidence that the foundations of world governments and institutions are crumbling. In biblical prophecy, the primary cause of what is called, “the great tribulation” (see Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14), which will come at the end of this age, is the result of human problems exceeding human remedies. With this increasing shaking, questions are being asked with increasing frequency: Should we work to help shore up these foundations? As the salt we are called to be, should we help to preserve them? Or is this like trying to patch holes on the Titanic when it is surely going to sink?

    Getting the answers to these questions is critical. The fate of nations truly does hang in the balance depending on whether the church gets the answers right. They will either turn to the truth and be set free by the truth, or they will slip quickly into evil, deception, and bondage. The church is the key factor determining which way each nation will go. If the church arises to become the salt and light that she is called to be, regardless of how large or small she is, that nation can be turned toward the path of life. If the church sleeps, or refuses to prophetically engage the times, then that nation will be lost.

    How do such huge consequences depend on the church? The church in the nations has always determined this, but the consequences at the end of the age are magnified because of the intensity of the times. We are called to be the salt of the earth, and if we lose this quality, then the nation will not be preserved. We are called to be the light of the world, and if the light loses its brilliance, then that nation will slip into darkness.

    One factor in the course that many Christians will take will depend on their eschatology to a great degree, or their understanding of the biblical prophecies concerning the end of this age. This should not be a factor that it is because every biblical prophecy about the end of the age requires the highest and most powerful preaching of the gospel and action by the faithful, the true believers, even in the face of the antichrist, as we read in Daniel 11:31-32:

    “Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.

    “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. 

    The people who know their God will be strong and take action, but this is always true. We cannot be the salt of the earth and the light of the world as we are called to be by being passive. Those who truly follow Christ, not just a doctrine, will be like Him and do the works that He did. Jesus confronted the greatest darkness of His time, and He never compromised or retreated. That is the nature of Christ and those who are of His Spirit. That must be our nature and our resolve.

    Waking up the church and turning many relatively passive believers into the force they are called to be is the critical need of this time. Help has come, which we will discuss in more depth next week.