We Have a Choice:
Humility or Humiliation
By James Robison
Let me share first my personal understanding of prophecy in light of
statements that often confuse or distort the definition of real prophecy.
I believe that true prophets 
sometimes
predict future acts and events or consequences. These messages can be alarming
or refreshing, but they are always intended by God to give life or improve
life.
There
are prophets who may, on occasion, foretell the future, but every believer can
prophesy or speak words of life. Paul said in Corinthians, “Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even
more that you would prophesy.” In my opinion, this means that when we speak, we
should
prayerfully
seek to speak words that edify and enhance life itself.
When
Paul encouraged people to prophesy, I do not believe he was encouraging us to
predict future events, but rather to strengthen the lives of the hearers. We
should pray that the heart of God will be expressed every time we open our
mouths. We should never attempt to reduce the “end times” to a specific time
frame or date. Jesus Christ will return quickly in the sense that He will come
suddenly, unexpected by far too many. Believers are exhorted to live prepared
for Christ’s return at any moment, always redeeming the time.
All
biblical predictions will come true. All prophecies will be fulfilled. The
misunderstanding of the Bible’s truth
is often man’s finite attempt to comprehend infinite wisdom. Paul said, “If you
think you know, you don’t know as you ought.”
Throughout
history, from the Pharisees of Jesus’ times to the religious zealots and
intellectuals of today, people have been proven wrong. Inappropriate
predictions, unwholesome lifestyles and the course of world events continually
expose the fallacy of human wisdom. We need prophets today — not fortune
tellers and wild-eyed mystics, but exhorters and edifiers. We need prophecy today
to encourage believers and to correct the family of God by speaking words of
life.
The
Great Shaking
What
I share next concerns believers in the New
Testament Church family and all whom God loves but have not yet received
His abounding grace and abundant, eternal life. I believe the following things
will occur before Christ returns or “the end of the
world as we know it.”
All
that can shake will be shaken to the foundation. Those unfruitful things that
do not pertain to true life will be revealed. The unshakable will remain,
including the true and holy remnant. No one will be excluded from pain and
suffering, apart from supernatural intervention.
I
am convinced there will be a healthy Church found on earth when Christ returns
— the true spotless bride, prepared, adorned in His glory, ready for the
glorious appearing of Christ the Groom. He will come for that which is like Himself. This has nothing to do with how large or how many
but a prepared body of believers determined by God. This prepared bride will
anxiously watch for His return because of deep love, not fear or escapism.
God
knows the hour. It cannot be determined by time or space, but we do know He
will come for a people in love with Him and one another — living in fullness,
free from fear, abiding in peace amid storms and turmoil, shining as unfading
light in the darkest of hours. Their eyes will be fixed on Jesus; their hearts
will be focused on His kingdom purpose; and their hands will be doing His work
as faithful servants.
Those
outside the family of faith will tragically miss all that pertains to life and
godliness. There is no reference here to religious traditions that lack true
expressions of life and love. These people, along with unbelievers, will face
separation, death and the eternal consequences of their choices in this present
lifetime.
Yet,
while we know this to be true, we must leave judgment, vengeance, wrath and
justice in the hands of the supreme Judge. Because of our finite understanding,
many things are unclear. But be assured that our God can be trusted with
justice, mercy and judgment.
Read
and Share
Please
Read or share the following in total context so that the intent and concern will
not be misrepresented.
For
several years I have sensed in my spirit some awesome and alarming things when
I meditate on the Scriptures and pray. I have waited a long time, but I believe
the time has come for me to finally share these impressions.
I
earnestly pray that the free world and especially America — my home and the
land of the free, where many choose to live as slaves bound by appetites and
actions, demanding their way rather than God’s way — may somehow be spared the
horrendous results such decadent practices have produced throughout history. I
don’t want us to get what we deserve. I cry out for mercy for me, my family
members, friends and everyone — even those who chose to be our enemies. I don’t
want anyone to perish but all to repent, just as the Bible expresses. This is the very desire of God’s heart. Please
join me in focused prayer.
I
am convinced that brokenness will come to the Church and to America. The choice
is ours: humility or humiliation! Our population will cry out to God on our
faces, desperate beyond comprehension, in unity of spirit and heart, longing
for what really matters. The whole world will long for peace — not just
national or world peace, but peace within. It’s not peace as the world gives,
having everything our way, but rather having it His way,
having what only Jesus can give. People, not material things, will matter most.
Our focus will be on love, relationships, family, joy, compassion and serving
others.
Those
who claim no faith will respectfully acknowledge the importance of our First Amendment
guarantees. They will be accorded the same respect from the faith community.
Open dialogue, debate and difference will no longer be rooted in a desire to
destroy opposition.
Brokenness
Will Lead to True Character
A
change of heart and direction will take place in this nation. Brokenness will
lead to true character, determination, self-sacrifice and a sincere desire to
know and do what is right, regardless of the cost or sacrifice. The line
distinguishing good and evil will be as distinct as the difference in light and
darkness — the difference as clear to all observers as terrorists flying airplanes
into towers, killing unsuspecting people of all nations and races, compared to
those brave souls risking their own lives, giving of themselves, seeking to
rescue them. It will be as distinctly different as suicide bombers killing
innocent school children and the compassionate doctors and relief workers who
strive to ease suffering around the world. There is the force of evil on one
side and life-enriching righteousness on the other. We cannot continue to deny
that evil is a reality, while tolerating and defending it as a mere difference
of opinion.
What
I share next is sobering.
I
have resisted sharing what I believe I’ve seen in the Spirit, not because I
doubt the accuracy, but because I long for and pray for what I see to be averted.
I pray for a change of heart and direction, for true repentance to occur until
our nation receives the truth of God, begins to live with the character,
strength and faith that made America great in the first place, and allows
selfless love to prevail rather than selfish indulgence.
As
I said, I am convinced brokenness will come. Count on it. The Bible says God’s Word is a hammer; its
power can break our stubborn will. His Word is a fire; it can purify us. His
Word is water; it can cleanse. The choice is ours: Choose life or choose the
way that seems right to men and women — the fruit of which is death.
We
Must Witness the Change of Heart
If the current practice of abortion on demand, destroying the most
helpless and innocent of human life, continues with bold, open approval, we
will find all innocent life vulnerable to what has become the 
culture
of death. How can we possibly expect our lives and our rights to be protected
when we fail to offer it to the most precious little ones? We must witness
far more than the changing of any court’s decision — we must witness the change
of heart that will no longer terminate innocent life, however foolish some
judge or legislator may be. Rest assured, our laws will reflect the condition
of our hearts.
We have made such an idol of economic gain and material possessions,
I am not certain brokenness will come apart from the collapse of our economy
and loss of treasured possessions. Selfish indulgences, revealed through sexual
excesses and perversion, are promoted and defended as perfectly acceptable
and normal. This attitude must be changed from within, and its effect will
be visibly manifested in the lives and practices of our general population.
It’s
my hope that the Church family will pray, seek God, turn from any wicked ways
and see our land healed. I pray that unbelievers will respond to God’s offer
of life, forgiveness and grace, resulting in supernatural intervention and
protection. God is described in the Bible
as “a mighty fortress,” “the shields of the earth,” “our Deliverer,” and
“the solid rock.” The intentions of evildoers can be supernaturally detected
and thwarted. The enemy must be changed or defeated.
I’m
not referring to the natural disasters we are already witnessing and the challenges
that reveal our nation’s soul and character. I’m talking about deliberate
destruction directed by the deadly actions of evil men.
Where
Was God When This Happened?
Many
times in prayer, I have seen agonizing pain and suffering resulting from a
direct nuclear or
biological strike in major population centers in the United States. I see
masses of people crying out in fear and panic from destruction and death beyond
comprehension. There is a cry for help and mercy, for a way of escape, for
protection, for communication, for news of loved ones. Comfort is totally disrupted. A sense of total
loss jeopardizes our way of life. Prayer is prevalent. People are desperate for
help — even divine intervention. No one asks, “Is there a God?” It seems
everyone is looking for Him, including those who once moved to keep God out of
public life. Many ask, “Why?” Others ask, “Where was God when this happened?”
But
people are not questioning the faith of others. They are looking for faith in
others. There is brokenness and humility, along with humiliation, as those who
once thought they stood firm, rapidly fall. Many high towers crumble.
Households and communities tremble in the aftermath. Our way of life pales
compared to the simple desire for life itself.
The
only strength and hope for the future comes from those who are truly strong in
the Lord. The most courageous prove to be the most compassionate; they
understand pure love and willingly sacrifice on behalf of others. Their genuine
strength of character is revealed, and people wholeheartedly seek to hear
truth. They want someone to provide clear direction, inspire proper action and
promise a stable, secure future. Prosperity is suddenly defined as life itself,
rather than life’s possessions.
I
Have Seen the Pain and Suffering, and I Cry Out to God, “Have Mercy!”
The
life of privilege and opportunity is a distant, often faint hope, but it is
actually possible for those who will endure the unparalleled hardship. For
those of us who experience this horror, things will not be the same. Our true
character will face a supreme test, and survival will depend on whether we turn
our hearts to the Supreme Power, the One who gives life, the merciful, everlasting
God and Father, the one and only blessed hope.
I
have seen the pain and suffering, and I cry out to God, “Have mercy!” Then in
my heart I hear, “I am offering it even now, if only it will be received. I
will not force My way into the lives of men. They can
choose whom and what they serve. They can eat of the fruit of their ways or receive
liberating truth and life-changing love.” In prayer I ask, “Is it too late?
Lord, please help us.” I pray for repentance, brokenness and humility, for
mercy received and mercy shared. I hold on to God’s promise, “Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
I
pray, “God, break our hearts by the power of Your Word and the love revealed
through the cross of Christ. Break our stubborn will. Humble us that we may be
mightily exalted as we exalt You and build our lives
and future on Your rock-solid principles.”
Only
right relationships with God will produce the necessary resolve to fight the
right fight the right way. It is only through commitment to Godly principles
that we will have the character to make the sacrifices necessary to protect and
preserve the truly priceless aspects of life.
It has become increasingly difficult to hear transforming truth when
much of the mass media and the entertainment community so blatantly mock truth,
promote twisted lifestyles and assail traditional family 
values.
I
am grateful that for the moment we have some national leaders who acknowledge
the importance of prayer and faith. It is critically important that all believers
pray for those in authority, because they must have the resolve and wisdom from
above in order to make and stand by correct decisions. As we pray, we must
remember: No political leader or party can be seen as our hope and security
apart from the guidance of Divine Providence.
We
Will Bow Before God or Be Broken Before God
The
only way we will miss the agony I have seen is by supernatural intervention —
by God giving us wisdom and clear communication between all concerned parties,
enabling us to uncover sinister plots.
I
believe with all my heart that we will bow before God or be broken before God.
America cannot continue to rebel and choose darkness when, throughout our
history, we have been exposed to so much light. I am not speaking of perfection
or perfect hearts. I am pleading for all to sincerely seek
to share life, to know love — God’s love — and admit the need for personal and
public change.
Real
repentance will produce the necessary change in people’s hearts and minds,
which will result in a renewed national desire to protect all life, because
life is precious.
Moved
By Compassion and Unselfish Love
Our
laws will begin to reflect transformed hearts of the voters and legislators guided
by time-tested, proven principles. The family will once again be defined
properly — husband, wife and children. Our freedom will not only be diligently
protected, but its benefits and blessings freely shared. While enjoying the
privileges true prosperity affords us, we will cherish the responsibility and
joy of sharing what we have with others. We will not be manipulated or
motivated by greed, but moved by compassion and unselfish love.
A
major part of the entertainment community will forsake the promotion of
indulgent and perverse lifestyles and seek to inspire us to rise above our
natural, depraved tendencies. Their tremendous ability will be used to present
great and admirable acts as was Steven Spielberg’s through Schindler’s List. They will use their great talent to present
people and stories worthy of respect rather than those committed to decadence.
Let
me make it clear: Caring people will no longer be merely cursing the darkness.
As surely as light dispels darkness, when the light begins to shine freely, its
effect will be visible and undeniable. History confirms the need to defend the
faith, but in this day it will be the demonstration of faith’s transforming
power that inspires repentance and change.
I
invite all who bear witness of the concern I have shared to join me in prayer,
in pursuing the God of holiness and in reaching out to others to share our
blessings, whether great or small. Let’s discover that the “joy of the Lord” is
indeed our strength and hope.
Pray, fellow believers. Please pray and share this message
as God leads, while encouraging others also to join in prayer. Consider reading
this message again each week and praying daily concerning the issues addressed.
Pray . . .
* For all to bow before God in
humility and not wait to fall before Him in humiliation.
* For all in authority to have wisdom
to make the right decisions and the resolve to stand by them.
* For the family of faith and all
who love freedom to search their own hearts and turn from evil.
* For the enemy to be turned from
deadly intent and acts, and their plans and deceptive practices to be exposed,
thereby nullifying their actions and protecting the innocent.
* For the ultimate defeat of all
terrorist activities.
* For peace in our hearts and on
earth.
* For America and the free world not
only to enjoy the fruit of prosperity, but also to compassionately and
consistently share their blessings with others.
* For the Christian Church family
to live in oneness with God and the unity of the Spirit that Jesus prayed
for, so the world will know we are truly His disciples and He is revealed
through us as the ever-living Lord of all.
James
Robison is the Founder & President Life Outreach International. Having
accepted Christ as his Savior at age 14, James began speaking in churches
in 1962, which soon led to over 600 city-wide crusades and conferences attended
by more than 20 million people. In 1968, the James Robison Evangelistic Association
launched a TV ministry. In later years, the ministry name was changed to Life
Outreach International because James wanted the organization to be purpose-centered.
The ministry changed the format of its television program, Life Today,
to make it more interactive. James and his wife Betty co-host the program,
which can be seen in more than 200 million households in the United States,
Canada, Australia, Europe and in many other countries, and more people are
coming to Christ in a single year than in James’ first 20 years of ministry.
Much of the ministry’s focus is in other parts of the world, 40 nations and
growing. Life Outreach helps feed 375,000 children in crisis areas throughout
Africa. The ministry has also drilled more than a thousand fresh water wells
throughout Africa and in 20 other developing nations. James and Betty have
three children and 11 grandchildren, and they make their home in the Fort
Worth, Texas area.
