“HEAR, O MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL WARN YOU”

On September 11, 2001, God spoke to the United States of America.  Not only did He have a message for “We the people;” but His message was directed first and foremost, to His people, “We the church.” Though there were many who said that God had nothing to do with this, Pastor David Wilkerson, of Times Square Church, hit the nail on the head.  The title of his sermon on the Sunday following 9/11 was entitled, “The Towers Have Fallen, but We Missed the Message.” His main text came from Isaiah chapter nine.  I believe it would be wise if you listened to this message at http://media.sermonindex.net/4/SID4014.mp3

It might seem to be a coincidence that Pastor Wilkerson used the same text that Senator Tom Daschle used to try to bring comfort to the American people.  Well, it was no coincidence.  God was speaking to us.  The difference was, Wilkerson was speaking on behalf of God.  Daschle was ripping God’s Word out of context.

Another man that God was speaking clearly to was Rev. Flip Benham.  He preached a very important message which will help you to connect the dots; specifically what God was saying through St. Paul’s Chapel and our governmental leaders.  Rev. Flip Benham’s Sermon

I was very blessed to be able to hear both of these messages before going to New York City this past weekend.  Of course, I wasn’t the only one there.  Thousands gathered on the ninth anniversary of 9/11.  Many were there to stand in support of the mosque.  Many more were there to stand in opposition to the mosque.  However, our mission was two fold.  First of all, we were there to stand in solidarity with those who mourned for lost loved ones and saw this mosque as a slap in the face to those who were killed on 9/11.  But, our second purpose was to answer the question, “Why Islam?” I will explain that later.

After hearing Flip’s message on Isaiah chapter nine, my first stop in New York City had to be St. Paul’s Chapel.  And, the first thing that drew my attention, as I walked in the doors, was the giant Bible laying open on the pulpit.  I had the strongest curiosity to know what Scripture this Bible was opened to, and was blown away at the first verse that I laid my eyes on.  Psalm 81:8 says, “Hear, O my people, and I will warn you-if you would but listen to me, O Israel!” As you listen to the attached sermons, and finish reading this article, you will see why this verse was so prophetic to what we were doing in New York City.  And you will be even more astonished if you read the eight verses that follow this one.

I thought, “Of all the verses in the Bible, there could not be a better one to explain why God had sent us to New York City.” And not only that, but as I finished reading Psalm 81, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had made sure that that Bible was open to that exact page for a reason.  He left that Bible open for all that had ears to hear, to hear what God is saying to this nation.  His message has always been plain.  It’s right there for all to hear it.  The question is, “Will we listen?” Sadly, the entire time I was in the chapel, I did not see a single person even look at the Bible, let alone read it.  That was just a sad reminder to me of how little reverence there is for God’s Word in this nation.  And it was also a sad reminder that all God has been saying through that little church has largely been unheard.

From St. Paul’s Chapel, I walked down to where we were setting up at the corner of Church and Murray; about two blocks from Ground Zero.  It might not seem the ideal place until you realize that we were set up right in the middle of the two opposing rallies.  It was incredible.  Thousands of people had to walk by us to get where they wanted to go.

At noon, Rusty Thomas, Ante Pavkovic and David Benham preached the Word of God for almost an hour to media from all over the world.  This was our “press conference.”  Rusty answered the question, “Why Islam?” He explained that the root of our problem is the shedding of innocent blood, through abortion and parading the sin of homosexuality through our streets, as they did in Sodom.  He said that those were the roots of our problem and Islam is the fruit which we have produced.  He explained that Islam is the rod which God is using to chasten His people for turning our backs on Him.

The press conference ended at a little before 1pm.  At around 1:15pm, we cranked up the sound and called them in.  Our call came from 1 Kings 18:30; “Come near unto me.” When all of Israel, who were wavering between two opinions, had gathered together, God said to the people, through the prophet Elijah, “Come near unto me.” God wants so badly to be able to pour out his mercy on His people.  He still wants to do this today.  God has a message for us.  The question is, “Will we hear it?”

Rusty again proclaimed the truth of why Islam was attacking this Land.  After declaring what our two-fold message was, Rusty gave the call to unveil our prophetic message to all that would hear; baby Malachi.

Malachi means, “My messenger.” And, though Malachi has been dead for years, his message is as loud and clear as ever.  And not only was his message clear on this day, but it was seen and heard by the whole world.  There was a window of around ten to fifteen minutes where the sidewalks were packed, the media was all over and the only sound you heard was the preaching of God’s Word, ringing throughout the city of New York.  God’s message was going out.  The question is, “Was anyone listening?”

Here are links to the messages preached by Rusty, Ante and David.

Rusty Thomas’ Message

Ante Pavkovic’s Message

David Benham’s Message

Did you notice the reaction of one woman when she saw the pictures of Malachi?  Her exact words were, “This isn’t what you were preaching about!”  When I heard those words it broke my heart.  You know why?  Because, that’s how this nation views abortion.  When she saw little Malachi, she saw a dead baby.  But, to her, that’s obviously not what abortion is.  My prayer is that she cannot get the picture of little baby Malachi out of her head until she confesses that abortion is murder.

So, the nation was warned.  But were we listening?

This was not the first time God had warned us with this message; as you have heard if you listened to Flip’s message.  And, unfortunately, I believe the result will be the same.  Though many heard the message, it seemed that no one was cut to the heart.  No one was willing to hear it.  And, what really breaks my heart is knowing what everyone one of us knew going into this: this is the last warning God is going to give us.  If we don’t hear this one, this nation is doomed.

So, needless to say, I didn’t feel too great as I left that rally.  I saw the reaction of the people.  And I knew that judgment was soon to come on this nation; the likes of which we have never seen.  I think I felt the pain Isaiah might have felt when he asked the Lord how long he would have to preach this message of judgment to a people who would not hear it.  God’s answer was, “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the files ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.” O God, may we find mercy in your judgment!

Then there was Sunday morning.  Praise God for Sunday morning!  Some of us went to visit Times Square Church.  Pastor Wilkerson was not there, but Pastor Carter Conlon was.  And, there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that God spoke directly through him.  It was very encouraging.

Not only was his message encouraging, but the joy in the hearts of all the people was something that I truly cherished.  I could clearly see that it was not a hyped up joy.  It was the real thing.

As Pastor Conlon came to the pulpit, he commented on the very thing I had been thinking.  He said that this joy you have experienced comes from not rejecting the truth, but from standing in the Holy place of God.  And that was the title of his message, “Standing in the Holy Place.”

It was great.  He started in Jude 1-4 and 11.  Then he went to Isaiah 2:6-4:1, explaining what it looks like when the full force of God’s judgment comes upon a nation that has forsaken Him.  He was speaking on behalf of God!  The final message had been delivered on Saturday.  If we do not listen, this is the judgment that will soon come upon us.  And Pastor Carter was declaring as well as any of us ever had.  Praise the Lord!

But, then again, it’s judgment.  Where is the joy in that?  Pastor Carter answered that question for us.  As he read Isaiah 4:2-6, he showed us that our only hope is standing in the Holy place of God.  Despite all of the calamities around us, we must remain faithful to God and His Word.  If we do, God will be our “shelter and shade…and a refuge and hiding place…” Praise the Lord!

Judgment is coming.  God is going to completely lift his hand of protection on this nation.  But we have a choice.  We can wring our hands and trust in ourselves, and fall.  Or, we can remain faithful and obedient, and God will see us through.  That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.  But God will be our refuge.  Amen!

Here is a link to the sermon Pastor Carter preached:  “Standing In The Holy Place”

I realize that there is a lot of information in this article.  But, I strongly recommend that you read and watch everything here.  Most importantly, I would ask you to read the Scriptures that were referenced throughout this article and all of the sermons.  Your future and hope just might rely on it.

For His Glory,

Adam Tennant

After I finished this article I heard some more amazing news.  I just got off the phone with Rusty Thomas.  Apparently, at the church he visited Sunday, the Pastor’s main text was 1 Kings 17 and 18.  His message backed up everything we had done.  Amazing!