The Church at Ground Zero
- Thoughts from a brother who just came from the edge of hell.
- A lot happened in NYC.... I probably don't need to get into now..and it won't be in the broadcast pieces....but in my opinion, not to be apocalyptic, .... there is more to come.
- I may end up on the other side of the fence on this one...but it won't be a political stance.
- American triumphalism posturing has always scared me.
- We cannot trust in our horses and chariots alone (America’s military might) won't save us.
- Remember Viet Nam...we lost.
- ALL the church leaders in NYC I talked to said, "The Church was not ready for this."
- We need to pray with Moses, Joshua,Deborah, Gideon, David, etc. that the Lord will reveal to the Church and world leaders the plans of the enemy, and that we recognize that this battle is…
- NOT "flesh and blood." With Paul the Apostle, we should "not be ignorant of the enemy's devices, plans and schemes."
- One of my spiritual mentors, prophetic Bible teacher Derek Prince told me 15 years ago or so, that the greatest battle we would face on this planet was Islam. Because it was religious and political.
- Derek added: "We are dealing with a spiritual kingdom. That’s our (the church’s) particular responsibility. The government of our nation is not responsible for that. It has to deal with the actual physical, personal human enemies. But we are involved in a different kind of warfare, which is against this kingdom."
- So called Christianity (at least the American variety) is going to be wheat and tares sorted out from Kingdom absolutes.
- And then we have to pray for our enemies, and love them. How the heaven do you do that? But Jesus said it not me.
- For centuries many Christians have had that tested.
- It will be costly.
- But those people committed to Bin Laden are committed to the uttermost. Can we be any less?
- In the mean time...
- Walk in daily repentance.
- Keep short accounts with God and others.
- Do not live in fear. "Perfect love (Jesus) drives out all fear." (1 John 4.18)
- "If you hear His voice…obey today." (Hebrews 4)
- Pray in the Spirit and press on!
A Living Parable
While at Ground Zero, I visited Trinity Church, about 150 yards from the former World Trade Center. This church is the oldest public building in continuous use on the island of Manhattan, built in 1766.
This was George Washington’s church and contains his pew. It is here he worshiped immediately following his Inauguration as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789.
Above the pew hangs an oil painting of the Great Seal of the United States. This is the first rendition of the Great Seal of the United States adopted in 1782. Incidentally, the legs of the bird in the painting are those of a turkey and not an eagle. Benjamin Franklin thought our national bird should be the turkey!
The small graveyard directly behind the church goes back to the Revolutionary War. It is full of some of the debris that was blown out of the World Trade Center buildings.
Miraculously, all the other buildings around the church are destroyed. However, not one of the windows in St.Paul’s was broken. None of the fourteen original cut glass Waterford crystal chandeliers was damaged. The organ built in 1804 is intact. The Seal unharmed.
Unfortunate and painful as it is, the World Trade Center was a man made structure and built on sand. The church is built on "Rock" and stands.
Currently St.Paul’s is open twenty four hours a day and is being used to feed, sleep, and provide various other services to the firemen, policemen, and other rescue workers who are toiling at the gruesome task of recovery in "the pile."
Many of those still buried in the debris are friends to those who labor for their recovery.
They, and their families need our prayer.
Scott Ross welcomes your feedback.
Read more of Scott's commentaries.
