Do Christians Need a Head Adjustment?

Jesus once told his disciples “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”[1] 

What things was he referring to? Well, first, he prophesied the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. And then he predicted various wars between nations and kingdoms. And he also prophesied great earthquakes, famines and pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs from heaven.[2]

Christians tend to react in two extremes to the above subjects. On the one hand, you may be the kind of Christian who tends to avoid looking into prophecy and looking at the signs of the times. You tend to see these things as somewhat extremist and would be unlikely to lift up your head, so to speak, in an attitude of anticipation of Christ's imminent visitation. Or perhaps you are the opposite extreme. You do believe and study the prophecies and do find the current events and news intriguing. But the problem for you is that the news is so interesting that it can distract you at times from lifting your head in worship and in quiet time with the Lord.

Exalt the Father and Examine the Facts

The correct balance, it seems, is to be true worshipers who also desire to know the truth, taking heed to key events that are occurring. The scriptures warned that we need to to take caution against deception both within the church and without.[3] In this context it isn't wise to just go with the flow but, rather, we need to be wise as serpents, as Jesus stated, so as to not become unnecessary victims.[4]

After reading about the Russian grain shortage, which is affecting food prices worldwide[5], my wife and I went to the grocery store to buy some extra wheat flour, among other things. Customers were already starting a panic-buying spree and the flour shelf was half empty. After reading about the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 6th deadliest earthquake in recorded history, and the 2010 Chile earthquake, the fifth strongest earthquake since 1900, I started reading a bit more on HAARP. An article I found made connections I had not realized before: “Evidence uncovers definitive link between HAARP, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Flooding, Drought, Plane Crashes and Global Warming.”[6] This same technology creates unique signs in the sky when it is being used, corresponding with Jesus' warning. Experts such as Julian Cribb predicted worldwide famine would occur by 2050, as outlined in "The coming famine: risks and solutions for global food security." But extreme droughts could speed things up.

These types of independent news stories help to fill in the blanks in mass media. There is only one news station I'm aware of that has presented a documentary regarding HAARP to the public. CBC news of Canada presented two 7 minute video clips which will help you understand the poignant facts, if you are interested, at this link. To even begin to examine such facts with an open mind takes a major head adjustment for many people. Truth and objectivity are held as critical in journalism, however, so few seem interested in objectively reading about critical truths.

Habakkuk's Head Adjustment 

During this time of drought and possible famine, Habakkuk's head adjustment also comes to mind (3.17-18). There is a need to consciously choose to worship God and be thankful despite difficult circumstances:

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stall yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

The Church in General Needs a Major Head Adjustment

There is another kind of head adjustment required for many that relates to the true leadership of the Church. There is a human tendency to place too much emphasis on human leadership. But what is emphasized in scripture? The following verses shed some light:

"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."[7]

"But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."[8] 

These and other verses listed in the references emphasize the head of the Church is neither the Pope, the Orthodox Church, nor Peter, Mary or any other human or organization. The Bible emphasizes it is first and foremost Jesus Christ who is the functioning head. It is to be neither a market driven Church nor a purpose driven Church, but, primarily, a Jesus-led Church and a Jesus-fed Church. “The Market-Driven Church: A Look Behind the Scenes”[9] is a long but valuable read showing how the evangelical church today in many ways needs a major head adjustment.

Jesus, the head of the Church, offered (in a contemporary paraphrased version) “When you see all this bad news increasing, don't get depressed and don't go after meaningless distractions, just lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Lift up your heads and worship me.” -he would tell us. The essence of what the Lord desires is a spiritual church focused on him as the head, perfect in love and holiness, and the supplier of all the needs of his people.

May the Lord give his Church today the wisdom he gave Gideon's army at En Harod, the spring of Gideon. God told Gideon to choose men who drank from the spring while cupping their hands and lifting their heads.[10] In a similar way, may we drink from the life giving spiritual spring found in knowing and worshiping Jesus Christ, while at the same time being aware of current events and the context of our time in history.

(Just after this article was published, on August 17, Ukraine imposed a cap on wheat and barley exports due to severe drought conditions which have continued throughout the month of August.)

Photo by Colin Brown, Aug 11, 2010, Bali, Creative Commons

References

[1] Luke 21.28 NKJV

[2] Luke 21.6, 11, 12 NKJV

[3] 1 Timothy 6.5, 2 Timothy 3.5, 3.13,

[4] Matthew 10.16

[5] Report: Food Prices Already Starting to Skyrocket, Moneynews.com, August 8, 2010, http://www.moneynews.com/StreetTalk/Food-Prices-Skyrocket/2010/08/09/id/366979

[6] Evidence uncovers definitive link between HAARP, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Flooding, Drought, Plane Crashes and Global Warming, August 12, 2010, NB Gazette – Facts not Fiction, http://nbgazette.com/index.php?entry=entry100812-170439

[7] Ephesians 1.22-23

[8] Ephesians 4.15-16 (See also Ephesians 5.23, Colossians 1.18)

[9] The Market-Driven Church: A Look Behind the Scenes, Gary Gilley, http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/cgrowth/mkt.htm

[10] Judges 7.4-7