Joe Shields via Unsplash
Mark Huey delivers the February 2021 Outreach Israel News update.
In previous updates, the concept of an invisible war has been mentioned, in what was hoped to be, alarming detail. But upon further reflection, a few questions arose as to why this longstanding conflict, now manifesting itself in tangible results, has been apparently, at this crucial point in time, recognizable and regrettably so effective. How did this turn of events happen to those who claim to be followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and those endowed with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit? Are there identifiable reasons found in the Holy Scriptures which describe similar crises, when Ancient Israel was chastised for its actions, or lack thereof? Is there a solution to overcoming the hoard of evil which has descended upon the world? Of course, there is a highly advisable choice that can be made by the holy ones of God, found in Proverbs 3:5-7:
“Trust in ADONAI with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear ADONAI and turn away from evil” (TLV).
Certainly for Believers, trusting and fearing the Almighty are foremost, for trembling hearts and confused minds. After all, it is abundantly clear from Proverbs 9:10, that “The fear of ADONAI is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (TLV). But words of wisdom found in the Holy Writ do not necessarily convey precise answers to our plethora of supplications, pleas—and especially our questions bombarding the Heavenly realm for answers. Nevertheless, the Holy One, through human agency, has preserved the Word of God down through the millennia, to give His faithful children examples of rebellion, idolatrous worship, sexual immorality, and the consequences of them:
“Now these things happened as examples for us, so we wouldn’t crave evil things, just as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ And let’s not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day 23,000 fell. And let’s not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were destroyed by serpents. And let’s not grumble, as some of them did—and were destroyed by the destroying angel. Now these things happened to them as an example, and it was written down as a warning to us—on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:6-11, TLV).
In attempting to discern just why the world as we know it, and specifically the United States of America, has digressed to such a licentious, lascivious, and immoral state—the examples found in the Scriptures should illuminate our understanding.
As a result of seeking the Holy Spirit for revelation on the reasons for our nation’s moral and decadent decline, some shameful incidents like the sin of Baal Peor in Numbers 24-25 came to mind. But before addressing them, it is useful to be reminded that there are many warnings in the Apostolic Writings by Yeshua (Matthew 7:15-16; 24:4-5, 11, 24) and the Apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1; et.al.) about false teachers and prophets entering into the camps of the righteous, for deceptive purposes. Because it appears that the End of the Age is rapidly approaching, the descriptive admonitions in the Epistle of Jude have prominently drawn my attention. Here, the younger half-brother of the Messiah and Jacob (James), concisely describes the insidious predicament of godly assemblies in his wicked and perverse generation—which are also evident in our current, debauched generation—suffering the ills of “wolves in sheep clothing” (Matthew 7:15) and vociferous “tares among the wheat” (Matthew 13:25). Let me explain.
First note in Jude’s salutation, the primary theme of his letter:
“For certain people have secretly slipped in—those who from long ago have been marked out for this judgment. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into indecency and deny our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah” (Jude 4, TLV).
This invasion by ungodly people into the assemblies was a serious problem in the First Century—and it has continued to this very day! The challenge is recognizing these individuals by the fruit of their interactions with true Believers, for Yeshua stated without equivocation that “you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). As Jude continues, more analogous descriptions of how to recognize and inspect the “fruit” of these interlopers is given:
“In the same way as these angels, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them—having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after a different sort of flesh—are displayed as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. Yet in the same way these people also, by their visionary dreaming, defile the flesh, reject the Lord’s authority, and defame glorious beings. But when Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, was arguing about the body of Moses, he did not dare to render a judgment against him for slander, but said, ‘May the Lord rebuke you!’ But these people slander whatever they do not understand. And whatever they do understand instinctively—like animals without reason—by these things they are destroyed. Woe to them! For they went the way of Cain; they were consumed for pay in Balaam’s error; and in Korah’s rebellion they have been destroyed. These people are hidden rocky reefs at your love feasts—shamelessly feasting with you, tending only to themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 7-13, TLV).
Here in this illustrative passage, Jude begins with comparing his era to the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, when sexual immorality was rampant and worthy of judgment. For whatever reasons here, the Almighty did not bring down fire and brimstone on those First Century assemblies, but rather warned them about the mockers, because the spread of the gospel was still in its infancy. There was more work to be done to take the good news to the world at large, and snatch some out of the inevitable fire:
“But you, loved ones, ought to remember the words previously proclaimed by the emissaries of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah—how they kept telling you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following after their own ungodly desires.’ These are the ones who cause divisions—worldly-minded, not having the Ruach. But you, loved ones, continue building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Ruach ha-Kodesh. Keep yourselves in the love of God, eagerly waiting for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who are wavering—save them by snatching them out of the fire; but on others have mercy with fear—hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 17-23, TLV).
In addition to this exhortation to the Believers to be built up in a holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit—it is important to keep declaring the gospel and representing the Kingdom of God to our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and to whomever we are led to share, so they will not perish. For most assuredly, as the American and world culture continues to devolve and perversion rises, there will inevitably be people who want to know when God’s Kingdom will arrive at the End of the Age, just like the inquiring Pharisees and disciples of Yeshua’s era. Note in His response the reference to the days of Noah and the days of Lot, and consider how evil, wickedness, perversion, and lawlessness has proliferated around the globe in modern times:
“Now when Yeshua was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be seen. Nor will they say, “Look, here!” or “There!” For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.’ Then Yeshua said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, “Look, there!” or “Look, here!” Do not go and chase after them. For just as the lightning flashes from one part of the sky and lights up another part, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer much and be rejected by this generation. As it was in the days of Noah, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was just the same in the days of Lot. They were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building. But on the day Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. Things will be the same on the day when the Son of Man is made fully known” (Luke 17:20-30, TLV).
So, with all the above stated, and the various Scriptures cited for reference, why has the world, and in particular, the United States of America, arrived at this inauspicious point in history? Have we finally traversed down the slippery slope of moral decay to the precipice of doom? Has the slowly boiling pot of decadence—exacerbated by licentiousness, lawlessness, secular humanistic governance, fleshy self-indulgence, and no fear of the Almighty God—allowed the proverbial frog to die a slow and painless death? These are tough questions to ask. But it is possible that one of the contributing factors can be found in the ancient texts, when the Israelites were journeying in the desert on their way to the Promised Land.
Recall the story of Balaam, a prophet for hire, and the pleadings of the Moabite King Balak to curse the Israelites found in Numbers 22-25. Providentially, Balaam was not allowed to curse Israel in his oracles, but instead declared blessings over the nation bivouacked on the Plains of Moab. However, from the account, one discovers that an outbreak of immoral sexual relations with the women of Moab and Midian, brought God’s wrath upon the men of Israel resulting in the death of 24,000:
“While Israel was staying in Shittim, the people began to have immoral sexual relations with women from Moab. Then they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, so the people were eating, and bowing down before their gods. When Israel became bound to Baal of Peor, the anger of ADONAI grew hot against Israel. ADONAI said to Moses, ‘Seize all the ringleaders and hang them before ADONAI facing the sun, so that ADONAI’s fierce anger may be turned away from Israel.’ So Moses said to the judges of Israel, ‘Each of you, kill your men who have been joining themselves to Baal of Peor.’ Then behold, a man from Bnei-Yisrael came and brought a Midianite woman to his brothers before the eyes of Moses and of the whole assembly of Bnei-Yisrael, while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting! When Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the kohen saw it, he arose from the midst of the assembly, took a spear in his hand, and went after the man of Israel into the tent and pierced them through—both the Israelite man and the woman’s belly. Then the plague among Bnei-Yisrael was stopped. However, 24,000 were dead because of the plague!” (Numbers 25:1-9, TLV).
Clearly, the Lord was upset with the lascivious actions of the men, and the consequences were devastating. However, later it is revealed that despite Balaam’s inability to curse Israel, he did give King Balak some foreboding advice, on how the men of Israel would inadvertently bring down curses upon themselves for immoral and licentious behavior, with the seductive women and the vile sins of Baal Peor:
“Why, they are the ones—because of Balaam’s advice—who caused Bnei-Yisrael to be unfaithful to ADONAI in the matter of Peor, so that the plague was on the community of ADONAI!” (Numbers 31:16, TLV).
Regrettably, I believe this historical tragedy has been repeating itself in a variety of ways in the United States of America, and specifically in the Body of the Messiah, over the last seventy or more years since the conclusion of World War II. This is a strong indictment, but if one honestly reviews the progress of “the church” since the 1950s, it is abundantly clear that the preservative “salt and light” of truth has been significantly diminished. Clearly, the cultural wars for the American society have been lost with the rise of secular humanism, hedonism, sexual immorality, and their profligacy. Lamentably today, the foreshadowing of not-so-subtle societal persecution is growing in leaps and bounds. How did this happen to a nation founded upon Judeo-Christian principles, and destined to be a land of freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and other “rights” found in the Bill of Rights? Can the advance of this increasingly rapid slide to debauchery be detailed?
Consider this brief historical perspective. Following World War II and the Korean War, the United States had hundreds of thousands of men returning home, after witnessing and participating in the ravages of war in foreign lands. War away from home is a tough assignment, because the comfort of family and traditions are temporarily lost, and men being men, participate in activities that they would not necessarily do in their native environment. Young men, particularly, have urges and desires—that when unchecked by moral fortitude, and goaded by peer pressure—often succumb to the enticements of sexual gratification. When seductive women playing “the oldest profession” are available, inevitably men get enticed and pursue sexual encounters. In addition, the availability of sexually suggestive “pin ups” in barracks, and passed among military men, fostered a generation of men who found ways to personally satisfy their testosterone-driven perceived “needs.” Consequently, the traditional morals of many were discarded, and when the wars were concluded, many continued to find escape in fantasies to deal with what modern science has now labeled PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
The traumas of war and the loosening of morals laid the groundwork for the coming sexual revolution in America, that got a jumpstart in December 1953 with the publication of Playboy magazine. Now men could legally access a magazine with scantily clad and suggestive women, and continue in hidden sins. While many men came back home with a desire to start a family, get a job, and be productive citizens—far too many were susceptible to the wiles of the Devil, and the tools the Accuser utilized were sexual gratification enhanced by alcohol and increasing availability of illegal drugs. The slippery slope was then cleverly greased by Hollywood movies, television, tabloids, and the beginning of a dramatic increase in infidelity—resulting in a growing divorce rate. By the 1960s, as the public educational systems removed the Ten Commandments and prayer in schools, the nation was ripe for the “sexual revolution”—one that metastasized with moderate and ineffective pushback from clerical voices. Slowly over time, righteous living was overwhelmed by the expanding influence of televised, immoral actions, that began to tear at the fabric of the family, the foundation of any wholesome society. Subliminally, the role of the father was denigrated, and eventually women who were forced into labor as “Rosie the Riviter” for wartime production needs, were encouraged to work outside of the home, when they realized that they could enter the marketplace and provide for themselves.
By the early 1960s, the contraceptive pill was introduced, and then a generation of women could more actively involve themselves in picadilloes without the constant fear of pregnancy. This moral declension and laxity set up the American culture for the societal upheavals that erupted in the 1960s. This included the sexual revolution (“free love”), the drug usage explosion with psychedelic and marijuana availability, Civil Rights battles, New Age and occultic lures, and protests surrounding the Vietnam War. Assassinations of a president, a civil rights leader, and a presidential candidate exacerbated the turmoil. America appeared out of control, and the enemies of Judeo-Christian traditions began their coordinated plan and march to fundamentally transform the American culture. The sins of Baal Peor were running rampant, as societal norms and godly traditions were mocked and openly disobeyed.
This eventually led in the 1970s to the acceptance, and even codification and legalization, of the murdering of unwanted children in the wombs of women—when “the pill,” or lack thereof, simply let sexual gratification have its pregnant results. Even the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the Roe v. Wade decision that abortion was a woman’s right to choose, whether an unborn child should live or die. Despite nearly fifty years of destroying life, the advocates of this outrageous policy have continued to not only keep their perverted “rights,” but also spread this murderous manmade plague to other parts of the world. Lamentably, American promotion of abortion around this planet, has resulted in the deaths of untold millions of unborn children.
By the 1980s-1990s, the technological boom began to produce machines which could play videos that could take the formerly illegal “smut” films from darkened theaters, to the very home of those wanting to ingest moving pornographic images rather than simply still pictures. XXX stores popped up on the highways and byways to help satisfy the lust of those overwhelmed by the spirit of Baal Peor. Indeed, many Americans were inadvertently, but willfully, bringing curses upon themselves as the hedonism and self-gratification expanded exponentially. Consequently, the divorce rate skyrocketed to the point where over fifty-percent of marriages failed, with the result that a growing majority of children began to be raised and nurtured by single parents. The family unit was devastated, and disappointingly, the statistics revealed that these same percentages of divorce rates were also found among those who claimed to be “Christians.” Something was definitely awry, as the American culture was rapidly falling away from its moral and righteous foundations. Where was the “salt and light” influence of the institutional “church,” while this slide into sin and decadence was increasing year after year? Was God allowing His people to succumb to the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the Devil? Or was He simply letting the secret and hidden sins sown in dark places, be reaped by those involved?
Nevertheless, the turn of the century just added to the availability of pornographic materials and films, as the World Wide Web or Internet grew exponentially, and became accessible throughout the planet. Immediate and easy reach on a desktop computer, and then on a laptop, to all sorts of information, became an obsession for many. The Information Age had arrived, as prophesied by Daniel 12:4 regarding the increase in knowledge, but perverse materials soon found a useful vehicle to reach those so inclined to indulge. In a matter of a few more years, the utility of a cellphone was upgraded to a smartphone, with connectivity to the Internet. Now instead of sitting at the home or office tethered to a desktop or laptop computer, people became addicted to carrying a small device that could function as a phone, but also apprise them of just about anything happening on the planet. It could be the weather or alerts—but it could also connect with websites that were dispensing all sorts of information, opinions, and sadly, vile and wicked things.
Without going further in describing what has transpired over the first two decades of the Twenty-First Century, let me return to why it is possible the American culture is in the current predicament of seemingly falling away from the intended purposes of God, to be a vessel to take the good news to the world. In a nutshell, I believe it is because of the consequences of the sexual sins of Baal Peor sown over the decades that are now being reaped. This is difficult to watch, but from my limited perspective, it appears to be what is happening—and I occasionally ask why—and inevitably the same answer comes to my spirit. It is because the Body of Messiah, and especially those in places of leadership and influence, have fallen under the same spell of delusion. Sadly, studies and polls indicate that men in the contemporary church, have the same percentage of indulgence in pornography as those outside of church settings. This not to say that it is all, but I believe from some of the statistics that I have read that the same sin of Baal Peor is rampant among those who call upon the Lord—and perhaps preach on Sundays—but delve into the dark places throughout the week. This is tragic to even consider, but what explains more precisely why the culture war for America has been seemingly lost as the third decade of the Twenty-First Century moves along. This is hard to contemplate, and even more difficult to reduce to writing, because I do not want to judge anyone—but simply want to make an observation about why our society has lost its once godly ways.
However, because I have concluded that we have been “living” in the Book of Jude for many of the last several decades, let these selected words from Jude to the assembly of his day, be a reminder of what he was witnessing in the First Century when the gospel was first proclaimed, in order to see the parallels today:
“For certain people have secretly slipped in—those who from long ago have been marked out for this judgment. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into indecency and deny our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah…In the same way as these angels, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them—having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after a different sort of flesh—are displayed as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. Yet in the same way these people also, by their visionary dreaming, defile the flesh, reject the Lord’s authority, and defame glorious beings…But these people slander whatever they do not understand. And whatever they do understand instinctively—like animals without reason—by these things they are destroyed. Woe to them! For they went the way of Cain; they were consumed for pay in Balaam’s error; and in Korah’s rebellion they have been destroyed. These people are hidden rocky reefs at your love feasts—shamelessly feasting with you, tending only to themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever…It was also about these people that Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with myriads of His kedoshim, to execute judgment against all. He will convict all the ungodly for all their ungodly deeds that they have done in an ungodly way, and for all of the harsh things ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’ These are bellyaching grumblers, following after their own desires. Their mouth speaks grandiose things, showing favoritism for the sake of gain” (Jude 4, 7-8, 10-16, TLV).
These warnings from Jude are applicable today! However, it is my contention that the world is on the precipice of turning the pages of Scripture from the Book of Jude to the Book of Revelation. If that be the case, then the truth that judgment begins in the House of God will be meted out, just like it was prophesied to the seven assemblies in Revelation:
“For the time has come for judgment to begin with the house of God. If judgment begins with us first, what will be the end for those who disobey the Good News of God?” (1 Peter 4:17, TLV).
This is a sobering statement, but I believe this is ready to happen in our world in the short term! When this will begin is God’s timing alone. Our responsibility is to get our collective “acts together,” and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. There are no other options.
But to not leave you with this dire conclusion, perhaps these final words from Jude will give you some hope for continued prayer and intercession:
“Now to the One who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Yeshua the Messiah our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25, TLV).
In conclusion, we want to thank you for your faithful support of our efforts to fulfill our unique assignments! May God bless you mightily and use you to take the gospel to your immediate circles.
Until the restoration of all things…
Mark Huey
