As we approach our Independence Day I am reminded of Hebrews 4:12, which has always been a favorite scripture but now it is a very sober one.It says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  This is a great promise when we are willing to turn at what the sword reveals but potentially devastating if we are not!

The Word can be a two-edged sword bringing a blessing or judgment depending on our willingness to heed and act on what is said.  We are facing such a moment over the principle of fullness.  The apostle Paul prayed consistently in Ephesians that we would be filled with the fullness of Christ and this thread as a consistent theme dominates the book of Ephesians.  The whole purpose of the five-fold ministry is to bring every believer “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”  It is obvious that God intended fullness to be a major blessing for the end-time church.

We are even told in Romans 11 that fullness governs the essential harvests.  As we obey Psalm 2 and ask for the nations, we read the promise of Romans 11:25, “For I do not desire, brethren, tat you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that hardening in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”  God guarantees a full Gentile harvest.  If we back up to verse 12 we find that fullness also governs the Jewish harvest, “Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!”

Fullness has another edge of the sword that is revealed in Leviticus chapter 20.  When a land becomes full of iniquity the inhabitants can no longer defend it but are destined to lose it.  That appears to be the enemy’s plan to kill the harvest – to fill the land with iniquity before the church achieves the fullness of Christ.  Leviticus 20 tells us there are four main things that fill a land with iniquity.  First is the sacrifice of innocent blood which is abortion.  Second, witchcraft and New Age.  Third, rebellion that is consistent with the drug culture and fourth, the statutorial protection of sexual sin culminating in the legalizing of homosexual and lesbian marriages.

Only one other time in the history of the world have governments ever sanctioned contractual marriage between same sex couples.  Most of us would think that happened probably at Sodom and Gomorrah, but it did not.  Our second guess would probably be Rome, but – no – it didn’t happen in Rome.  Our third guess would probably be Greece, but – no – it didn’t happen in Greece.  The Babylonian Talmud reveals that the only other time in history that contractual marriage relations were sanctioned for same sex couples happened in the days of Noah.  God’s response: Destroy all flesh!

One candidate for President has promised to fully advance the homosexual agenda.  Will the enemy fill America with iniquity before the church reaches the fullness of Christ?  It appears he is on target to accomplish that goal, but the last chapter has not been written and warriors are arising!  God has an answer.  It is called the fullness of Christ through the covenant of Sure Mercy.  Can we reach and train enough of the church to turn the tide and save the land before fullness of iniquity is reached and the harvest lost?  Our hope and prayer is that we can.  We will soon find out.