In the near future the religious fabric in America will tear because the contrast between democratic ideals and the living sacrifice to which Christ has called us will begin to be evident to all who truly are seeking the Lord.

There is only one way to overcome the Antichrist spirit and that is by the death of the cross. If we do not accept the way of the cross, the denial of our own desires, our testimony can be overcome by Antichrist, as has happened to the Christian churches in America in our day.

God's people are not being taught the way of the cross. They are encouraged to learn to use spiritual gifts, in some instances, but they are not taught the importance of personal crucifixion.

Because the American believers and their leaders have turned away from the hardships associated with the Christian discipleship, God has sent a strong delusion upon us. We have rejected the way of truth, the way of the cross.

We need to get back to the preaching of the cross of the believer. No person can govern the nations until the rod of iron has been created in his personality, for it is by the rod of iron that we rule in Christ. The rod of iron, the hardness of a will fixed in God, is created only by carrying our cross of denial.

When we are baptized in water we are claiming that we have entered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. From now on we are to live in newness of life. This means each day our flesh is devoted to death and our new born-again spiritual nature is nurtured.

There are three idols dwelling in our flesh that seek to guide our thinking, speaking, and acting. These three idols are the love of the world, fleshly lusts, and self-will. They are symbolized in Revelation, Chapter Eleven as Egypt, Sodom, and Jerusalem.

In the last days God's witness will be overcome by Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem. Even today the churches in America have been overcome by the lusts of the flesh, the love of the world, and self-will.

The only way we can overcome Sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem, is by ceasing to love and serve our self and begin to love and serve God.

The method by which we cease to love and serve our self and begin to love and serve God is that of taking up our cross and setting out after the Lord Jesus.

Consider: when you choose to take up your cross, your means of execution, you are saying, "I love Jesus Christ more than I love myself." Isn't this what you are declaring?

We should be telling the Lord many times a day that we will do His will no matter what He requires because we love Him more than we love ourselves.

To be continued.