By Larry Young 

As “true” Christians, everything we are and do should theoretically point back to Jesus. But haven’t you also noted a more subtle change recently in how Jesus is being referenced…and with renewed urgency? “We need MORE Jesus!” So what’s really going on around here? Is something changing that we are just now sensing? The answer shouldn’t surprise you: Yes, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit is under way! In our prayers, don’t we express our need for greater indwelling of the Holy Spirit?… but the person of the Holy Spirit points only one direction: directly to Jesus Himself. When we see all that is going on in the world, in our nation, in our cities, in our families, in our churches, and in our hearts, the resounding outcry is taking on a new urgency “We need MORE Jesus”. Let’s talk about what that means, on a level that maybe we’ve been just too busy, too distracted, or even just too tired to deal with. Let’s do this together! 

Want proof that something different is happening? Just look at the leaders of our nation. As in no other time since the forming of our nation, there is a massive division taking place. Regardless of where you stand on the issues or political affiliations or even personalities, it’s becoming nearly impossible to stay neutral, ignorant, or on the fence anymore. Is that just the same old pendulum swinging back the other way, or is there something different about it this time? 

Scripture and The Spirit of Prophecy tell us that the Holy Spirit is slowly being withdrawn from the world, triggering this massive division. The true longing of each heart is being revealed, not only for our own sakes, but also for those around us. Jesus wants us to realize and understand our true broken condition so that we will turn to Him and be saved. The devil already knows that time is running out, so he is doubling down to try to effectively deceive each one of us, and keep us distracted from having a genuine saving relationship with Jesus. The devil’s tools never change; as long as we are distracted by the temptations and attractions of this world, he already has us on his side; the devil doesn’t have to do much of anything but just leave us alone. 

However, if people start waking up spiritually, the devil starts pulling tools out of his tool box: such as “fear”. However, using fear is tricky, because fearful people can be either driven to acts of selfishness, or they might be driven directly back to God. For instance, after the twin towers in New York City were attacked and destroyed by terrorists on September 11^th, 2001, many in our nation were driven by fear to acquire weapons, hoard assets, and get all kinds of self-protection. However, others were driven to acts of selflessness, sacrifice, caring and giving. Many churches reported being filled with new members after the attack. This was a really big deal and a turning point for our nation. 

Just a few months later, the same churches that had reported a big influx of new members, reluctantly reported that membership had fallen back down again. You need to know more about what happened on “911”, because it was predicted in the Spirit of Prophecy nearly 100 years earlier. The details were written for you and me in Testimonies For The Church Volume 9, page 11 (911). [Note: Whether the volume and page number were assigned by inspiration or coincidence is for you to decide.]  Title: “The Last Crisis We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand… The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.” “On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: “How can we best glorify God?” The Lord was not in their thoughts.” “The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings and said: “They are perfectly safe.” But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.” 

No such tall buildings existed when Ellen White penned those remarks in prophetic vision. If you read the full text in volume 9, you will realize that God is still speaking to us right now with outstretched hand and a heavy heart.  We can’t navigate all of this by our own intellect and wisdom and strength. Jesus knows the way through the complex matrix of entanglements, the fear tactics thrown at us by the enemy, and every uncertainty we face. Jesus created us and loves us and knows every step along the narrow road upwards to His kingdom. There will be twists and turns that we don’t understand just now, but we can be confident and trust Him, because He knows the end from the beginning. Again, we absolutely need MORE Jesus!