The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a divine wake-up call to His bond-servants—a message from the throne of God revealing what must soon take place, with a blessing promised to those who read, hear, and obey it, for the time is near.

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:1-3

Dear brother and sister IN CHRIST. Jesus is speaking directly to His Church--WARNING: He is warning us, claiming we've left our first love. We’ve tolerated false teaching. We’ve embraced lukewarm comfort and forgotten our desperate need for Him, for Jesus. The warning is so clear—Repent, or I will remove your lampstand. Wake up, strengthen what remains, and be zealous and repent—for the Lord walks among His churches, and He is calling His people back to Himself before it’s too late. What is Jesus saying to the church at St George, Utah? What is He saying to the churches in the Great Basin Region?

To the Church in Ephesus: “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.” Revelation 2:4–5

You feel it, don’t you?

To the Church in Pergamum: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam... So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 2:14–16

That uneasy stirring in your spirit during Sunday’s polished production.

To the Church in Thyatira: “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel… I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.” Revelation 2:20–22

That deep ache that no slick sermon or fog machine can silence.

To the Church in Sardis: “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” Revelation 3:1–3

You know something’s off. The words sound right—but the Spirit feels absent.

To the Church in Laodicea: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:15–17, 19

The smiles are wide—but the sheep are starving. And the shepherds? Many are asleep at the wheel.

"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." Isaiah 59:2

But here’s the sobering truth:

This is not just their fault. This is ours. We the Body of Christ.

"Where will you be stricken again, as you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil." Isaiah 1:5-6

We built the platforms. We enabled the pride. We tithed into disobedience. We chose safety over sanctification and style over surrender. And now we’re watching the Bride of Christ grow hollow while the world burns.

"For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water." Jeremiah 2:13

So this is our call. Not to criticize from the sidelines. Not to run to the next “better” church down the road. But to fall on our faces and ask King Jesus: “What do You want me to do?”

"They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace." Jeremiah 6:14

Because unless we confess… unless we repent… unless we return to our First Love, our lampstand is at risk.

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent." Revelation 2:4-5

This is not a drill. This is mercy. This is the Spirit calling you to respond while there’s still time.

"Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane..." Ezekiel 22:26

Confess. Repent. Surrender. Then ask Jesus:

“What do You want to do with me, Lord—right here, right now?”

And whatever He says, OBEY. It might just be the beginning of reformation.

"Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened..." Ezekiel 34:2-4

I stopped asking, “Why me?” and started asking, “What do you want me to do?” Below is the answer, in part.

"Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price and her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD saying, 'Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.'" Micah 3:11

How to Save the American Pastor, Heal the Church, and Return Jesus as KING

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

Here’s the truth in love: we are one Body, and our leaders are wounded. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). We cannot heal the Body of Christ without healing the shepherds. We cannot awaken the people without first restoring the ones we placed on stages and pedestals.

"This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." Matthew 15:8-9

So, today, let’s get real. Let’s tell the truth—not to condemn, but to confess. Not to destroy but to redeem. Not to shame but to surrender it all back to King Jesus. We are His Kingdom, and He is the King, and the King said, “FOLLOW ME!”

"[Jesus said,] 'If you had known on this day, even you, the conditions for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.'" Luke 19:42

We must say it plainly: The American Pastor is in crisis.

They are polished, praised, pressured, and phony--you can see right through it. Behind the fog machines and TikTok reels, behind the title “Lead Pastor” or “Bishop,” there is often a scared, rejected, fragile soul searching for approval, significance, and belonging—just like the rest of us. And the scariest part? They may not even know Jesus.

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:21-22

They know everything about Jesus, but do they know Him? Do they look like Him? Look at the fruit and decide for yourself!

I’ve known two biblical scholars, true, recognized scholars. They knew everything about the Bible, especially the New Testament. I can’t over exaggerate their biblical knowledge, it was if they had photographic memories and stored more knowledge than any brain could. They were both atheists. They forgot more about the Bible than I know, yet they deny Christ. Hmmmm.

"Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." Revelation 3:17

You have to think deeply about these atheists. Knowing about Jesus is not enough; you must also KNOW HIM, like a man knows His wife–intimately. Does your Pastor know Jesus? Or, like my two college professors mentioned above, do they just know a lot about Him? I hope you ponder that question with Jesus. Go to Him in prayer right now, and ask what He thinks. He will tell you!

Before you read another word, join me in prayer:

“King Jesus, I’m listening. I am not King and not Lord, but I am yours. I confess, I am clueless, needing to completely 1,000% lean on your understanding and not mine–I have none. Whatever understanding I have comes from you. Whatever You show me today, I choose to confess it, repent of it, and surrender it to You. Have Your way in me. You redeemed me, you purchased me, so by all means possess me fully and transform me into your image, the image of God, who is love. Make me truthful like you. I surrender all to You, King Jesus!”

Can you be honest with yourself and with the Holy Spirit? Really Honest? Then, sit down and be ready to get real.

Snake in a Suit - The Stage Pastor

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:1

He’s got the look. He is crisp, and every hair is in place. He’s got the moves. He’s got the lingo. He’s got the logo, the lights, the live stream. He may even cry on cue. But he doesn’t know Jesus?

“He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd… sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees… he flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.” John 10:12–13

Let’s get brutally honest… Your “hired” Pastor is not a shepherd—he’s a brand manager. He doesn’t feed the sheep—he farms the tithe. He doesn’t smell like brokenness or love—he smells like cologne, corporation, and ambition. This is the modern-day Christian snake, the Sunday wannabe servant who becomes Monday’s mystery. He’s not washing feet; he’s posting selfies at his cabin. He’s not dying to himself; he’s defending his retirement.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3–4

He’s self-anointed, self-promoted, and emotionally allergic to correction. His sermons are shallow TED Talks with a Bible verse sprinkled on top. His tiny team is full of yes-men. His vision board is bigger than his prayer life. His books take precedence over his kids.

“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42–45

And here’s the truth that should stop us all in our tracks:

I made him. We made him. Yes, we made the monster! You don’t think Jesus is responsible for this, do you? Who else could it be? Are you willing to look in the mirror? I can admit I helped make many monsters. I confess, repent, and surrender to Jesus. Lord, you’ve already forgiven us; please lead us–show us the way out of this mess!

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

We Made the Monster

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... but will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires.” 2 Timothy 4:3

Jesus clearly warns us in Revelations chapters 2 and 3. You can’t miss it.

We don’t want foot-washers. We wanted gurus, life coaches, and influencers. We didn’t crave holiness. We craved emotional experience–all hype. We didn’t honor the Word. We honored the one who could make it bless us somehow. We did this.

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-16

This is our confession: the people in the pews made the pulpit what it is today. The rise of the American Stage Pastor was built on our demand for ear-tickling, ego-stroking life-coaching wrapped in religion. Not the hard, beautiful, foot-washing, cross-carrying, blood-soaked Gospel of Jesus Christ—but performance. Theater. Brilliance. Entertainment. Personality.

"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven... Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name…?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’" Matthew 7:21-23

The truth? We didn’t want Jesus. We wanted a mascot. I gave up truth for comfort. I was lazy and indifferent. Okay, let me be more honest. I was distracted by building my own kingdom, and I just did not care. I was not paying attention. THIS IS ON ME!

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us, forgive me… for creating platforms that You never asked for. I confess, we confess, that we have honored men more than we’ve honored You. Please, Jesus, cleanse our hearts and bring us back to You.

The Fallout of Doing Nothing

What happens if we do nothing? What happens if we keep playing along, keep clapping at the fog machine, keep smiling through our pain? The fallout is real. And it’s already here.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6

Spiritually

Believers remain immature, addicted to feel-good messages instead of life-changing truth.

Leaders fall deeper into pride, deception, and burnout.

The Holy Spirit is grieved and quenched.

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ… even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light… it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Relationally

Marriages collapse under the weight of spiritual confusion and loneliness.

Children grow up disillusioned with “church” but never meet Jesus.

Whole families walk away from the faith—because all they saw was a performance.

"Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:5

Societally

Communities become darker. Transgender movements start.

Pulpits become silent on justice, mercy, repentance, and grace.

Churches become irrelevant to the very people Jesus came to save.

If we don’t stand now, we will fall later. If we refuse to ruffle feathers, we will be buried under the status quo. If we allow compromise in the pulpit, our children will inherit confusion, not conviction.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you… many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned." 2 Peter 2:1-2

Prayer:

God, awaken us before it's too late. Forgive us for tolerating comfort over courage. We need You, Jesus. Give us wisdom to act, grace to speak, and faith to obey, in Jesus' name we pray.

We Are One Body

“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.” Romans 12:5

The solution is not rebellion. The solution is repentance and accountability.

"For certain persons have crept in unnoticed… ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 1:4

We don’t cancel pastors. We restore them. We don’t throw stones. We wash their feet. We don’t run away from the Church. We become the Church. We can no longer feed the monster.

"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." Acts 20:29-30

This is our moment—as a people, as a Body, as sons and daughters—to rise in truth and in love. Let’s lead the way in humility. Let’s lead the way in surrender. Let’s stop pointing fingers and start bending knees.

"Now I urge you… keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them… by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting." Romans 16:17-18

Permanent Solutions, Eternal Fruit

Let’s use every ounce of pain for good. Every failure. Every scandal. Every betrayal. Jesus doesn’t waste broken things. He uses them.

“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

So let’s put it all on the altar:

The hurt.

The pride.

The addiction to applause.

The fear of man.

The idol of tithing as income.

Let’s bring it to Jesus and say:

“We surrender. Teach us to follow You again.”

Prayer:

Jesus, we confess that we have strayed. We have honored platforms above presence, and pastors above You. We repent. Cleanse us. Heal us. And we surrender—fully, freely, and forever—to You, our King. Use every failure to form Your Bride. Use every scar to show Your love. And use us to call others home. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Now What?

Here’s your next step:

Confess what the Spirit shows you. Don’t excuse it—expose it.
Repent in action. Speak truth. Live differently. Redirect your tithe.
Surrender daily, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.
Pray for your pastor—even if they’re in error.
Ask Jesus to Rebuild the Church. Not the building. The Body.

It starts with us. It starts with you. Let’s let Jesus transform us into the Church He suffered, bled, and died for.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:3

Let that be our anthem.
Let this be our reformation.
Let us follow Jesus. All the way home.

"They went out from us, but they were not really of us… so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:19

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons… by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience." 1 Timothy 4:1-2

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him… for a different gospel… even if we… or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" Galatians 1:6-9