To the Angel of the Church in the Place Called America
By Thomas C. Radcliff
Copyright June 1, 2011
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
Holman Bible Editorial Staff (2010-12-01). The HCSB Study Bible Digital Edition: Optimized for Digital Readers (Kindle Locations 13-15). Holman Bible Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1-Preface
Chapter 2-User Agreement
Chapter 3-Acknowledgements
Chapter 4-To the Angel of the Church in the Place Called America
Chapter 5-About the Author
Chapter 1-Preface
What would it be like if, on a certain day and time, an angel appeared in every church in America with a letter from God and said, “Read it!” Do you think it would be complimentary of today’s churches? Do you think He would praise us for all we have done and become?
It is presumptuous to call myself the author of “To the Angel of the Church in the Place Called America.” Much is simply paraphrased Scripture given to me a bit at a time from May 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011. The references were finished the next day as I had been feverishly working on them as portions were given to me. Certainly, those more familiar with the Bible will note many missed references. I never sat down to write a particular passage, paragraph, or sentence. I give God the credit for any good thing in it and myself the credit for any mistakes. I thank my Lord Jesus for these words. They are hard to read for those of us that presume we are saved by His blood. We may have just fooled ourselves. Our actions show that many of us are mistaken. We are not fooling anyone else, though, especially Him.
I believe the document truly describes the relationship of most “Christians” in America today and most “Churches” in America today to our Lord Jesus Christ. We have forgotten Him. We will say to Him, “Lord, Lord” and He will have to say to us, “I never knew you.” We have fooled ourselves with the cheap grace ideas of many modern pastors and theologians. Not all roads lead to God; most lead absolutely nowhere. Scripture demands repentance, service, and obedience; they are not options or suggestions. They do not form a salvation by works doctrine; they are the proof that salvation has occurred. Without them, there is no evidence and the world sees no evidence. Still, only God can decide if salvation is real when there is no evidence. Only He can decide if there really is no evidence.
Nothing here is meant to be new or a change in the message of Scripture. I take that very seriously. The curse of Revelation 22:18-19 is an all-encompassing one; its message is final and rather blunt. God will decide. I shudder to think what His decision will be for many of the people of my country.
There is an unusual user agreement with this writing. I believe America can still repent. I believe there can still be mass American revival. I feel called to write in order to help that happen. I want pastors and churches to have a copy to use free because most of what I find in Christian bookstores is so expensive that it is beyond the reach of many churches. If they feel God is in the writing and they want to print copies, then they can do so very inexpensively. They can print giant print for old folks, plain copies, or bound booklets. It does not matter. Only God’s message to His people matters in this effort.
First Baptist Church of Logansport, Louisiana has been granted total and complete ownership of the document and so, perhaps, if God is willing, I can make a suitable offering to my Lord. Perhaps, someday, if God is willing, I can begin to work as a “worker approved,” and as a worker “worthy of his hire,” earning a modest amount by living in the praising and love of my Lord. If a pastor only wants to use the document as a source, then they are welcome to do so without charge. I will truly and joyfully thank them for doing so and endeavor to help in any way that I can.
Christ is the only judge of our efforts and sincerity. Praise God that He is also the only witness we need in our defense! Please, whatever else you might think or do, pray for me that every word will always come from Him and not from me, for I am only a sinner “saved by grace and not by works, lest any man should boast.”
My prayer for you is this: May the reader and hearer of this document be blessed for all of time simply by the reading or hearing of it. May they come to truly know Christ as Lord and Master of their every word and deed. May their whole household follow in their footsteps directly to the foot of the Cross. May all who know them see the light of Christ shining in their face. May God’s angels walk by your side to protect you from every scheme of the evil one. May your sicknesses be healed. May you see the glory of the Lord in the land of the living. I know that I have.
Yours truly in Christ,
Tom Radcliff,
Member, First Baptist Church of Logansport,
Logansport, Louisiana
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