APN President Sam Rohrer: COVID-19 Is a Slow-Motion 9/11, A Wake-Up Alarm

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For decades, America has been seen as a bulwark of security and prosperity—seemingly impenetrable. But, says American Pastors Network (APN) President Sam Rohrer, the COVID–19 plague has exposed the soft underbelly of the nation’s weaknesses.

Rohrer says that most Americans have falsely believed that our security and economy was invincible. And this point has been arrogantly touted by the political elite.

“But even the proud and ignorant have stumbled and grasped for answers during this plague,” Rohrer says. “Our nation’s response to this unexpected and invisible enemy has separated families, divided grandchildren from their grandparents, prevented physical church gatherings, cancelled thousands of preplanned events and ceased regular education. It’s even confined people to their own homes like house arrest. So what needs have been showcased? What should we be learning?”

To not intentionally refocus our lives and our trust will be to pivot to some lesser false god, the god of man or government, or some other lie. So, Rohrer asks, what do we need to understand and what do we need to do?

“Is this a wakeup call to America as a whole? Certainly. But a trumpet alert to God’s people? Absolutely! A slow-motion 9/11. The questions to those who say we know God are: What will we do about this wake-up alarm? In whom will we now trust? How will our priorities and understanding of God’s role in our lives and our nation’s future be reordered?

“Before us,” Rohrer continued, “we have two choices with two different paths and two different results. Choices have consequences, and we’re all making choices in our forced-altered lives. Government leaders are choosing how to spend more money and how far to plunge our indebted nation even more into debt. Our leaders are choosing more government subsidies and programs and greater limitations on our freedoms. Medical professionals are choosing among more impact models, supposed solutions, surveillance and other unheard-of violations of civil liberties.”

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How we choose to act in this time—right now, not next year—will determine the future, Rohrer adds. Is God and God’s way our choice or is it the god of government? Will God’s people choose Him and His ways, or will we choose our own way and with the culture re-erect the false gods of entertainment, sports or materialism?

“Through this plague,” Rohrer says, “certain physical needs have been exposed. Making policy and personal adjustments are wise. Yet, our greatest need is spiritual and revolves around which god we will trust and conform our lives. If our sick and divided nation is ever to be restored, our broken and hurting families healed, prosperity renewed, security from our enemies and God’s favor on our land returned, God’s people must choose God and then lead the way.”

Rohrer then outlines 10 needs we must understand and live, after choosing to serve the Lord:

      1. Develop a healthy fear of God. (Have no other god before Me—Exodus 20:1-6; Obey God, serve Him and fear Him—Deuteronomy 13:4; Rehearse history and teach of God’s power so your children learn to fear God—Deuteronomy 31:13; It is whole duty of mankind—Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
      2. Re-embrace the biblical authority of Scripture. (All Scripture is profitable for life and living—2 Timothy 3:16: Living it establishes a person’s path—Psalm 119:11)
      3. Know that the ‘Church’ is disobedient, lethargic and asleep. (Christ’s warnings to the seven churches and to Laodicea—Revelation 2-3; Revelation 3:14-22)
      4. Be aware that 70% of the pulpits in America are occupied by ‘hirelings.’ (Hirelings refuse to warn of spiritual danger and the wolves—John 10:12-13)
      5. Be bold to identify and call out the false prophets in the wolves among us. (Christ warned of the false prophets and wolves—Matthew 7:15, Matthew 10:16, Matthew 24:24; Jesus warned of mass deception in the last days—Matthew 24:4-5)
      6. Understand that national blessing or national judgment hinges on the actions of the remnant. (“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”—2 Chronicles 7:14)
      7. Accept the reality that persecution is coming and is normal for the believer and those still standing for truth. (All who live according to God commands will suffer persecution—2 Timothy 3:12; the enemies of truth will persecute you—Luke 21:12; John 15:20)
      8. Discover that the preparation for prayer and meeting God’s requirements for prayer is far more important than the act of praying. (God demands a broken spirit and obedience before sacrifice—Psalm 51:16-17; God demands we pray His way: No unconfessed sin—Psalm 66:18)
      9. Realize that the continuance of freedom is a result of God’s blessing, which hinges on obedience and conformity to God’s commands. (Don’t forget that all blessings came from God and if you forget and become ungrateful, God will replace blessings with bondage—Deuteronomy 8:1-20, 1:19-20; 30:1-20)
      10. Understand that the choice for president or other elected leaders, while critically important, is secondary to repentance toward God and the choice for God. (Obey, and I’ll make even your enemies to be at peace with you—Proverbs 16:7)

“I pray that America,” Rohrer concluded, “led by the pulpits, implemented by fathers and mothers, elected leaders and citizens, will do as Joshua did: ‘As for me and my house, we will serve (choose) the LORD!’ (Joshua 24:15)”

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Is the COVID-19 Crisis a Setup for Revival in America?

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As national leaders, from the president’s administration to a federal task force to state governors, make daily decisions about American life during an increasingly challenging time, the American Pastors Network (APN) is looking at the nation’s current situation from a different perspective—one that is biblical and constitutional.

“Many of the decisions being made for Americans during the coronavirus pandemic seem to have little consideration for precedent or constitutional implications,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “For example, the list of ‘essential businesses’ has changed quite a bit, and more will change, I believe, as the days unfold. On Easter, we saw Kentucky churchgoers faced with quarantine notices on their cars. Rules are always followed by enforcement. Enforcement always limits actions and sometimes rights. The limiting of rights always produces a reaction from the citizens. Reactions from citizens produces potential rebellion and chaos, which means more government. I’m afraid we have entered that zone.

“Certainly,” Rohrer added, “our actions and our attitudes will determine whether or not we are living by faith or fear, but a significant range of fundamental thoughts and considerations are impacting people’s minds. For instance, is government now becoming hostile to the Christian faith and attacking the Constitution? Is what’s happening a setup for a great revival that brings America back to all it was in the early days of our nation or are these clear evidences of worldwide birth pains that indicate a true closeness to the rapture and tribulation? Should we as Christians disregard what’s going on, expecting that all of a sudden we will be raptured, or should we think more seriously about preparing in greater earnestness for the protection and provision for our own families and the family of God—or both? Regardless of any of these things, we ought to focus on the communication of the Gospel and biblical truth, as well as how to think and act in these days.”

Rohrer also commented that the COVID–19 plague has exposed the underbelly of America’s security and prosperity, as it is falsely believed by most Americans and arrogantly touted by the political elite that the American security and economy was invincible.

“Even the proud and ignorant have stumbled and grasped for answers during this plague,” he added. “Like the statue of Baal in the Philistines’ temple of long ago, America’s ‘gods’ of security, wealth, entertainment, sports, personal gratification and busyness now lie humbled, face down in obeisance to Someone greater. As God divinely demonstrated His power over the gods of ‘mighty Egypt 3,500 years ago, He’s allowed something powerful to happen to us. A wakeup call to America as whole? Certainly. But a trumpet alert to God’s people? Absolutely! A slow-motion 9/11. The questions to those who say we know God are: What will we do about this wake-up alarm? In whom will we now trust? How will our priorities and understanding of God’s role in our lives and our nation’s future be reordered?

“Through this plague, certain physical needs have been exposed,” Rohrer continued. “Making certain policy and personal adjustments are wise. Yet, our greatest need is spiritual and revolves around which god we will trust and conform our lives. If our sick and divided nation is ever to be restored, our broken and hurting families healed, prosperity renewed, security from our enemies and God’s favor on our land returned, God’s people must choose Him and then lead the way.”

APN recently offered pastors a COVID-19 Pastoral Response Kit, with suggestions, ideas and guidances for pastors and church leaders.

APN also hopes thousands will join the ministry for its national prayer movement called “52 Tuesdays,” in which the faithful from around the country will come together to pray for the moral and spiritual renewal of our nation every Tuesday leading up to Election Day 2020. This dedicated season of prayer not only addresses the important 2020 presidential election but also other topics close to Christians’ hearts. Prayer warriors nationwide can add their name to the growing “52 Tuesdays” list here.

Photo by Michael Amadeus on Unsplash

Connecting COVID-19 and God’s Message to the World

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While the nation is struggling to respond to the forced lifestyle changes initiated by the coronavirus, there is another larger consideration that we as Christians and God-fearing Americans must address.

Is God playing a role in this pandemic? And if so, what is God saying to America and to the world through this coronavirus plague? Is this pandemic happenstance or is it in part a consequence of some action?

Sam Rohrer, president of the American Pastors Network, explored the topic this week on the daily radio program, “Stand in the Gap Today.”

“Whereas our government officials, along with health and public policy experts, react to the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of the coronavirus plague or other major events like natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes, it is essential that true leaders look to the ‘why’ of such events,” Rohrer said.

“From a biblical worldview perspective, we should ask, could this event and others be occurring as a result of God speaking to the world and thereby truly answering at least part of the ‘why’ this is happening? Is it possible that the coronavirus and the unfolding economic damage, not only here in the U.S. but worldwide, is the consequence of some major decision that God has clearly warned against and previously responded to in earlier examples?”

Rohrer added that God has clearly said in a number of Scriptural passages not to divide the land or curse Israel, but to bless Israel, meaning that to advance God’s plan and promise to Abraham, He demonstrated that He will fight against all those who oppose Israel.

“Because the U.S. and U.S. presidents have taken the initiating role in seeking a peace plan with Israel that has to this point involved dividing Israel or drawing boundaries that contradict what God has already defined, the U.S. has received the bulk of these timely natural disaster consequences immediately after announcing such recommendations,” Rohrer said. “Yet with the coronavirus and the resulting economic carnage that is worldwide, it seems to change the model just a bit.”

Rohrer concluded by suggesting if there is one lesson to learn, it is simple. Don’t divide Israel.

Listen to the program HERE.

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Easter Has Always Been—and Always Will Be—About the Power of God

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What is Easter all about? Is it attending church services and hearing choirs? Gathering as a family for a spring meal with flowers on the table and children’s baskets nearby?

Most Christians would admit that, of course, these things are not what Easter is all about, says American Pastors Network  President Sam Rohrer, even though they have become a part of why we may look forward to the sacred holiday.

This Easter, Rohrer suggests, because many of these traditions will be impossibilities, may all consider what this solemn yet celebratory week says about God, about Jesus and to mankind. What difference should Easter make in our lives today—especially this year?

“Easter is about God’s plan for the ages, the humans created in His image, the reality of sin, Satan and rebellion, God’s wrath and justice against sin and His plan of redemption,” Rohrer said. “Early in Genesis, God promised that one day His heel would be bruised but the head of Satan would be crushed. Christ’s crucifixion and death on the cross bruised God’s heel but His resurrection crushed Satan’s head, confirming His victory over sin and death. Christ’s blood paid the debt of mankind’s sins and fulfilled God’s demand for justice, providing salvation for all people. All those putting their trust in the Risen Savior, the Promised Redeemer, receive eternal life with Him.”

God’s promise to crush Satan’s head continued with God’s promise to Abraham of a Promised Redeemer through a promised people. Through time, Satan tried to destroy the lineage through whom the Redeemer would come. He led Pharaoh in Egypt to kill the young males and led Herod to kill all baby boys under the age of 2. On the Mount, he tempted Jesus to avoid the cross and tried to destroy God’s redemption plan.

“But the devil could not trick Jesus, kings could not kill Him, and haters of Israel could not destroy God’s plan,” Rohrer added. “That plan included a day 2,000 years ago when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a borrowed donkey. The crowds shouted, ‘Hosanna!’—blessed is the king of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord.”

But, Rohrer noted, the envious Pharisees said, “the world’s gone after him,” and they plotted His murder. Their plot worked, at least physically, and Jesus gave His life to pay a debt of sin He never owed because we had a debt of sin we could never pay.

“Some by faith alone accept Jesus as Savior and receive eternal life,” Rohrer said. “Others reject Him and sadly choose eternal death. It is truly a matter of life or death. Ultimately, Easter is not a freestanding or initiating event. It’s a confirming event. While Easter is a witness of God’s power over death and sin—a fulfillment of his promise of redemption and proof of His victory over Satan—it’s also historical. Proven and witnessed by hundreds, the power of Easter is also very personal because it was Christ’s willing death on the cross to shed His blood.

“Easter is a fact. It happened. Jesus died. He rose from the dead. He paid our debt. This Easter, it’s crucial that all who are willing become children of God, restored in relationship to their Creator God. And as Christians mark Good Friday, they remember that the greatest battle ever fought was won. Victory was declared. The end of the war was certain. From the cross, bloody and beaten, Jesus declared, ‘Into thy hands I commend my spirit.’”

With those solemn words, Rohrer said, Jesus died, fulfilling His words that no man would take His life. The perfect Lamb—God’s promised redeeming sacrifice—became sin for us and died so we could live. What Satan schemed as victory over Christ was Christ’s victory over Satan, death and hell.

“As Christians, let us rejoice in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross,” he continued. “Because three days later, to the disciples’ ecstatic joy, they heard the glorious words from the angel’s mouth: ‘Remember what He said to you? He is not here. He has risen!’ To that we reply, ‘He is risen indeed.’ For all who trust in Him alone—by faith alone—death is swallowed up in victory. And that’s the best news ever. Easter is about the power of God, His hatred of sin and His great love for an undeserving mankind.”

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash