As Joe states, Even though Jesus taught that we are not to be of this world we see churches of every denomination allign themselves with this or that political institution, whether liberal or conservative, pro war hawk or peaceful dove these "shepherds" bring the world to the flock to promote whatever the world's flavor of the day is, or endorse some candidate or another that agrees with their world view, this focus on worldly things does not please God, especially from those that are preaching and teaching in His name.
I think the handwriting is on the wall, but only for those who have eyes to see.
Dan 5:5 In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
v. 6 Then the king's countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.
Dan 5:23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
v. 24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
v. 25 "And this is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
v. 26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;
v. 27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;
v. 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."
v. 30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.
Rev 17:4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
v. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
v. 6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
Rev 18:3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
v. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.
v. 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day--death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
mercy, peace and love
Kat