Dear WBC-
I’m sorry if this question is unlearned. This is actually my firsttime actually exploring the ideas of the Westboro Baptist Church in detail, and I’m a bit confused. I am by no means mocking your beliefs or being sarcastic. I am only trying to gain information. I’m very naive so things don’t sink in very well.
Anyway, one of your church’s signs says, “too late to pray”. If it’s too late to pray, then are you simply warning the nations of their imminent demise when you go to your rallies, or is there another purpose that I’ve missed? Is there any way that someone can go about changing their fate?
Thank you very much for reading this message, and thank you for any answer you’ll give to me.
Kelsey
Thanks for writing Kelsey!
We believe that it is too late to pray for the nation as a whole. See the FAQ below:
“Do you ever pray for the salvation of those who you feel are condemned?
Of course not! For, if we follow (as we ought) the example of our Saviour and the clear commandment of God, we would not dare to do so.
To clarify, consider what the Saviour said in John 17. After stating at length how God pre-selected a few out of the world to give to Jesus, it comes to verse 9 which states unequivocally “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou has given me; for they are thine.” To the extent that we are ever instructed to pray for any other than those who make a profession to this faith, it is in recognition that they may be God’s elect who have not yet received the call to grace. Hence, we are instructed to “pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44). We know that, as with Saul of Tarsus, we could find among the enemy one who has grace.
More telling on the subject, however, is the events immediately prior to the destruction by God of the nation of Israel told of in Jeremiah. Throughout the detailed accounts of the abominations of that nation, God repeatedly tells his prophet “pray not thou for this people” (Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14; 14:11). Then, as if to put the instruction into the hyperbolic range, God pronounces the futility of such prayer by saying “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people.” (Jeremiah 15:1). You simply cannot read the accounts given throughout the scriptures without recognizing that those who are clearly condemned of God are beyond any hope of intervention by prayer.
To bring the point into focus, consider the pronouncements of God that He has thrice given sodomites “up to uncleanness” (Romans 1:24), “up unto vile affections” (Romans 1:26), and “over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28). What arrogance would we display to pretend we could pray them back into the good grace of Him who has given them up?”
We seek to warn our fellow man that except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish (Lu 13:3 & 13:5). We are seeking the lost. It may be that these words through the foolishness of preaching will prick a lost soul’s heart. 1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Our goal is very simple – preach the Word. How it lands on someone is solely up to God.
Ps 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Your second question – can anyone change their fate? No. There are two groups of people; the elect and the reprobate. At a minimum, I would suggest that you read Romans chapter 9 to give you some light on this question.
Ro 9: 6 ¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Thanks for writing! Remember – Ec 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Are you keeping his commandments?