Reasons California Belongs to God

The saying used to be “As California goes, so goes the nation,” but last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted, “As California goes, so goes the World!” Either way, clearly, California is the leader in what the nation and the world will do. So we better get it right. This is all the more reason for God to Redeem California.

In our last article, I told you that God would Redeem California. I also gave a little insight into the heart and nature of God for the people living in California. In today’s article, I want to point out some manifold blessings God has bestowed upon California that perhaps we haven’t seen through a spiritual lens.

Shortly after I launched Redeem California, my dear friend, Stan Bennett, who has since gone on to be with the Lord, sent me the book, “God, Gold & Glory!” by Dr. Henry Falany. The book encouraged me because it affirmed what I believed, but I had not seen it written as concisely as Dr. Falany had. By using Dr. Falany’s examples, I will illustrate here that Redemption for California has much more to do with what belongs to God than with just what a few people desire. 

It far exceeds politics, social unrest, gender confusion, economic hardship, and open borders. This concerns what God originally blessed California with: HE does not make mistakes!

With that in mind, let me unpack how God has prophetically positioned California.

There is a theological principle called “The Law of First Mention.” In the Bible, God often establishes principles and ideas throughout the rest of scripture by using a word or phrase for the first time in the text. When searching out a topic in scripture, we always go back to the first time it is mentioned to see what the word means.

Similarly, California was established with many firsts in the nation and worldwide. Let’s look at them:

1.   Hollywood- Hollywood was birthed as a Bible-based community. In 1887, Horace & Daeida Wilcox laid out the first development of Hollywood and planned it to be a Christian community. Hollywood is known globally and has rarely had competition.

2. Cecil B DeMille produced The First Feature Film in Hollywood circa 1914. DeMille was a praying believer and the son of an ordained minister. His famous quote was, “I have found the greatest power in the world, the power of prayer.” Filmmaking became synonymous with Hollywood and California. His films include:

• The King of Kings

• The Ten Commandments

• The Signs of the Cross

• Samson & Delilah

3.   SPIRITUAL GROUND ZERO- The Azusa Street Revival 1906- News of the mighty revival created a global outpouring and hunger for the presence and power of God. Since then, numerous revivals and church growth have originated out of California and spread across the globe.

Besides its many firsts, we see a state drenched in the Gospel and prayer. Father Junipero Serra established missions and evangelism all throughout California. He proclaimed California as “The Vineyard of the Lord.” 

Jedediah Smith, whose name means “beloved of Jehovah,” was the first overland explorer. He read his bible and prayed from the top to the bottom of the state, covering California in prayer. 

The devout believer, John Fremont, established California as “American Soil.”

I could go on and on. But suffice it to say that God’s original intent for California was to be a “Golden State,” reflecting His glory, presence, beauty, and blessing. We can see this easily as we see how it has led the nations in many sectors, such as:

• The Economy

• Agriculture

• Knowledge & Learning

• The Arts

• War/Defense Support

• Technology

• Music Industry

• Coastline

• Yosemite Mountains

• Gold Mining

The things meant to be a blessing for California and the nation and world have become defiled, unholy, and a curse in many ways. We, as the people of God, unknowingly have given up territory to the enemy over the years. Many were unaware of the enemy’s devices and deception that slowly eroded away at the fabric of this great state and our nation.

Over time, we made allowances for immorality and little by little, that crept into our homes, families, and churches through media and music. However, that is not where the story has to end! 

But now that we know what the enemy has done and is doing. It is as plain as day, and now is the time for us to collectively repent for the state and what we have allowed through ignorance and call on the name of the Lord and ask him “to give us back what the enemy has stolen.” (John 10:10 & Prov. 6:31).

The redemption of California will not return the state nor the people to innocence, but it will shift the power from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God.

In other words, evil will remain as long as the world remains, but instead of demonic forces having the authority, God and His sons and daughters will have the predominate control.

That is what I believe.

So, will you join me in spreading hope to others so that faith can grow?

** All references from the book: God, Gold, & Glory by Dr. Henry Falany