Government built fence around church in Canada

[Enoch111]

And how do the restrictions effect your ability to worship God? You still can do so in your own home.

You seem to have missed the point altogether. No government has the right to tell anyone how, where, when, or why they may worship. Particularly for bogus reasons. And that is what this is all about.

Only Communists and Fascists have tried to impose their tyranny on Christians, and now North American politicians have decided that they too love the taste of tyranny, and wish to establish Fascism and Communism over here.

 

[Addy]

And how do the restrictions effect your ability to worship God? You still can do so in your own home.

YES!!!

 

[Josho]

Ask the persecuted Christians in China whether no one take away their right to worship.

Look at Christians of the persecuted nations, look at how strong their faith is, persecution has only made their faith in Jesus grow. They could teach us a thing or two.

No one can take away the right to worship, because even in China, Christians still find ways to worship God, you don't have to be in a specific building to worship God.

 

[Addy]

You seem to have missed the point altogether. No government has the right to tell anyone how, where, when, or why they may worship. Particularly for bogus reasons. And that is what this is all about.

YES they do have that right.

 

[Addy]

No one can take away the right to worship, because even in China, Christians still find ways to worship God, you don't have to be in a specific building to worship God.

and THAT IS THE POINT!

 

[Truman]

Here's to you, Pastor James Coates:

 

[Truman]

And how do the restrictions effect your ability to worship God? You still can do so in your own home.

I say many are acting like it's the Great Tribulation too early, yes the tribulation is coming, but it's not yet time, yes worser persecutions are coming worldwide, but it's not yet time... Yes the Beast will surface, but it's not yet time....

Many of the major events of the book of Revelation are still to come, but we cannot pretend that Revelations 13 has already happened, when it hasn't happened yet.... That day is coming, but it's not yet time...

Too many are calling it too early, which is leading to a variety of predictions of the date the Second Coming, some are even convinced we are already experiencing the seals in the book of Revelation, but some are in for a shock, Covid-19 is nothing compared to what is to come, and yes even the extreme left wings that many fear or extreme right wings are nothing compared to what is to come.

Those that lived through the violent days of the Roman Empire, the Medieval Dark Ages, Bubonic Plague, Spanish flu, World War I, World War II, had it worst than us today.

I recently heard that China ordered it's people to stop believing in God...Lololololololololol!
That must be the most stupid thing I've ever heard!
It is my personal experience with myself that tells me that if one believes in God, in their heart, they know that He's real and there's nothing they can do about it, even if they wanted to.

 

[charity]

'Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:
for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink:
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.'
(Rom 12:17)

Hello there,

Romans 12:17 was written at a time which had the potential to be 'the last days', the opportunity for Christ's imminent return was in place. Christians were suffering persecution, violence and imprisonment. So the practical instruction concerning their manner of life during that time, and the attitude of mind they were encouraged to have towards each other, and towards those who were essentially their enemies is instructive for us too.

Peter and John exhibited boldness in preaching the Word of God in Acts 4:1-13, and the believers who witnessed their 'boldness', prayed that they too may be emboldened to '... speak Thy word ...', and it was granted them. The Lord had told His disciples that they would suffer persecution and with what mind they were to meet it (Matthew 5:44):-

'But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.'

... Later, Paul, in Romans 12:14 said:-

'Bless them which persecute you:
bless, and curse not.'
(Rom 12:14)

* The 'boldness' of the believers of the past was in regard to the word of God itself, on preaching it and living it, in anticipation of the return of Christ. For it is the gospel message which is '... the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth' .

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Addy]

Romans 12:17 was written at a time which had the potential to be 'the last days', the opportunity for Christ's imminent return was in place. Christians were suffering persecution, violence and imprisonment. So the practical instruction concerning their manner of life during that time, and the attitude of mind they were encouraged to have towards each other, and towards those who were essentially their enemies is instructive for us too.

Peter and John exhibited boldness in preaching the Word of God in Acts 4:1-13, and the believers who witnessed their 'boldness', prayed that they too may be emboldened to '... speak Thy word ...', and it was granted them. The Lord had told His disciples that they would suffer persecution and with what mind they were to meet it (Matthew 5:44):-

That is how I see it... and perceive it... and that is how I live it.

 

[Brakelite]

Do you realize how nonsensical this sounds? By restricting church meetings to a mere fraction of what they should be is in fact a BAN on worship for those who were excluded. So you would rather wait until the government is in total control like Communist China before you wake up and say "Oh my! our constitutional right to worship freely is gone!"

What people should understand is that the restrictions are (1) irrational, (2) non-scientific, (3) coercive, and (4) tyrannical. And because the media hate the truth, they have banned the recent conference of DeSantis in Florida with actual medical professionals who said that masks, distancing, and lockdowns were TOTALLY USELESS. They totally rejected the bogus narrative of the manipulators. The media are the enemy of the people, working daily for China and the government tyrants to rob you of your freedoms.

You are looking in the wrong direction to cast your blame for all the angst you witness mounting up against you. The "socialist-communist-anti-Christian-anti-American-Democrat led" rebellion against the church and all things American is an illusion. Yes, America is being attacked. Yes, the constitution is no longer the reliable backstop it once was. Yes, the values that in general American society once revered are now in danger of being washed down the proverbial gurgler. And yes, America will never be the same again. But you are looking in the wrong place for the true enemy. Biden. Harris. Pelosi. The democrats in general. Puppets. All of them. The secret societies. Tools. Your stubborn resistance against historicism in understanding prophecy will be your downfall. Your inability to see the big picture and your false hopes for an American revival and an earthly millennialI kingdom and peace on earth is your self deceiving blindness to truth. Sorry to be so blunt, but it needed to be said... And you aren't the only one deceived thereby.
I mentioned on another thread that those who changed the history lessons in universities and schools... Distorting biblical history and prophetic hermeneutic... Destroying the truth regarding the history of nations and twisting the history of the church thus creating generations of submissive and dumb downed sheep, are the same ones now taking over humanity through education... Politics... Religion... Entertainment and the media. They are the enemy. Sadly, Protestantism is deceived and making them their buddies again.

 

[Addy]

.

 

[charity]

@Backlit said:-
Your stubborn resistance against historicism in understanding prophecy will be your downfall

Hello @Backlit,

Would you please explain what you mean by the words, 'historicism in understanding prophecy'? Would you also please give an example of how and why not acknowledging it should become someone's downfall?

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
our risen and glorified
Saviour, Lord and Head.
Chris

 

[Enoch111]

The "socialist-communist-anti-Christian-anti-American-Democrat led" rebellion against the church and all things American is an illusion.

Now we have Buddhism creeping into your theology. The whole world is an illusion. And that is simply delusion. Since when did SDAs adopt Buddhist philosophy?

 

[charity]

I agree with this scripture Charity. And I very much appreciate you pointing this out. Nonetheless, I am compelled to consider whether Peter has placed a qualification on his admonition when he states the purpose of government? We should submit ourselves to the government as long as the government is doing the will of God, i.e. punishing the wicked and rewarding the good? What if a dictator or a government enforces anti-human, anti-life, and profoundly immoral and wicked rules? It seems to me that Peter wouldn't ask us to submit to any government that has abdicated its God-given responsibility to punish evildoers to become the evildoers they are supposed to punish?

What do you think?

'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that, when iHs glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;
for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:
on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer,
or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed;
but let him glorify God on this behalf.'
(1 Peter 4:12-16)

Hi @CayandZoe,

Looking at your post again, and the 'qualifications' which you suggest Peter would place upon his words in 1 Peter 2:13-15,

'Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him
for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:'

* Living in a democracy, we each have the ability to vote, and thereby have the power to institute change in the governments representing us. However those to whom Peter wrote were Jews scattered among the nations. They are addressed as, 'strangers and pilgrims' (1 Peter 1:1 & 1 Peter 2:2:11).

* Yet, historically, many dispersed Jews, though having no national rights afforded them by the nations of their choice, including citizenship, within Europe or elsewhere, did exert great influence in world affairs, very often via their God-given financial ability. Many though were denied the right to further education, or advancement to any position of authority within their chosen fields, and many were reduced to manual labour of the most menial kind in order to survive, and were hated by poor and rich alike. Living in the worst possible conditions within ghettos, the objects of suspicion and derision. Dying of hunger and illnesses caused by their deplorable living conditions. The believing Jew was still a Jew, and suffered the same restrictions as the rest of their race in exile, denied citizenship and the ability to better their situation, while also shunned by their own, for embracing faith in Christ Jesus their risen Lord and Saviour.

* The believer is answerable to God, first and foremost. Where rules and laws go against the will of God then the believer chooses to do the will of God.

* The present enforcement of temporary laws, instituted as they are at the moment in the fight against a pandemic are justifiable, and do not go against the will of God. For though collective worship is not possible within the buildings dedicated for that purpose, there are other means available for believers to share fellowship and worship God together, while obeying the rules of distance keeping and mask wearing. All buildings where people gather together are affected by these laws, not just church buildings.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[charity]

Check out the research on lockdowns. They do not significantly affect Covid contagion outcomes. Part of loving thy neighbor is to build them up in the most holy faith.

If it's true that lockdowns prevent the spread, that's one thing. The CDC says they don't. So why are the rulers killing economies, and people's ability to put food on their table, why are they preventing families from being together, churches from meeting?

The disease makes the rounds whether we lockdown or not.

You are witnessing Marxist Socialism in "takeover" mode.

Much love!

Hi @marks

Controlling a pandemic is new territory for the governments concerned, and each is attempting to control it in the best way they can. They have sought the best medical advice possible and are enforcing rules and regulations in order to control peoples behaviour to minimise the spread. I would not wish to be in their shoes.

Nobody wants to enforce lockdown measures, least of all those who have to deal with the consequences, and if people only kept to the rules of washing and distancing and the wearing of protective equipment then perhaps lockdowns would not have been necessary: but people do not obey the rules, they claim their right to individual freedom regardless of the cost, either to themselves or others, so what is left for governments to do, but to bring in lockdown measures.

One day the choices made by governments will be analysed and judged, and perhaps they will suffer loss as a consequence: but individual citizens should also question their own choices before passing judgment on these people in authority, who are doing their very best in very difficult circumstances.

There is no Marxist conspiracy.

Thank you
Chris

 

[kcnalp]

"Our" government sold us out many years ago. America is on death's door.

 

[charity]

"Our" government sold us out many years ago. America is on death's door.

'Let all the earth fear the LORD:
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.'
(Psa 33:8)

Hello @kcnalp,

It is so easy to blame those in authority over us for what is happening within our nations, and to deny any personal responsibility for the decline of all we hold dear. Yet have we been praying for those in authority as we have been asked to do? Do we pray for the candidate we voted into office to be given wisdom to make right choices, and govern well: to make judgments according to the known will of God, and not lean to their own understanding?

I confess that I rarely think to do so. So who am I to point the finger at that candidate, or that party in power, that President or Prime Minister, if I have failed to do so?

As I think further into this, the more I realise how culpable I am.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[marks]

Hi @marks

Controlling a pandemic is new territory for the governments concerned, and each is attempting to control it in the best way they can. They have sought the best medical advice possible and are enforcing rules and regulations in order to control peoples behaviour to minimise the spread. I would not wish to be in their shoes.

Nobody wants to enforce lockdown measures, least of all those who have to deal with the consequences, and if people only kept to the rules of washing and distancing and the wearing of protective equipment then perhaps lockdowns would not have been necessary: but people do not obey the rules, they claim their right to individual freedom regardless of the cost, either to themselves or others, so what is left for governments to do, but to bring in lockdown measures.

One day the choices made by governments will be analysed and judged, and perhaps they will suffer loss as a consequence: but individual citizens should also question their own choices before passing judgment on these people in authority, who are doing their very best in very difficult circumstances.

There is no Marxist conspiracy.

Thank you
Chris

I have to say, I feel rightly rebuked, and thank you for it. I do think I become too quick to judge at times. Just the same perhaps there isn't a socialist takeover happening there, but it is certainly happening here.

And I've now learned for myself what "drunk with power" looks like.

God help us!

But it's not over yet.

Much love!

 

[charity]

'I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.'
(1 Timothy 2:1-6)

 

[charity]

I have to say, I feel rightly rebuked, and thank you for it, but not including that last line. Perhaps there isn't a socialist takeover happening there, but it is certainly happening here.

God help us!

But it's not over yet.

Much love!

Hello @marks,

I hope it isn't happening here, but who am I to say it is not.

Forgive me for having so much to say lately, I do seem to be standing-on-my-soap-box a little too freely over the past few days. Maybe it is a consequence of a year of lockdown restrictions.

Thank you
With love in Christ Jesus
Chris