I have a few ideas, observations, and suggestions that I would like to share with this forum. Now, I am not some great spiritual leader, something like a latter-day Moses, a prophet the likes Isaiah, a teacher like an Apostle, or even a Bible expert. I am, however, like so many here on this forum, a simple student of Scripture. Therefore, I openly admit that I have no claim to spiritual authority.
Yet, I do keep abreast of the political, social, and religious trends taking place locally, nationally, and even internationally. Therefore, the following are my personal observations, conclusions and recommendations – for everyone to consider or dismiss, as you may think appropriate.
1. The entire world has turned into the devil’s playground. There are armed conflicts literally (or at a very high potential) in every area of the world, the Middle East not withstanding.
2. There are increasing number and size of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, tornadoes, droughts. floods, high sun activity, etc. than normal – the entire physical world is experiencing convulsions. This has been going on and getting worse for decades, moving the expected “normal” level of events further up the scale.
3. Another area of concern is the frequency and number of unexpected wildlife deaths. Thousands of both freshwater and saltwater fish dying by the tens of thousands, whales beaching themselves by the hundreds, birds by thousands falling out of the sky and off perches (power lines, trees, etc.).
4. The growing frequency and severity of both local and international pandemics, especially today in Africa and Asia.
5. Then there is the worldwide rise in the immorality of mankind. Lawlessness is growing like a fungus throughout the world, from shoplifting to horrendous murders, rampant corruption from local, national, and state politicians, to even our national and international leaders. Then there is the failure to protect our children from sexual predators, including those who market young children into sexual slavery – those who they have not killed in the womb or mutilated their bodies in order to mimic the opposite sex. The growing number of couples living together without marriage. Homosexual activity increasing, etc. The degradation of our world societies continues at a growing pace.
6. Look around this planet and even here at home. Religious persecution is growing by the day, especially for Jews and Christians – even among so called “Christian Nations”. Here in the U.S. there are new rules and laws being passed by almost every state that infringe on the free exercise of our faith. From business operations to education, from personal expressions (speech, publications) to the legal system (local, state and federal).
7. The mass media/propaganda centers (including the entertainment industry) are out of control, uniting with the government to influence how we think and what we think. Many movies and video series have started to add more sexual and sexualy deviant acts in their productions, and have for decades.
8. The ancient gods are worshiped once again, i.e. Satan and his demons. From Baal to Ishtar to Tammuz, and to many others, they have worked their will throughout the world, and even here in America. Their fingerprints are everywhere. Their signs include the rise in greed, the lust for power, and sexual perversion.
Over time we have had some victories for our faith. A few folks have stood up, have been counted, and have a price. So the question has been begged, “What do we do now?”
Every generation, since the first churches were founded, we have had believers who thought they were living in the end times, even that the great "catching away” of the saints had either already occurred or was about to. Folks were also looking for the second coming of Christ during their lifetime. These hopeful views has been wrong in every generation for over 2,000 years, of course. Well I for one, thinks that these events have not yet happened, but could very soon. How soon is “soon”? It’s on God’s time table, not ours. Then again, check both old and new scriptures.
Back to the question, “So, what do we do now?”
Here are my suggestions: (1) Get right with God. If you have unrepentant sin in your life, repent. (2) Share the gospel with others and what God/The Word/Jesus has accomplished in your life. (3) Stand up for Jesus and be counted among His disciples (students). Obey His instructions and keep the Commandments, from a position of mutual love, not out of obligation. (4) Finally, take heart, be of good cheer, look up for our redemption draws nigh. And, (5) Remember, you to shall be persecuted.
Yet, I do keep abreast of the political, social, and religious trends taking place locally, nationally, and even internationally. Therefore, the following are my personal observations, conclusions and recommendations – for everyone to consider or dismiss, as you may think appropriate.
1. The entire world has turned into the devil’s playground. There are armed conflicts literally (or at a very high potential) in every area of the world, the Middle East not withstanding.
2. There are increasing number and size of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, tornadoes, droughts. floods, high sun activity, etc. than normal – the entire physical world is experiencing convulsions. This has been going on and getting worse for decades, moving the expected “normal” level of events further up the scale.
3. Another area of concern is the frequency and number of unexpected wildlife deaths. Thousands of both freshwater and saltwater fish dying by the tens of thousands, whales beaching themselves by the hundreds, birds by thousands falling out of the sky and off perches (power lines, trees, etc.).
4. The growing frequency and severity of both local and international pandemics, especially today in Africa and Asia.
5. Then there is the worldwide rise in the immorality of mankind. Lawlessness is growing like a fungus throughout the world, from shoplifting to horrendous murders, rampant corruption from local, national, and state politicians, to even our national and international leaders. Then there is the failure to protect our children from sexual predators, including those who market young children into sexual slavery – those who they have not killed in the womb or mutilated their bodies in order to mimic the opposite sex. The growing number of couples living together without marriage. Homosexual activity increasing, etc. The degradation of our world societies continues at a growing pace.
6. Look around this planet and even here at home. Religious persecution is growing by the day, especially for Jews and Christians – even among so called “Christian Nations”. Here in the U.S. there are new rules and laws being passed by almost every state that infringe on the free exercise of our faith. From business operations to education, from personal expressions (speech, publications) to the legal system (local, state and federal).
7. The mass media/propaganda centers (including the entertainment industry) are out of control, uniting with the government to influence how we think and what we think. Many movies and video series have started to add more sexual and sexualy deviant acts in their productions, and have for decades.
8. The ancient gods are worshiped once again, i.e. Satan and his demons. From Baal to Ishtar to Tammuz, and to many others, they have worked their will throughout the world, and even here in America. Their fingerprints are everywhere. Their signs include the rise in greed, the lust for power, and sexual perversion.
Over time we have had some victories for our faith. A few folks have stood up, have been counted, and have a price. So the question has been begged, “What do we do now?”
Every generation, since the first churches were founded, we have had believers who thought they were living in the end times, even that the great "catching away” of the saints had either already occurred or was about to. Folks were also looking for the second coming of Christ during their lifetime. These hopeful views has been wrong in every generation for over 2,000 years, of course. Well I for one, thinks that these events have not yet happened, but could very soon. How soon is “soon”? It’s on God’s time table, not ours. Then again, check both old and new scriptures.
Back to the question, “So, what do we do now?”
Here are my suggestions: (1) Get right with God. If you have unrepentant sin in your life, repent. (2) Share the gospel with others and what God/The Word/Jesus has accomplished in your life. (3) Stand up for Jesus and be counted among His disciples (students). Obey His instructions and keep the Commandments, from a position of mutual love, not out of obligation. (4) Finally, take heart, be of good cheer, look up for our redemption draws nigh. And, (5) Remember, you to shall be persecuted.