CROSS & NATION #2
A godly church preaches the Word of God and the Gospel of grace. An honest government adheres to the Constitution. Both have been long standing cornerstones of the United States of America.
What the First Amendment decrees regarding religion is: it forbids our federal legislature from making any laws creating an official state religion; it also forbids our federal legislature from preventing people from worshipping as they see fit, which also applies to the states, who subscribe to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Apparently, for some governors it’s not really relevant.
As stated before, this isn’t intended to be political, but it does look at the current state of the Nation especially with merging evidence of widespread election fraud and the COVID-19 shutdowns. The battle we are seeing isn’t just a political one, it is a spiritual one as we are told in Eph. 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)
This slide and the next one says it all. We have no way of knowing when the End Times will be here. It’s readily apparent that evil is prevalent in today’s world, and increasingly so, which prompted our previous 23-week End Times study serving as a backdrop for this one. Some may be thinking, why does God allow so much evil? I will do my best to address that in this and future Reflections, with a special note at the end of this one.
This particular topic, at this particular time, was triggered by these particular events and Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:12, all of which reflect the reality of something we don’t generally think about—spiritual warfare—though we can’t see it, is very real, and is often carried out by people of like mind. I think these times warrant focusing on it, perhaps even calls for it. That’s why prayer is so essential. In all things, our very hope and defense in this uncertain world is Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NKJV)
Ps 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (NIV)
Thanks to COVID-19, maybe for the first time, we find ourselves isolated from family and friends for Thanksgiving and perhaps even Christmas. Both the elderly grandparents and young children, deprived of their extended family, will feel it the most. For some a zoom gathering may be available just to say hi face-to-face. As difficult as it may be for some, with God’s grace, this too shall pass away. Perhaps we are more mindful of the good times because of the troubling times?
Ps 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (NIV)
Because of what is being described as a spike in COVID-19 some governors are causing a lot of empty tables this Thanksgiving, which most likely, without an available vaccine, may carry over into Christmas. Regardless of government mandates, be ever mindful that Jesus Christ is Lord! He also is our Comforter. May these difficult times gather us closer to God as His people.
2 Cor 1:3-4 – 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
God is sovereign and stronger than any circumstances. Our Father Who Art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven ….
Christmas begins in November for many merchants, with Christmas decorations being set up in business districts as a “clarion call” to alert shoppers. A 75-foot Norway spruce was recently set up at Rockefeller Center in NYC, an annual event and long-standing tradition that began in 1931. As a young kid growing up in N.Y.C, it was an amazing sight to behold, and one that captured the holiday spirit, especially for a kid!
Matt 1:20-21 – 20 ... Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
On a business trip to Japan, I visited a large mall in Tokyo, and much to my surprise it was alive with festive “holiday” decorations. Yet less than 1 percent of the Japanese population claims Christian belief or affiliation. No nativity scene, but there was a Santa Claus. It truly represents a Christmas holiday but one without the Christ child. One of Satan’s counterfeits is separating the season from the reason for the season. Europe, like the USA generally begins coming alive with holiday decorations this time of year. But the pandemic has changed things for almost everyone around the world.
Is the ‘Grinch’ stealing Christmas in 2020? Sadly, the pandemic has cast a shadow over life, especially as the holidays approach. Do you remember when “Merry Christmas” was the typical greeting? Christmas was celebrated as more than only a festive holiday. At some point “Happy Holiday” became the norm, ignoring the true reason for the season—just like in Japan. Is this pandemic a wake-up call to reassess our priorities as a nation and as a people? Scripture tells us that God has a reason for everything, even in allowing a pandemic.
Ps 56:3-4 – 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (NIV)
Even as the Western world drifts further away from Christ, we need to keep Him foremost in our minds and hearts as His people, regardless of the circumstances around us. He will always be the reason for the season, even during a pandemic and a questionable presidential election with a potential slip into socialism. See it all as a call to prayer.
Isa. 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. (NIV)
Eph. 1:11-12 – 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (NIV)
When people lose confidence in the legitimacy of their government, then what? Our pledge of allegiance defines who we are as a Nation and as a people. Searching the web tells me that the pledge is no longer recited in many schools, sporting or other public event. The pledge isn’t just words, it’s a reflection of what we believe—at least it was for more than 200 years. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
In all of this will Satan attempt to break the American spirit? Those who follow political events and “attempt to” piece things together, soon realize that there is an effort behind the scene to seize control and power at the expense of our founding principles—and the Christian Church be damned. Satan’s goal is to bring about his kingdom at the expense of everything sacred. He will accomplish it through the Antichrist as its political leader and the False Prophet as its religious leader.
2 Thess. 2:3-4 – 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (NIV)
Who will determine the outcome of the presidential election? “We the people” or they “big tech, the establishment media and special interest”? Does it matter? Absolutely! Why? Satan’s goal is to bring about his kingdom under the rule of the Antichrist and he will do everything in his power to achieve it. The only thing that stops him, is God. A stolen presidential election brings the world one step closer to that goal—though a very big step—setting the stage for his dominion through the rule of the Antichrist. America will either stay the course and retain its influence for good, or lose its influence on the world scene via this election. Will God let it happen or will He restrain Satan? In an unprecedented action, ballots were mailed to “all” registered voters—living and dead—setting up a pattern for ballot harvesting and outright voter fraud. My prayerful hope rests in Proverbs 10, that the true election results may emerge, and fraudulent votes cast out in all the battleground states.
Prov. 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (NIV)
Eph. 6:12 confirms that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The only thing that can restrain the rise of the Antichrist is God’s grace and mercy. There are numerous accusations and even evidence of voter fraud, with ballots being mailed to everyone who had ever registered, living and dead—with little to no checks and balances. Will born-again Christians continue to pray and not give up hope? Maybe God is teaching us hope and patience. Our hope needs to rest on His sovereignty. I can’t help but pray for honest election results, but if fraud prevails, then we need to be mindful that God allowed it as such and, yes, will use it to accomplish His purpose.
Keep the prayers coming that election fraud is exposed, and honest results prevail. Saul Alinsky’s “Rule for Radicals” states that a nation can be taken over, not just by votes, but by those who count the votes, (along with ballot-harvesting, and fraudulent ballot-counting software) and, as we see, the mainstream media doing everything in their power to sway (manipulate) public opinion.
Report from the web: “The flaring virus is shutting down more of the globe. Austria announced tighter lockdown measures, while Greece canceled school and Moscow closed bars and restaurants. Tehran will close non-essential businesses. Istanbul’s mayor called for a shutdown of two to three weeks.” — Will a vaccine fix everything for everyone? Does any of this provide even a hint that we are closing in on the End Times? If you believe in the pre-tribulation rapture as discussed in our previous study, then there’s no need to worry. We need to remain mindful that God is always in control.
A reflection on the ‘State of the Nation’, includes an awareness of threats from the Speaker of the House against the Senate majority leader. An indication of an extension of partisan politics for the next four years?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will yield less power in Congress come January once President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
"Whether you're in the minority or majority, if the president is of your party, you have more power," she said.
"And I think that's what Mitch McConnell is going to find out now," Pelosi added.
Thanks to “Operation warp speed”, 200 potential vaccines are being tested, with several in Phase III large-scale human studies and testing, which was put into affect in January by President Trump under a $10 billion initiative that partners federal agencies with manufacturers. Will the COVID-19 vaccine save America? Did Pfizer play politics by withholding its announcement of a successful vaccine until just after election day? What could be their rational for doing so? It is public knowledge that Trump was applying pressure to hold down pharmaceutical retail prices.
Prov 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (NIV)
Nothing happens without God’s permission and for His purpose, even evil. Why does God allow evil? Allowing evil has many purposes: to get sinful man’s attention to turn towards Him; a warning that evil is part of the world system, and why we should avoid it.
Prov. 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (NIV)
Most of us have enjoyed vacations in far away, perhaps even exotic, places. For some it’s their normal lifestyle. They too have had their world turned upside down by the coronavirus. Despite Satan’s intentions for evil, God allows and even uses evil to accomplish His will, which we certainly almost never will understand or even recognize as such. Romans 8:28 tells us that He works all things together for good for those who love Him. Something we should be ever mindful during this pandemic.
A “pre-pandemic” TV production promoting Mediterranean cruises for “jet setters” is an example of the fun life for many—people dancing, drinking and laughing—not a care in the world, until now. I couldn’t help but wonder if the pandemic is God’s wakeup call for those who never otherwise gave Him a thought, and possibly a sampling of the Tribulation that will be even worse. Maybe God is forcing the entire world to rethink their priorities and values. Does the Body of Christ need to ponder its role? What the world was and is now, are very different—but for how long?
Prov. 21:2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. (NIV)
The COVID-19 vaccine should be available by the end of the year but may not be widely available until spring 2021. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar offered a new timetable for the vaccine. The following verse is from the Old Testament for God’s people; we too are God’s people.
Isa 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NKJV)
Sinful man will not embrace God, even during a pandemic, but will instead reject and resent Him for His restrictive Laws and Commandments that cramp their lifestyle and for others, restrain their efforts for political and economic power.
Rev 20:11-12 – 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (NIV)
How many generations before us wondered if they were at the End Times, especially those whom John wrote Revelation too. Perhaps the WWII generation after Hitler’s rise to power? Or Napoleon’s France? Or one of the Roman Caesars? Each asking, is he alive now, or yet to come? We don’t know nor will we know until he appears on the scene. All we can do is be aware of the signs and live as the Church, the Body of Christ. What are some of the signs? How will we know him? The next slides describe the attributes of the Antichrist.
The Antichrist will be charismatic….
One description compares him to Hitler, who was known to be extremely charismatic. Those who met Hitler say that he was extremely skilled at making connections with people and saying exactly the right thing at the right time. He will be even more skilled than Hitler.
The Antichrist will be Clever ….
He is also described as cleaver in politics and as a military leader.
He will be a conqueror ….
2 Thess 2:4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
The Antichrist’s conquests will be seen as legitimate. Revelation 13 says that the Antichrist will be “permitted to wage war on God’s holy people” and “given power to extend his authority over every tribe and people.” Revelation 13 also states bluntly that the Antichrist will succeed in conquering God’s people, at least for a time, that time being up until the second Coming of Jesus Christ at the end of the Tribulation period.
The Antichrist will not have any trouble getting the world power brokers to cooperate, believing it will further enhance their own wealth and power. …
Whether the Antichrist will use force or charisma to compel people to accept his mark isn’t stated in the Bible, especially if it’s the only way to purchase the essentials like food and medicine. We saw an example of this during this pandemic, with many retail establishments and restaurants not accepting cash, only credit or debit cards.
Most of what takes place in the world economy, and economic power, is hidden below the surface, something that the Antichrist will ultimately gain control of.
The Antichrist will have the full power of Satan in his hands, and the ability to work signs and wonders. It will set the Antichrist apart from other clever, charismatic leaders is his ability to accomplish such signs and wonders. The Gospels of both Matthew and Mark warn that the Antichrist will perform miracles that convince many people that he is the Messiah returned. In 2 Thessalonians, it is said that the coming of the Antichrist will coincide with numerous signs and marvels.
The Antichrist will have the full power of Satan in his hands, and the ability to work signs and wonders. It will set the Antichrist apart from other clever, charismatic leaders is his ability to accomplish such signs and wonders. The Gospels of both Matthew and Mark warn that the Antichrist will perform miracles that convince many people that he is the Messiah returned. In 2 Thessalonians, it is said that the coming of the Antichrist will coincide with numerous signs and marvels.
Having engineering degrees, I look at facts and evidence before I accept a theory, consequently, I am not, nor have I ever been, a conspiracy advocate. I do not want to raise undue concerns with this slide, but I felt it was prudent to add at this time. The three videos I watched were created by reasonable people who presented compelling arguments for their respective views. Putting on my Sherlock Homes' hat, it is exactly the kind of process that I anticipate would usher in the Antichrist, which of course is still TBD.
All comments are welcome via email. I suggest you listen to the attached message by Kimberley Strassel, sponsored by Hillsdale College. Just a note, the state’s latest regulation prevents us from returning to Heritage Lounge anytime soon for our Sunday studies.
The outcome of this election will determine if this is even possible. Or will it be business as usual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7epeM1wkg
(sorry, you will have to copy and paste into your web browser)
END OF CROSS & NATION #2
