THE LAST DAYS
Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS
“These things have I spoken to you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
The endtime is here! Signs all around point to the soon return of Christ for His Bride. II Peter 1:12-13 speaks of how Peter wanted to “... put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yes, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle [human body], to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.” This we will do until the Lord comes. May these words stir our hearts from spiritual apathy, causing us to use all diligence in watching and waiting for Christ to come at any moment.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS – Jesus warned His disciples that “in the world they would have tribulation.” This also applies to the believers of this endtime. Persecution is increasing more and more. Recently, the state of Iowa Civil Rights Commission passed a law which threatens churches through the “Public Accommodation” clause of their anti-discrimination law. The Claremont Institute’s Center for Constitutional Law Jurisprudence, whose director is John C. Eastman recently said, “The Civil Rights commission’s interpretation is indicative of the direction in which the gay rights movement is headed.” He expresses that, “This is going to be a dramatic effort to force compliance at great risk to religious liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of association, religious liberty in the public square, but also, ultimately, religious liberty in the pulpit itself. The idea of public accommodation has been expanded to mean that there will be prohibitions on sermons, theological expositions, educational speeches, newsletters or church worship bulletin text, or other statements from the church and its leaders.” In other words no free speech to bring what the Word of God says if it speaks against homo-sexuality. The “Public accommodation clause” meaning “freedom of access,” particularly means that churches would have to have rules that anyone can use any bathroom, and that no exclusions would be made against openly gay couples in many operations of the church.
Several news items have come to our attention which shows how greatly Satan is fighting against true Christianity in the U.S.A. and other parts of the world.
RUSSIA JUST BANNED ALL TYPES OF EVANGELISM OUTSIDE OF A CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS SITE – This was to become effective July 20, 2016. They have declared they will not allow individuals to witness on the internet, including e-mail, or on the streets or home meetings [private residences]. Church meetings will only be tolerated in churches recognized by the state. For sometime individual believers have warned that the openness of religious expression in Russia would one day be curtailed, and now we are seeing it happen. This proposed legislation seems to target religious groups outside of the Russian Orthodox Church
FIFTY-THREE COUNTRIES NOW HAVE LAWS TO RESTRAIN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. – The Bible says the “Word of God is not bound.”
CHINA – More than 2,000 crosses have recently been forcibly removed. The government is also tearing down church buildings. Forty-nine churches have been torn down since the beginning of 2016. After one building was demolished, the believers met there anyway, defying the Communist Chinese government. Not long ago we rejoiced to hear that there was a revival in China and many were being born again. Now we hear of this persecution. The Chinese government has created a new law to force churches to hand over any offerings or tithes to the state. This will not stop the cause of Christ. The more Christians are persecuted, the more they will multiply, just as they did in the early church.
TERRORISM ATTACKS – Terror attacks are increasing all over the world. Statistics show that in 2015, fifty countries other than the U.S.A. had these attacks, where 11,774 people were killed and 14,303 were injured. In these same countries from January, 2016 till July, 2016 there have been 39 attacks with 615 persons killed and 740 injured. Since September 2011, when America was attacked at the World Trade Center, there have been 2,990 persons killed in U.S.A. in these attacks. Just recently, there are more attacks from Muslim extremists in France and Germany. This world is on the verge of the seven years of tribulation. Only Jesus can change the circumstances of a wicked, sinful world. Praise the Lord that sinners are still receiving the Lord, even Islamists. God is so gracious and loves the whole world, and sees a
hungry heart for the things of the true and living God.
Romans 8:18, 22, 23- says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [the son placing] to wit the redemption of our body.” We are “groaning” for the deliverance from this earthly sinful realm. We are desiring everyday to see His lovely face. This world is definitely not our home.
Hebrews 10:35-37 tells us, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after you have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry [delay].” Surely, He will come at anytime. The signs in this world are growing in number constantly. We feel more and more that we are not of this evil world. Let us look up and know that soon He will split the clouds with a shout and the trump of God and those who are looking for Him will be caught away. Let us be ready!
