Christians: Wake Up! Prepare to Persevere in the Midst of Persecution!

 

As Watchmen on the Wall, my husband joins me in warning Christians to wake up to the very real possibility that we are entering into a season of Biblical persecution. Believe me, it gives me no pleasure to give these kinds of warning, but the Lord has made it clear that failing the assignment Ezekiel was given in Chapter 33 holds the same consequence for those of us who are to also fulfill that role. The Lord says in verses 7-9: "I have made you [Ezekiel] a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them a warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die', and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved." 

Just like Ezekiel, those of us whom the Lord has called to be watchmen, are held to the same standards and accountability for the consequences faced by the people. Ever since September 1, 2001, I have heard The Church pronounce 2 Chronicles 7:14 as their mantra ... "If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".  As is all too evident, the healing has not come, and we must be honest with ourselves. We've been good at reciting that verse, but our sin, as a nation, has only grown. Not only have we not humbled ourselves before the world, but our nation's leaders have become even more greedy, more prideful, and more corrupt. 

As a nation, we have not turned from our wicked ways. In fact, our sins have risen to new heights of wickedness. Our children are trafficked for the sexual desire of evil men; we have allowed them to get caught up in the social contagion of gender dysphoria, rejecting their God-given identity; and the level of violence and murder [for simply having a difference of opinion] is threatening to engulf this nation in the flames of terrorizing bloodshed and discord. And where has the Church been?!? The signs have been there for over 20 years! Yet too many members of Christian Leadership have chosen to put blinders on to what the Lord has been showing all of us. They didn't speak up because it might threaten their popularity and numbers of members. And let's not forget that people quit giving to the coffers of the Church if the message is too negative. They will not heed the true Word of God, and leave to go where their ears are tickled.

And Godly Christian men and women have also been deceived by the false teachings that we could solve the sins of our nation by putting the right political leaders in office. And then there is the promise that we are on the verge of a Revival. Oh, Lord, how I hope it is true! We are seeing what seems to be a great awakening since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and I am praying that it grows into a true Spirit of Revival. Only time will tell if it is sustainable. And I say that because there's also a spirit of Rebellion that is also in the world to counter the hope and promises that Jesus's Return is near. And part of the Watchman's assignment is to deliver the bad news that no one wants to hear. That's what the Book of Jeremiah is all about. And the warnings the prophet brought to the people of Judah are the very same ones the modern Watchmen are hearing and proclaiming. And the response is the same ... the people don't want to hear them. I advise you to read these excerpts from Jeremiah to get a sense of where we're at.

But know this ... I will continue to share the warnings I receive from the Lord and implore the people of this nation to come out of the world and see the Evil that is being prepared for us by our Enemy and his Beast System. Christians need to remove the mask they've been living behind and pay attention to what the Enemy and his proxies on earth are openly showing us. Just in the last week, there has been a greater number of voices and articles warning of attacks against American Houses of Worship. Especially alarming is the latest issue of The Islamic State 's weekly newsletter, al-Naba, which is translated "The Tidings" or "The News" in Arabic, and refers to a portion of the Koran which discusses themes related to the Day of Judgment.

Sources who have translated the content of the newsletter warn that it gives explicit language of a diverse list of attack methods "to make the hearts of the Jews, Christians, and their allies bleed". [NOTE: I will not reveal those methods in the context of this blog. My purpose in writing today is not to glorify the Evil, but to be the voice of warning for the Body of Christ to get ready to persevere through the coming persecution]. We must educate ourselves and be familiar with the hate that is being instigated by Evil and its partners. Have you been paying attention to the violence that surrounds the protests over Gaza and Palestine? We must come to understand that we are in a spiritual war and the battle encompasses politics, religious factions, and conflicting ideologies.

Can you see how the stabbings, vehicle rammings, shootings that target churches and Christian individuals, synagogues, Christian schools, and public faith-based events are becoming viable targets of Satan to thwart the Spirit of Revival? Are you able to discern the rise of Evil in these instances -- or does your normalcy bias dismiss them and keep you blinded? If you aren't seeing the increase in these kinds of demonic occurrences, then you are putting yourselves and your communities at risk. Just the other day in Texas, three suspects were arrested after shooting a Christian youth baseball coach who knelt on the field to pray with his team. And today, people died in a mass shooting attack at a Church in Grand Blanc Township in Michigan, and the Church was set on fire. 

But it's not just Christians in America that are being targeted and persecuted. The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) has issued a new report that states "that ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria has claimed the lives of nearly 56,000 people over the last four years". In addition, the Nigeria-based human rights Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law reports that more than 7,000 Christians were killed through July of this year! And please don't look away from these alarming reports because those numbers aren't being seen in the U.S. or the West ... yet. Remember -- God is no respecter of persons. He shows no favoritism or partiality  based on a person's race, nationality, or social status. Satan's greatest persecution is targeted towards the followers of Jesus Christ. He knows his time is short; and he knows that Jesus is close to mounting up for His Return, and Satan wants to kill and destroy as many lovers of Christ as he can before Jesus brings His Judgment.

So, I do not write this to scare you. I write this because the Lord wants you to be prepared and endure what's coming for the sake of your testimony to those who still need to know your Savior for themselves; to win souls for Christ; and to defeat the Devil's plans. And I want you to know that I absolutely trust God for His Protection, but preparing for the persecution that Jesus told us would come is not a lack of faith. It is a way to love and prepare the flock so they can continue to defend the faith without fear. I encourage all Christians to pray for the persecuted and the targeted. Let us encourage each other to persevere in the midst of persecution. It is by our example that we will glorify the Lord before our enemies. May God bless us, defend us, and encourage our souls and spirits. Amen!

James 1:12     Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the Crown of Life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 

Awakening or Revival? Where is Charlie Kirk's Death Leading Us?

Whether you are a Believer or not, I cannot imagine that the outpouring of faith at the Memorial Celebration for Charlie Kirk this past weekend did not affect you. For those who were disturbed by [or antagonistic towards] the display of faith by the crowd of 200,000 people who arrived to honor him, it was a picture of the influence Charlie had in stirring up the hearts of people to embrace demonstrable faith in Jesus Christ. 

To be honest, I was surprised to see the negative and hateful remarks on social media, as well as the vitriolic speech by talking heads in the media. I guess I shouldn't have been. Satan hated that display of Christ's Love towards Him and each other. Even more startling to me was the report by the Barna Group and Gloo on the State of the Church. First let me explain who these two research groups are. Barna Group is a Christian research organization that provides data and insights on the trends affecting faith, our culture, and the ministry today. Gloo is an AI-powered community engagement platform that was designed to use machine learning to understand the individual needs of a community.  [NOTE: I'm a little concerned that a machine might be able to lead those engaging with it towards research results that meet the pre-determined bias of its creator. Are they authentic results? Just my opinion].

Now to the research results that were reported on September 3, 2025, exactly one week before Charlie Kirk's assassination. According to ChurchLeaders.com, both Barna Group and Gloo revealed "a historic shift in church attendance. For the first time in decades, younger adults, specifically Gen Z (ages 13-28) and Millennials (ages 29-44) are now the most regular churchgoers". What happened? First of all, these are the same age groups that were isolated during the pandemic of the early 2000s. So let's think about the consequences of that isolation. 

It seems [to me] that when the Covid pandemic started, Gen Z were the kids who ranged in age from 8-23, when schools were shut down and students were forced into being kept apart from physical contact with their peers. The Millennials were older and either just beginning their careers or climbing the ladder, and they, too, suffered from being isolated and disillusioned at home in front of their computers. This resulted in both generations becoming divided into two distinctly different groups. Both groups became hungry for a connection, meaning, and purpose in their lives. But the isolation created a vacuum and a void in the lives of these impressionable young people. And that gap, left by the loss of a significant part of their identity, would be filled with either Good or Evil; a purpose or meaninglessness/lack of direction; and Jesus or the devil.

Group One found a longing for the spiritual, and a deeper relationship with Jesus for their identity and purpose. Group Two found their meaning and direction in chat rooms that were perfect breeding grounds for the lies of the Enemy. Combine this with the trend of older adults whose faith had become "lukewarm", and those who identified with Group Two and had no foundation of faith to support their sense of aimlessness .... the perfect opportunity to malign the Church and faith as a means of comfort and connection. These kids and young adults found both comfort and connection through gamer platforms, violent video games, exposure to inappropriate content of a sexual and/or societal nature -- all of which can [and did] lead to social isolation and hindering their development of real-life social skills. When you don't feel like you belong, the devil will introduce you to some of his followers. 

Our society is showing signs of this division; between those who seek Jesus and those who revile Him. And in the midst of these last 5 years since the height of the Pandemic, God sends Charlie Kirk into the fray. Actually, Charlie volunteered. He knew what his purpose was and told God, "Send me". Charlie approached the differences in a new way. With a heart to see everyone come to a personal relationship with His Lord and Savior, Charlie invited these kids [who had become isolated and lost] to engage in a conversation about the issues of their generation. No topic was off-limits ... discussions about abortion, gender identity, racism, and faith, itself, were opportunities for him to reach the aimless who were looking for something to believe in. He challenged them to think for themselves. And in the midst of the conversations and debate, it was an opportunity to introduce them to Jesus who knew exactly what their purpose was. And thousands of this generation responded with the hope they were seeking.

So, now we are all hearing words of hope and expectancy ... Revival and Awakening!  Such promising words! We must pray for them! But, in all due respect, I offer a word of caution... Is there a difference between the meanings of these words, and what are the signs we can recognize that we are experiencing them authentically? An Awakening is a hunger and a stirring up of our spirits as God sovereignly pours out the Holy Spirit to cause an impact in our culture. A Revival in the Church is more than that. Yes, a true Revival begins with this kind of awakening. In fact, a Revival is the spiritual reawakening of a lukewarm Church who has been content to rest in its prosperity, its reputation in society, its ability to entertain the masses, and sadly, personal identity and recognition among its members. In other words, it tends to serve itself instead of the lost of the world, whom Jesus came to save.

I do not intend for this post to be a condemnation of the Church, but hopefully, to inspire genuine reflection. Have we forsaken our first love (the passion with which we first came to Christ)? Have we become ensnared by the rituals, just going through the motions, and no longer experiencing the joy of serving the Lord? Has the Church compromised with the world and incorporated the world's values into our theology? [Remember that Jesus said Satan is "the prince of this world" (John 14:30), and Paul said he was the "God of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) -- how much has the Church partnered with the devil by staying silent about sin in the world?] Have we tolerated false teaching that undermines the spiritual life and power of God's True Church?

Yes, the Church needs a Revival! And the Church needs to be Restored to its original power! But I'm not sure we can call this amazing supernatural hunger for the Word of God that we have seen ignited [by God] through Charlie Kirk, "a Revival" just yet. We can most definitely call it an Awakening! And it's a beautiful movement in the Spirit across our land. So now we need to pray that it continues and grows in strength. There have been several magnificent awakenings in our country since America's inception. When we were still colonies, Jonathan Edwards reported that one of the signs of spiritual awakening was that young people were being drawn to the faith. Hallelujah, we are seeing that again today! 

But here's the thing ... The seed planted in Awakenings must be watered in order to grow into pure Revivals! Awakenings don't simply evolve into Revivals. We must understand the importance of divine intervention for spiritual revival [and pray for it]. In addition, we must see sustained fruit if we are to call a movement a genuine Revival. In fact, there have been several Awakenings throughout history, and sometimes Revivals followed, only to dwindle in passion and pass into oblivion. 

History shows us that Jonathan Edwards' First Great Awakening in America (1741) declined due to division within the Church over theology. A Second Great Awakening took flight in 1790, nurtured by Edwards' grandson, Timothy Dwight, but it was not sustained either. Since then, Awakenings among college students came to life during the American Civil War; movements in the 20th Century such as the Student Volunteer Movement, Youth for Christ, Young Life, Campus Crusade for Christ, Azusa Street, the Jesus Movement, and now, through the ministry of Turning Point USA. 

Some resulted in short periods of authentic Revival. But as you can discern, these "awakenings" and "revivals", while not resulting in the restoration and regeneration of the Church as Jesus desires, are reasons to be grateful for the fresh wind of renewal that we have witnessed over the last week. God is at work, once again, among our young generations. Praise the Lord! Will you join with me and all the generations by praying that this latest Awakening will continue to stir up hearts and spirits and lead to a multi-generational (and real) Revival that will sweep our land and around the world? And, Lord, I fervently pray, "Let it begin with me!"  

Psalm 85:4-7      Now restore us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside Your anger against us once more. Will You be angry with us always? Will You prolong Your wrath to all generations? Won't You revive us again, so Your people can rejoice in You? Show us Your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation. 

   

     

Caution: The Love of Many Will Grow Cold. How You Respond Matters!

It didn't take long. Less than a week after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the dark side has rallied its physical and spiritual troops to continue their torrent of hate and misrepresentation of those who have chosen to honor Charlie's life as a brother in Christ. Whether they agreed with him or not on his politics or opinions of the culture, millions saw him as a human being with God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Charlie was definitely pursuing what made him happy. He felt the call of God on his life to encourage this generation to think for themselves; to live a righteous and Godly life; and to speak boldly and courageously about saving this country, incorporating their faith into every thing they do and say. I honestly think that Satan was surprised and shocked at the response of millions who rallied to the memory of Charlie and what he stood for. I think it knocked the kingdom of darkness back on its heels. But within just a few days, the attacks began in earnest ... the laughing and mocking of his brutal death; the vile remarks began showing up on social media; and the deluded and deceived began making personal attacks, whitewashing any and all who honored Charlie with a broad brush of racism, misogyny, and hatred because we have different opinions. To make matters even more offensive, their accusations were false. And incredibly saddening, many of these anti-Charlie critics identify themselves as "Christians".

I know this, because I have recently [but not surprisingly] been attacked for my thoughts on the impact of Charlie's life and death. It was the very epitome of Matthew 24:12, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cold. I was shocked to read the message I received because it came from someone whom my husband and I had kind of taken under our wing and ministered to; allowing Jesus to use us to deliver them from emotional trauma [and all that results from that kind of pain] into the glorious freedom of His love. There has been no contact for several years and then the email arrives painting us in a false light and criticizing us for being hateful followers of Charlie Kirk, who was categorized as racist, misogynist, and a hypocrite in his faith. It didn't take long to understand that trying to have a rational conversation was only increasing the harsh rhetoric. There was no desire for reconciliation; only a lust for condemnation.

I should have made no effort to answer the first time, and just ignored the angry outburst. I naively hoped that I could present our case and understanding would win the day. I am not going to share my thoughts about what was behind the attack, because I am not going to plant seeds of hate that are being sown into our citizenry by Satan and his minions. Instead, I want to caution everyone to prepare for similar aggression and hostility. It is a form of persecution that, I believe, will grow stronger and wider in the days to come. If we are truly followers of Christ, then we must come to understand that this was prophesied by our Lord, Himself... If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you... this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated Me without reason."  

Understand this: you will be hated without reason. But God has chosen you to be in the world at this time for a reason. Like Charlie, we are all here to represent Jesus in a world that is growing cold and dangerous. How will we respond? We know, as the Bible informs us, that people will be lovers of self and self-focused [narcissistic], lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, unholy and profane, unloving [and devoid of human affection], brutal, haters of good, and much more [2 Timothy 3:2-5]. So, again, I ask -- how will you respond? We saw how Charlie chose to answer his critics -- with boldness, facts, and a spirit that enjoyed debate, always ending the conversation by glorifying his God, whom he served with delight and courage. The end of 2 Timothy, Chapter 3 tells us to "Avoid such people and keep far away from them."

Now, I believe that advice is given to us when there is still a chance to circumvent the hatred, and restore harmony between the parties. But I also believe that the Enemy does not want that to occur in the aftermath of this assassination, and has unleashed a new level of iniquity and willful rebellion against God and His people. I pray harmony and reconciliation can be restored, but I don't think that is Satan's plan. In response, God gives us 2 Timothy, Chapter 4: He charges us to "preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not -- keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable; whether convenient or inconvenient; whether welcome or unwelcome." Subsequently, we are "to correct, in love, those who err either in doctrine or behavior; warn those who sin; exhort and encourage those who are growing toward spiritual maturity with inexhaustible patience and faithful teaching".

We are already seeing signs of what the Bible calls "the time to come" when people won't tolerate God's Truth, but will only listen to false teachers and prophets who satisfy their own desires, and who support the errors and deceptions they are holding onto. They will adopt the narrative that is spoon-fed to them by Satan's partners in the arena of public discourse -- those man-made arguments and false indictments that will keep the masses stirred up and in emotional turmoil. But what does Jesus tell us to do?  He cautions us in 2 Timothy 4:5 to "be clear-headed [and calm and cool and steady] in every situation; to endure every hardship [without flinching]; to do the work of an evangelist; and to fulfill [the duties of] our ministry".  

Jesus, Himself, accomplished this task as He neared His crucifixion and death. And I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Charlie Kirk fulfilled that same purpose. We are to do the same. I don't think we can deny that iniquity is abounding in this moment, or that the love of many of our fellow citizens has grown cold. I am spending some serious time with the Lord struggling with how to manage my flesh over the Evilness and Lawlessness that resulted in Charlie Kirk's assassination, and how to endure the false accusations over the intentions of my heart. Matthew 24 assures us that if we stand firm and endure until the end, we will be saved from the wrath of God against the rebellious and receive the hope and promise that we will dwell with Him for eternity. Furthermore, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. 

So, how am I going to respond? Forgiveness has to be an essential part of my response, as hard as it is for my flesh to accomplish that in those moments when the world's attacks are strongest. And prayer will be a part of my process, as well. My neighbors, who are good, Godly people soothed my soul and spirit when they remarked that sometimes, the best thing we can do is pray for those people who are rebelling against the Kingdom and trust God to do what we cannot. Amen to that! And Lord, may we all glorify You in these difficult and dangerous days. May we be bold and courageous in our faith, as Your Servants were at the dawn of Christianity.

Acts 4:29-30      And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness, while you stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the Name of Your Holy Servant [and Son] Jesus. 

  

"I Want To Be Remembered For the Courage Of My Faith".

The title of this post is the prophetic words of Christian martyr Charlie Kirk, who lost his life on September 10th to a cowardly assassin. And make no mistake, Charlie was a martyr. A martyr is someone who is killed because of their religious (or other) beliefs. There is no question that Charlie was a passionate believer in Jesus Christ, and he was a fearless witness to the Gospel of the Kingdom. And, in case you are unfamiliar with Charlie's work for the Kingdom, I will testify of his courage and boldness in proclaiming God's Biblical Truth. And if you want to hear him, in his own words, there are hundreds of videos on YouTube of his conversations with the public and people in the media.  

In addition, Charlie loved his country, and he felt called to speak out in response to the Marxist, Socialist, and anti-God rhetoric that has invaded the classrooms of our colleges across the land. As a teenager, he decided he wanted to make a difference and began engaging with other college students, giving them confidence to speak up when they disagreed with a professor -- even when threatened with poor grades or expulsion. That passion turned into the founding in 2012 of Turning Point USA, an American nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses. By the way, Charlie was only 19 years old at the time he founded his organization. 

Turning Point USA was not founded to be controversial or confrontational, violent, or threatening. It was established as an opportunity for young people to come together and share their differences of opinion through civil discourse. No rioting, no fire-bombing, no physical attacks on those who thought different than you. In fact, Charlie's goal was to help young people begin to think for themselves, re-teaching them how to think critically; a skill that has all but vanished from the halls of higher academia. Charlie's modus operandi was to challenge these students to seek out the truth of their belief systems so they could elucidate what they believed and why.

His most effective method was to set up a tent on campus, sit in a chair and invite students to come to the microphone and debate him; prove why he was wrong in his conservative beliefs, whether they be political, faith-based, or cultural. This was very much akin to the method Socrates used to debate his students on various philosophical issues. Charlie supported this kind of open debate displaying his Christian values of respect, honesty, optimism, and love in his heart. But make no mistake, Charlie was a passionate and accomplished debater. He knew what he believed about his faith and he could back it up with Scripture and logic. And for that, he was a threat to Satan and his demons. So they had him killed.

You see, no topic was off-base with Charlie. You wanted to challenge him and his beliefs on abortion, the definition of a woman, transgenderism, racism ... or any of the other hot topics that are dividing us? Come to the microphone and let's have a mutually respectful discussion. But you better be able to effectively debate this very intelligent and educated young man. And, boy, was Charlie effective! He was so effective that he began to rally the youth of this nation to come out of their reticence to speak up about what they believed. There's nothing wrong with disagreement! In fact, it serves to help us think and define the foundational issues behind our differences and arguments; and oftentimes, we grow and fine tune those beliefs. 

I was telling my husband, that I awoke yesterday, in the early hours of the morning, hoping against all hope, that Charlie's assassination was a dream; that I'd find that he was alive and well and on the trail debating somewhere. But the coldness and emptiness of my soul told me otherwise. I was lying in the dark trying to make sense of it, and asking God questions that I knew had no immediate answers. And then He spoke to me ... "Come, let's reason together".  I will admit that in the fog of my sleepy brain, I did not recall the source of this comment, and wondered who in the media might have spoken this. And then it was revealed ... Isaiah 1:18-20: Come now, let us reason [dispute] together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Charlie wanted us to just reason together, and listen to each other. 

But please understand this ... Charlie knew there was a deeper and eternal aspect that accompanied his campus debates, and now gives meaning to his death. Yes, Charlie Kirk found himself at the center of our cultural divide, encouraging free thinkers and the importance of true faith in our lives. And it's easy to see that these ideals made him a very big threat to the evil people in power who want to control every aspect of our lives. BUT it's so important to discern that Charlie chose to be in the middle of the maelstrom for eternal reasons. 

He knew he was also at the center of a spiritual war between Good and Evil. Satan knows his time is short and Charlie wasn't backing down from proclaiming what our role as God's Ekklesia should be -- God's government on earth. So, we have a physical, corrupt, man-made government [in the natural], determined to silence God's spiritual government, made up of people of faith. Keep that in mind ... see this tragedy through spiritual eyes. Do not be deceived [or moved] by what the physical world wants us to see. Stay focused on Jesus and hear His voice. I believe that's what Charlie did.  

The Lord asked for a volunteer, in Isaiah 6, to go and deliver His warning and message of hope. "Whom shall I send?" Isaiah volunteered then, and many have answered that summons through the ages. At the age of 19, Charlie Kirk stood tall, raised his hand, and boldly said, "Send me!" Charlie was willing and obedient to fulfill the calling God had put on his life. And for that, I know he instantly entered Eternity with his Lord and Savior. We must not let his sacrifice be for nothing. We must each volunteer to carry on God's message of hope, and warn of the spiritual battle we are in. Tell others of the Saving Grace of God, and encourage them to enter a relationship with Jesus. He's calling them, too! 

So, in the aftermath of this senseless murder, I pray that the hate will stop; that the celebration of his murder will abate, and that all will take a moment to discover why millions of us are devastated and mourning the loss of this God-fearing man who deeply loved his family, his country, and most of all, His God. Understand this, if you are one of us who are emotional and distraught over Charlie's death, know that it is your spirit that is grieving; your spirit knows the battle between God and Satan. Charlie's spirit knew it. That's why he said he wanted to be remembered for the courage of his faith. I pray for that same courage and faith in my walk with my Lord. 

Let us all join together and pray for his wife and small children, his parents, and our country. Pray that this evil and lawlessness will meet the righteous justice of God, and that his legacy will be the miraculous repentance and salvation of those whose spirits have been touched by Charlie's testimony of faith. Charlie, I thank you for never giving up in this spiritual war we find ourselves in, and you are deserving of all the crowns that were awaiting you in Heaven. We will continue the battle in your honor, and I, for one, want you to know that you made a difference. Rest in Eternal Peace, Charlie Kirk! 

Matthew 5:10-12     Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.    

Jesus's Personal Warning For Us In These Days of Reckoning (Luke 21:34-36)

I am seeing more and more of the faithful becoming mindful of their difference with others in our culture. Some of us are recognizing the signs that Jesus warned would signal the approaching end of this Age. We are not only seeing the physical signs He warned about [in Luke 21] coming into view (conflicts among nations; earthquakes, chaos in nature, famines, pestilence, events in the heavens), but He also warns about what will happen before all these things. He tells us we can expect to be "seized and persecuted", which I interpret to mean that our faith will become a point of contention for those in authority, whether it be civil government, religious/church leaders, or the mobs of lawlessness that will arise.

He plainly tells us, Watch out that you are not deceived ... and especially by those who claim they are speaking in His Name. We must sharpen our discernment and rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance. We're going to need it! During this time, chaos and betrayal will reign. We will be hated and persecuted because of our love for Him. And then He gives us a word of encouragement: Stand firm, and you will win life. He then talks about the armies that will come against Jerusalem; the great distress in the land and wrath against the people; the anguish of nations; the roaring of the seas; and we will see the heavenly bodies being shaken. It almost overloads my soul to imagine experiencing all these things right before His return! But if I am to trust Him, I must trust His words: When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 

And then at the end of this chapter, Jesus kind of dials it down and focuses in on a more personal warning. Instead of watching all the external signs the earth is showing us, indicating that His return is within view, He says this ... In verse 34, He says, But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

I really enjoy breaking down passages like this to their deeper meaning. I will research what the connotations are in different versions of the Bible, and in different translations other than English. In this passage I wanted to understand what was meant by dissipation. And was it different than the word surfeiting, which is used in the King James version. "Dissipation" points to carousing, which is interchanged with the word "Surfeiting", in the King James version. Both words are closely associated with "drunkenness" which is one of the other things that Jesus warns us about. I especially like the Amplified version of verse 34, which reads, "But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap". A little more expressive, isn't it? 😊

Obviously, Jesus is interested in the state of our hearts. When these things begin to happen -- and indeed, are happening -- we need to recognize that we are in serious and dangerous times. That day [of His return] could be upon us at any moment, and we need to stay prepared to enter Eternity. We can't dividing our allegiance [nor our heart] between this world and Eternity. Even our jobs, our families, and the distractions of this world (including carousing, intoxication, and personal pleasures) must not leave us living half in and half out of an Awake and Prepared state for Jesus's return. We can't be caught napping, so to speak. That will certainly be a trap or a snare. The world will try to deceive us into thinking we're not there yet; that we still live in a time of peace and safety. In effect, He's saying that letting our guard down combined with our failure to Watch will prevent us from being ready. 

Then there's verse 35, in which He says, For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Stop and read that again. To me, the fact that Jesus makes it clear that all these troubling signs will come upon "all" who dwell on the face "of the whole earth" implies that this speaks of much more than what happened to Jerusalem in 70 A.D. There are those who believe this refers to events in the past that happened to the Israelites under Roman rule. But I think "all who dwell on the face of the whole earth" makes it clear that this is a world-wide event that will happen to everyone in the future. 

Jesus then concludes His warning with verse 36: But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming]. We are to stay awake, watch, and be prepared at all times so we are ready when these things come to pass so that we can "escape" them. What are we escaping? The Bible says so much about the judgment that Christ will bring when He returns. Revelation 19:11 tells us, "And I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war". In reference to Luke 21:34-36, we will be escaping the wrath of God and the judgment by Jesus, "For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).

In conclusion, this is a very important passage for us to understand at this time in our lives, and in the history of the world. Jesus doesn't want our hearts to become dulled by intoxicating distractions or the cares and worries of this world -- because let's face it, there are plenty of things to distract us, and just as many to worry about. But if we have committed our hearts to Him and His Kingdom here on earth, then we must keep the fire of faith burning bright and strong. He asks us to pray for our escape from, yes, sin in our lives, but to also pray for strength to endure and stand up to the evil that is coming, and to have the strength to hold on to Him when everything in this realm [and the supernatural realms] are trying to pry you loose from your hold on the hem of His garment. And I would add that we must pray for the strength to continue to lead others to the Good News of His Love and Saving Grace ... even when we are met with hatred, persecution, and death. I can only imagine the strength I will need to stand in His Presence; the strength to keep from falling to my knees in repentance. Until that day, I will continue to pray -- pray for His mercy, His strength, and His glory to the end of Days and on into Eternity. Amen!

1 John 2:28.    Now, little children [believers, dear ones], remain in Him [with unwavering faith], so that when He appears at His return, we may have perfect confidence and not be ashamed and shrink away from Him at His coming.  

The Lampstands in Christendom Are Dimming

The Book of Revelation is all about the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God has given us to show us how the end of the age will unfold. And in Chapter 2, we see that Jesus walks through the lampstands, which symbolize the seven churches He addresses in the Book of Revelations. These lampstand/churches are to be the source of spiritual light in a dark world. Jesus has and will be standing among them in these End Times, offering His presence and His support. 

But as we read on in Chapter 2, Jesus warns each of the seven churches that they must deal with their internal problems if they are to successfully face the external pressures that are coming. Furthermore, He warns them that if they refuse to repent of their ways, their lampstand [the church] will be removed! That should strike the heart of every Christian! From the founding of this nation, the Church and its influence have been at the root of our nation's existence. But as I have lamented far too often, I fear the Church has transitioned from a living, active body of faithful servants to an institution and business, choosing to compromise with the world, rather than stand in bold defiance against an increasingly ungodly world.

At the same time, I thankfully acknowledge that our God has always preserved a remnant unto Himself, described by a blogger who writes under the name Appolus, as "a people who have chosen Spirit over ceremony, truth over tradition, and Christ Himself over the systems that claimed His name". And this remnant, while not necessarily affiliated with a church building or denomination, have carried on the Message of Jesus to the apostate churches, pleading with them to turn away and repent for their failings. Among the accusations Jesus brings against the lampstands are 1) They've lost their first love for the Lord, each other, and lost sinners; 2) They've descended into idolatry and immorality, including sexual immorality because they've listened to Jezebel, a false prophetess; 3) They are forever starting new ventures, but never finishing anything -- they are dead in their works; 4) They have become sick but don't realize it and Jesus has stopped attending services there!

Thankfully, there is a Remnant that is still on fire for Jesus and their faith is healthy and vibrant. They have turned from a luke-warm pretense of faith in favor of an active, effective, walk with the Lord that is distinctly alive. They identify as the Church, themselves, doing the work of Jesus "as they go", trading lifeless religion for ministries that don't need to entertain and distract the masses in order to deliver the message of Christ's love and call to service.

I recall when my husband and I looked at each other in a big church that had been such a place of instruction and joy to us in the early days of our faith journey, and we realized that the Word of God we were being fed was no longer nourishing our souls or spirits. We were starving for more, and eventually began to feed ourselves through deep study in the Word, rather than being spoon-fed by pastors teaching "new paradigms" of Christianity that didn't align with what we were reading. That was 15 years or so ago, and the table Jesus prepared for us was life-sustaining and enriching. And the number of those who I've heard echo that sentiment of "feeling hungry for more" has increased dramatically. And I can't help but wonder how many lampstands have been removed from churches in that same time period.

Interestingly enough, those that find themselves leaving nominal [and/or cultural] Christianity to become part of the Remnant, are often called heretics. Yet the Remnant are the ones more interested in true discipleship, rather than maintaining membership roles. They want the reality of an authentic faith that changes lives, rather than simply paying homage to rituals and traditions. They don't want religion; they want the fire and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They don't want to be taught man-made denominational liturgies and ceremonies; they want the Truth of God's Word and to see evidence of it bearing fruit in lives. 

Sadly, the truth of our Faith is that the lampstand and Light of Christ has been extinguished and quenched in many churches. But because I know and believe that God always preserves a faithful remnant in every generation, we are not lost. There is still hope because He will not abandon us. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will accompany us as we, the Church, made up of faithful individuals, go into the world with their message of Light, Life, and Redemption. For Christ and His message is the same today as it was to His Disciples at His First Coming ... Start where you are, and spread the Gospel to surrounding areas, ultimately to the ends of the earth. He will empower us with the Holy Spirit to fulfill our specific mission. The Lampstands are dimming, but the Light of Christ is burning brightly in the hearts of the Faithful, and the Darkness cannot put it out.

So, just as we should take heed of Jesus's warnings to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation, let us also hang on to the assurances and rewards to those churches He approved. As the Remnant, we will exhibit courage in the face of opposition and deprivation [which will prophetically exist]. And we will be placed in a position of honor in the Millennial Kingdom to come and receive the Crown of Life. Until then we are told to hold fast, holding on to the faith that we have. He is Coming! And I believe He is Preparing to Ride! 

Revelation 22:16-17     "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come'. And let the one who hears say, 'Come'. And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."       

 

"Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World"...

The words in the title of this post are the opening lyrics of Ray Stevens' popular song, Everything Is Beautiful. Yes, Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time". I do believe that, and I absolutely know that He loves all children. He created them, and it is their innocence and purity that comes closest to reflecting His Perfection. I have had amazing opportunities to look into the eyes of newborn babies and whisper to them, "Tell me what being with Jesus is like"! You see, I believe they've just left His presence. They've just spent 9 months in the womb with Him, where Jesus formed them and consecrated them. And without an exception, my spirit has discerned a look of wonderment and awe in those alert little eyes, and I lament how quickly the world will erase all traces of that glorious union.

Yes, Jesus loves all the little children of the world because they are made in His image and represent His purity and perfection. They are beautiful in His sight, just as the Archangel, Lucifer, once was. And it is for that exact reason that they are a particular target for Satan and his evil followers. He is jealous of their position in Jesus's heart, and his sin of pride cannot tolerate the fact that Jesus proclaimed that the kingdom of God belongs to them [Mark 10:14]. Satan wanted that privilege!

And so we see him focusing all his hatred and hostility against children, just as he did when he convinced parents to sacrifice their children in the Phoenician, Carthaginian, Canaanite, Israelite, Celtic, Indian, Aztec -- and yes, Christian cultures, among others. [NOTE: Think it doesn't apply to Christians? What do you think Abortion represents?]. And now, Satan has added to his repertoire. Transgenderism is the latest method by which Satan is destroying and killing children. He has introduced the idea that God is not the originator of gender; that humans can "identify" or feel they are meant to be a different gender than that to  which they were born. Firstly, this is a denial of Christ as the Creator of humankind. And ultimately, it is an "antichrist spirit" that is a supernatural spiritual force that opposes Jesus Christ and denies His true identity as the Son of God. It is distinguished by a spirit of deception, lies, and false teachings about Christ, and unfortunately is not limited to one evil spirit, but is identified as many such spirits operating in the world.  

We got a clear picture of that this week in the aftermath of the child sacrifice at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. A transgender individual went on a shooting rampage during Mass at the Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 others, before killing himself. As always happens, news sources and much of the public tends to look at this horrendous and tragic event through the lens of the natural world. We become focused, rightfully so, on the mental health issues that come with the gender-affirming care promoted by the World Health Organization, some doctors, and advocated by many in the LGBTQ community. Such care is defined as "helping and supporting individuals to align their physical appearance and social identity with their self-determined gender identity". But it's becoming painfully clear that these medical treatments, which include hormone therapy and genital "modification", [which could more accurately be termed genital "mutilation"] often leads to severe psychological, social, and behavioral consequences. Like I said, that's looking at the situation through "worldly/natural" eyes.

Now, let's look at it through spiritual eyes. The influence of Molech is said to have come primarily through the intermarriage and political alliances between the Israelites and cultures that they came in contact with. It was repeatedly condemned in the Hebrew Bible, and each time God's chosen people wandered away from worshiping Him only, they would descend into this abomination. And what can we say about our culture? Anyone with spiritual eyes can discern that, as a nation in the complete sense of the word, we too have abandoned God's ways when it comes to our children. We have adopted the practices of abortion, child pornography, child trafficking, and too often handed over the influence of our children to woke education systems and AI technology, neither of which promote and encourage following God. 

The Bible tells us that children are a heritage and a gift from God. We are to protect them and guard their innocence. I would say, that on the whole, we have done a very poor job. Where has the Church been? Industries have risen for profit off our children ... body parts from aborted babies are sold; child porn is exported for millions of dollars; and child trafficking has become a world-wide enterprise. Yet  the Church has largely remained silent, and sadly, members have even participated in these abhorrent practices. And what about the parents? How many are supporting this detestable practice of gender-affirming care? Can we not see that all this is fruit of the Antichrist spirit?  That's there a very real spirit that has invaded this country and rejects everything that affirms God in our lives, and it is targeting our children in ways that are demonic and exceedingly offensive to God?

This morning I heard it reported by a national news source that the numbers of attacks on children have drastically increased even as the number of people who claim to have faith in God has decreased. Why is that surprising?!? The Church has not been outspoken in the culture; largely silent when it comes to defending Biblical principles in the town square. And the Bible tells us that when a culture/nation turns away from God, He will turn them over to the delusions and lies they have accepted in place of faith in Him [2 Thessalonians 2:11]. It should not be surprising that there are consequences when we abandon and reject God's Truth for false promises intended to led us into iniquity. 

And by the way, we should understand that iniquity is a higher level of sin [missing the mark] and transgression [willfully rebelling against God's laws]. Iniquity is a deep sinning that perverts our original design of being made in the image of God, and can result in God not recognizing you as belonging to Him. It is when rebellion becomes an obsession and then crosses over into perversion, defined as diverting from God's true intent and purpose and applying something for a wrong end or use. Ultimately it encompasses our actions, words, and intentions that oppose or distort our Creator's divine design. I'm afraid that this is exactly where transgenderism and gender-affirming care have crossed over into iniquity. And it all comes through an Antichrist spirit!

Here's where it gets incredibly frightening... God tells us in Exodus 34:6-8, that He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, "keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, BUT who will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation". If we don't stop the iniquity in the first generation, it will impregnate the next generation at the moment of conception. Iniquity operates as "a spiritual umbilical cord" that transmits evil spiritual DNA from one generation to the next. This is how legacies of sin get passed from one generation to the next. Have you ever wondered why alcoholism, divorce, or sexual molestation seem to run in families? Because it doesn't get stopped in the first generation that commits the sin! Because someone doesn't declare, "This stops with me"!

We need to understand that there is a progression when we sin, and for those willing to listen to the lies of Satan and reject God, our Enemy is only too happy to lead us into that progression. We are currently in the third generation since abortion was declared the law of the land in the United States. Likewise with the removal of prayer from public schools. And now there are forces [both physical and spiritual] moving to make transgenderism a constitutional "right", protected by the law of the land. And especially sad, in my opinion, is the fact that some parents are supporting such legislation and perversion of care. Parents who have abandoned [or rejected] God in their own lives have now opened a legal authority for Satan and his antichrist spirits to target their children. Whenever there is a void of unrighteousness, Satan is only too happy to fill it with his demonic and unholy wickedness. 

So, once again, I will confirm that Jesus loves the little children, and He was with those who died in Minneapolis, and those who were injured. I believe that there is a strong remnant in this nation praying and repenting for our nation's generational sins. And that is exactly what Satan hates. Because when we pray and repent, asking for forgiveness, we receive that forgiveness from our Heavenly Father, plus His mercy and cleansing of our souls so that we might restore our relationship with Him. The Antichrist spirit is doing everything he can to obstruct and hinder that personal connection to our Creator who loves us. So, let us hinder Satan's tactics and actions, and storm Heaven with our prayers! Please continue to pray for those suffering in the aftermath of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. And pray that our prayers are multiplied and will flood Heaven with our requests for protection of our children and a return to righteousness and dominion for the Kingdom of God. Lord, strengthen us! Bless the little children! Help us to defeat all the Antichrist spirits! Amen!

1 John 2:18      Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.  

 

    

 

 

How Politics, History, and Technology Are Used by Power Elites to Control Us

 

Can you tell that our society is beginning to wake up from the long, protracted period of time in which we became so enmeshed in self-gratification that we lost sight of the authority God gave us to direct our own lives? Instead of embracing the self-sustaining attitudes of our forebears, we relinquished our independent mindsets to the Elite who convinced us they knew what was best for us in all areas of life. They slowly took over the decision-making, the governing rules, and the distribution of power until we were no longer cognizant that we had lost the ability to think and decide for ourselves. We became lulled into a state of "normalcy bias" and became like sheep led to the slaughter. 

While far from a complete transformation, there's a light dawning on a new understanding. And it's important that we become aware of the methods by which we were influenced, exploited, and manipulated, because with the advent of AI, those methods are increasingly disguised. Think of it this way: we must recognize that the Elite have amassed their power by cleverly developing a virtual pasture so green that few of us seldom, if ever, bother to look up from where we're grazing to notice that we're being led over a cliff. Systems have been developed [and instituted] to make us feel comfortable in their carefully constructed framework, whether it be in politics, the re-writing of history, or the fast-tracking of technology.

I can trace my consciousness of this exploitation back to 2012, shortly after hearing the Holy Spirit counsel me to begin writing this blog because the Lord wanted me to use the gift of writing [that He had created in me] to begin removing the dirty veil Satan had us looking through. He wanted me to reveal the reality of the spiritual battles we were in. It was time people became aware their virtual green pasture was just a mirage, and if we weren't careful the pasture would cease to exist at all.

I began to see that people, across the globe, rarely, if ever, thought for themselves when it came to politics and governance. They voted for whoever the Media Elite told them to, or for whoever hired the most talented publicists, or for whoever promised them the most "free stuff". There seemed to be little time spent researching the records of public officials -- or those behind them who were funding their campaigns, and to whom they were indebted. And as I saw more and more Christians get involved in trying to elect righteous representatives to office, the Lord showed me that Politics will never be the answer to our problems on this earth. The power that comes from being involved in Politics tends to only support man-made power structures. There is so much more fruit that comes when we use our power from Christ to do the things that He did, only greater! [John 14:12].

The Power-Elites in the world have done everything they can to make us reliant on them, instead of using our spiritual power and authority transferred from our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we walk in the revelation that we are a citizen of Heaven, living on earth, and have been sent as an Ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven, then we know we are not subject to the strategies of the Elite to keep us locked down. We are the Ekklesia [the governing body of Christians whose assignment is to implement God's laws and government in our culture, across our nation, and throughout the world. I rejoice that the dirty veil of Politics is coming off and we can clearly see the ugliness of the Power Elites as they continue to try and manipulate man-made government. Our voices are on the rise, and we are no longer content to give them unlimited power over us. We see how they've unrighteously seized control, and their true identities are exposed. We will not go back to our blind grazing in pastures full of lies and corruption.

It has also become patently obvious that the re-writing of History can no longer be tolerated. When we alter history to fit false ideologies, then its nearly impossible to learn from the mistakes of our past.  I have to say that I'm ashamed how easily the Elites were able to convince us it was okay to tear down statues of our historical heroes and leaders, change the names of universities, and remove everything "Jesus" from our social conversation. I've always been proud of the history of my country and our ideals of freedom and self-government through constitutional and common law. But I've since come to the realization that man's laws and form of government will only get me so far. My true freedom lies in letting Jesus heal my spiritual wounds and learning to battle in the spiritual realms in order to transcend the tyranny and oppression of this world and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. 

The Power Elites in Academia have largely been responsible for reconstructing history as they continue to pursue socialistic and communistic models of government through re-education. President Reagan was absolutely correct when he said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation". Unfortunately, we've let two generations pass since my childhood, and we've allowed the Elites to gain too much ground in changing the stories surrounding our history. 

Terms like "Fascist", "Racist", "Nazi", and "Gender" have all been corrupted from their original meanings and characterizations, and used by the Elites to influence and manipulate our education system. I am willing to agree that the history books I read in my elementary school may have not been truly transparent about our national history. But, overall, from first grade through high school I was taught to love our country and that it represented man's best plan of opportunity and success to the common man. College was another matter, and as early as the 1970s, the Academic Elite were already putting forth their agenda to condemn America and its history. So, we should not be surprised that, while we grazed in the green pastures of American prosperity over the last few decades, the Elite were left unhindered, gaining more power over the modification of history to suit their narrative as they joined forces with those in allegiance to the Dark Side. 

The last area I want to consider is the exploitation of Technology to gain power over mankind. Just take a look at the attempt to forge man's singularity with computers [which is defined by Apple's Dictionary app as "the moment in time when artificial intelligence and other technologies have become so advanced that humanity undergoes a dramatic and irreversible change"]. You want to read a scary thought... Apple goes further and uses the word "singularity" in a sentence: Maybe the singularity just happened, and we didn't notice. 

The really scary thought is that this concept is as old as history itself.  It actually compares to Lucifer's goal and what Nimrod was trying to accomplish at the Tower of Babel; namely to usurp God's power and authority. And let's not forget Satan and his fallen angels who figured out how to corrupt God's creation, resulting in hybrids of humans and evil angels, as well as human-animal hybrids. For several years now, it has become open and acceptable knowledge among the "scientific" crowd that immortality is accessible to everyone, outside of any Biblical worldview. We don't have to physically die -- we can upload our brains to the Cloud [maintaining all our memories and "sense of self", simply replacing body parts that deteriorate, and continue to live forever. Who needs God, the Creator of the Universe?!?

Here's my very serious and solemn declaration: Entities in the spiritual realms are being openly "channeled", dispensing forbidden knowledge from the Tree of Good and Evil. Through the centuries man has been deceived into receiving this knowledge willingly, and we have harvested the science of technology which allows us to get our "fix" of pedophilia and child pornography quicker, our news faster, our "medicine and healing" through nanobots undetected, and our next virus unleashed on an unsuspecting populace. We better start understanding who we're dealing with.

There are secret power-hungry Elite who are so covetous of world domination [like their mentor Satan] that they will explore greater technological advantages to overpower and destroy populations. They will stop at nothing to maintain their wealth and control, and we can not turn a blind eye to all kinds of emerging technologies that we haven't even heard of yet. I'm concerned that they will soon be unleashed on millions of unsuspecting humans. Stay alert and stay educated!

In conclusion, what I have presented here is nothing new in regards to the manipulation of mankind by the Enemy of God. The Anti-Christ spirit is active in the world, and he is preparing the way for the Beast to make his appearance on the earth. Politics, History, and Technology are just a few of the tools that will be used to strip us of our freedoms -- both in this world and in Christ. So, I can't stress enough how important it is to seek Inner Healing [physically, emotionally, and spiritually]. Once we gain that freedom, we need to use that energy, authority, and life force that is "God in us" to continue the purpose that Jesus came for -- to re-establish this earth and its inhabitants under the governmental authority of the Kingdom of God.

If nothing else, the Covid pandemic should have shown us that Power Elite have no hesitancy to join forces with the Enemy to bring about an apocalypse and initiate the mass extermination of millions of people. They're like sharks in the water, and they taste blood. So, I want to empower you to fight the fear that these Elites would love you to embrace, and put on your spiritual armor. We are literally in a battle for the earth; it's the kingdom of darkness against the Kingdom of Light. Not only is the destiny of this current world at stake, but the eternal destiny of every single person is at risk. It is to be won or lost depending on the decisions and actions you take today. Do not let this time of awakening be wasted! Do not fall back asleep and return to the beckoning green pastures of comfort and normalcy bias. Lift your eyes towards the heavens and watch for your redemption ... but don't turn your back on the Evil that is coming hard and fast against us. The Power Elites see their control beginning to crumble, and they will easily concede. But we know that our Savior alone is the answer to defeat them. Come Lord Jesus!

Colossians 2:15     He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

Prophecies Both Ancient and New Are Converging

I don't believe I am the only one who understands the value of considering prophecies. After all, as a Christian, a bedrock of our faith are the promises God has given us through the prophecies in the Bible. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament provide us with guidance as to what to expect as the world advances towards its inevitable end. Many of those promises center on God's forgiveness for our sins and the redeemed life we can live with Him for eternity. But there are also many promises in the form of warnings that point to the consequences of our rejection and rebellion towards Him. And then there are the prophecies that outline the Enemy's plans and hopes to usurp God's authority over the earth and establish his own dominion over mankind. 

I know a lot of people are focused on the arrival of a One-World Leader who becomes the Antichrist; first promising peace, only to usher in a time of destruction and war. The Bible tells us these things must come to pass, but I refuse to become engulfed by fear. So, while I do not obsess about negative and unfulfilled prophecies -- instead, choosing to focus on those I know are certain and guaranteed by God in His Word -- I am not foolish enough to ignore those that the Word also substantiates as part of Satan's strategy to try and defeat God. It would be imprudent of me not to discern the warnings that our Lord gives us to avoid falling into the devil's trap. Here are just a few that are coming into fruition... 

Many of you may recall the prophetic forecast that many modern day "prophets" said would be the signs of the times in 2025. One that stands out to me is the possible fulfillment of 1 Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. Not only do we see mainline denominations accepting unbiblical doctines of same-sex marriages, gender fluidity, and supporting abortion "rights", but they also ignore the child sex trade that is exported from our country. 

As we watch our economy struggling to maintain any kind of security, I can't help but see that the momentum for a digital currency sets us up not only to lose control of managing our own money, but makes us subject to increasing surveillance and monitoring. With the supersonic advancement of technology, it isn't too hard to see the beginning of the Beast System that the Bible warns us about. And if that is in play, then the persecution, oppression, and tyranny against Christians is not too far behind. We're already seeing a rise in anti-semitism, and the Middle East is on fire once again, with Israel and Jerusalem in the cross-hairs. [NOTE: It's hard for me to see God's holy Zion in place just yet. My prayers are supporting the growing number of Messianic Jews in Israel who are seeking God's ancient plan for His allotted people and their inheritance as His portion among the peoples of the earth. The political factions running Israel today do not meet that description. I pray for the day they join their Messianic brethren and call upon the Name of Jesus, and thus, be Saved. Then watch what God does to their enemies!

And of course, we can't ignore the ongoing tension centering around Russia, Iran, Turkey and others [including China] who are mentioned by their ancient names in Ezekiel 38. We must not try to discern their significance through the lens of the nightly news and talking heads, nor "lean on our own understanding", but rather, trust in God's sovereign plan for the world, which leads to His ultimate transformation of this planet into the New Heaven and New Earth. 

And now I want to switch to an ancient 16th Century Seer, Healer and Astrologer, Nostradamus, who, whether you believe his prophecies or remain skeptical, has seemed to predict such historical events as the French Revolution, the rise of Adolph Hitler, the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima, and even the September 11th attacks in New York. So what did he forecast for 2025? Among his prognostications are the return of an ancient plague; a possible collision between earth and something from outer space (the remnant of Planet X or the Planet Rahab?); a scientific breakthrough that will revolutionize healthcare; a surge of natural disasters; the collapse of financial stability and a new currency (possibly a new, global digital currency like Bitcoin?).

But the one prophecy that Nostradamus makes that gives me a sense of hope and expectation is that 2025 will begin an era of spiritual awakening. While I am not yet convinced that there will be "a worldwide revival" that many other modern prophets forecast, I can believe that as humankind finds ways to navigate through the wars that are on the horizon, the diseases that are being engineered, the financial collapse and restructuring, and whatever the cosmos and natural disasters have in store for us, we will come out of our addiction to materialism and reawaken to the rewards of spiritual transformation. I long for the day that the Remnant takes its place among the human race and those who have accepted Jesus's invitation will see Him in His crown of glory, clothed in His beauty and might. 

The Bible is full of the promises for God's Remnant. Yes, it also gives us warnings of the things I have mentioned, Nostradamus's predictions, and the forecasts of modern day prophets; some of whom are true, and some that are false. But there seems to be at least an approximation of Biblical truth in them when you apply the axiom of Proverbs 25:2 ... it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out. And since we are to become kings and priests in the Millennial Kingdom, I believe we can engage in discerning whether the ancient and modern prophecies are truly converging. After all, God loves it when we seek to know more about Him -- as long as we don't lose sight of our ultimate victory in Him. This is not a time to fear or get distracted. But it is time to be still and listen for God's encouragement and wisdom as we move into these prophetic times. Keep your eyes on Him and watch what He will show you!

Ezra 9:8   But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within His holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery.             

Navigating the Minefield of Immoral Social Issues

Sometimes I feel as though I know what it must have been like to walk in the shoes of the first Century Christians. Once you have been introduced to Jesus and decided you want a deep, abiding relationship with Him, you often find yourself at odds with Society's standards and principles of behavior. I'm not talking about becoming hypocritically religious, which can look like the Pharisees, whom Jesus called "whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but full of dead men's bones and every kind of impurity". No, I'm talking about how we walk among our fellow citizens, who reject and spurn our God and our decisions to try and live righteous lives.

I'm actually thinking of what it must have been like to live in a society that was steeped in the worship of pagan gods and the rituals of sacrifice to an unholy deity. At every turn these early Christians were met with pagan images, symbols, and icons on personal items, public buildings, temples, over doorposts and even in the response to a sneeze: "Jupiter, bless you!" But are we that different? Americans drink out of Starbucks cups emblazoned with a pagan goddess/seductress (attributed to Lilith, Mélusine, or various Nordic pagan sirens). Less subtle, but nonetheless prolific is the increasingly obvious appearance of Baphomet, the goat-headed man with hermaphrodite features who is prominent in Freemason and Knights Templar lore. [NOTE: In 2014, a statue of this pagan icon was made and suggested by Satanists to be placed at the Oklahoma State Capitol building in opposition to the Ten Commandments statue. Thankfully, the state's Supreme Court overruled this proposition. The same thing happened in Arkansas in 2018]. 

But, still, our society is full of logos and symbols that provide subliminal messages regarding pagan and unbiblical ideology. For example, there is the Apple logo, applauding the temptation of Eve; and the CBS logo depicting the all-seeing eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian god who is supposed to represent well-being, healing, and protection. We are also inundated nearly everyday with the Disney logo, and its hidden 666 motif. [Note: You might think I'm over-reaching in my statement regarding the beloved Disney franchise, but I invite you to read a couple of my past posts, here and here]. And before I move on, consider the Chrysler logo: which incorporates the winged god Ahura Mazda. "Mazda" means wisdom, while "Ahura" stands for lord in Avestan, an Iranian language. It is also the name of the god of the Iranian religion Zoroastrianism. While, we as Christians, do not legitimize the pagan religious underpinnings of these symbols and logos, they still are exercising hidden and unconscious spiritual influence in our realm. 

We can also see the effects of the power of hidden pagan rituals in our culture, whether we are conscious of them or not. Abortion is the perfect example. The sacrifice of children is a ritual thousands of years old. We are all familiar with the horrific sacrifices of children to the pagan god, Molek [or Molech], in the Bible. Leviticus 18:21 specifically says, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane [desecrate, treat with disrespect] the name of your God." But are you familiar with Numbers 5:11-31, where instructions are given for inducing an abortion... it is known as a test for an unfaithful wife [or adultery test], a ritual to be used by priests against women accused by their husbands of unfaithfulness. The ritual involves the drinking of "bitter water", a concoction that will abort any pregnancy that results from "having sexual relations with a man other than their husband".  

So, by now you're probably thinking, what am I supposed to do with this information, or maybe, how do I walk out my faith in a corrupt and sinful world that promulgates and promotes ideology that displeases our holy God and offends me? While we are to necessarily avoid partaking or agreeing in such practices, we are also told to show the love of Christ to others in the hopes of leading them to abandon their sinful ways and accept Jesus's invitation for eternal life.

Although we disagree with these practices and belief systems because of our faith, we also have a part to play in the public life of our society. How are we to walk that tightrope? Let me share the Roman Christian theologian and writer, Tertullian's comments to those whom we are not in agreement with (c. 155 - c. 220): We live in the world with you. We do not forsake forum ... or bath ... or workshop, or inn, or market, or any other place of commerce. We sail with you, fight with you, farm with you ... We do not go to your feasts but we patronize your industries. We do not buy laurel crowns but we buy flowers. We do not buy incense for temples but we do for burial. We do not contribute to the temples but we give more for alms than you do. We improve business in that we do not defraud. 

In other words, we recognize that we are in this world, but are not of this world; we are in a foreign kingdom and not in our true home. We are not to love this world or anything in it; so while we are to love others as Jesus loved them, we are not to compromise our Christian morals or God's Word. And that can certainly mean that we will be hated and ridiculed when confronted with a moral dilemma like that which has arisen around a new reality series, called "Back to the Frontier", and hosted by Christian couple Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of the hit series, "Fixer Upper".

The controversy has arisen because the Gaines's intentionally included a same-sex couple on the show. The show transports three families back to the 1880s where they have to give up modern comforts in exchange for a horse and buggy lifestyle. While I have never seen the show, apparently there has been a strong backlash against the show and its hosts by their largely Christian audience. And the hosts are angry at Believers who do not condone what can be construed as approval for an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family. Gaines has fired back, saying, "It's a sad Sunday when 'non believers' have not been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian... It's too much to ask of our modern American Christian culture to talk, ask questions,listen or maybe even learn... [Instead] we judge first, and understand later ... or never".

Now, here's the response from the same-sex spouses .... "Representation matters deeply -- especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth. When families like ours are visible, it opens doors for others to feel safe, loved, and validated. Visibility isn't just about being seen; it's about making sure no one feels alone." Ironically, I'm concerned that Christians are increasingly made to feel alone for their beliefs as we watch our faith belittled and our culture accepting and agreeing with lifestyles that our God does not condone. I find it difficult to find any TV show or movie that does not push the gay lifestyle, to the point of including graphic sex scenes. 

What makes me really sad is that I have come to know many gay people, some whom I consider good friends. But we respect each other and I never feel that they expect me to compromise my beliefs in my faith. At the same time, I know that God loves them and we are all sinners. I pray that He convicts them of their sins, just as I want Him to convict me of mine. I thought it was interesting that the same-sex couple defended those "who are still finding the courage to live their truth". But in doing so, they are blinded to the fact that it is God's truth we are to live. I agree with Franklin Graham, who when commenting on this social firestorm, said,"While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word. His Word is absolute Truth. God love us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself, sin". 

So, our Society and Culture are continuing to ramp up the promotion of sin and rebellion against God's Truth and His ways. But why are we surprised? The Bible tells us it will happen, and that we will be hated, just as our Lord and Savior was. As  Society embraces, more and more, the sins of this world, we will find ourselves trying to navigate those minefields and hazards that threaten to overcome us as we struggle to defend the Faith while loving others. It's time to straighten our backbone and strengthen our resolve to represent Christ in times of perseverance and endurance. We must be prepared to stand in strength of character and firm dedication to Christ, while we correct in Love as we guide others to righteousness with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are about to enter a new paradigm of what it means to be a true Christian. May we have the determination and strength of will that our First Century Brethren embodied. God be with us!

1 John 2:17.     The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.