This article originally appeared in the Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro Newsletter. It is being reprinted here for our friends on the church website.
Greetings in the name of our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ! May God bless you and prepare you for whatever it takes to maintain your testimony for Christ in our nation. I imagine that the opening for this week's article may seem a little stark. What could we be facing in the United States - the bastion of religious freedom - that would illicit an opening where we speak of persecution - and even laying down our lives for Christ? Unfortunately an incident has happened that is at the least - very disconcerting. That incident is what took place as an approved training event for the Pennsylvania Army Reserves. I've included in this week's article information from a WND article that reported on this event. "Soldiers in the U.S. military have been told in a training briefing that evangelical Christians are the No. 1 extremist threat to America – ahead of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, KKK, Nation of Islam, al-Qaida, Hamas and others. “Men and women of faith who have served the Army faithfully for centuries shouldn’t be likened to those who have regularly threatened the peace and security of the United States,” said Col. (Ret.) Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “It is dishonorable for any U.S. military entity to allow this type of wrongheaded characterization. It also appears that some military entities are using definitions of ‘hate’ and ‘extreme’ from the lists of anti-Christian political organizations. That violates the apolitical stance appropriate for the military.” The briefing, which was given to an Army reserve unit in Pennsylvania, came from a U.S. Army Reserve Equal Opportunity training brief titled “Extremism and Extremist Organizations.” The material mentions neo-Nazis, the KKK and other white supremacist organizations. Pictures are shown on various slides of people in Klan attire and Nazi flags. The significance of gang tattoos, and racist acronyms and the significance of numbers were also discussed. While the material on gangs and racist organizations is similar to what one might receive from a local police briefing on gang issues, after teaching on neo-Nazis in the military such as Timothy McVeigh, the material makes an amazing link. A slide titled “Religious Extremism” lists multiple organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Qaida, Hamas, the Nation of Islam, the Ku Klux Klan and the Christian Identity movement as examples of extremist groups. However, the first group on the list is evangelical Christianity. Catholicism and ultra-orthodox Judaism are also on the list of religious extremist organizations." (http://www.wnd.com/2013/04/military-warned-evangelicals-no-1-threat) Though I am saddened by this information that is being spread by our government - I am not shocked by it. I have known for a long time that this day was coming - and will be eclipsed by information even more incidiary and damaging to evangelical Christians. Let me attempt to explain why I am not shocked by this story in the news. The dominant worldview in our nation has not been that of Christian Theism for a long time. The worldview that has dominated our culture has been Humanistic Naturalism. This worldview gained strength through the teaching of evolution over the years. This view denies the existance of God - or so marginalizes Him to the point that He has no credible place in our society. God has not been seen as Creator for some time, and the Word of God is not viewed as credible on matters of science. When humanistic science gained this triumph over the Biblical account of creation, it was only a matter of time until Biblical morality and ethics would have to be jettisoned as well. For a brief period the rise of Humanistic Naturalism tolerated the morals of the Evangelical church - but have always desired to see them discarded. They did not want to see God and His revelation in the Bible as the authority in such matters, preferring instead for the "culture of humans" to make up their own morals - which would shift like the sand as time progressed and morals declined. The way Biblical morals would be overcome was by making them seem extreme rather than mainstream. This begin first in the arts - and then through mediums like televisioni sitcoms, dramas, and news programs. At first Christian morality would simply be mocked and put down. But In time Evangelical Christians would be compared to the most violent of religious movements. That is why Evangelical Christians, who have never been guilty of any terrorist act, are now being compared to al-qaida, the KKK, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. The goal was to say these things often enough that people would believe it. With their willing accomplices in the media and entertainment - the job is almost finished. One of the final steps would be to have a moral cause by which Evangelical Christians can be divided. This moral cause is now, and will be, homosexual marriage and the normalization of homosexuality as a morally, and biblically valid lifestyle. When this happens (and it is close to being done) those who hold to the biblical worldview will be called extremists, haters, and eventually verbal terrorists (a term or one like it that will refer to a Christian who holds to biblical texts like Romans 1:18-32 as well as others). Laws will be passed to make such speech illegal - arrests will be made (some during church services) and the true church will have to go underground. The United States military and other law enforcement officials will be used to do this job. Those within the military and law enforcement who will not comply - will be removed from their positions. I know that this is difficult to read - but I believe these things will not spell the end of the church. To the contrary, it will be the dawn of revival in the church. It will most likely happen after there has been devastating losses. But God's people will return to Him - and they will be revived to be a voice for the gospel in the midst of a wicked and perverse people. There is one possible alternative to this scenario. That is that God's people will wake up now - fall to their knees in prayer - and God will move in revival now. Whether that will happen or not, I do not know. But one thing I can assure you - the other scenario of which I have written in this article will continue to progress. It has been gaining speed in the past decade - and will begin moving with an even more alarming pace. The time for us to repent and return to God in brokenness and repentance is limited. May God help us to see - to repent - and to return to Him. May His mercies break forth with new passion and power among His people. May God have mercy on the Church in the United States.
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That peaceful Muslim Brotherhood is at it again – this time they are crucifying their opponents in public – including Egyptian Coptic Christians. The supposed Arab Spring is turning more into a deep winter over the past several weeks. As the Muslim Brotherhood has gained power and instituted Sharia law – there are some pretty shocking things happening in the wake of this “peaceful” law as it takes root.
Newly elected president Mohammed Morsi’s supporters have taken to crucifying their opponents publically in front of the presidential palace. Middle Eastern media confirmed that during a recent rampage by Muslim Brotherhood supporters, several were crucified, being hung naked on trees before the home of their new president. While this was going on numerous others were abused on the ground. Reports are coming in saying that extra brutality is being reserved for Christians not just because of rage – but as one official put it, “Because it is demanded by the Quran.” Center for Security Policy Senior Fellow Clare Lopez quoted from chapter and verse in the Quran to explain these actions. It was explained that this is not an aberration for Islam – it is demanded. “Crucifixion is a hadd punishment, stipulated in the Quran, Sura 5:33, and therefore an obligatory part of Shariah,” Lopez said. “It’s been a traditional punishment within Islam since the beginning. The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood do not consider such activity an option – it is considered obligatory to obey Shariah Law. And Lopez added that is was for shock value to be sure. Pamela Gellar, who wrote Atlas Shrugs, who is analyst of Middle Eastern policy and culture warned Christians in Egypt that to flee from what is coming. She said, ““The Christians are in serious trouble, because the Quran in Sura 9:29 commands Muslims to wage war against them and subjugate them, and they’re also identified with the hated West and the U.S.” Geller also turned to Sura 5:33 and said the following, “These are Islamic hardliners who do everything by the Quran. The Quran says, ‘Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land.” This also does not bode well for Israel as President Morsi has abandoned any kind of thought of moderation – and as Egyptian forces continue to be completely ineffective in defensing the regions between Egypt and Israel. Israel has boosted their defenses in the south to protect against incursions by terrorists and in a show to Egypt that they intend on protecting their borders. When all this began we were lulled to sleep by a media and an administration that promised a peaceful Arab Spring that would fundamentally transform the region. We watched as our government did nothing to keep the Muslim Brotherhood from gaining ascendency in Egypt – indeed they fell over themselves to cover for this radical Muslim group as they took over, not only in Egypt – but also in Libya and now even possibly in Syria. Either our press and officials were ridiculously ignorant, or worse, complicit with handing over a large portion of the Middle East to a sworn enemy of our ally Israel. It should be no wonder that relations are strained between Israel and Washington. We’ve proven that we are not true friends to our long-time ally. What is truly shocking is the complete lack of comment by the Obama administration at the outrageous conduct of the Brotherhood by crucifying their enemies in this manner. Considering what we already know about the way Christians will be persecuted in the last days, we may need to buckle down and get ready for what will be coming as our Lord’s return draws near. It has been a while since we've looked at what is going on in Egypt. The revolution which was called, the Arab Spring, came and went and we've pretty much moved on in our news cycles. While we've been focused on other things the Muslim Brotherhood has been dominating the elections there - and it about to win the presidency. This will mean a radical muslim state will arise in Egypt - and with it very real problems in relations with Israel. Our current administratioin has welcomed the involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood, stating that it is a moderate political movement among the muslim population. Recent statements at their political rallys leading up to the presidential election suggest otherwise, though.
There is a run-off for the presidential position that will be held on June 16 and 17 between the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Mursi and Egypt’s former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq. Shafiq is a former Air Force general who was the last prime minister before the revolution that overthrew the Mubarak regime in Egypt. What is shocking is the rhetoric that is being used by a prominent Eyptian Muslim cleric at presidential campaign rallys. The following statements were aired by an Egyptian TV channel. The Muslim cleric, Safwat Hagazy said this on Tuesday of last week, “Our capital shall not be Cairo, Mecca or Medina. It shall be Jerusalem with God’s will. Our chants shall be: ‘millions of martyrs will march towards Jerusalem.” After the video was posted on YouTube it immediately went viral in the country with almost 62,000 views by Thursday of that week. Hegazy went on to say, “The United States of the Arabs will be restored on the hands of that man [Mursi] and his supporters. The capital of the [Muslim] Caliphate will be Jerusalem with God’s will,” as the crowds cheered, waving the Egyptian flags along with the flags of the Islamist Hamas group, which rules the Gaza Strip. “Tomorrow Mursi will liberate Gaza,” the crowds chanted. “Yes, we will either pray in Jerusalem or we will be martyred there,” Hegazy said. Some, who would say that this does not mean that Mursi supports such statements should know that Mursi attended this event along with the Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohammed Badei and members of the Brotherhoods political freedom wing called the Freedom and Justice Party (FPJ). What this does for a biblical end-times scenario is huge. For decades Egypt has been at peace with Israel and has helped to promote a more peaceful Middle East. If Mursi is elected on June 16-17, this peaceful ally will no longer exist. Instead there will be to the direct south of Israel a staunch radical Islamic regime who's stated political promise in an election is to conquer Jerusalem as capital of their desired Islamic Caliphate. The Caliphate is seen as a worldwide Islamic rule over all mankind. To state in an open and televised political speech that your group will send millions of martyrs into Israel for the purpose of capturing Jerusalem is an ominous warning to us. Peace is not coming to the Middle East with the supposed Arab Spring. Our president, who has been no friend of Israel during his first term, has kept his head in the sand on this matter. He has encouraged this change in Egypt - even stating that the Muslim Brotherhood is a peaceful, moderate political movement that will bring stability and peace to the region. If this speech is any proof of what is to come, we should not hold our breath waiting for peace in the Middle East between Israel and her Arab neighbors. But then again that idea is ridiculous to those of us who actually read our Bibles and have the Scriptures taught to us, instead of listening to the rantings of an apostate pastor who screams that God should damn America. Get ready saints . . . it is going to be a wild summer - and 2013 portends to be a year like no other in regards to what may happen in the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Recently, we’ve seen a rise of movements in Egypt, Libya, and several other countries in the Middle East where moderate Muslim governments are being overthrown by public protests. It is interesting to me that whereas our government supported the overthrow of these moderate Muslim leaders – they have said little or nothing about protesters who are seeking to deal with oppression from radical Muslim leaders like Ahmadinajad in Iran or Assad in Syria. This is because this is not about freedom. It is about a movement to destabilize the governments of the world – and hopefully bring about revolutions that will put even more radical leaders into power.
In Egypt and Libya, countries where their revolutionaries are worthy of full support, we are watching as far more radical governments are coming into power. Even though these two countries were governed by little more than thugs – they were at least the devil we knew. What is rising up in both of these countries now is the Muslim Brotherhood – a group dedicated to the destruction of Israel. They also desire Shar’ia law to be put into place – and – desire a worldwide Muslim Caliphate – where a radical Muslim cleric will rise to power. This will not result in freedom in these countries. It will result in an even more oppressive regime who will use radical Muslim religious views to bring their people under control. We will not see women have greater freedom, but rather greater repression and violence used against them if they will not submit to the Shar’ia law that is put into place as the law of the land. Yet we are seeing all this called, “The Arab Spring” by those in our government who are foolish enough to be taken in by poor understanding (we hope) of what is going on in the Middle East. Let us now turn to the streets of New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Since mid-September there has been a movement to protest against Wall Street and the financial institutions of our country. Due to pitiful news coverage which looks more like promotion of these events – we do not fully grasp the intent of those who are doing this. The purpose behind all this is not to have peaceful protests – but to hopefully begin what they want to be a radical revolution in our nation. Whether we accept it or not – this is part of their stated goals – at least if we believe the words that they are saying at these rallys. They are hoping that these protests grow in size – as well as grow in disturbance to our financial system. The leaders of these protests subscribe to writings that encourage them to first cause problems and violence – for the purpose of enabling those in power presently to quell them and seize power in an absolutist fashion. Their hope is that in the end – just like in Cairo – they will see a rise of protest so great that it will overthrow our current FORM of government. They are hoping in the end to watch President Obama have to respond by seizing power – and preventing the elections next Fall. I know that I am writing some very radical things – but I want to relate this to Biblical prophecy – as this blog seeks to do with everything written here. As a patriot and a red-blooded American – I hate what is happening to my nation. In many ways we are reaping what we have sown – having pursued a national course of promiscuity, ungodliness, and anti-life policies (by this I mean abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia toward the elderly and infirmed prior to and at birth). God is allowing what we see today to bring discipline on His church – and hopefully to get us on our knees praying for revival and spiritual awakening in our land. But there is also another reason this “may” be happening. My eschatology (theological view of end times) sees a time where God is going to pour out astounding judgments on this world system. This is called the “Great Tribulation” and according to passages from Daniel and Revelation will last 7 years. During that period a ruler will rise up who will bring peace to the Middle East between Israel and her Muslim neighbors. This ruler will also be able to bring about a one-world governmental, financial, and religious system as well. He will rule over a 10 nation confederation centered in Europe. He will also eventually bring about a cashless society where a mark will be given whereby people can buy and sell things economically (which lately looks like it may involve a computer chip implanted in either the hand or the forehead). Lastly, he will also eventually require the world to worship him as god. Having read this you may think, “How does all this fit with our current situation?” The things I mentioned above have come from a study of the book of Revelation. But in order for them to happen – the world will have to move from states that embrace their own sovereignty – to a world that cries out for a world leader. The United States has been a very real problem for this development for years. We are a freedom loving people – or at least used to be. We are a people that used to know these things – and would oppose anything that looked like a one-world governmental system. But now, we are watching our own government turn into a socialist experiment. We are watching our freedoms disappear left and right (far more by the left – but often the right is too complicit – at least at the congressional and party level). It seems little can be done to stem the tide. Please realize that I am going to fight these things personally – because I believe freedom is worth fighting for (although not through violent means). BUT – as God moves all things toward His ultimate purpose and plan – we are going to watch a growing cancer throughout the world. This cancer is going to take two forms. The first cancer we will see growing is that of Radical Islam. This cancer will grow because it is the most fertile ground for those who hate Israel and want to see her wiped off the face of the earth. The so-called Arab Spring is more like a moderate winter. The more we watch the “supported” movements rise – the more we will see radicals who hate Israel come to power. In the end – the Biblical narrative where Israel stands alone against enemies who surround her – will come to pass through this first cancer – Radical Islam. The second cancer we will see grow is that of Western Socialism/Collectivism. Europe is falling apart financially faster than the United States. The people of Europe are ready to cede power to anyone who can deliver them from their fast-coming destruction. Sounds like fertile ground for a one-world ruler doesn’t it? The United States is unfortunately following in Europe’s footsteps with increasing speed. If there were to be radical protests and violence that required our current president to rise up and declare marshal law – it would play right into the kind of socialist/collectivist worldview he has put forth for the past 2-3 years. The United States could then easily join a “United States of the World” group and surrender our sovereignty to one who would rise up and be joyfully embraced as the “new” savior of our world! What I fear though is that the devastation of the United States will be far worse that some think. Prophecy does not even recognize a super-power like state in the West. My prediction is that when such events happen – the result will be a severely weakened state that will fall quickly to second or even third world status. The rise of this “new” savior of our world – is synonymous with what the Bible describes as the rise of the Antichrist. He will rule over all of Europe – and will be heralded as a world-saver! He will also eventually set up a cashless financial system – and require all to worship him and the image he sets up for all to worship. What are we to do in such a situation? Actually, I would ask that you consider listening to a message entitled, “Prophetic Inevitability and Personal Responsibility.” This message will help you grasp what to do in light of prophecy that WILL be fulfilled – while not just standing around and allowing evil to prevail in the meantime. God calls us to seek His face – His kingdom and His righteousness no matter what the political situation under which we live. He calls us to love others – even those who hate us – and to share the gospel so that they might be saved. God calls us to pray – to stand in the gap and oppose evil by calling out to Him – and for Him to move upon His people. Too often what Americans want – is a never-ending American state no matter how vile our morals become. We would like to maintain our comfort and our current lifestyle – even if we are not humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face, and turning from our wicked ways. This is happening SO THAT WE WILL REPENT AND RETURN TO GOD! This is happening SO THAT WE WILL HUMBLE OURSELVES AND PRAY! This is happening SO THAT WE WILL REALIZE THAT THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME! This is happening SO THAT WE WILL JOYEOUSLY AWAIT AND EVEN CRY OUT FOR OUR LORD’S RETURN! I do not desire – nor want to hasten the demise of my beloved country. BUT – if push comes to shove Biblically – this is NOT my country. I am looking for a city whose architect and builder is God Himself. Therefore as I continue to love this country and seek its peace – I will also live in the reality that apart from a widespread revival and spiritual awakening in our land we are headed for very rough and difficult times. And one of the benefits of seeing things this way has been a renewed call to prayer – and a renewed passion in looking to the heavens and crying out, “Maranatha!” Come Lord Jesus! For the past several days we've watched on television as the country of Egypt has erupted with violence and protests against the existing dictatorship with Hosni Mubarak at its head. There should be no illusion that Mubarak is a democracy advocate - he is not. He is a brutal dictator whose actions have time and again suppressed freedom for the masses in his country. That being said, the United States and others in the region see him as the lesser of two evils when it comes to our foreign policy in the region. He is the typical Middle-eastern leader who speaks one thing to our leaders and the west - while making it clear that he will allow the "Arab-street" to voice their vitriolic hatred of Israel and the United States without much opposition.
It is interesting to watch this uprising because in some ways it reminds those of us who know history of the Iranian Revolution. The people are taking to the streets in larger numbers over the past couple of days. These crowds are not just gathering in the capitol, but in various places all over Egypt. This protest also sports a cast of characters that, although not as strident and powerful as the Iranian ayatollahs, are nonetheless fairly radical in their Islamic orientation and philosophy. So the question arises for us as we watch this situation develop, is this going to be another Iranian Revolution? There are very clear differences in Egypt that will probably not make this Iranian Revolution, take 2. First of all, according to several articles written by those watching these things from an Islamic vantage point, the protesters are rising up far more due to economic reasons, than religious ones. The Mubarak regime is having similar problems with their economy that the rest of the world is experiencing. Their problem is that many are so poor already that the only step downward is total destitution. So for them, there is nothing left to do except riot and protest. Another difference is that there does not seem to be an overall leadership led by powerful religious figure-heads presently. Mohammaed ElBaradei, the former head of the UN Atomic Energy Agency seems to be wanting to step us as a possible leader. He has returned to Egypt to participate in the protests with the hope that he will receive support and be able to possibly head up an attempt to change the government. We need to remember him as the one who did his dead-level best to tell the world that Iran did not have a nuclear weapons program - while they were establishing one in full sight of every western nation in the world. He also is not a man we should consider as pro-western. Another group who has supported the protests it the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical Islamic group who, although they have not struck recently with terrorist activity, is still a very radical Islamic group in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood seeks to transform Egypt into an Islamic regime that they hope will stand at the forefront of the global jihad. They have grown closer in recent years to Iran, Hamax, and Hizbullah - actually having their attorneys represent their terrorists who were arrested in Egypt in 2009 for plotting to bring down the current regime with a series of spectacular attacks. What does all this mean though for the prophetic picture painted for us in the Scriptures. I believe the destabilization of Egypt would move a peace deal forward much more rapidly. Unlike the terrorist groups that currently surround Israel, Egypt has a very, very powerful military presence that can threaten Israel on a whole different level. The Mubarak regime who continued the peace deal initiated under Sadat - has benefited from purchases of U.S. military materials. They have an air force that boasts 300 F-16's, their army is outfitted with the M1A1 tank similar to ours, the largest navy in the region, an army twice the size of the IDF, and an air defense system that would cause the Israeli air force serious problems that would hamper their effectiveness greatly. If the government were to fall into the hands of ElBaradai and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, there would be a radical Islamic group with this kind of military power at their disposal. Israel would be far more motivated to sign some kind of regional peace deal than ever before. This might play directly into the hands of a worldwide leader, who would come on the scene promising peace in a region so plagued with problems. As I watch, though, I see some serious problems with this happening without things getting far worse. The military is still solidly behind Mubarak - and are starting to crack down with increasing severity. All we can do is continue to look at what is happening - and hope that this nation does not fall into radical Islamic control like Iran did. If that does happen, the region will be further destabilized (if that is possible). Although this does not bode well for our current peacefulness and security - it may be another piece of the puzzle falling into place for the coming peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel. I would counsel us to watch and pray - as Scripture tells us to do. Oh, and I would also advise us to take advantage of every opportunity to live for and share Christ with those around us. Who knows - we may not have as much time as we think to do so. |
What is the Prophecy/News Update?At Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro, we believe that history is moving toward fulfilling God's plans and purposes. In an effort to help us be prepared for His appearing - and also to chronicle news items you just won't see in the national media - this page is devoted to sharing those items and their possible significance to ![]() Thank you for visiting our website! Everything on this site is offered for free. If, however, you would like to make a donation to help pay for its continued presence on the internet, you can do that by clicking here. The only thing we ask is that you give first to the local church you attend.
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