Minister’s Forum
We must be extremely cautious to not impose a personal view into the Scriptures. As teachers and students of the word, we must “rightly divide the word.” Being a good steward of the word is a weighty responsibility.
Every crisis in the world is not Bible prophecy being fulfilled. There certainly is a danger of interpreting prophecy with a newspaper in one’s hand. “End-time fever” comes and goes.
Realizing and readily acknowledging this, however, one cannot be aware of the global turmoil we are witnessing and not think “end-time” thoughts.
In my short lifespan, I cannot remember a time when there has been so much unrest and unsettledness among nations, and among people in general. Wars, rumors of wars, insurrections, violence of every sort and absolute hatred seem to be the constant themes on talk radio and interwoven throughout news publications. Evil-doing abounds on every hand.
An antichrist agenda is being pushed forcefully and brazenly. Who would ever think that God and Israel would have be “booed” at a political convention – or anywhere in America? A crucifix submerged in an artist’s urine displayed in New York City is paraded as “shock art,” while depictions of the Virgin Mary covered in elephant dung and surrounded by pornographic clippings representing angels is called “a beautiful object” by its sick and twisted composer.
I still have not forgotten how, four years ago, a comic strip came out making fun of and mocking Sara Palin speaking in tongues. How about Broadway plays misrepresenting religion being applauded by our nation’s leaders? At the same time, a cheap, insignificant, backyard, 13-minute trailer on YouTube depicting the prophet (so called) Mohamed is nationally and internationally condemned by the same. Why is blasphemy promoted and heralded as art and great expression, yet Nativity Scenes have been ordered to be removed from public property and the Ten Commandments removed from courthouse lawns? Pencils with the name “Jesus” on them are forbidden to be handed out in schools by students, yet contraceptives can be freely distributed.
How about all the unrest in the Middle East? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spouts off comments such as, “Israel has no roots in the Middle East, and would be eliminated” and that “Israel should be wiped off the map.” These devilish sentiments were expressed at the recent United Nations General Assembly on Israel’s most holy day, Yom Kippur. Yes, his words hit a nerve with me concerning this nation that gave us our Messiah. How can one not feel sympathetic and compassionate toward Israel’s prime minister bringing his cause to the floor? Have we forgotten the words of David, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Please pray that America continues to side with Israel. It is interesting that in the middle of JerUSAlem is USA!
If you say, “None of this affects me,” you have totally missed my point. Nothing is sacred to this onslaught. There will come a time when it will be at your front door. I believe it is already there. It is high time to make an unwavering stand for Biblical absolutes and prayer to be made to keep evil at bay.
Luke 21:17 says: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” This is exactly where the church is.
I assure you that God is not neutral on these subjects, and neither is his church! Whether these things, among others, are prophecy being fulfilled is debatable. At times, I wonder if God has allowed these things to happen so that the church will pray two prayers: “Thy kingdom come” and “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.”
Rev. Daniel McDonald • First Pentecostal Church
