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CURRENT EVENTS, THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU
This is a recent (April 2002) e-mail I sent out:
Praise the Lord, my Precious Brothers and Sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ! Hope this finds you well and blessed…before you read this, you need to understand that it's NOT doom and gloom. It's reality, and we (the church in America) needs a wake up call. I know that some of you don't like the news, but please read this to the end.
We need to get about our Father's Business!
THE HEADLINES REFLECT THE STATE OF OUR WORLD 2,OOO YEARS AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
The Times of India reports:
Global court moves closer to reality
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2002
“UNITED NATIONS: Despite heavy US opposition, the first permanent global criminal court to try individuals for the world's most heinous crimes is only four nations shy of becoming a reality.
As of Wednesday, 139 countries have signed a 1998 treaty to establish the International Criminal Court and 56 of them have ratified it. A total of 60 ratifications by national legislatures is needed for the tribunal to be established. "We're creeping very close to the 60 ratifications needed," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters”
Rev 16:13-14
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Gulf News, Online Edition carries this report:
Aznar wants global effort for peace
Beirut |By Dahi Hassan, Our GCC & Middle East Editor | 29-03-2002
Jose Maria Aznar, Spanish Prime Minister and the current President of the European Union, yesterday said that the whole world should take the responsibility of putting an end to the bloodshed and suffering in the region and finding a just and comprehensive peaceful settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1Thes 5:1-6
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Family Wants Data Chips Implanted
April 2,2002
By ADRIAN SAINZ
The Associated Press
The story in today's news is about a family in Boca Raton, Florida who will be the first family to be fitted with a tiny computer chip, called “VeriChip”, which will be embedded under their skin… “probably in the arm”.
The article states that the timing of a decision from the FDA as to whether the chip can be “safely used” is unclear, but approval is probably “several months away at the earliest”.
Rather than expounding on it, the reader can see the information about the chip at the following sites:
http://www.adsx.com/index.html
Today's report (April 4, 2002) says that the FDA doesn't need to O.K. chips used for identification:
Company to Sell Implantable Chip
Thu Apr 4, 3:41 PM ET
“….For now, the VeriChip will bear only an identification number, said David Hughes of Technology Sourcing International, a consulting firm helping Applied Digital in its discussions with the FDA. But that ID code could be cross-referenced with a database to detail any kind of information.
The company said production would begin immediately.
VeriChip emits a radio signal and has been derided by some for its "Big Brother" implications. Applied Digital has said it could prove invaluable in emergency situations when someone is either unconscious or cannot otherwise give information.
VeriChip is expected to sell for about $200. A scanner used to read information contained in the chip would cost between $1,000 and $3,000. A doctor would insert the chip with a large needle-like device.
Shares of Applied Digital rose 4 cents, or 8 percent, to 52 cents in late trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market.”
Rev 13:16-17
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
MORE HEADLINES IN THE NEWS
From World Net Daily (a good resource for news):
North Korea hiding nukes?
--WND
SPECIAL OFFER
Are you prepared for nuclear war?
--WND
Throughout the world, Christians and Jews are being targeted by the offspring of Ishmael. In Sudan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Egypt (to mention only a few nations where this is taking place), Christians are being slaughtered in the name of Allah. A Synagogue was burned in France.
Around 200 marched past the Israeli and US embassies in Stockholm, where a handful of extreme left-wing activists raided shops and destroyed Israeli-imported produce Everyday, we can hear more and more news reports speaking of the Arab world uniting in agreement with the Palestinians against Israel.
Reuters reports:
Libya's Gaddafi Says Open Arab Borders to Fighters
April 01, 2002 10:52 AM ET
Mark 13:7-8
7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Muslims Split Over Suicide Bombers
Mon Apr 1, 6:14 PM ET By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Islamic countries were divided Monday on whether the definition of terrorism extends to Palestinian suicide bombers.
An appeal by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for Muslim countries to condemn any attack on civilians as an act of terror quickly became bogged down in the old question: When is a terrorist a freedom fighter?
In a speech to open a special meeting of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference, Mahathir proposed a definition that includes the Sept. 11 attackers, Israeli troops who kill Palestinians - and the suicide bombers.
Foreign ministers and officials from other countries were divided.
"It is not necessary to condemn the suicide bombers, because we have to take into consideration the reasons behind somebody willing to lose his life," Palestinian Foreign Minister Farouk Kaddoumi told reporters outside the conference.
Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is "the highest and worst kind of terrorism, and the human being, if he sacrifices his life - there must be a reason," Kaddoumi said. "The reason is state terrorism."
Deputy Foreign Minister Ivica Misic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, chief of his country's anti-terrorism team, backed Mahathir.
"I don't care about race or religion," Ivica said. "I agree that if a person kills or harms a civilian he is a terrorist, no matter how noble his struggle may be."
To paper over the divisions, the delegates unanimously passed a resolution accusing Israel of "dragging the region toward an all-out war" and calling for U.N. sanctions to deter Israeli military action.
Isa 5:18-24
18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Other headlines in the past few days have stated that Saddam Hussein upped the reward that was to be given to suicide bombers from $10,000 to $25,000.
Another headline says that Suicide Bombers may begin terrorizing the United States. The Daily News truly does look bleak.
Luke 21:25-26
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
(KJV)
Every day as I carry the cross up the Mississippi River, I am asked if I think “the end is near”. I give the same answer in reply:
Jesus told his disciples it was not given them to know the times or the seasons. He told them to watch and pray. He told them to be ready, because we know not in what hour the Son of Man comes. He told them not to be caught sleeping, or eating and drinking with the drunken, or smiting their fellow servants when He comes. He has called us to be in a state of readiness, and we need to be ready.
Christians are sounding an alarm. “He's coming any day now!” they declare, and the headlines seem to point to it. Many Christians are excited about His Coming. But despite the fact that we DECLARE that He may come at any time, I haven't seen much preparation on the part of the Christians in America. If He was to come today, it wouldn't be a pretty sight. WHENEVER He decides to come, it won't be a pretty sight.
Multitudes would soon be cast into Hell.
Plagues worse than what we have ever seen would consume a great part of humanity.
Famine will sweep the world.
Men's hearts are already failing them for fear because of the things that are happening in our world at this present time. But when He comes, it will be a day of Darkness like Humanity has never seen before.
Christians need to seriously think about this. Many say something like: “Well, I don't have to worry about that, because I am going out on the first load” (speaking of the Pre-Tribulation rapture theory), and they cover their heads and their eyes from the mess that the world (their neighbor) is in, all the while saying “Come, Lord, and `Revive' us,” confusing a three day church meeting with True revival.
They flock to their churches to “hear the Word”, and get filled with the goosebumps, or spend “carpet time” at the altar, declare their love for Jesus, and ignore His Passion for souls.
The church in America has become “Hearers of the Word, and not doers.”
It seems the majority of Christians want the “prophet” to give them a personal Word. On their way to church to get the personal Word, they pass up countless people who need to hear the Word of Jesus' Person.
If you go on Jackson Square in New Orleans, you see all kinds of people flocking to the tarot card readers wanting to get a personal Word.
We Christians have become lovers of ourselves more than lovers of God. We know the Word says we should deny ourselves, but we don't.
Others are so busy pointing at the errors of the “False Prophets” who are so prevalent in the churches today, that they lose sight of the souls that are hanging in the balance. The world sees us bickering and pointing fingers at each other, and it says “Why would I want something like that?”
I am NOT saying that we should “tolerate” the false prophets that are destroying the Church.
The Lord has called us to be a Light to the World. As we walk in integrity and in Truth, there will be a contrast that the world will plainly see. Souls are in the balance.
God has not given us the Holy Spirit to feel good, although we feel good when the Holy Spirit is upon us.
Why are we baptized with the Holy Spirit? It is not to be preoccupied with “when” Christ is coming back, although we need to be ready. It is not to be given “personal prophecies”, or to be giving personal prophecies, although a person may receive one, or be moved by the Holy Spirit to give one.
Most Christians in America would rather receive a Word from “the man of God” than read the WORD OF GOD.
We are not baptized with the Holy Spirit so that we can be preoccupied with speaking in tongues, although we MAY speak in tongues as a result of receiving the Holy Spirit.
We are not baptized with the Holy Spirit so we can have a “healing ministry”, although we may operate in the gift of healing.
Jesus told the disciples this revealing Truth:
Acts 1:5-8
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
(KJV)
The Holy Spirit was given to us so that we can be witnesses of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love. This isn't speaking of “self love”.
Those who are walking in the Spirit will be more concerned about the souls they encounter every day, than their own personal well being.
The word “witnesses” is the greek word “martus”, where we get our word for martyr.
A martyr is a person who suffers or dies for their faith.
Jesus said this:
John 15:13
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Are you willing to forgo your comfort to see others come into the Kingdom of God?
Are you telling others about Jesus?
Do you sense the urgency of the situation?
Our focus shouldn't be on being taken out of here on the first train out…it should be for the souls around us that are in desperate need of a Saviour.
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