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You are in Our Journal - What in the World 2008 2007 | 2008 Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug| Sept
What in the World is Happening
- January 2008
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
So! Another year begins. I wonder whether it will be this
year we come face to face with our Saviour and Lord. This time of year we
tend to look back and take stock, look forward and try to think about what
might come.
There is no doubt; the world is in no better state than it
was this time last year. In an age when things move and develop so
quickly, it's surprising that no ones found the answer to crime, war,
disease and famine. Man's greed and sin does not lessen and so the world
goes on in its headlong flight towards God's judgment. The idea of some
that by worldwide evangelization, the world will be made ready for the
return of Christ, although good, is not what the Bible teaches and lacks
reality. We will have to wait until the "Prince of Peace", the
Messiah, reigns from Jerusalem. The Bible only says that the Gospel will
be preached throughout the entire world [Matt 24:14], it does not teach
that the entire world will be saved before He comes.
As we begin this year, the evidence of the close return of
Christ becomes continually apparent. As regards the political situation;
it seems to be that war in the Middle East is inevitable. Quite rightly
the Israeli government wants to get some of the original 1993 agreements
implemented before they go on to bargain away any more territory for peace
with the Palestinians. Up till now, it's been all the concessions from
Israel and none from the Palestinians. Meanwhile Hamas continue to send
rockets into Israel and continue along with Syria, and Iran to threaten
Israel [Jerusalem Post]. As I write; the politicians of this world seek to
find a solution, but if the recent past is anything to go by, the
Palestinians will not improve in their attitude to Israel, whatever the
outcome.
The prophecy of Daniel regarding the setting up of a ten
member federation of nations, has gone a stage further with the proposal
by a member of the G8 group of nations to increase the group to G10 with
the addition of India and China. At present the G8 comprises Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, The United Kingdom, and the United
States of America. These 8 nations only account for 14% of the world's
population but provide 65% of the economy, 72% of the military fire power
and the UK, USA, France and Russia account for 96% to 99% of the world's
nuclear weapons. A point of interest is half of them are members of the
European Community, with the addition of China and India this
representation of the world's population, industry and fire power would
increase to high percentage of the world's total. Although at present the
G8 is only a representative gathering of the world's leaders and does not
have any administration or organization as such. It is a nucleus to
develop into a group of ten linked nations accounting for most of the
works, economy, and military power ready to absorb or influence the United
Nations, the European Union and control the livelihood of most of the
world. This organization could then be taken over when necessary by the
Antichrist when he appears. [Dan 2: 23-35] [Dan 2:40-45] [Dan 7:23-25]
[Rev 17:12-14].
In the Physical world global warming increasingly takes
its toll, with more floods and natural disasters in diverse places. Many
low lying islands, coastal lands and cities such as London and Venice are
being subject to danger as the intensity of storms increases because of
the world slowly warming and the sea level rising. [Luke 21: 25]. We have
yet to see the heavenly bodies shaking [Luke 21:26], but it will happen
eventually, and one wonders on what natural phenomena the worlds
scientists will place the blame, if they continue to deny there's a God.
It will certainly upset global communications as it may disrupt radio, and
television satellites.
In the religious establishment there continues a getting
together of churches and a bonding with the more moderate Muslim
organizations. Also there seems a widening belief that provided you
believe in God or a god then it does not matter which way you choose. The
Moslem religion which once taught their god was a moon god Allah, now seem
to have changed their teachings to a belief he is the same God of Abraham
that the Jews and the church believe in. However the Moslems don't believe
in the Son of God, taking Jesus as merely a prophet. The theological
problem with the combining of religions and their belief in "a"
god is the basic Christian teaching that there is only one way to God,
through the blood of Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins on the cross. [1
Tim 2: 5], as Jesus said "no one comes to the Father except
through me" [John 14: 6]. We are taught in the Bible of a world
wide religion that on the pretence of creating a relationship between
religions will turn into an organization based on the Roman Catholic
church leader of the time [Rev 13: 11-18] for the worship of the Beast,
[Rev 13: 1-10] or Antichrist, who will try and set himself as God, but
will be indwelt by the Devil. This can only be referring to Rome and its
church as we read in Revelation Chapter 17 the details of the government
and organization of this great power and her eventual fate.
So as we move on into 2008 and as we read the papers day
by day that time and time again we will see the slow unfolding of God's
final plan, which will culminate in the wonder of Christ's return, first
for His Church and then as King and Lord to bring Israel to believe in
Christ the Messiah [Zech 12: 8-14] and reign over the world as King. [Rev
19].
In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins of Matthew
25 we read of those who were ready and had oil in their lamps and those
who were not and were shut out of the wedding feast. "not everyone
who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven…."
[Matt 7: 21-23]. This was a warning to those have not been filled with
the Holy Spirit and born again, as Jesus said "I tell you the
truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and
the Spirit. [John 3: 3-17]. Read it all and rejoice in the grace of
God. The wise virgins had the oil of the Spirit in their lives, the
foolish virgins were religious but were not born again, and whilst they
went away to find out about it, the doors were closed. "So you
must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not
expect Him." [Matt 24:43-44].
Maybe it will be this year! Are you ready?
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Secretary in New Zealand for PWMI
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You are in Our Journal - What in the World 2008 2007 | 2008 Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | June | July | Aug| Sept
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