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What in the World is Happening
- May 2008
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
New Zealand is bringing in new restrictions in connection with the
packaging of cigarettes. The packets will need to show pictures of the
terrible results of smoking, such as gangrenous feet and rotting teeth. In
TV interviews with people on the streets, the general attitude of many
smokers, regardless of the evidence, they will continue to smoke.
Unfortunately many Christians are taking the same attitude about Biblical
prophecy. From observation; reading articles and news clippings concerning
things taking place in the churches of the world, many Christians are
either oblivious to the events that are coming to pass or try to avoid
taking the Bible as the literal, infallible and accurate Word of the
Living God. Many people are taking the attitude that the prophecies are
ambiguous and allegorical. Why when all the prophecies for the coming of
Jesus the first time was so literal and specific, should the prophecies
concerning the second coming of our Lord be allegorical?
The Bible tells us that in the last days there will be "a Powerful
Delusion" [2 Thess 2:11]. Some people including many who attend
church week by week, and even hold office in the churches, will be taken
in by the this delusion. We are told men will depart from the truth, will
abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by
demons. [1 Tim 4:1]. From where else is coming the teachings of
"Replacement Theology," the amalgamation of worship services
covering, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and all sorts of other
religions, as is happening in America and Europe. Who will they worship?
The moon god -Allah [Muslim] or the One True God, or one of the many gods
of the Hindu's, or Buddhist's. There is only one mediator between God and
man the one Christ Jesus [1 Tim 2:5].
What is this "Powerful Delusion"? There is no doubt, if taken
from the surrounding Scriptures; it is the revealing of the Antichrist or
Beast. Men and women will flock to him as they did to Hitler and follow
him blindly. We are told; "For the secret power of lawlessness is
already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so
till he is taken out of the way" [2 Thess 2:7]. While the Church
remains on earth the "Powerful Delusion" or the power of Satan
and the Antichrist is being restrained even although it is at work. Day by
day we can see this restrained force at work, preparing the scene for when
the Beast is revealed.
In a recent "Annual interfaith peace summit" in Naples, the
meeting called for a global organization to be set up which would be a
kind of "United Nations of Religions" which would issue decrees
and decisions to the various religions in the world. I wonder how long it
will be before we find the President of that organization and a decree
issued that prevents the conversion of the members of other faiths. Not
only would it not be acceptable to many Christians but I can't see the
Muslim's accepting it either. However we do know it will happen under the
authority of the "False Prophet" or "Beast out of the
Earth" [Rev 17: 1-18] & [Rev 13:11- 18]. Of this combined
religion, we do not know the exact form it will take, but we do know it
will centre round the Antichrist, and he will be worshipped. The fact that
the Muslim's are being taught that a ruler will come and reign for seven
years, [the exact time of the Tribulation period], and the Bible teaches
the religions headquarters will be in Rome [Dan 2:43]. The commercial
centre possibly in a rebuilt Babylon [Rev 18:1-24]. It is interesting to
note that the President of Iran in one of his speeches speaks of setting
up a world commercial center in Iraq, and possibly Babylon, when the
Western troops withdraw. I don't think there is any possibility of Iraq
staying free and democratic if the soldiers are withdrawn. It will become
a strict Muslim state, overshadowed by Iran, as are Syria and Lebanon.
It appears the concern of governments today is to make people of other
religions feel accepted. This although commendable, from a humanitarian
point of view, should not be used to undermine the teaching of Scripture,
which has been the foundation of most western Christian nations for many
years. In their efforts to be accommodating, the governments have also
passed laws to satisfy many of the population's wants and fancies. Laws to
allow homosexuals to marry each other, and women to shed unwanted babies
by abortion. God gave mankind guidance on how to live in His instruction
book; the Bible. Today laws are passed without any consideration to God's
standards. We are told in the future, everyone would do what is right in
their own eyes. We see this happening today, as many laws are passed to
keep voters happy, rather than please God.
In New Zealand at the moment there are few restrictions in colleges and
universities for the Christian, but elsewhere in the world such as the UK
or USA, the separating of church and state has meant the banning of Bible
based teaching in such institutions even student Christian Union meetings.
In their schools and colleges religious instruction means the unbiased
teaching of all religious points of view, including evolution, but banning
the teaching of creation. Yes indeed a "Powerful Delusion"
although muted, is already present in this world of today.
"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who
loved us…… Encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed
and word [2 Thess 2:11-17].
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International for New
Zealand, Australia & the South Pacific.
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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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