More in the News
Last week Iran proclaimed that it now has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons and is prepared to use them implying that this would be used against Israel. Iran’s supreme leader made his harshest threats yet as they have exchanged missiles saying that his response will be ‘wise, powerful and beyond the enemy’s comprehension’. A nuclear exchange will bring us so close to the descriptions of the wars in Revelation.
But now, let us turn for a moment to the evolution of the church in these days. We remember the first thing that Yeshua tells us in His prophecies concerning the end times in Matthew 24:
There He begins by saying: Take heed that no one deceives you(vs.4). By this we understand that our faith will constantly be under attack. And as the world is changing, so is the church and we are now seeing a new type of Christianity rising. I will mention just one change occurring at this moment. Last week, the head of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, a church with 85 million Christian members, said that he is supporting sexual intimacy in same-sex relationships.
He said: “I believe the great gift of sexual physical intimacy [is] to be cherished, [and] belongs in stable, loving, committed relationships. And therefore, I will celebrate the fact that people are living that way and expressing their intimacy that way.”
His statements represent a fundamental departure from the Church of England’s doctrine on marriage and sexual ethics. They define marriage as a union between a man and a woman; this has changed.
In May of this year, the United Methodists, a church denomination of about 10 million Christian members with close to 40,000 churches worldwide has lifted a ban on same-sex marriage and gay clergy. This is also a departure from their long time held doctrines. The vote was 93 percent in favor of this change.
The biggest Christian denomination, the Catholics with 1.39 billion Christian membership, representing about 50% of Christianity and growing, is also evolving in the same direction. Last year, its head, Pope Francis allowed blessings for same-sex couples. He said that we shouldn’t deprive them of God’s love or mercy. This is also a marked departure from their fundamental doctrines.
Consider as well the Presbyterian Church with 75 million Christian members, the U.S. branch now allows same-sex marriages, and ordains self-affirmed LGBT members in committed relationships.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is now considered one of the most welcoming Lutheran organizations in the United States for LGBTQ people. They have a membership of 2.9 million members and 8,640 congregations.
What we are seeing these days is that the number of bible believing individuals are getting smaller while other religions are growing, among those Islam. This faith system has grown at a pace of 1.84%, the Baha’i faith at 1.70%, Hinduism at 1.52%, while less and less Christians are holding onto the Word of God. Do you see the trend?
Seeing all this, one may feel that the story of Noah and of Lot is again happening.
One thing for sure: He is coming soon and meanwhile, let us hold on to what us sure and eternal, that is, His Word.