O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Matthew 16:13)
Erosion of Civil liberties in the United States America
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (Revelation 13:11,12)
The Obama administration has issued the National Defense Administration Act and others that are slowly but surely taking away individual freedoms and attacking the Constitution of the U.S.A which is the source of the country's greatness. As fear amounts and more measures are taken to increase "security" what does the student of prophecy see in these signs?
http://www.naturalnews.com/034537_NDAA_Bill_of_Rights_Obama.html
The Obama administration has issued the National Defense Administration Act and others that are slowly but surely taking away individual freedoms and attacking the Constitution of the U.S.A which is the source of the country's greatness. As fear amounts and more measures are taken to increase "security" what does the student of prophecy see in these signs?
http://www.naturalnews.com/034537_NDAA_Bill_of_Rights_Obama.html
Troublesome times are here!
The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.--PK 537 (c. 1914). {LDE 11.1}
The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.--9T 11 (1909). {LDE 11.2}
White, Ellen Gould: Last Day Events. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1992; 2002, S. 11
The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.--9T 11 (1909). {LDE 11.2}
White, Ellen Gould: Last Day Events. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1992; 2002, S. 11
What about Gay Rights?
Does the recent push for gay rights acceptance have any implication for our time?
Generally gays, lesbians, transgender, bisexual and intersex (LGBTI) are gradually gaining acceptance in most communities in the world and on the television and news media, even in the classroom of our Children their is the teaching that there is nothing wrong with this lifestyle, They suggest that persons have freedom to choose their lifestyle and should be free and supported by society and government in particular. They should be free from stigma and ostracism. Hence, acceptance in their view in their inalienable right as a person.
The conflict arise when these views are imposed upon those who conscientiously dissent with this lifestyle. As a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian, persons do have the right to their lifestyle choice and freedom from stigma. They should be generally accepted as persons made in their Creator's image. However, If their lifestyle conflicts with obvious biblical teaching then Christians cannot be muzzled while religion is made the scapegoat for bigotry and astigmatism.
Christians are being muzzled while it is promoted that the alternative lifestyles are acceptable. Are the rights of the Christian being trampled? Should they be accepted in Christian churches? Yes absolutely, the mission of the church is to save sinners. The lifestyle is not accepted the people are. Therefore the persons are encouraged to change the lifestyle and accept the teaching of the word of God on the subject.
The issue at the center of this recent movement in society and in the world is really that of religious freedom. If the LBGTI and their support groups lobby for rights, should the rights of others be withheld that theirs be accepted? It is clear that once the false precedent is set, it will be used as an argument in the end time for the revived persecution against God's last day Church.
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offendeda. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me a offended: scandalized or, made to stumble. (John 16:1-3)
When King Nebuchadnezzar built a large golden image and forced the crowd of religionists and heathen alike to worship his idol only three stood up to the test, In these last days will you stand or bow down?
Generally gays, lesbians, transgender, bisexual and intersex (LGBTI) are gradually gaining acceptance in most communities in the world and on the television and news media, even in the classroom of our Children their is the teaching that there is nothing wrong with this lifestyle, They suggest that persons have freedom to choose their lifestyle and should be free and supported by society and government in particular. They should be free from stigma and ostracism. Hence, acceptance in their view in their inalienable right as a person.
The conflict arise when these views are imposed upon those who conscientiously dissent with this lifestyle. As a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian, persons do have the right to their lifestyle choice and freedom from stigma. They should be generally accepted as persons made in their Creator's image. However, If their lifestyle conflicts with obvious biblical teaching then Christians cannot be muzzled while religion is made the scapegoat for bigotry and astigmatism.
Christians are being muzzled while it is promoted that the alternative lifestyles are acceptable. Are the rights of the Christian being trampled? Should they be accepted in Christian churches? Yes absolutely, the mission of the church is to save sinners. The lifestyle is not accepted the people are. Therefore the persons are encouraged to change the lifestyle and accept the teaching of the word of God on the subject.
The issue at the center of this recent movement in society and in the world is really that of religious freedom. If the LBGTI and their support groups lobby for rights, should the rights of others be withheld that theirs be accepted? It is clear that once the false precedent is set, it will be used as an argument in the end time for the revived persecution against God's last day Church.
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offendeda. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me a offended: scandalized or, made to stumble. (John 16:1-3)
When King Nebuchadnezzar built a large golden image and forced the crowd of religionists and heathen alike to worship his idol only three stood up to the test, In these last days will you stand or bow down?
When is Free Speech Hate Speech?
As a devout follower of the Lord Jesus Christ it is well to remember that there is a time of persecution to all believers. Christians will be hated for their faith and the principles upon which they stand. Is that time now? what about the popular Gay movement that is progressing? Is it hate to say about homosexuality what God says about it?
Some person may argue "well that is your God's view mine is different." That's entirely true but I have a responsibility to warn and instruct and when civil laws make it "bigotry" to practice one's faith then they have crossed the line.
The bible warns of a time when:
1 .... perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim 3:1-5
2 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Tim 3:12-13
God is preparing His final people to withstand the deceptions of the last day a d prepare to see Him in glory. May God grant courage as the time draws near.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/05/when-christians-become-a-hated-minority/?hpt=hp_c1
Some person may argue "well that is your God's view mine is different." That's entirely true but I have a responsibility to warn and instruct and when civil laws make it "bigotry" to practice one's faith then they have crossed the line.
The bible warns of a time when:
1 .... perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim 3:1-5
2 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Tim 3:12-13
God is preparing His final people to withstand the deceptions of the last day a d prepare to see Him in glory. May God grant courage as the time draws near.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/05/when-christians-become-a-hated-minority/?hpt=hp_c1