Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

I received the following over-opinionated editorial in a newsletter this morning, written by a well known "ecumenical activist."

I disagree with his viewpoints, his conclusions, and most distinctly his opinion of the U.S., our government and our current president.

You may find yourself in agreement with him. You may not.

I am posting it so that those who have not read his or similar opinions will be informed of the prevalent divergent opinions that are currently in play among those who claim to represent universal Christianity.:


"January 11, 2019

https://religionnews.com/2019/01/10/where-is-christianity-headed-the-view-from-2019/

(About the author:
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson served for 17 years as General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America and plays an active role in ecumenical organizations. (My translation: He's a small fish in a large pond.))

(RNS) — "As 2019 begins, the world is becoming more religious, not less. Faith from diverse traditions grows as population expands throughout most of the Global South. Last year, nearly 50 million more Christians were added in Africa, making it the continent with the most adherents to Christianity in the world, 631 million.

For 400 years, Christianity has been molded by the largely European culture that came out of the Enlightenment, but it is recentering its footprint and becoming a non-Western religion.

In the U.S., a narrative of religious decline and growing secularism is now culturally popular. The percentage of “nones” — those claiming no religious affiliation — is growing, particularly among millennials. But what are the deeper trends and challenges, beneath the headlines, that are likely to shape the future of faith?

White U.S. congregations are withering. From 1991 to 2014, the number of white Protestants declined by a third, a trend that will continue as they age: Though 20 percent of Americans are 18 to 34 years of age, only 1 in 10 white Protestant congregations reflects that in their attendance. As a result, more than half of U.S. congregations now have fewer than 100 members. Hundreds will close this year.

Where there is growth in American Christian denominations, it is driven mostly by nonwhites, whether Catholic or Protestant, evangelical or mainline. Over the past half-century, 71 percent of growth in Catholicism, for instance, has come from its Hispanic community. In the Assemblies of God, one of the few U.S. denominations to show overall growth, white membership slightly declined while nonwhite membership increased by 43 percent over 10 years.

Multiracial congregations are also expanding to draw 1 in 5 churchgoing Americans, and surveys report a higher level of spiritual vitality among them compared with racially homogeneous congregations.
Globally, thanks to dramatic geographic and demographic changes, Christianity is recentering its footprint and becoming a non-Western religion. For 400 years, the faith has been molded by the largely European culture that came out of the Enlightenment. But today its vitality is coming from emerging expressions of Christianity in Africa as well as in Asia and Latin America.

These new influences are raising new questions about the relationship of the individual to the community, rational versus nonrational pathways to perceiving truth and the interplay of the spiritual and material realms.

As the yearning for authentic spiritual experience moves from the head to the heart in this new environment, spirit-filled communities are flourishing. Today, 1 of 4 Christians in the world identifies as Pentecostal or charismatic, with Pentecostalism growing at roughly four times the rate of the world’s population itself.

The popular image of Pentecostals as television preachers extolling a prosperity gospel and flitting around on private jets obscures the real causes for much of the movement’s explosive growth: small Pentecostal communities among the marginalized in the Global South that are providing empowerment and social transformation.

In wealthy Western countries, a strong spiritual driver is the visible impact of climate change. After centuries of a Western Christian cosmology that empties the material world of spiritual value, care of creation is becoming a foundation of Christian faith and practice, as Pope Francis proclaimed in his prophetic encyclical “Laudato Si’.” Saving the Earth has become a spiritual calling.

But the West, particularly the U.S., has to open its eyes to startling developments in the rest of the world.

The “Trump Effect” has undermined the integrity of Christian witness in America in the eyes of the global church. Most non-American church leaders can’t believe the public support given to President Trump by some conservative U.S. church leaders and cannot understand the deafening silence of others.
Trump’s own statements have scandalized the non-Western church, in referring to African nations as “s—hole countries” and in proclaiming an “America first” policy that sounds in many places like a theological heresy that puts the Bible second.

American Christianity across all traditions faces the imperative of de-Americanizing its witness if it is to have any global integrity.

The world won’t give any credibility to versions of the gospel that baptize American power, wealth and global reach with notions of spiritual blessing, especially under the leadership of Trump.

It is also essential to confront culture wars in the church at home and abroad. The division in the church over ethical understandings of sexuality will persist for decades, since no action of a denominational general conference, synod, assembly or council will change the sexual orientation of its members. While the church in the Global South mostly holds to strong conservative views on this matter, diversity also exists there and will slowly grow.

The key question ahead is whether the core of the gospel is declared to be at stake in these differences over same-gender covenanted partnerships, and divide us, or whether they will be seen as ethical and pastoral challenges that should not undercut the unifying call to follow Christ’s mission in the world.
Meanwhile, “belonging before believing” is reshaping pathways of discipleship. The thirst for authentic community, evident in the appeal of Taize to young people and countless other small initiatives, demonstrates a need to rethink how we welcome others into our faith or tradition.

The demand that outsiders fIt is also essential to confront culture wars in the church at home and abroad. The division in the church over ethical understandings of sexuality will persist for decades, since no action of a denominational general conference, synod, assembly or council will change the sexual orientation of its members. While the church in the Global South mostly holds to strong conservative views on this matter, diversity also exists there and will slowly grow.

If there is a theme in what lies ahead for the church as we enter a new year, it is that the white Western Christian bubble that has powerfully shaped Christianity for the past four centuries is now beginning to burst. Future expressions of Christian faith will be shaped by its interactions with non-Western and nonwhite cultures. This will present challenges to the established church in the U.S. but may hold the keys to its revitalization."

(Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, whose latest book is “Future Faith: Ten Challenges Reshaping Christianity in the 21st Century,” served for 17 years as general secretary of the Reformed Church in America and plays an active role in ecumenical organizations.)

Rose42

Wow. I disagree with his assessment. Looks to me like he wants change to beef up numbers which is what too many churches do.

There can be no unity of Christians with non-Christians. Christianity doesn't need to be reshaped. The gospel can't be watered down so more people are included. But that's what's happening.

Thanks for the article. Is this movement becoming more popular? I should follow it more closely.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

I agree I see a revival coming to all true followers of Christ. I also see a growth of false faith, who like to include paganism with globalism and will try to unite iron and clay together. The false faith will grow but be overshadowed by the true faith until the rapture when the restrainer is removed.

bahmer

Amen and Amen

bahmer

Excellent assessment Peewee. You did good old boy. Many churches are going in the paganism direction and feeling good about themselves in the process. This will continue to destroy many of the of the main line churches like the Presbyterian and others that have already embraced the homosexuals not only into their churches but also as pastors and other positions of authority within their churches.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Just posting what I see. I think you'll enjoy the video when you watch it.

bahmer

I just watched it and I would recommend this to all that posted on the Faith Religion and Spirituality section when that was going hot and heavy I would look for the return of the Lord this year folks you cab laugh and call me crazy but everything is lining up that way in my "not so humble opinion". Totally awesome video thanks for this Peewee.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Glad you enjoyed it. Good ole boys have to stick together.

bahmer

After reading the message from Pastor Gary Boyd I believe his name was and listening to this last message from on the rapture by Jonathan Cahn I am even more convinced that the rapture will be this year what are all of you others views on this?

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Have no idea. But if I had to guess, I'd say not long after Trump and Netanyahu leave office.

bahmer

Read this one Peewee. PS I had to trim this because it was too long if you need the whole article I can PM you the rest.

A Fresh Look at the Rapture
By Joel Joseph
Researched by Pastor Gary Boyd
Conclusion by Pastor Boyd

Introduction:

Maranatha! (Our Lord is coming)

Warning, warning, warning!

2 Peter 3:17 (Amp) “Let me warn you therefore beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, lest you be carried away by the error of the wicked and the lawless, and fall from your present firm condition and steadfastness of mind.”

If we do not heed God’s warnings, He removes the truth. We see that numerous times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Covenants.

People say, be careful of date setters. I do too. That is dates cast in stone, and without full scriptural backing. But there is a far greater warning here and it is: Be careful of those who don’t look at, and examine dates! They are ignorant of the Bible’s commands and the voice of God speaking now.

Some word meanings and terms:

●The word used to describe the rapture is:Harpazo: Strong’s G 726 meaning: Seize, snatch by force, catch away.

●Another very interesting word for the rapture is: Epiphaneia: Strong’s G2015 meaning: Appearance, manifestation, glorious display, like a lightning bolt, sudden appearance, and sudden realisation. (1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:8)

●The word used to describe the Second Coming is: Parousia: Strong’s G3918 meaning: Arrival, advent, presence, coming.

This word “Parousia,” is mostly used in association with judgement. It is the word used in all the verses relating to the Second Coming of our Lord. It is never used for the rapture or catching away of the church. That word is always “Harpazo,” or “Epiphaneia.”

The fact that there are distinctly different words, with different meanings used for the coming of our Lord, means without any doubt that there are two different types of comings being spoken of. One is the rapture, and the other is the Second Coming.

●“Maranatha” was a secret word used by the early church to identify themselves amongst one another. (1 Corinthians 16:22) It’s an Aramaic word meaning “Our Lord is coming.”

Some verse expositions:

●Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept My word to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth.”

In this amazing verse above to the church at Philadelphia, we see some interesting meanings. “Keep you from,” are the original words, Tereo ek. Tereo is where we get “territory” from. “Ek” means, “to be kept clean out away from”.

The word “hour,” is Hora, which means a certain fixed season of the year bounded by a definite time. It is not a sixty minute hour being referred to. It is the tribulation period.

Now, let’s write the verse including these word meanings:

“Because you have kept My word to persevere, I also will keep you clean out away from the territory of the tribulation period...”

●Isaiah 66:19 “I will set a sign among them (Jews)...they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.”

What is that sign? It is the rapture of the church! We don’t know that for sure, because it does not say so, but it is most logical and most probable.

It ties up with the other similar verse in Romans 10:19, where the Bible says that the Jews will be “provoked to jealousy and anger by a foolish nation.” This again refers to the rapture of the church, who is the “foolish nation,” to Jews.

The very next verse is almost universally believed to be a reference to the church: Romans 10:20 “I was found by those who did not seek Me. I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

So, here we have a “sign” that turns that Jews into God’s evangelists, which is also an event that shocks the Jews, into jealousy and anger.

Jews, being God’s chosen, now being left behind at the rapture, would most certainly see this as a sign to themselves, leaving them jealous and angry, but also motivating them to rip off the veil of blindness fast, in repentance.

●Mark 13:32-33 “Of that day and hour, no one knows, neither the angles in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray for you do not know when the time is.”

This verse requires some exposition. Firstly, it says “day and hour”, not week, month or year. A day and hour is a very short specific time. Could we know the week or month? Yes of course, according to these words. Then it says, “You do not know the time.” The original word for “time” here means a small, specific, definite time.

Please note the timeframes in the verse above. They cover a period of at most two days and not years or more. In other words, those watching will see when the Lord is coming to within a short space of time. Those not watching are the ones condemned.

The term “No one knows the day and hour,” is a well known Hebrew idiom for the Feast of trumpets. (Rosh Hashanah) One of its names is “The feast of which no one knows the day and hour.” This is because it has an indeterminate starting date, because it begins on the sighting of the new moon, which could take place on one of two days.

Is this giving us a hint that these things will take place on the Feast of Trumpets? I think so!

Those who say that the Feasts of the Lord were all fulfilled in Messiah are right but more wrong than you can imagine.



Obviously they had fulfilment in the events of the cross, but there is a great secondary, prophetic aspect to the feasts as well, which we must see, know, accept and understand.

●Mark 13:35-37 “Watch because you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest coming suddenly, he finds you asleep. What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Some say the verse above relates to the Second Coming and not the rapture. That may be so (or not) but either way the principle is the same for both.

Note the time frames used. They are not long distances apart at all. They are very short!

This verse parallels with the verses of the watchman watching for the bridegroom to arrive at the wedding. He is not going to sit on the rooftop and watch for six months. He knows the time to within a short period.

Acts 1:7 “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority”

Quite simply, here, our Lord was speaking to His disciples at that time. It is not to the church generally throughout the age. Other verses clearly say that we are to know the times and season of His coming.

In fact, the verse speaking of the fig tree ripening, which refers to Israel’s awakening, says this: “So when you see all these things, know that it is very near, even at the door.” (Matthew 24:33) The word “know” is in the imperative tense, meaning it is a command. “I command you to know.”

●2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 “Let no one deceive you by any means ; for that Day (tribulation period) will not come unless (or until) the falling away (departure) comes first, and the man of sin(antichrist) is revealed, the son of perdition...he sits as God in the temple (3rd temple) of God...and now you know what is restraining, (Holy Spirit indwelt church) that he may be revealed in his own time, for the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he (church) who now restrains will do so until He (Holy Spirit) is taken out of the way (rapture).”

It is very important to see the use of the words “he” and “He” in the verse above. The “he refers to the church and the “He” refers to the Holy Spirit. So the verse is telling us that the restrainer is the church filled with the Holy Spirit. (The Holy Spirit will be on earth during the tribulation, but in a restricted form, like in Old Covenant times.)

The original word used for “Taken” in verse seven is Strong’s G1096 “Ginomai” “meanings: To be completed, wrought of miracles. To arise. To be married to. How amazing!

The original word used for “out of the way” is Strong’s G1537 “Ek” meaning: Clean out away from, by force.”

The original word used for “apostasy” is Strong’s G646, “Apostasia.” Meaning: a “defection” or “departure.” To get the right one we need to look at the context. In these verses the context necessitates the use of “departure” and not “falling away from the faith.”

A falling away from the faith happens over time as it did in the dark ages. A departure happens suddenly, which is the context.

This word “apostasy” is derived from the root word, “aphistemi” which is found fifteen times in the Bible. Eleven times it is translated “departure.” Wuest’s commentary says that the root word also means a “disappearance.”





The amazing Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)

The seven feats of the Lord each have a prophetic fulfilment to them. They are required by the Bible to be kept in order. They are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles.

The first four in red, were fulfilled in the events of the first coming of our Lord and the cross, and the birth of the church. The last three, in blue relate prophetically to the rapture, and tribulation, through to the Second Coming - still to be fulfilled.

It is absolutely inconceivable that the same pattern of literal fulfilment will not continue in the same manner as the first four. The next to be fulfilled is Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah).

There are so many rich and amazing things about Trumpets. The big ticket item is that it will represent a dispensation change, ending the church age, and beginning the final seven year dispensation, completing the Old Covenant.

Trumpets will mark the start of the tribulation, which itself sees the rapture of the church first.

Now, let’s have a look at some interesting historic events that took place on Trumpets:

●Joseph was released from prison in Egypt on the Feast of Trumpets (Psalm 81:3-6) (Genesis 41) Joseph, with a Gentile bride, represents both Gentile believers (Ephraim) and Israel. (Ezekiel 37:16-19, Amos 5:6 Obadiah 1:18, Zechariah 10:6)

Does this speak prophetically of the rapture of the church as well as Israel’s release to and recognition of her Jewish Messiah?

●Another notable event happened on Rosh Hashanah, which was the end of slavery for the children of Israel in Egypt. Again there are prophetic overtones here for Israel.

● Noah sent out the dove on this day. (Genesis 8:5-8)

●Noah’s birthday was on Rosh Hashanah, which was also when dry land appeared. (Genesis 8:13)

●The revelation of Yeshua on Patmos took place on Rosh Hashanah. (Revelation 1:9-11)

●Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were all born on a Rosh Hashanah.

●The number seventy is an important biblical number. It means divine order, captivity and judgement. It is specifically connected with Jerusalem.

Israel recently celebrated its seventieth birthday (in modern times) since its independence. We are still in the seventy year period, which ends on Rosh Hashanah this year.

The best candidate by far for the rapture and tribulation start is the Feast of Trumpets. If not, what else could fulfil that feast prophetically? The answer is nothing. It would remain a prophetically unfulfilled event.

Am I setting that date, Rosh Hashanah (September 30th / October 1st 2019)? No, I’m saying it is highly possible and most probable. We will see if the other pieces of the puzzle all fall into place as we get nearer. So we will watch and pray as we go – with anticipation.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Thanks, Bahm! Enjoyed that very much.

I've heard the Fall Feast of Trumpets idea before and it makes sense to me. If I recall correctly you have to watch the moon to know the start of the feast. Lots of people got super excited during the blood moons.

There are some strange things going on besides the rise in earthquakes and volcanos. The magnetic North Pole is heading toward Siberia. This is a good link to the article I read. Scientist, military, and GPS companies are having to recalibrate. Something is going on at the core of our world.
News.com.au "Earth's Magnetic Field is on the Move".

Some people freak out but I just get more excited. Love watching it all unfold just as foretold. I have probably learned more from Perry Stone and Johnathan Cahn than any other prophecy teachers. Love those two men of God.

Maranatha, Bahm!

bahmer

Thank you, and same to you as well.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Can the rapture occur before the church of Jesus Christ has completed its mission, Peewee?

Jesus said: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:24)

Today, more than 1,600 ethnic languages around the world are still waiting for a Bible translation to begin in their language by the Wycliffe Bible Translators, who are working faster than ever to complete them,
as they look upon people dying every day without having heard the Good News of the gospel.

Their leaders have committed to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language without one by 2025. They initially called their goal “Vision 2025,” later adopting these words as their mission statement.

So, can the Body of Christ be raptured from the earth before its original "Great Commission" from Jesus Christ has been preached throughout the entire earth?

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

No, it can't. But it won't be much longer. The Jesus Film Project (JFP) is making translations of the Bible in every known language. Then they put them on CDs and give them to missionaries along with a kit that allows them to show their Jesus film in remote villages. According to the JFP, there are @860 language groups left to reach. With mobile phones, mopeds, donkeys, bare feet, and drones the gospel is being shared to the four corners of the Earth. Wycliffe and JFP probably work together to locate translators.

So how are you doing health wise? Have you got snow yet? Have you gotten your books? Are you going to tell me about Nimrod?

Stay warm and don't eat too many hot peppers.

Shalom, Peewee