Living in the Last Days

I would like to read to you the most current news.  It did not come from Fox, CNN, ABC, CBS or NBC, however this news has pretty much been reported on all of these stations.  It was actually recorded about 2000 years ago.

Romans 1:18-32 (NKJV) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truthin unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, (think congress, philosophers, Hollywood and scientists) 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Hinduism, Buddhism and Paganism-all who are all around us)

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (LGBTQ)

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

With secular news stations, they sometimes get ahead of themselves and wanting an outcome to be in keeping with their desires they go ahead and write the news in advance. They are so sure of an outcome they go ahead and write the articles ahead of time so that they can be the first outlet to report what happened.

Remember a man named Dewey? 1948 Presidential election. Dewey, New York governor was predicted to win over Harry Truman, however, Truman actually won by a narrow margin.

Have you ever noticed how thousands of World Champion T-shirts and sweatshirts are printed in advance with the losing team's name on the shirt because companies want to be the first to have a product people want? Well, the Bible has never had to reprint a prophecy because of error and the Bible tells us the headlines for what is to come in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV) 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

In the last days. 

 The last days actually began at the first Pentecost after the Resurrection.

Acts 2:16-17 (NKJV) 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

We are living in the last of the last days.  Each day brings us closer to the fulfillment of 2 Tim 3:1-5.  If you are bothered by this and feel anxiety and fear trying to come upon you, meditate on Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV):

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

The United States

Our society has changed, is changing and will continue to change.

For so many people to be involved and our society to be like this, there must be a spirit involved.

Since I travel a great bit, I have recognized that there are certain spirits assigned over certain cities and regions.  These spirits are called principalities.

New York City: love of money

Las Vegas: love of money and gambling

San Francisco and New Orleans and Key West: homosexuality

Atlanta: pornography

Thailand: prostitution and child trafficking

As there are cities and regions controlled by principalities, there are people who are controlled by principalities.  People make up cities.

How Do We Get Worse?

According to Wikipedia, The Gulf War (2 August 1990 - 28 February 1991), codenamed Operation Desert Shield (2 August 1990 - 17 January 1991) for operations leading to the buildup of troops and defense of Saudi Arabia and Operation Desert Storm (17 January 1991 - 28 February 1991) in its combat phase, was a war waged by coalition forces from 35 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait arising from oil pricing and production disputes. The war is also known under other names, such as the Persian Gulf War...

During this time, churches began to fill up due to prevalent fear in the lives of people. It was a short war and I was actually on my plane when the announcement was made that the war was over.

Right after that announcement, new converts (?) went back to their old lifestyles.

September 9-11

Twin towers, Pennsylvania countryside and the Pentagon was attacked by radical Muslims.  This resulted in the War on Terror.  Karen and I were living in Poland when this happened.

By the way, there have been four times when we found ourselves in danger of losing our lives during times of war:

1.  Honduras and Nicaurauga

2. Romania

3. Persian Gulf War

4. September 11 (9-11)

Again, there was an influx of people to the churches.  It did not last long.

Matthew 12:43-45 (NKJV) 43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

I believe that during this short time of repentance, many people were delivered from evil spirits and I also believe that when they turned away from the church, this passage was fulfilled in many of them.

Keep in mind that a person in whom a spirit comes back does not get to choose the other seven.  This is one way that our society, our country, continues getting worse.

Leavening 

Galatians 5:9 (NKJV) 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Another way a principality gets control over an area, or a people, is the gradual leavening of a people. As it describes in Romans 1:

who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

What do we do?

Philippians 2:14-15 (AMPC) 14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

We are to be salt and light.

Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:24-25 (NKJV) 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 6:8-10 (NKJV) 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 5:11-12 (NKJV) 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

In closing, I need you to know that I face temptations every day just like you.  I have found a new weapon I can use to overcome the enemy.

I know the benefits and blessings of following God.  Deut 28; Psalms 91; Psalms 103:1-5, etc.

So, when I am tempted to sin, I ask myself, "Do I want to enjoy sin for a season (disobedience) and lose my benefits and open the door to the enemy or do I want to resist, obey God and grow in the benefits and blessings of God?"