By Carole J. Keller
- Love will grow cold.
Jesus said that love will grow cold because iniquity will
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” …And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:7, 12).
We have heard the term “cold-blooded” to describe the brutality of murder. This act is completed in one whose heart is filled with hate and devoid of any compassion. The life within grows cold. The loss of natural affection is manifested in the ever increasing incidence of abuse within families.
Signs of the Times:
- The War on Terrorism
- A Professor of Ethics advocated euthanasia for disabled babies and use of their bodies for research (11/99 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel).
- Without natural affection: hate groups; teen mass murders.
- Murder and abortions number 4300 every day: Statistics report that there have been in excess of 30 million abortions during the last 30 years, with illegitimate births increasing 419%.
- Physical, sexual, and psychological abuse is prevalent.
- Unbelief:
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
People will hear the testimony from the Word of God that challenges society’s decline in moral values, but nevertheless pursue a course which is detrimental not only to their own souls, but to the soul of the nation.
Ironically, America’s heritage is deeply rooted in the doctrines of Jesus Christ as reflected in the Resolution adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1854:
“The great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrine and Divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
People do not believe God means what He says—there is little fear of God in the world today. People seek churches that teach what they want to hear:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3).
Signs of the Times:
- Some churches have adopted new sexual codes of ethics. A major denomination considered the report entitled “Sexuality and the Human Community,” which removed all restrictions and allowed unmarried adults freedom to live together ,Kirban, Revelation Visualized, P. 3111.
- False prophets:
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).
Many will falsely say “peace when there is no peace.” They will speak of visions from their own heart and will not hear from God.
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 1 have not sent these prophets, vet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused My people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings” (Jeremiah 23:16, 21-22).
False prophets will lead people astray:
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder. And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee, saying, Let its go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let its serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 13:1 -3).
- Seducing Spirits
People will believe lies of seducing spirits causing them to error. More and more people are seeking answers and relief from yoga, Buddhist philosophies, and other New Age encounters.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).
If we are not grounded in the Word of God, we can easily be seduced into believing a lie. Even the very elect will be deceived if they do not have a love for truth. On the other hand. believers receive discernment, knowledge and understanding when they seek after God’s wisdom, which will lead them in a straight path:
“He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity, yea, every good path” (Proverbs 2:8-9).
- Mockers
Mockers are those who challenge, mimic, deride, and blaspheme. Freedom of speech, without moral restraints, has opened the door to perversion of sacred symbols (i.e. pictures that desecrate the image of Jesus), movies that present behaviors deemed sinful in God’s Word as enlightening and liberating.
“How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit” (Jude 18-19).
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were form the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of that, buy the word of God, the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:3-5).
- Secular Humanism:
Humanists “… find insufficient evidence for belief in the existence of a supernatural; it is either meaningless or irrelevant to the question of survival and fulfillment of the human race. As nontheists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity.” Humanists believe that moral values are derived from human experience alone and promises of salvation are illusory and harmful. “We strive for the good life, here and now.” Humanists reject all “religious, ideological, or moral codes that denigrate the individual, suppress freedom, dull intellect, dehumanize personality.” [From Humanist Manifesto II.]
Rights Advocated by Humanists:
- Free use of pornography
- Prostitution
- Homosexuality
- Free love
- Abortion
- Gambling
- Children’s rights over parental rights-destruction of the family
The U.S. Supreme Court identified Secular Humanism as a religion (Abington v. Schempp and Torcaso v. Watkins.). [See article entitled “Education and New Age Humanism,” by Russ
Wise, Probe Ministries (www.probe.org)
- Evolution vs. Creation
There are two prevailing theories regarding the origin of life.
- The first theory for the origin of life is supernatural creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
Creationist scientists teach there is no scientific discovery anywhere in the world that the earth is older than 6,000 years (this is within the biblical time frame). The only reason for scientists to claim that the earth is billions of years old is to support the theory of evolution and discredit God’s handiwork. The axiom (self-evident truth) of biology is that life only arises from life (Genesis 1: 1, Acts 17:24-26).
- The second theory regarding the origin of life is evolution, which was introduced to
refute supernatural creation. Evolution is the upward progression from simplicity to
greater complexity and organization. According to this theory, life transitions from one
specie to another. However, the study of fossils has shown organisms to be formed after their own kind as clearly established in the account of creation in the Book of Genesis. There has not been one evolutionary transitional record found—not one fossil changed or transitioned into another specie.
Evolutionary theory is that which defines the origin of life from non-living matter, i.e. man was formed from slimy algae (or seaweed). (Evolution was disproved by Louis Pasteur, the father of modem day biology, in 1860.) Evolution conflicts with entropy, the second Law of Thermodynamics, which holds that everything in the universe degenerates as it moves from organization and complexity to chaos and disorganization. For example, a new car left standing eventually rusts and wears out.
The definition of evolution was then changed to “evolution equals natural selection.” Natural selection is a change horizontally within a specie. Evolutionists would consider evolutionary finches with small, medium or large beaks as evidence of progressive upward movement.To support the theory of evolution, the “geological column” was created. The geological column is a study of the age of fossils. The column was invented by Charles Lyell, a lawyer (not a scientist) and collaborator with Charles Darwin, who popularized the evolution theory. Lyell established theories regarding the composition of the earth based on philosophical assumptions, not scientific fact. Next to the column were images associated with evolution. Lyell’s theory reflected a collusion to create a lie and destroy the truth. The geological column was a figment of one man’s imagination and is currently taught in universities as fact. I Ron Carlson, Ed Decker, Fast Facts on False Teachings: Harvest House Publishers (1994).]
- New Age Philosophy
According to movie star Shirley MacLaine, “…the New Age is man being divine, man can become God. Man does not need a savior, he can save himself through cyclic rebirth and reincarnation.” The New Age movement is a broad philosophical and religious movement representing many elements, including monism, the belief that all is one and that everything is interrelated: there is no real difference between humans, animals, rocks and God. Therefore, all of creation contains a divine essence. There is no personal God, just a cosmic force. All are gods (pantheism).
Another element is moral relativism, the belief that all religions are true and that “there are many paths to God.” (Some Christian denominations are erasing the distinction between Christians. and Muslims, based on the belief that both are descendants of Abraham, so both are accepted by God.) Therefore, moral relativists believer there is no absolute truth.
New Age philosophy blends ideas from Eastern mystic religions (Hinduism and Buddism) which are used in meditation and mind control. Re-birthing teaches a person to find himself by practicing meditation from within. A Middle Eastern belief is that man will be judged by “karma.” According to Webster’s Dictionary, karma is a “force generated by a person’s actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration (migrating from one state or place of existence to another) and, in its ethical consequences, to determine the nature of the person’s next existence.” With no absolute truth, there is no recognition of sin, a need for forgiveness, or redemption. People can save themselves through reincarnation and be guided through the universe.
The New Age movement suppresses the spirit of the Anti-Christ by advocating Christ-consciousness. New Age believers assert that Jesus was an ordinary man who had “Christ-consciousness” descend upon Him, thus denying His Deity. What does the Bible say?
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22).
“And. every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:3).
There are two schools of New Age thought:
- Consciousness Renaissance—mankind steps beyond its self-imposed limits to merge with unlimited powers of a utopian (ideal) universe: “All we need to do in order to claim our godhood, both as individuals and as an entire world, is to step into the reality of our perfection and divinity, thereby releasing our god-nature and merging with our own heaven on earth.”
- Quantum Leap of Consciousness—involves mankind interacting with powerful entities from outside the human experience. This engagement in consciousness is linked to the occult. I Ron Carlson, Ed Decker, Fast Facts on False Teachings: Harvest House Publishers (1994).]
- Astrology & Witchcraft
Many people who want answers or seek guidance read horoscopes and open themselves to other mediums of the occult, known as witchcraft. The Bible teaches that witchcraft is an abomination in the sight of God, and people or nations that engage in it are destined for judgment:
“When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12.)
- Sexual Sin:
The Bible teaches us that engaging in a sexual relationship outside of marriage is fornication, and fornicators will not enter into the kingdom of God:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Signs of the times:
- Pornography—On the Internet one-third of all unsolicited e-mail is pornographic and 30% of net users are children.
- TV rating system – A PG rating permits profanity, sex outside of marriage, homosexual relationships, violence, and disrespect toward the family.
- AIDS – millions are infected.
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) —over 13 million are infected.
- The homosexual agenda is a powerful force infiltrating the government, military, schools, churches, and community.
Homosexuality is taught as an alternative lifestyle in the schools in America.
“We shall sodomize your sons, emblems of your feeble masculinity, of your shallow dreams and vulgarities. We shall seduce them in your schools, in your dormitories, in your gymnasiums, in your locker room…All churches who condemn us will be closed. Our only gods are handsome young men” (Michael Swift Gay Revolutionary, printed in the Congressional Record, 2/87).
What does God say about homosexuality? According to His written Word, homosexuality is an abomination:
“If a man also lie with mankind as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Leveticus 20:13).
Further, the Bible clearly states that the abominable shall have their part in the lake of fire:
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Revelation 21:7-8).
An attraction for a person of the same sex is an unnatural affection that is considered an abomination to God because such a person has departed from the natural use of the body which was created by God:
“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections, for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with Men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:24-27).
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people with effeminate or homosexual tendencies can be overcomers if they yield their lust to God. On the contrary, homosexuals are being lured by the religious community into a false sense of security that God approves of their lifestyle. In August 2003, the Episcopal Church elected a homosexual bishop from the
Diocese of New Hampshire, despite a groundswell of opposition. [New York Times story reported in The Milwaukee Journal on 8/6/03.] The Reverend Gene Robinson was reported to have said on his election as the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church, “God has once again brought an Easter out of Good Friday.” [ Report by Fox News entitled, “Episcopal Church Approves Gay Bishop,” on August 6, 2003.] The following year, the 8.5 million member Methodist Church dismissed charges against a lesbian minister, effectively nullifying church law, which states that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching I World Magazine, dated April 3, 2004.] The position of the Episcopal and Methodist Churches conflicts with the Bible, which warns believers not to be deceived about sin, including homosexuality:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
In an article entitled, “What the Bible Says About Homosexuality,” Bill Rast writing for Contender Ministries (www.contenderministries.org), noted that laws against homosexuality may be categorized as “hate” crimes in the United States. Some Canadians have been prosecuted by human rights tribunals for reciting Bible verses against homosexual behaviors, such as is found in the first Chapter of Romans.
The Founding Fathers, who firmly believed that our nation must be governed according to Judeo-Christian principles to survive, would have never envisioned that America would condone homosexual rights.
The above article, “Spiritual Signs of the Last Days,” is written by Carole J. Keller. The article was excerpted from Keller’s book Stand Up, America!
The material is most likely copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.
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