Donate
Last Sunday, Christian blogger Bill Muehlenberg commented:
“Just a few days ago I was asked if I thought we were living in the last days. I get asked this quite often. I replied as I usually do … In one sense we have been living in the last days for 2000 years now…”
True. At various times throughout history, there have been wars, rumours of wars, nations rising against other nations, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, false prophets, fearful events and great signs from heaven – all mentioned by Jesus as things that must take place (Matthew 24 and Luke 21).
The Apostle Paul wrote about the great increase in evil expected in the end times:
“In the last days … people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3)
These things certainly ring bells today. Not only have we had a horror year of COVID-19 pestilence, we are also seeing more and more horror laws proposed or passed in this and other countries.
Many states and territories now allow unborn babies to be aborted until birth, if two doctors (possibly at the same commercial clinic) agree. Laws even prohibit prayer near places where the babies are “terminated”.
The Victorian parliament is on the verge of enacting an “anti-gay-conversion” bill. It would penalise – with jail terms – counsellors, therapists, parents or pastors who seek, by prayer or gentle persuasion, to help young people appreciate their biological sex. More and more, people are facing persecution for speaking the truth: even for praying.
Some 2000 years ago when Christ was born in Bethlehem, the world was full of suffering, fear, tension and evil. The Jews were an oppressed people, ruled by the occupying Roman Empire. Herod the puppet king had no qualms about slaughtering all the babies and toddlers he believed might threaten his position.
By contrast, when Jesus came, He taught us of the especial need to protect “little ones”. He said:
“Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves.” (Luke 17)
In those days, Bethlehem was not a place of peace and goodwill (and still isn’t). But God sent Jesus – God with us. He told us to obey His commandments, even when obedience brings us hate.
We can be encouraged by Jesus’ words: “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet… the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24)
We in FamilyVoice continue seeking to advance God’s kingdom. And we pray that you may hang in there with us – your support and prayers make this ministry possible.
And I wish you and your loved ones a Christmas and New Year filled with Christ’s love, peace, hope and joy.
Peter Downie - National Director
FamilyVoice Australia