TIME ... waits for no one

WHEN WILL THE LORD JESUS RETURN?

No one knows the day nor the hour BUT ...

Virtually the whole of the 24th chapter of Matthew is devoted to Jesus Himself answering this question.   And even right up to this very day, people across the world are still interested in both the question and His answer.

His disciples asked Him, What will be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3 NKJV).  In response to their question, the Lord Jesus laid out a picture of conditions and events to expect during the time leading up to His return.

On the most recent (2 September 2016) "Hal Lindsey Report", Hal explains so clearly how those "signs of the times" that Jesus named, are in the headlines this week!

I want to invite you to listen to his brief message below and share it with others.

Any questions, please contact me

Day Ashton

Merging religions ... a very dangerous trend!

 In one of the assemblies of the World Council of Churches (WCC), it confirmed (many years ago already!) that it is promoting the establishment of a one world religion as one of the main pillars of a one world government or New World Order. They have stated that there are two things needed to form a one world religion, namely that the unique revelation given by God through Jesus Christ and hitherto preserved, should be destroyed and ... practices and concepts from other religions must be introduced into the Christian faith in order to merge them. 

This has been actively pursued as far back as 1991 (if not a lot earlier). 

Some years ago already, Time Europe published an article explaining why Germany’s convents and monasteries are marketing themselves as New Age spiritual retreats for paying customers. Catholic monasteries are opening businesses (albeit to raise funds) to provide wellness and meditation centres. They encourage people of all faiths to visit the centres. Certain of the centres offer a variety of Zen, quigong (Chinese exercise & meditation), tai chi classes as well as Christian contemplation. The reason? They feel that Eastern wisdom and Christianity go well together...  What we are seeing here is part of merging the “religions”.

Many meetings have taken place over the years, including The Parliament of

World Religions held in Cape Town, where 8000 spiritual leaders representing all religions gathered. This and other meetings are believed to be the preparatory events leading up to the United Nation’s intended declaration of a one world religion.

Just this week an email I received reminded one of the fast-growing belief-system around today known as pluralism (all religions lead to God).  There is a variation of this gaining momentum and being taught in many seminaries, churches and Christian colleges.  It is known as inclusivism and is a very dangerous doctrine indeed.    Inclusivism affirms that the only way of salvation is through Jesus, BUT … He can be found in other so-called “good” religions as well.   The writer of the email article points out that there is a “subtle but growing belief among many Christians.  That somehow ‘good’ followers will make it to heaven outside of a true Christian conversion”.

For many years now, much emphasis has been placed on having a multi-faith approach to “religion”. Accommodation and compromise being the operative words! Perhaps what people do not realize is this: merging all religions, does not mean mixing and merging the traditionally “accepted” religions. No, it is far more radical than that. Multi-faith includes the whole spectrum of so-called faiths, namely anything from the Catholic faith to occultism and ancestral worship. Those who worship the “earth”, according to the New World Order’s Philosophy, should be equal to those who worship the True God. This, just by the way, is totally unthinkable for any one who has met the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. There is no comparison and the thought of merging religions that serve someone or something other than the only True and Living God is forbidden. "Thou shalt worship the Lord God and Him only shalt thou worship." 

But here is some up-to-date info just to confirm that this is no "theory" or imagination... 

There is a new video which has just very recently been released in which the Pope very clearly expresses his belief that all of the major religions are different paths to the same "God".  In his first video prayer in January 2016, the Pope stressed interfaith unity saying (amongst other things) "we are all children of God".

Throughout his papacy the Pope has continued to lay the groundwork leading to the establishment of the one world religion.   Are people taking notice?   No ... and yet these recent events and declarations prove that he has abandoned the Truth of God's Word, the Bible, where the LORD Jesus Christ says:  "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6)

In fact, the Pope believes that interpreting the Bible literally (which he has labelled as "fundamentalism") is "a sickness".   In other words, it certainly would appear by labelling Bible-believing Christianity in this way, that he is against those who believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible and therefore would oppose the one world religion.

Compromise of this type will ultimately (in the not too distant future either!) bring down the wrath of God in all its fullness on those who worship any other god other than the God of Heaven and Earth, the God of the Bible.

If one seriously studies what is happening around the world - the aim is to have everything working together as one. Congregations are being encouraged to put aside the differences, build on the similarities. This would be in order if the similarities centred on the message of the Cross of Jesus and His Message.  But, the ultimate goal is something a little more sinister than that. God’s standard for living is being brushed aside. God’s plan of salvation is being ignored - it is seen as being too exclusive. Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). There is NO other way to God.  Jesus never wavered as to His teaching, that He is the one and only way to the true God.

How tragic that people generally seem to believe the lie rather than the truth.

Men and women of God have been prepared to die for the Truth.

Now “ministers”/clergy are calling for the exact opposite. “Let us break down the barriers, let us unite ....”.  We can only but pray that God will have mercy on those who are prepared to tarnish the Truth with error - error that will lead souls of men and women to a lost eternity.

Now is the time for Christians, those who have put their trust in the Living God, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Saviour, to hold on to the Truth and to share the Truth with others while there is yet time. As we await the imminent return of the Lord Jesus, Christians need to "contend for the faith that was once entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3).

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STORM WARNING!

Things are happening at a rate of knots.

There is a definite storm warning.  Here is a wonderful video explaining some of the many things happening globally which are impacting and will increasingly impact our lives.   Why is it wonderful?   Because not only does it paint the picture of the world in general BUT it provides HOPE for us .... not only for now but for eternity too.

Watch this short video now

TECHNOLOGY NOT BRINGING HUNGER & POVERTY TO AN END!

The World Economic Forum were in a high state of alarm during their recent meetings in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.   Why?  One main reason was that the Advance in Technology didn't work out the way they had intended.

Whilst Technology has indeed given us a dramatic increase in convenience, it has NOT provided much progress in bringing an end to hunger and poverty. 

So, who or what is the World Economic Forum (WEF)?  It is a membership organization  Their Members comprise 1,000 of the world’s top corporations, global enterprises usually with more than US$5 billion in turnover.  It is  "committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas"

So the bewilderment of the members when their plans are not quite working out is not surprising.

Just a thought ... when people leave the God of the Bible out of the equation and try to do things their own way, it is reminiscent of the picture painted for us in Haggai.  When the children of Israel returned to their country after being exiled (in captivity), many

years before, they put themselves first and not God who had made the return to their country possible.     "Why are you living in luxurious houses while My house lies in ruins? ... Look at what's happening to you!   You have planted much but harvest little.  You eat but are not satisfied.  You drink but are still thirsty.  You put on clothes but cannot keep warm.  Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes"  (Haggai 1:4-6)

This is a great description of 2016.  I won't spell it out as the message can easily be applied to all walks of life.  Push God aside, take Him out of the schools, education, business practices, government, etc. and things can and will go very awry sooner or later.

In fact, Rana Foroohar* recently published an article in Time magazine where she states: "It's a paradox because, though we know technology improves productivity and greater productivity creates economic growth, we can't always measure the two working in tandem... Instead of being poised to reap the rewards of a technological windfall, the world is increasingly bracing for what might be yet another global recession in 2016.  Slowing growth in China, a flat-lining Europe, plunging oil prices that are simultaneously decimating emerging markets and failing to provide the usual boost to richer

countries - all of these things have added up to a perfect storm of global gloominess".

People are in a deepening cycle of working harder and earning less. 

The Elite cannot figure this out.  There should be plenty for everyone, but not everyone has honoured the One True God!

Did you know that according to Oxfam International, "62 people own the same as half the world" - put slightly differently, 62 individuals own as much as 3.5 billion people in the world"!

Why am I highlighting this in so much detail today?  ALL of this has great importance as we seek to understand what is happening in relation to what the Bible says about the end-times.  The bewilderment evidenced at Davos this year shows that the Bible prophets were right. The Apostle John said in Revelation 6 that as we reach the end of this Age, the rich will grow richer and the hapless poor will get poorer. And this is despite all the "humanitarian" efforts being made across the globe by individuals, organizations and governments.

God's clock is ticking and time IS running out.  We do not know the exact day or hour the Lord will return, BUT it is important to take note that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Saducees (equivalent to churched people) regarding the end of the age when He said to them   "You know the saying, 'Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow;  red sky in the morning means foul weather all day'.   You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don't know how to interpret the signs of the times!"  (Matthew 16:2-3).  

He has promised He is coming back and we need to be ready and help others to find Jesus as Saviour before it is too late!   It is the very fact that we do not know the day or the hour that we must NEVER cease sharing the Good News about Jesus.   

For some time now and in ever-increasing intensity, one can sense (almost palpably many times), the feeling that something catastrophic is looming in our planet's immediate future. One only needs to look at film topics and how they so often reflect the underlying fears of their audiences. For several years now, there has been an increasing sense of doom portrayed by the film producers.  Even TV themes tend to be apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic. 

So, regardless of what you think of this topic, the truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ IS coming back again!  He is not slow concerning His promise for a day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.  He is giving everyone the opportunity to get to know Him as Saviour. Sadly there will be very many who will not turn to Him for salvation.

I want to urge you if you do not know Jesus yet, to get to know Him as your Lord and Saviour.  If you do know Him as your Saviour, please be sure you are alert and ready for His return.  He will come suddenly, when you least expect it.  Everything is in place, there is nothing that needs to happen before He returns.  

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.  We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed."(Titus 2:11-13)

If you have further questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact me.  God bless

* Assistant managing editor for Time magazine. In the past, she has written for Forbes magazine and was Deputy Editor in charge of international business and economics for Newsweek

WHO SAID THE BIBLE IS NOT RELEVANT?

• DESTRUCTION
• VIOLENCE
• LAW HAS BECOME PARALYZED & USELESS
• NO JUSTICE GIVEN IN COURTS
• JUSTICE IS PERVERTED WITH BRIBES & TRICKERY!

Does that look very familiar?

No, it isn't from the latest Newspapers ...

This is from the Bible, God's Word.

When the prophet Habakkuk penned those prophetic words, this is the LORD's reply ... read it carefully and you will see how 100% accurate it is for what is happening in the world today!

"Look at the nations and be amazed!  Watch and be astounded at what I will do!   "I am raising up the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to be a new power on the world scene.  They are a cruel and violent nation who will march across the world and conquer it.  They are notorious for their cruelty.  They do as they like, and no one can stop them.  .... They are a fierce people more fierce than wolves at dusk.  Their horsemen race forward from distant places.   Like eagles they swoop down to pounce on their prey.  On they come, all of them bent on violence.  Their hordes advance like a wind from the desert, sweeping captives ahead of them like sand.  They scoff at kings and princes and scorn all their defenses.  They simply pile ramps of earth against their walls and capture them!   They sweep past like the wind and are gone.  But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god".  (Habakkuk 1:5-11)

This scenario looks VERY familiar indeed!

Understandably Habakkuk was very worried about this and the fate of righteous people under the hand of these evil people.   He highlights the fact that God doesn't allow sin in any form and asks God if He will "stand idly by while they swallow us up?  Should You be silent while the wicked destroy people who are more righteous than they?" (v13)

The LORD provides further information ... "...these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.  It will not be delayed" (Habakkuk 2:3)

I believe we are seeing this prophecy being fulfilled at this very time in history!   I am fully convinced what we are seeing happening in our world is part and parcel of this very prophecy.

May I encourage you to read the whole book of Habakkuk - only 3 short chapters and get the full picture of how the LORD will deal with the wicked (in the original and proper sense and meaning of the word) and rescue those who put their trust in Him.   

If you have further questions about this topic, get back to me.

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"The Lord is good.  When trouble comes, He is a strong refuge, and He knows everyone who trusts in Him" (Nahum 1:7)

Making sense of the fast-paced global changes

I don't know about you, but many folk in various parts of the world, including myself, cannot help but notice the rapid changes that are taking place globally.

2015 was a significant year in regards changes that took place and got the One World Order foundations on its final track!   Think it impossible?   It is a reality which will very soon come to fruition.

There is SO much to share about it that I am taking the liberty of sharing a video by a well-known and loved researcher and teacher.

I want you to take the time to watch it - it makes sense of the fast-paced global changes taking place.

If you have further questions or comments, get back to me

Day Ashton
Email: dayashton.uk@gmail.com