Question: “What signs indicate that the end times are approaching?”

Answer:
Matthew 24:5-8 gives us some important clues so we can discern the approach of the end times, For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disastersthese are signs of the end times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains; the end is still to come.

Some interpreters point to every earthquake, every political upheaval, and every attack on Israel as a sure sign that the end times are rapidly approaching. While the events may signal the approach of the last days, they are not necessarily indicators that the end times have arrived. The apostle Paul warned that the last days would bring a marked increase in false teaching. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1). The last days are described as perilous times because of the increasingly evil character of man and people who actively resist the truth (2 Timothy 3:1-9; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Other possible signs would include a rebuilding of a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, increased hostility towards Israel, and advances toward a one-world government. The most prominent sign of the end times, however, is the nation of Israel. In 1948, Israel was recognized as a sovereign state, essentially for the first time since A.D. 70. God promised Abraham that his posterity would have Canaan as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8), and Ezekiel prophesied a physical and spiritual resuscitation of Israel (Ezekiel chapter 37). Having Israel as a nation in its own land is important in light of end times prophecy because of Israels prominence in eschatology (Daniel 10:14; 11:41; Revelation 11:8).

With these signs in mind, we can be wise and discerning in regard to the expectation of the end times. We should not, however, interpret any of these singular events as a clear indication of the soon arrival of the end times. God has given us enough information that we can be prepared, and that is what we are called to be.

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Presbyterians continue to be divided about the issues of the ordination of gay people in committed relationships, and about redefining marriage to include same-sex couples–but the gap in the vote count is closing.

At the recently held 219^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA at Minneapolis, 53 percent of Presbyterian leaders voted in favor of ordaining clergy who are in committed same-sex relationships. On the issue of marriage, 51 percent voted on retaining its current definition as being between “a man and a woman,” rather than redefining it to being between “two people,” the Courier Press said.

The decision in the General Assembly regarding approval of ordaining clergy who are in committed same-sex relationships is just the first step. It will still require majority approval by the church’s 173 presbyteries, the Courier Press said.

Rev. Dennis Davenport of Eastminster congregation expressed doubt that the proposal would be approved by the presbyteries, saying, “The commissioners to the general assembly tend to vote more liberally than the general members,” the Courier Press said.

Davenport said commissioners have the benefit of more research and information when voting, unlike the presbyteries, the Courier Press said. Two years before, a similar motion was rejected by 91 presbyteries, the AP said.

During the 2010 General Assembly a motion was passed to reconsider the marriage vote but only 40 percent had approved, falling short of the two-thirds majority vote required. This means that the issue of redefining marriage to include gay people will have to wait another two years for the next general assembly to take place, the AP said.

The Presbyterian Church, ranked No. 10 among the largest churches in the U.S., has between 2.1 million – 2.8 million members. The gay issues have sparked heated debate and caused division in the church for years, the AP said.

Other major Christian denominations that permit ordination of gay clergy engaged in committed same-sex relationships are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the U.S. Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ, the AP said.

Two major U.S. denominations that support same-sex marriage are the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, the AP said.

Sources:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_presbyterians_gays

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jul/09/members-may-reject-presbyterian-clergy-decision/

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Two major faith groups from Virginia joined recently the fight in their state against the use of tobacco.

The two denominations are the United Church of Christ and the United Methodists. Embodying hundreds of thousands of Virginians, they backed up the Faith United Against Tobacco in Virginia Resolution, the PR Newswire said.

Under this resolution, comprehensive policies are being endorsed against smoking including full funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, increasing state tobacco tax, and rendering all places of work smoke-free, PR Newswire said.

Endorsing the policy, the faith groups said, will save lives and reduce illnesses caused by tobacco smoking. They also urged other faith groups in Virginia to join them in the fight against tobacco, PR Newswire said.

The role of faith leaders has always been critical in addressing social issues, especially where children and vulnerable people are concerned, Tobacco-Free Kids said in their website.

Also noted were the roles that faith leaders have played nationwide in lobbying for the enactment of public health policies that were proven to be effective in reducing smoking. The leaders of the two Virginia faith groups said they are determined that similar policies will be enacted in their state, PR Newswire said.

Faith United Against Tobacco is comprised of some 30 faith groups nationwide who are committed to seeking comprehensive policies to control tobacco consumption at local, state and national levels, PR Newswire said.

Religious groups in the nationwide campaign include United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventists, Southern Baptist Convention, Church Women United, Islamic Society of North America, Presbyterian, National Council of Churches, American Muslim Foundation, Commission on Social Action Reform Judaism, and Church of the Brethren, Tobacco-Free Kids said on their website.

The coalition of faith groups have in past years successfully pushed for landmark legislation on the federal level including the authorization last year of the FDA to regulate tobacco products, PR Newswire said.

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Two Iranian Christian women were acquitted recently of apostasy charges and were allowed to leave their country, the Baptist Press (BP) reported.

According to the BP Marzieh Amirizadeh, 31,  and Maryam Rostampour, 28, were charged with apostasy for converting to Christianity.  They spent more than 250 days in jail for their faith.

While in prison Amirizadeh and Rostampour were repeatedly placed under great pressure to recant and deny Jesus Christ. They faced repeated interrogations, weeks in solitary confinement, and unhealthy prison conditions. Both became seriously sick during their imprisonment and did not receive the treatment they needed. Senior judges and officials also intimidated them.

Amirizadeh said, “We have seen the Lord do miracles over and over again.  He sustained us during a very difficult period.”  She also thanked those who prayed saying, “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people,” the BP reported.

Rostampour, 28, said “I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God and it was all for His glory.  The prayers of people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal,” according to the BP.

The two women faced possible death sentences for converting to Christianity and for reportedly engaging in evangelistic activities and Bible distribution.  They were arrested in March 2009 and held in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison until Nov. 18 when they were given a conditional release, the BP said.

The apostasy charges however were not dismissed, and Amirizadeh and Rostampour endured a difficult six months waiting for their case to be heard in an Islamic court, where they could have been sentenced to prison again, the BP reported.

According to the BP, both young women told an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ.  The International Christian Concern (ICC), a human rights organization, helped publicize the women’s plight.

According to Aidan Clay, ICC’s Middle East regional manager, “Their faith and endurance has been an encouragement to countless believers throughout the world,” the BP reported.

The women were warned that any future Christian activity in Iran would be seriously dealt with.  It has not been specified to which country Amirizadeh and Rostampour traveled, the BP said.

Rostampour was quoted as saying, “We hope to eventually share some of what the Lord allowed us to go through to highlight the need and the opportunity for the church in Iran, but right now we will take time to pray and seek the Lord for His will,” the BP reported.

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Question: “How should a Christian respond to persecution?”

Answer:
Theres no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living the Christian life. The apostle Paul warned us that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus told us to expect persecution from the world because if they persecuted Him, they will persecute His followers also. Jesus has made it very clear to us that those of the world will hate us because they hate Him. If Christians were like the worldvain, earthly, sensual, given to pleasure, wealth, ambition, the world would not oppose us. But Christians do not belong to the world which is why they hate and persecute us (John 15:18-19). Christians are, or should be, influenced by different principles from those of the world. We are motivated by the love of God and holiness, while the world is driven by the love of sin. It is our very separation from the world that arouses the world’s animosity toward us. The world would prefer that we were like them; since we are not, they hate us (1 Peter 4:3-4).

As faithful Christians, we must learn to recognize the value of persecution and even to rejoice in it, not in an ostentatious way, but quietly and humbly because persecution has great spiritual value. First, persecution allows us to share in a unique fellowship with our Lord. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul outlined a number of things he surrendered for the cause of Christ. Such losses, however, he viewed as rubbish (Philippians 3:8), or dung (KJV), that he might share in the fellowship of Christs sufferings (Philippians 3:10). The noble apostle even counted his chains as a grace (favor) which God had bestowed upon him (Philippians 1:7).

Secondly, in all truth, persecution is good for us. James argues that trials test our faith, work or develop (endurance) in our lives, and help develop maturity (James 1:2-4). For as steel is tempered in the flames of the forge, trials and persecution serve to hone down those rough edges that tarnish our character. Yielding graciously to persecution allows one to demonstrate that he is of a superior quality than his adversaries. Its easy to be hateful, but an ugly disposition throws a light upon our human weakness. It is much more Christ-like to remain calm and to respond in kindness in the face of evil opposition. Without question this is a tremendous challenge, but we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us and the wonderful example of the Lord to encourage us. Peter says of Jesus: When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).

Third, persecution enables us to value the support of true friends. Conflict sometimes brings faithful children of God together in an encouraging and supportive way they might not have known otherwise. Hardship can stimulate the Lords people toward a greater resolve to love and comfort one another and lift one another to the throne of grace in prayer. Theres nothing like an unpleasant incident to help the more mature rise toward a greater level of brotherly love.

So, when we think about it seriously, we can move ourselves forward, even in the face of antagonism, whether from the world or within the church, and press on. We can thank God for His grace and for His patience with us. We can express gratitude for those whom we love in the Lord and who stand with us in times of distress. And we can pray for those who would accuse, misuse, or abuse us (2 Corinthians 11:24; Romans 10:1).

Recommended Resource:
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe

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The fastest death rate of churches in America is happening in the Bible belt, said a southern US pastor at a 3-day convention that was held recently, according to Christian Today (CT).

Churches are dying fastest in the so-called Bible Belt/Credit: klsmith77/sxc.hu

At Advance10: Contextualizing the Gospel in the New South, Pastor Tyler Jones of Vintage21 Church in Raleigh, North Carolina said churches are dying rapidly in the Bible belt. He and several other pastors blamed the churches themselves for the decline, CT reported.

According to Jones, churches don’t understand the gospel and how it applies to people’s lives. They are being taught “quaint moralism over the Gospel.” Jones said, adding “Moralism is the greatest form of self worship. It robs us of our need for God,” CT reported.

Jerome Gay, lead pastor of Vision International Church in Raleigh agreed, saying, “Christianity has been presented as a list of don’ts. Don’t go to the club, don’t join the frat, don’t do this, don’t do that.” As a result, people leave the church, disillusioned, without actually knowing Christ as he is presented in the Bible, CT said.

The conference was held by Advance the Church, and co-sponsored by The Summit Church and Vintage21 Church. They seek to help local churches become more responsive to the changing culture without watering down God’s Word, according to the Christian Post (CP).

CP quoted Pastor David Platt of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, who said many churches need clarity on the Gospel. “A lot of people who [grew] up in the church need to hear the Gospel as it’s presented biblically,” said Platt.

Other scheduled speakers were Matt Carter of The Austin Stone; Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle; J.D. Grear of The Summit Church in the Raleigh-Durham area; Johnny Hunt, who heads the Southern Baptist Convention; and Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of evangelist Billy Graham and pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla, according to CP.

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Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia—the world’s largest Christian university–announced recently that they have formed a committee to investigate the background of their seminary president Ergun Caner, the Washington Post reported.

Liberty University is investigating its seminary president, Ergun Caner over allegations that he's not the ex-Muslim he passed himself off to be.

The investigating committee will be headed by Liberty university administrator Ron Godwin.

Findings will be released by June 30.  Ergun Caner distinguished himself as a Muslim expert and is a popular speaker in the university lecture circuit.

Since he became president, he has tripled enrolment in the school that was owned by the late Jerry Falwell, Sr., according to Christianity Today (CT).

The CT said that among the claims that Caner made which have been brought to question are:

• That he grew up in Turkey (when he actually grew up in Ohio).
• That he was raised in a devout Sunni Muslim home (rather than a nominal one).
• That he had been involved in Islamic jihad.
• That he has debated dozens of Muslims about the Islamic faith.  (There is no video or audio evidence).

Caner’s reputation came to task when Mohammed Khan, a 22 year old London based Muslim, posted 17 of Caner’s speeches on YouTube.  Khan interjected portions of the speeches with his own commentary.  Among others, Khan said that several times when Caner claimed to be reciting the Shehada, (part of the Islamic creed), he was actually quoting a prayer from the Qur’an, which Khan said is very different.  Khan disputed Caner’s claim to be an Islamic expert.

This set off a rash of bloggers who commented on the issue.  Christianity Today quoted several bloggers including the following:
Debbie Kaufman, an Enid, Oklahoma Southern Baptist laywoman, who said, “This matters because we are to win people to Christ.”
Gene Clyatt, a Southern Baptist pastor in Superior, Montana, questioned Caner’s claim that he was trained as a jihadist until the age of 15.  In Ergun’s book, Unveiling Islam which he co-wrote with his brother Emir, he said that his parents married in Sweden and the family moved to Ohio when he was a young boy.

In the book the brothers said they recited daily prayers, visited the mosque weekly, and read the Qur’an and Hadith regularly.  They said they were raised to be devout, serious Muslims.

James R. White, director of the Phoenix-based Alpha & Omega Ministries, said “The president of a large theological seminary has created a myth concerning his background that is incredibly self-contradictory.”  White teaches Islam at golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

Sympathy

Some bloggers however expressed sympathy for Caner.

Hussein Wario, also a former Sunni Muslim who converted to Christianity, noted that while Caner had co-authored 17 books, it is only now that he is being criticized because of Khan’s videos.

Wario also said in his blog, Cracks in the Crescent, “I am a Reformed Christian and I am utterly ashamed of Dr. White. In my opinion, he is a disgrace to the Reformed faith—sola scriptura—because of his meddling in this matter and his disregard of the scripture. He is tacitly helping Muslims with their war against Muslim converts to Christianity.”

Roy J. Oksnevad, director of Muslim Ministries at Wheaton College said that the American church tends to pressure ex-Muslims to talk very negatively about their former faith.

Repent

Tom Chantry, on the Christ Reformed Baptist Church blog, suggested repentance on the part of Caner and Liberty University.  Chantry said in his blog that while it is difficult to make restitution in cases of deceit, it can be done, and that Caner can apologize and seek forgiveness.

However Liberty University must do the same, Chantry said, noting that the institution had benefitted from the celebrity culture of Evangelical Christianity and if they had instead put their focus on the Word of God, this may have been prevented.

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An earthquake two years ago in Sichuan, China led to 430 new Christian churches being set up in the area; and a recent earthquake in Qinghai province caused the atheist Chinese government to appeal to the religious community for help.

On its second year anniversary since the devastating Sichuan earthquake with a death toll of 69,000 (with 18,000 still missing), Brian Rushton, vice president of Partner Relations for WorldServe Ministries said the immediate Christian humanitarian response  opened up amazing ministry opportunities, Mission News Network (MNN) reported recently.

“The first year, 15,000 people came to Christ. The second year, …another 10,000 …But that’s only because we had people on the ground who were willing to go alongside and bring resources, sit and talk with the people, hear their story, and then share with them the hope of Christ,” Rushton told MNN.

With so many new Christians over 430 churches were established which continue to grow.  Missionaries in the area help people rebuild homes and find business opportunities, the MNN reported.

According to MNN, many children were orphaned by the quake, and many seniors lost their entire family, hence were “orphaned” too.  Rushton said the church is caring for the orphaned seniors.

Meanwhile, China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs asked the religious community for donations to rebuild the Tibetan Yushu area in Qinghai Province, where a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit on April 14, the Christian Post reported.

The Yushu quake left 2,200 dead, 12,000 injured, and over 100,000 homeless.  Some $12.7 million had already been donated by the religious, but China’s religious affairs department, while expressing appreciation, also asked for more help.

These past years China has been more tolerant of religion although there are still ongoing problems with religious freedom.  A recent article in the state-run China Daily spoke of a 22 year old Christian convert in Beijing who was attending a 700-member house church there.  

However, house churches are illegal in China and citizens can only worship in religious institutions approved by bodies under China’s Religious Affairs Bureau.  For Protestant Christians, this means worshiping in churches affiliated with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and China Christian Council.

Human rights groups still regularly report incidents of persecution of house church Christians and other non-registered religious groups, and say China still has a long way to go, according to the Christian Post.

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Internet research by the Dallas Morning News indicated some 5 million hits for the word “Christian,” Cybersociology magazine reported recently.  The same report said that churches and denominations globally are establishing web sites for both their members and the unchurched, because of this.

The trend to going online for faith is highlighted among millenials, those aged 18-30, a Fox News report noted.  Rebecca Phillips, vice president of Beliefnet.com said, “Young people are defining their own spiritual paths.”

A Lifeway Christian Resources study showed that 72 percent of millennials believe they are more spiritual than religious. Fewer among them attend worship services, pray, or read sacred scriptures.

Cybersociology magazine cited Cyberchurch of the Remnant, which was formed for Christians who are not aligned with a church, or for those who left their denominations and churches because they felt it hindered their walk with Christ.  Cyberchurch has chat rooms, devotionals and sermons.

Cybersociology magazine quoted Brenda Brasher, and author of “Give Me That Online Religion,” who noted the evolution of cyber-millenialism among Christian web sites.

Phillips of Beliefnet.com told FOX that young people are defining their own spiritual paths.  They are “not necessarily doing the same thing religion-wise that their parents did. They’re developing their own unique brands of spirituality.”

David Kinnaman, president of the research organization The Barna Group said that because young people are exposed to a variety of faith perspectives, they can tailor-make their own religion.

Beliefnet.com found that nearly half of the teens it polled felt they were more religious than their parents’ generation.  “Online, what people are doing is seeking out truth,” Phillips says, “and it might not be in the traditional way of a pastor speaking from a pulpit.”

“I think their generation is really turned off by the term religion.  They see it as a set of rules or something that represents the past,” Pastor Bobby Gruenewald of LifeChurch.TV told FOX.

LifeChurch.TV has 80,000 congregants through the Web, who log on to hear sermons and chat with other worshippers.  Gruenewald told FOX, “…this is a way to reach people that maybe otherwise wouldn’t be reached.”

Cybersociology magazine noted for example that Kate O’Donnell, a health care worker, worships online because her hours often prevent regular visits to churches. She says, “By using online sites, I can read sermons, devotionals, and use chat rooms to fellowship with believers.  This helps me on my journey.”

Kevin Neese looks up text and audio formats of “old sermons by preachers I am familiar with, and I enjoy the opportunity of hearing a famous sermon I had not been able to find on tape.”

Basher said the Internet levels the playing field between young people and church authority.  It gives millenials a sense of control that previous generations never had, because they can check out different sources when they have questions about some beliefs a certain religion has, or they can look up the history behind a belief.

Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources said on their website, “Religion and its practices are …becoming increasingly privatized …our [religious] culture is changing with the maturation of the millennials.”

Basher felt that religious leaders should view this as a challenge.  Because young people are changing the future of worship, religious leaders should be so guided and learn how to bring God’s Word to this generation.

Brasher said cyber-evangelism will continue and increase, and religious groups, both traditional and alternative see cyberspace as the place to be active if they want to grow and to survive.

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An Associated Press report said recently that Facebook is now being used to help recruit priests in France.

According to the report, this is part of an overall euro 250,000 campaign to encourage more males to become men of the cloth.  The April 20-May 5 campaign also includes 75,000 postcards showing a priest’s vestments with a button reading, “Jesus is my Boss” and the slogan, “Why not?”  It will be distributed throughout France, in restaurants, bars and movie theaters, among other places.

But the use of Facebook indicates the ever enlarging role the social network is playing in today’s world.  On its first week the page got over 1,200 fans.

Roman Catholicism is the main religion in France, comprising 64 percent of the population, or 41.6 million people out of a total 65 million.  However, only some 2 million attend church regularly, the report said.

There has also been a steady decline in the number of priests with only 24,000 today, compared to 42,000 in 1975.  Even the number of those who were ordained in 2009 (89) is a steep fall from a decade before at 116 in 1999.

Although the declining trend of ordainments is common in Europe and the United States, globally ordainments have actually increased, with the largest number of new priests coming from Asia and Africa.

The AP report noted, for example, that it is common for a church service in Italy to be conducted by priests from Brazil, Mozambique, the Philippines and other countries.

For Europeans and the United States, the most difficult obstacle towards becoming a priest is the vow of celibacy.  However, another difficult consideration is that the priesthood is a lifetime career choice whereas many people undergo many career changes in a lifetime.  Also, priests don’t make much money.  In Asia and Africa however joining the priesthood is a valued profession.  It also enables one to get an advanced education and earn a respectable living.

Even the average age of the European priests is indicative of a shortage of young Caucasian men entering the priesthood.  On the average, an Italian priest in 2003 was 60 years old, with one of every eight priests 80 years or over.

The decline is not related to the recent sex abuse scandals, the AP said.  The ad campaign however hopes to interest a younger age group of French men to become part of the Catholic priesthood.

The Telegraph UK for example described a half page ad of a 41-year-old man with the caption, “I am a man among others.  I’ve heard and responded to Christ’s call.  I love life.  I am a priest!”

The use of Facebook is also seen as a way to attract their target market and to reinvent the image of priests into something more young, new and contemporary.  The Telegraph UK report quoted French advertising guru Jacques Seguela who commented on the ad campaign and the sex abuse church scandals by saying, “The Church couldn’t call off the publicity campaign.  In any case, the ad is also a good counterattack in a crisis period.  This is a real grassroots reaction of the Church showing its modernization, in contrast with the image of a Pope mired in his own conservatism.”

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