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Ralph and Elizabeth Pyszkowski: Relating the coronavirus to Bible prophecy

The coronavirus has got the attention of the entire world. This plague has cost trillions by shutting down economies and claiming almost 200,000 lives. It dominates our news cycle, our conversations and our way of life. Some are wondering if life will ever be the same. Our ways of interacting and doing business have been completely transformed. As this dramatic disruption has come to the world, many people are rethinking their priorities. Some are mindful of the scriptures in the Bible that have predicted…

End of the world: Bible expert predicts the rise and identity of the Antichrist

The Antichrist is described in 1 John 2:18: “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, b which we know that is the last hour.” And in 2 Thessalonians 9-12: “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the…

No, Pastor David Wilkerson did not predict that the COVID-19 pandemic would shut down the economy

A Facebook post from the Jerusalem Prayer Team, an American Christian-Zionist organization says a 1986 prophecy foretold of a plague like COVID-19 hitting New York City. The post says that David Wilkerson, the late founder of the Times Square Church, told Mike Evans, the leading pastor of the Jerusalem Prayer Team, the following: “I see a plague coming on the world and the bars and church and government will shut down. The plague will hit New York City and shake it like it has…

Some of the Most Visible Christians in America Are Failing the Coronavirus Test

If the coronavirus is a test of our collective character, some American Christians are flat-out flunking. Consider the popular pastor John Piper, who was asked what he would say to pastors who claim that the pandemic is God’s judgment on sinful cities and arrogant nations. “God sometimes uses disease to bring particular judgments upon those who reject him and give themselves over to sin,” Piper responded. Or perhaps look to R. R. Reno, the editor of the conservative Christian journal First Things, who argued…

Coronavirus exposes evangelical Christianity’s flaws. But the church can be a force for good.

A high-profile segment of American Christian leadership has not covered itself in glory, divine or otherwise, during this coronavirus outbreak. Church services globally have been one vector for coronavirus transmission — dozens of cases were linked to a single church in California. But some pastors in the U.S. have been reluctant to close down churches (and, perhaps, forgo weekly donations). Similarly, Jerry Falwell Jr. partly reopened his evangelical Liberty University, putting students, teachers and staff at risk. A Bible study leader for President Donald…

End times experts see ‘growing interest’ in Bible prophecy amid coronavirus pandemic

By Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter | Wednesday, April 22, 2020 South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant on the street to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at Gangnam district in Seoul on March 5, 2020. South Korea’s total number of novel coronavirus cases — the largest outside China, where the disease first emerged — approached 6,000 on March 5 as authorities reported 145 new infections. | JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images Experts on end times prophecies in the Bible…

Mark O’Connell Chronicles Doomsday Preppers In ‘Notes from an Apocalypse’

Enlarge this image While researching his book, Mark O’Connell visited Pripyat, Ukraine, a town that was evacuated the day after the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. “I wanted to see what the end of the world looked like,” he says. Efrem Lukatsky/AP hide caption toggle caption Efrem Lukatsky/AP While researching his new book, Notes from an Apocalypse, about people who are preparing for doomsday, author Mark O’Connell undertook what he calls “a series of perverse pilgrimages.” Some stops on O’Connell’s…

‘Pandemics, Prophecy and The Middle East’: Live Webcast on COVID-19 and Biblical Prophecy

The COVID-19 pandemic has many Christians asking, are we living in the end of times? A new LifeWay Research survey has revealed nearly 9 out of 10 pastors see at least some current events matching those Jesus said would occur shortly before he returns to earth. To delve deeper into that topic, Chosen People Ministries is presenting a live webcast titled Pandemics, Prophecy and The Middle East, Wednesday morning at 9:00 Eastern/8:00 Central, which you can watch right here at CBNNews.com. The one-hour event…

Some practical thoughts on contemporary prophetic ministry

By Michael Brown, CP Op-Ed Contributor | Monday, April 20, 2020 Michael Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number of seminaries. He is the author of 25 books and hosts the nationally syndicated, daily talk radio show, the Line of Fire. I believe deeply in prophetic ministry today. I believe God still speaks to and through His children. And I believe that some are specially called to serve…

Christian Groups That Resist Public-Health Guidelines Are Forgetting a Key Part of the Religion’s History

Because of its long history, Christianity has a tendency to produce contradicting reactions to any number of situations—and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. On one hand, some religious leaders have shown that they believe a Christian response to the global emergency involves steps such as making allowances for their congregants to practice their faith with socially distant private worship or drive-through confession; in March, Pope Francis hailed “the creativity of priests” in responding to this crisis. Meanwhile, others have made it clear…

Orthodox Christians mark Easter in near-empty Jerusalem

Greek Orthodox priests hold candles lit from the Holy Fire in the church of the Holy Sepulchre [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP] A small group of Christian clergy celebrated on Saturday the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in a deserted Jerusalem as pilgrims who normally attended the ancient ritual stayed home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Clergymen entered the Edicule, a chamber built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was buried two thousand years ago and rose from the dead after…

Christianity Is Not Trump’s Native Tongue, and So What?

By Austin Ruse, Crisis, April 17, 2020 Last week, President Donald Trump wished the country “Happy Good Friday,” and all hell broke loose. Suddenly, everyone was an expert on Catholic theology—or, at least, the emotional rubrics going along with Holy Week. Sure, most religious folk would not use the phrase “Happy Good Friday.” But most religious folk understood what he was trying to say, and they let it slide. Not the Left, though. Trump is an immigrant to a new land. James Dobson called…

Mark O’Connell ruefully waits on the end times in ‘Notes From an Apocalypse’

Advertisement Sounds familiar, yeah? O’Connell is uninterested in the precise apocalyptic specs, the accuracy of the book of Revelations, the exact date of Ragnarok. He’s interested in anxiety — his, yours, mine — about the end times and what those anxieties say about him, you, and me. O’Connell, a witty and perceptive critic and contributor to The New York Times Magazine, is a good friend to have at the end of the world. In mostly standalone chapters he offers everything from a critical appraisal…

How the ancient Israelites dealt with epidemics — the Bible tells of prophecy and rituals

“Death has come up into our windows, it has entered our palaces, to cut off the children from the streets and the young men from the squares.” (Jeremiah 9:20) Catastrophes have always touched people’s lives. With these words, the prophet Jeremiah addressed a disaster of his time, centuries before the common era. Scientists are working to explain the causes and origins of the coronavirus with evidence, yet conspiracy theories still abound. Also, some religious leaders have suggested that the virus is God’s message for…

Coronavirus: Beware of false Nostradamus prophecy – THIS quatrain did not predict COVID-19

Nostradamus’ followers believe he predicted many world events with precision, including the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1933 and the Great Fire of London in 1666. Now, people are saying Nostradamus predicted the coronavirus pandemic in a passage eerily reminiscent of the ongoing health scare. People have been sharing the following message online: “There will be a twin year (2020) from which will arise a queen (corona) who will come from the east (China) and who will spread a plague (virus) in the darkness…

Coronavirus prophecy: Are we living in the end times? Bible expert says ‘clock is ticking’

Help deliver hope to global Christians during the coronavirus period: Read our Covid-19 Appeal The coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 235,000 people since it first emerged in China last November. The pace at which coronavirus has spread across the globe has led many to read the Bible in search of answers. The coronavirus has never been seen in humans before and there is no known cure or vaccine. Many have taken these factors as evidence of the virus’ supposed connections to biblical prophecy. According to…

Removing the coronavirus mask: may this crisis reveal us as Christians

Everyone is looking for masks, even though medical professionals tell us not to. Maybe it helps us feel less helpless. But masks have another purpose. We normally think of them as things to cover who we are — to hide or disguise what we really value. I think this virus will take off some masks— and help reveal our true selves. And I think a whole lot of masks are about to come down. This is not a crisis anyone wants, but I am…

Coronavirus: Did the psychic Sylvia Browne predict COVID-19? Prophecy of pneumonia in 2020

In the book titled End of Days: Predictions and Prophecies about the End of the World, Ms Browne predicted a widespread pneumonia pandemic in 2008. Although the coronavirus is not outright pneumonia, the virus can trigger flu-like and pneumonia-like symptoms. But what exactly did Ms Browne, who died in 2013, say? Her book reads: “In around 2020 a severe pneumonia-like illness will spread throughout the globe, attacking the lungs and the bronchial tubes and resisting all known treatments. “Almost more baffling than the illness…

In Coronavirus Pandemic, Christianity Has Ancient Lessons

An employee of the municipal company Veritas sprays disinfectant in public areas at St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy, on March 11. Marco Sabadin/AFP via Getty Images The modern world has suddenly become reacquainted with the oldest traveling companion of human history: existential dread and the fear of unavoidable, inscrutable death. No vaccine or antibiotic will save us for the time being. Because this experience has become foreign to modern people, we are, by and large, psychologically and culturally underequipped for the current coronavirus…

Marc Maron’s End-of-the-World Anxiety

It’s not that Marc Maron predicted this moment, per se. It’s extremely unlikely that when he posits in his new Netflix stand-up special, End Times Fun, that “something terrible” might be coming, he specifically foresaw the coronavirus pandemic, a black-swan event threatening to dismantle the global economy and sicken the world. If he had, he might have touched his face less—every time Maron wearily rubs his eyes during End Times, I shuddered. And yet. If End Times lands aptly during a week in which…

War and prophecy, plague and death

In the fifth century B.C., the playwright Sophocles begins “Oedipus Tyrannos” with the title character struggling to identify the cause of a plague striking his city, Thebes. (Spoiler alert: It’s his own bad leadership.) As someone who writes about early Greek poetry, I spend a lot of time thinking about why its performance was so crucial to ancient life. One answer is that epic and tragedy helped ancient storytellers and audiences try to make sense of human suffering. From this perspective, plagues functioned as…

Lawrence Wright’s New Pandemic Novel Wasn’t Supposed to Be Prophetic

My new novel, “The End of October,” which comes out next month, is a work of imagination. The book is not prophecy, but its appearance in the middle of the worst pandemic in living memory is not entirely coincidental either. It began with a simple question from the filmmaker Ridley Scott, who had read Cormac McCarthy’s postapocalyptic 2006 novel “The Road” and asked me, “What happened?” How could human civilization become so broken? How could we fail to preserve the institutions and social order…

The coronavirus: From prophecy to conspiracy theory to pragmatism

What are we to make of the coronavirus? Is it true that God has spoken through modern-day prophets who have declared the virus will be short-lived? Should we believe the theorists who claim the virus is a manmade weapon? And on a practical level, do we follow the hyper-caution of Israel’s Netanyahu or the more laid-back approach of President Trump? Michael Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at a number…

Coronavirus in the Bible: Does the Old Testament prove prophetic links to COVID-19?

The spread of coronavirus has forced the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global emergency and pandemic on Wednesday. The virus, which first appeared in China’s Hubei Province, has spread like wildfire to virtually every continent. READ MORE Coronavirus UK: What should the elderly be doing? Many Christian hardliners, however, believe the coronavirus is a prophetic sign described in the Bible. Evangelists have claimed the virus is a precursor to the Apocalypse, as revealed in the Book of Revelation. There are also suggestions…

How Christians Can Respond To A World Anxious About Coronavirus

Watching the nation as it struggles to understand any pandemic has always given me pause to consider whether Christians really know how to think like Christians in a matter such as this. We, as God’s people, seem all too easily carried up in the same speculative panic that rules the minds of many when a crisis such as the Wuhan coronavirus manifests itself. In the Bible’s book of Matthew chapter 6, Jesus says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or…

Christianity has not and will never lose its lustre

I would like to respond to Mr Shem Godwins’ article published in The Standard on February 27, 2020. The following issues that he raises caught my attention:#Islam, which is currently the second-largest (religion) after Christianity has only one identity.The writer compares and contrasts the two religions, praising Islam for its unity and castigating Christianity for disunity.I am not here to compare and contrast these religious movements, but it must be pointed out that Islam also has its divisions.Has the writer heard of Sunni Muslims…

As coronavirus worsens, how churches are trying to keep parishioners safe

The coronavirus outbreak has caused nearly every religious organization around the world to rethink how it holds worship services, which typically involve people gathering in a confined space and coming into physical contact with each other. But in majority-Christian nations like the US, the question is most fraught for local churches, as they prepare for Easter (Christianity’s most important holiday, which falls on Sunday, April 12, this year). What’s more, many Christian churches practice the rite of Communion using a “common cup” to share…

Sarah Palin Marks End Times With ‘Masked Singer’ Performance

While President Trump was preparing to address the nation on a global pandemic, viewers who may have tuned in early on Fox saw a panel of judges attempting to figure out which celebrity just sang Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” from behind a giant pink bear head on The Masked Singer. After saying it would be “hella hard” to figure it out, judge Nicole Scherzinger began by guessing that it might be Christina Applegate. Going off of the clue of “hockey skates” and the…

Are There Jewish Prophecies About Coronavirus?

In the shadow of tragedy and fear, prophecies, conspiracy theories and urban legends come to life and get plenty of traction. But there are not a few prophecies in Jewish circles that are almost too specific in their details to completely ignore. Is it possible that the current outbreak of coronavirus was foreseen and warned about many years ago? Hamutal Shabtai, a psychiatrist and the daughter of famed Israeli author Ya’akov Shabtai, wrote a fictional script in 1986-87 about a virus that would cause…

Activists press Trump administration to aid embattled Nigerian Christians

International activists are sounding the alarm over what they say is the pervasive persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, pressing the Trump administration Wednesday at a Washington press briefing to appoint a special presidential envoy to address the problem. The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) launched a campaign Wednesday titled the “Silent Slaughter” to raise awareness about the estimated more than 60,000 Nigerians who have died as a result of religious conflicts since 2001. Already this year, ICON reports more than…

‘Silent heroes’: Interactive TV show gives Christians in Iran platform to share testimonies

SAT-7 PARS “Signal” presenters Reza Jafari (L) and Niloufar Raisi (R) | SAT-7 An interactive satellite television program is giving a platform to Iran’s “secret” Christians to share their stories of hope with the outside world as the underground church in the Islamic Republic continues to grow. For the last year-and-a-half, the global Christian satellite network SAT-7, which operates in 25 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, has aired the weekly interactive news talk show “Signal” on its Farsi-speaking channel, SAT-7 PARS.…

Europe Leaves Christianity for ‘Paganism’

LONDON and DUBLIN – Martyr’s Free Church in Edinburgh is part of the rich history of Christianity in Scotland. Today it’s “Frankenstein,” a bar that describes itself as a family-friendly venue but also a place for stag parties, bar top dancers and monsters. St Paul’s Church in Bristol, England is now a school for circus performers. And in Llanera, Spain, the Church of Santa Barbara is now “Kaos Temple,” a skateboard park. But before you get angry at the new owners, understand that Europe…

END OF THE WORLD: Why coronavirus is only tip of the iceberg – Claim of 10 deadly plagues

The novel coronavirus has so far infected more than 97,000 people worldwide, prompting fears of a global disaster brewing. Scores of conspiracy theorists and Christian hardliners have flooded social media in recent days with warnings of the world’s fiery demise. Related articles Coronavirus: Medic warns you’re more at risk of virus if you do THIS Coronavirus in Italy: How Nostradamus warned of ‘plagues’ near Rome William R. Giersdof said on Twitter: “Don’t know how serious the Coronavirus is going to be, in truth, but…

END OF THE WORLD: Why coronavirus is only tip of the iceberg – Claim of 10 deadly plagues

It’s the End of the World as We Know It

PARIS — The empty auditorium of the drowned world was black with foreboding. A gaseous, lemony scent filled the air. Every once a while a drip would ripple out through the pool of water that had swallowed the seats three rows deep. Then furious gray storm clouds rolled across an LED screen on the ceiling. Thunder crashed. And out splashed a woman in an austere black velvet cassock, hemline dragging in the flood. It was raining outside on Sunday in Paris, and at Balenciaga,…

Lebanon’s economic collapse spells doom for Mideast Christians

Last month, the US Senate confirmed America’s new ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea. She will need all the help she can get. Although the ambassador is well-respected for her regional expertise, she is dealing with a country on the verge of economic “implosion,” according to the World Bank, and one mired in formidable humanitarian and security challenges. Lebanon’s Christian community, the largest in the Middle East (excluding Egypt), is at risk. She should have the help of a special envoy who can bolster and…

Book of Revelation: Did the Bible warn of coronavirus? Prophecy of ‘seven plagues’ to come

The scripture reads: “Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. “They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. “Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of…

Coronavirus and Other Modern Plagues in Prophecy

A new strain of coronavirus is killing hundreds of people and infecting tens of thousands. The pneumonia-like illness is called the covid-19, or the Wuhan coronavirus. Infections are spreading mostly in China, but are starting to reach into nations around the world. Authorities say the numbers of dead and infected could keep multiplying for weeks or months. This is partly because before Wuhan, the Chinese city where the illness broke out, was placed on lockdown, some 5 million potentially infected people left it for…

The Future of Christianity in Europe

Christianity is declining in Europe. According to the most recent Pew poll, only 71 percent of Europeans still identify as Christian, though 81 percent were raised in the faith. Most are non-practicing. Among the young, the situation is worse. About 55 percent of young Europeans aged 16–29 identify with no religion, according to a St. Mary University study. As Christianity has declined, European politics has secularized. Christian democratic parties have lost their distinctive religious identities and become generic liberal or conservative parties. At the…

In Jenny Offill’s ‘Weather,’ the end of the world is only part of the problem

If Offill had fashioned the entire book out of nothing but this correspondence, “Weather” would still be terrific. She didn’t, of course, and “Weather” instead follows the structure of Offill’s breakout 2014 novel, “Dept. of Speculation,” which involves a woman’s attempt to make sense of her unraveling marriage through philosophy, art and riddles. That book also told its story via a series of short, bracing paragraphs — many of them a single sentence or two — that easily could stand alone as tiny, Lydia…

Do Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Chris Pratt make Christianity cooler?

SALT LAKE CITY — I don’t follow Justin Bieber on Instagram, Twitter or TikTok. I haven’t sought out his music in at least two years. But it still feels like everywhere I turn I see tweets highlighting his religious journey or pictures of him with pastors. Why do so many people care about Bieber’s faith? The answer, according to religion scholars, is that Bieber, like Kanye West or Chris Pratt, is a Christian celebrity, someone who attends church in between photo shoots and red…

Megachurch pastor challenges Americans’ ‘easy’ Christianity, urges ‘dangerous’ prayers

By Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter | Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Life.Church Pastor Craig Groeschel preaching a sermon on “dangerous prayers” on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. | Screengrab: YouTube/Life.Church A megachurch pastor and bestselling author has challenged American Christians to abandoned an “easy” version of their beliefs and pray “dangerous” prayers instead. In the final part of a sermon series titled “Dangerous Prayers” that was preached on Sunday, Life.Church pastor Craig Groeschel implored people to pray for God to “break my heart.” Groeschel labeled…

End of the world: Book of Revelation ‘prophesied coronavirus stopping Christian Sabbath’

More than 80,000 people have been affected by the deadly virus now, with more than 2,600 fatalities recorded worldwide. The Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, announced a policy of eased restrictions yesterday, allowing residents to leave in small groups. But, just three hours later, the decision was reversed, placing its nine million residents back under strict quarantine. Related articles End of the world: Locust plague sparks Bible apocalypse fears Coronavirus cure: Scientist confirms ‘rapid’ vaccine arrival Churches in the city, including those honouring the…

End times prophecy study: Most pastors don’t link world events to speeding up Christ’s return

By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter | Sunday, February 02, 2020 Though some religious teachers believe global events in the Middle East could fulfill prophecies about the end of the world, pastors are three times more likely to believe evangelism efforts will quicken the return of Jesus Christ, a recent study has found. A study of 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted between Aug. 20, 2019, and Sept. 24, 2019, by LifeWay Research found that church leaders believe Christians can speed up the return of Christ…

Spirit-Empowered Christianity is one of the fastest growing global movements, new study shows

February 25, 2020 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Oral Roberts University and the Empowered21 Network release research on the pentecostal and charismatic movements TULSA, Okla. — “Introducing Spirit-Empowered Christianity: The Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Movement in the 21st Century,” a new study conducted by Professor of Global Christianity and Director of the Center for Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Dr. Todd Johnson, reveals surprising statistics on not only the unprecedented numerical growth of the Spirit-Empowered Church but in which countries the movement is expanding most rapidly. The…

Unity for unity’s sake? Going against the grain of Christianity

When Mark Galli of Christianity Today published an editorial calling for the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump, it was seen as a rift in Christendom, or at least, a rift among Evangelicals, a group that overwhelmingly supports the president. This break from the pack was received with some amount of shock because of the pervasive assumption that Christians are united. The truth is, we are not, and we have never been. The 2016 election revealed the political divide among Christians. Despite the ever-present…

Heightened U.S.-Iran tensions a threat to Middle Eastern Christianity, aid group says

This April 1, 2018 file photo, shows a cross that lies in the rubble of a destroyed church that was blown up by Islamic State militants in 2015, in the deserted village of Tal Jazeera, northern Syria. (Credit: Hussein Malla/AP.) ROME – Many Christians in Iraq and Syria cite fundamentalist terrorism and heightened tensions between the United States and Iran as the main reasons for the region’s dwindling numbers of Christians. According to Father Andrzej Halemba, head of Middle East projects for Catholic charity…

First Baptist Church hosts Christianity and transgender inclusion seminar

A transgender theologian brought a different perspective to Bible study Saturday morning, holding a seminar on how the Bible can impact and explain gender identity and the transgender community. Austen Hartke, who has written a book and produced videos on the dynamic between Christianity and transgender individuals, spoke to a crowd of over 100 at First Baptist Church for “The Bible and Transgender Christians Seminar.” Hartke focused on what he called “clobber passages,” which refers to Biblical texts often used to discriminate against the…

Rick Perry thought soothsayer’s ‘Oval Office’ prophecy meant he would be president

To understand President Donald Trump’s tight grip on the Republican Party, consider the conversion of Rick Perry. For the former Texas governor, embracing Trump is a religious experience. He has described the controversial president as the chosen one” sent by God. And last Friday, at the Dallas County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner, he gave a similar testimonial. “I thank God every day that Donald Trump is the president of the United States,” Perry said. Perry hasn’t always been a fan of Trump. “Let…

Shannon column: Science discovers benefits of Christianity

CNN issued a study a while back that found regularly attending church may increase a Christian’s lifespan, while at the same time help “them stay grounded and [provide] spiritual guidance.” I’m guessing this positive benefit results from the additional sleep gained by snoozing during boring sermons. Regular readers know this column normally takes a dim view of social “science” studies, but an exception will be made in this instance for two reasons. First, no taxpayer dollars appear to have been wasted. Second, there is…

Kelsey Grant: Christianity and climate change

By Kelsey Grant There is a perceived theological impasse leading some to believe that climate change isn’t a Christian concern because God is the one who decides when the world ends, not humans. By reframing the climate issue, we can see that this theological impasse does not exist. Climate change is a Christian problem, and ignoring it is a matter of testing God’s grace: “My Christian faith leads me to believe God will be the one to decide when and how the world will…

‘Will There Still Be a Christian Community in 2050’ – Church Leaders Concerned for Christianity’s Future in Iraq

‘Will There Still Be a Christian Community in 2050’ – Church Leaders Concerned for Christianity’s Future in Iraq Christians in Iraq are continuing to flee the country even though the violence has slowed. According to The Christian Post, families are choosing to leave the country that they say is becoming a “land of militias.” “They feel there is no peace, law or justice here in Baghdad, and that our country has become a land of militias,” the parish priest, Father Nadheer Dako, told The…

These Chinese Christians Were Branded A Criminal ‘Cult.’ Now They Have to Flee.

SEOUL—Caught in political limbo as rejected asylum-seekers, about 1,000 Chinese exist furtively in South Korea dreading torture and imprisonment if they are forced to return to China. They’re all members of the Church of Almighty God, a uniquely Chinese off-shoot of Christianity denounced as an “illegal cult” by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which sees its success winning adherents as a dangerous challenge to a regime that represses all forms of worship, whether Christian, Muslim or Buddhist. “Many people accept the Word of Almighty…

Lord of the Rings Star Says the World Owes Christianity ‘the Greatest Debt of Thanks’

Lord of the Rings Star Says the World Owes Christianity ‘the Greatest Debt of Thanks’ The Lord of the Rings star John Rhys-Davies, a self-described “rationalist” and “skeptic,” says the world owes Christianity “the greatest debt of thanks” for making the world a better place. Rhys-Davies made the declaration on the red carpet at the 28th annual Movieguide Awards, held late last month at the historic Avalon Theater in Hollywood. The awards show celebrates faith and family content in movies and television. The actor’s…

Why the Christian Right believes Trump could play an important role in the End Times

The Christian Right loves President Donald Trump for a variety of reasons, from his racist rhetoric and anti-immigrant views to all the far-right judges he has added to the federal courts. But journalist Stephanie Mencimer, this week in an article for Mother Jones, focuses on one of their most disturbing reasons for being so pro-Trump: an obsession with the End Times. In Protestant Christianity, one finds both fundamentalists and non-fundamentalists. Mainline Protestants (Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, the African Methodist Episcopal or AME Church) study the Bible…

Colorado’s Fortitude Ranch Is A Doomsday Timeshare For The Middle Class

Enlarge this image Fortitude Ranch is a development for doomsday preppers in a remote quarter of the Colorado Rockies. Hart Van Denburg/Colorado Public Radio hide caption toggle caption Hart Van Denburg/Colorado Public Radio At first glance, this modest home nestled against a hillside in the mountains somewhere west of Colorado Springs appears to have all the amenities you’d expect in a quiet retreat. There’s even a two-story tower built right in. An otherwise peaceful place to catch the 360-degree view of winter’s splendor. “[It’s…

Messianic End Times From Christian and Jewish Perspectives

Jews and Christians both believe that we are living in the Messianic End Times. Jews were already predicting the End Times some 800 years ago, right around the time Christian End Times eschatology really got going. One of the most important rabbis in connection with this theme of the End Times is Judah Ben Samuel, also known as Judah he-Hasid (Judah the Pious). He lived and worked from the end of the 12th century until the beginning of the 13th century in Regensburg, Germany…

California pastor who prophesied Kanye West’s transformation 4 years ago predicts this about Trump

Shawn Bolz, a prominent pastor in Los Angeles who has prophesied about many things from Kanye West to President Trump, told Fox News his number one mission is to make hearing from God normal for everyone. The 45-year-old Christian author and speaker acknowledged that when most people think of prophecy, or “hearing from God,” they picture a subgroup of people like the bad guys in a zombie film, but “we’re trying to rebrand and dignify what it is to walk with God.” ‘HISTORIC’ CHRISTIAN EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER 140,000…

World News, Economics and Analysis Based on Bible Prophecy

Do you have time to read history? The situation in America, Britain and across the globe is now a slow-motion world crisis ready to explode. And for that reason, I submit to you that you no longer have time not to read history. When Winston Churchill faced his world crisis, he had to muster every ounce of knowledge, wisdom and courage he had accumulated over his lifetime to try to save his people, their nation and its virtues. Imagine if that lifetime had been…

Watch World Events in Relation to Bible Prophecy

Sinn Fein, the political wing of the terrorist Irish Republican Army, made stunning gains over the weekend in Ireland’s general election. Sinn Fein is now just one seat behind the leading party. This is part of a trend that’s occurring across Europe: Radical groups that used to be fringe parties are making massive gains in elections. 07:30 New Hampshire Primary (10 minutes) While it’s still not clear who is leading in the Democratic Party primaries, one thing is for sure: President Donald Trump’s popularity…

End times prophecy study: Most pastors don’t link world events to speeding up Christ’s return

These Chinese Christians Were Branded A Criminal ‘Cult.’ Now They Have to Flee

The basics of true Christianity

The word “basics” indicates a beginning point, the very foundation upon which something is built. Often it is the elementals upon which that which is more complex is to be built. When talking about the basics of Christianity, one will be talking about the very fundamentals upon which Christianity is built and upon which it rests. A term used in the Bible for such basics or foundational teachings is “first principles”. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote in somewhat condemnation, “For when…

Pelosi Omits Christians as She Lists Religious Persecutions Around World

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi failed to mention Christians as she listed religious persecutions around the world Thursday. The House speaker spoke Thursday morning in Washington, D.C., at the National Prayer Breakfast where she prayed for those who are persecuted because of their religion. She listed people of Buddhist, Muslim, and Jewish faiths before generalizing about other persecuted religions. “Oh, Lord, we thank all gathered at this prayer breakfast for lifting our voices for the poor and the persecuted, the millions who are missing or murdered because of…

Stupid Arguments Christians Should Avoid #49: Science is Built on Christianity

It’s time for another episode of our favorite soap opera! For the first installment of this thrilling series of stupid Christian arguments, go here. Today let’s explore the claim that modern science has Christianity as its foundation. And that “The New Atheists are sawing off the branch on which science is sitting.” And that “the only hope for science now is a rebirth of faith.” Those quotes are from “Abandon God, and Science Will Die,” published at the conservative Christian ministry The Stream. Let’s…

Pro-LGBT, Pro-Choice Taylor Swift Says Her Brand of Christianity Is the Real Christianity

ANALYSIS The new Netflix documentary “Miss Americana” features pop star Taylor Swift touting her shift to politics, and it takes a left turn when she tries to define what Christians believe to match her own progressive ideas. In the aftermath of President Trump’s election, Swift has not only been speaking out about political candidates, she’s even been using her music to promote a pro-LGBT agenda. For example, Swift’s rainbow-clad music video last year for her single, “You Need to Calm Down,” is an ode…

Christianity’s Influence on World History

Tom Holland’s Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World is a substantial work that makes a straightforward case. In Holland’s view, the teachings of Jesus constituted an ethical revolution that would gradually transform human consciousness, to the extent that we today find it hard to imagine credible alternative systems. When we see Christians, past or present, behaving in ways we may find abominable, in matters such as war, slavery, colonialism, or patriarchy, our disgusted attitudes must themselves be understood as products of that…

Nigerian Christians Marched Sunday to Protest Persecution

Having finished his Sunday sermon from Psalm 18 on God as a stronghold who delivers his people from their enemies, Enoch Adeboye then led them to a cemetery. It was an ironic yet appropriate choice. Wearing a bright green tuxedo, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos, Nigeria, marched three miles yesterday holding a placard that declared: “All Souls are Precious to God.” Adeboye and his congregation, one of the largest in the world, answered the call issued…

End times prophecy study: Most pastors don’t link world events to speeding up Christ’s return

Though some religious teachers believe global events in the Middle East could fulfill prophecies about the end of the world, pastors are three times more likely to believe evangelism efforts will quicken the return of Jesus Christ, a recent study has found. A study of 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted between Aug. 20, 2019, and Sept. 24, 2019, by LifeWay Research found that church leaders believe Christians can speed up the return of Christ by sharing the Gospel rather than by backing certain geopolitical changes mentioned…

The Prophecy That Explains the World

I recently experienced a breakthrough in the way I understand world news. I believe I see the world more clearly today than I did even just a few weeks ago, and in my Trumpet Brief today, I’d like to share how this happened. This expansion in thinking came while studying a recent message from Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry. This message is now in article form and is available for you to study. “America Has Been ‘Fundamentally Transformed’” explains an astonishing Bible prophecy…

Bible ‘hidden code’ with imminent 2021 end of the world prophecy cracked by scholars

Thank you for reading Keep The Faith! If you enjoy our content, tell us by leaving a review here A Biblical hidden code which contains an imminent end of the world prophecy for 2021 has been cracked, scholars claim. Rabbis, priests, mathematicians and professors have claimed to have uncovered a network of hidden codes in the ancient texts. Christianity and Judaism share the first five books of the Bible, which also make up the Torah – known as the five books of Moses. It is claimed within…

Christianity carries the truth of redemption

Q: I grew up an orphan and was taught many different religious beliefs. Now that I am an adult, I’m more confused than ever and cannot seem to sort out the truth. There are many religions that worship different Gods than the God of Christianity who promises to never leave His followers. Do other Gods promise their followers constant companionship? How can I know if Jesus is really the right God? – D.K. A: When it comes to promises, it’s interesting to contrast God’s…

A New Ranking of Nations Where Christians Are Persecuted Most

An Assyrian woman attends Mass inside the Ibrahim al-Khalil church in Jaramana, eastern Damascus, Syria, in 2015. (Omar Sanadiki/Reuters)Some old standbys, and then some surprises The group Open Doors has released the latest iteration of its World Watch List. The ranking covers the worst 50 nations with respect to religious persecution of Christians. Most nations on the list are perennials, instantly recognized by those who follow the issue. The details vary a bit year by year, but the outcome of this tragic sport rarely…

Why the Christian Right believes Trump could play an important role in the End Times

Christianity Today doubles down on condemnation of Trump defenders

ANALYSIS/OPINION: On Dec. 14, 2019, Christianity Today published an editorial whereby, then-editor in chief Mark Galli called for the immediate removal of Donald Trump as president of the United States. “Mr. Trump,” declared Mr. Galli, “is a near-perfect example of a human being who is morally lost and confused.” Mr. Galli then went on to declare that none of the president’s positive contributions outweigh the “moral and political danger” America now faces under his leadership. He concluded: “We call for the many evangelicals who…

Trump’s March for Life appearance: A reminder to conservative Christians as he prepares for a tight race

Friday’s event has long been popular with white evangelicals and Catholics, who helped deliver the White House to Trump in 2016. Upon news of his appearance, many conservatives championed his presence at the gathering as a huge deal months ahead of the 2020 election. There is reason to believe, however, that his presence was tied more to how competitive the election could be for the president, despite his ongoing support with one of his most faithful groups. While Trump has remained popular with white…

Four members of French NGO Christians of the Middle East ‘missing in Baghdad’

Four male employees of a French Christian NGO, three French nationals and one Iraqi, have been missing in Baghdad since Monday, the charity announced Friday. The four members of the influential SOS Chretiens d’Orient (Christians of the Middle East) charity went missing near the French embassy in the Iraqi capital, the organisation’s director Benjamin Blanchard told a press conference in Paris. No ransom demand has been received as yet and no group has claimed responsibility for their disappearance, he added. SOS Chretiens d’Orient has…

Iran’s regime sentences Christian convert to prison for “insulting Islam”

A court for the Islamic Republic of Iran sentenced a 65-year-old convert to Christianity to a three year prison term for insulting Islamic beliefs that included forwarding a message sent to his mobile phone that made fun of the mullahs who rule over Iranians.The religious freedom organization Article 18 reported Tuesday on its website that Ismaeil Maghrebinejad, a 65-year-old convert to Christianity, has been sentenced to three years in prison for “insulting Islamic sacred beliefs.” Maghrebinejad was sentenced under Article 513 of the Islamic…

Jack Van Impe, Michigan’s end-times televangelist, dies at 88

Jack Van Impe, a Michigan televangelist who spent decades warning that the end times were near, died on Jan. 18. He was 88. Both beloved and controversial, Van Impe was revered by some for his teachings on bible prophecy. He was known as the “The Walking Bible” because of his ability to memorize more than 22,000 verses from the King James Version of the Bible. “The beloved Dr. Jack Van Impe was welcomed into Heaven by His blessed Savior and Lord who he had…

Letter: We may see end times, but it won’t be due to a prophecy

So, we now have a president and state department running our Mideast policies with an eye to Biblical prophecy? So it seems with President Trump’s odd reversal on our Mideast presence and other terrible decisions with education, etc., etc. A president who needs to shore up his election prospects with End Time voters. What happened to our Constitutional separation of state and religion? The end of the world may indeed come due to power hungry political leaders, but probably not due to prophesies. My…

Group releases prayer guide for countries where Christians are most persecuted

A nonprofit that assists persecuted Christians around the world has released a prayer guide for Americans to pray for them in 2020. The Voice of the Martyr (VOM)’s Global Prayer Guide comes as watchdog group World Watch List predicts an uptick in persecution, especially in China and in sub-Saharan Africa, where radical Islam is on the rise. CHRISTIANS SEE ‘ALARMING’ TREND WORLDWIDE AS CHINA BUILDS ‘BLUEPRINT OF PERSECUTION’ Todd Nettleton, the spokesman for VOM and host of VOM Radio, told Fox News the guide was…

Aaron Rodgers Rips Christianity, Religion in Podcast Interview

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has never been afraid to voice his opinions. The Super Bowl winner, two-time MVP, eight-time Pro Bowl selection and “king of the hail mary” is looked at as a god in Wisconsin as he’ll undoubtedly end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At this point, he can pretty much say and do what he wants without repercussion. In 2017, he locked arms with teammates during the national anthem to denounce racial injustice and police brutality, an…

Iran continues to persecute Christians in violation of international law

Nine Iranian Christians were sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “acting against national security” and were accused of “promoting Zionism” in October, as the Islamic state continues to wage persecution against its religious minorities, a new report has revealed. The men are among tens of thousands of Christians who face the daily threat of arrest, interrogation, pressure to recant, and being forced to commit not to engage in Christian activities or engage with other Christians. Others have seen their children denied…

Why many evangelical Christians support President Trump

In a Jan. 8 column, the Rev. J. Mark Worth documented why he and likely many others are puzzled about why many evangelical Christians support President Donald Trump. First, one must know that an evangelical Christian is a person who is a follower of Jesus, believes in the depravity of man and that Jesus alone provides the way of salvation through his sacrificial death on the cross. The evangelical relies on the Bible for guidance and truth. Jesus himself plainly stated he is the…

Christians see ‘alarming’ trend worldwide as China builds ‘blueprint of persecution’

Shortly before President Trump signed phase one of the historic trade deal with China, a Chinese pastor described the fear and intimidation believers are enduring under the Communist government. “The Chinese government has now placed severe restrictions and policies on the house churches asking neighbors to spy on one another, pressuring school teachers and college professors to betray and sign a statement to denounce their own faith as well to do the same to students,” Pastor Jian Zhu said. Zhu described the Chinese government’s…

No, our work on anti-Semitism is not done — especially as Christians

Each year I teach a course called “Dialogue in a World of Difference.” Typically, one third of the class is Muslim, one-third Christian, with the rest being Jewish, non-religious, Buddhist and so on. Because of our seminary’s focus on Abrahamic religions, I structure the course as three successive encounters with the religious traditions that fall under that umbrella: first Judaism, then Christianity, then Islam. We read literature on each, travel to synagogues, churches, and mosques and speak with various clergy and religious experts to…

Iran tensions could fulfill prophecies about the end of the world, some religious teachers say

But as conflict in the Middle East intensified and natural disasters struck, some voices are taking the opportunity to offer biblical interpretations. Religious teachers and authors, especially some conservative Christians, often draw on these kinds of current events as examples of how various predictions and descriptions in the Old and New Testaments could be coming true. Many of these religious leaders view actions in Iran, a Muslim-majority country, as playing a special role in these predictions, which usually focus on the apocalypse, or the…

An open letter from black church leaders and allies to Christianity Today

We truly respect your organization’s stance on the stated principle “We want CT to be a place that welcomes Christians from across the political spectrum…” The late Billy Graham, CT’s founder, gave us a loud warning in an article he wrote for Parade Magazine in 1981, when he said: “I don’t want to see religious bigotry in any form. It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion…

Why Do People Believe in Hell?

Once the faith of his youth had faded into the serene agnosticism of his mature years, Charles Darwin found himself amazed that anyone could even wish Christianity to be true. Not, that is, the kindlier bits — “Love thy neighbor” and whatnot — but rather the notion that unbelievers (including relatives and friends) might be tormented in hell forever. It’s a reasonable perplexity, really. And it raises a troubling question of social psychology. It’s comforting to imagine that Christians generally accept the notion of…

Rev. Clay Stauffer: Will Christianity remain relevant in the future?

Clay Stauffer, Special to Nashville Tennessean, USA TODAY NETWORK newsrooms in Tennessee Published 5:00 a.m. CT Jan. 10, 2020 American scholar Sam Pascoe once said that, “Christianity was born in Israel, only to be taken to Greece and morphed into a philosophy. From there it was taken to Rome and made into an institution of civil power. Eventually it migrated into Europe where it was developed into a culture. And later, it was brought to America and made into an entrepreneurial business enterprise.” One…

Iran War- Are We in the End Times?

Another decade is now history. Let’s look at the 20 most important events of the last 10 years, according to how they fulfilled biblical prophecy. From every region of the world, these events include wars, political events, new alliances, economic trends, changes in weather, social and moral developments, spiritual changes and more. They dramatically advanced end-time prophecies, and they reveal how close we are to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 20. The Explosion in Demonic Influence Supposedly we live in an age of…

Pompeo Aligns U.S. Foreign Policy With Christian Zionists

According to the Washington Post, it was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who talked Trump into the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, with an assist from Vice President Mike Pence. They report that Pompeo first proposed the idea months ago, which is at odds with the administration’s claim that the strike was based on intelligence about an “imminent threat.” While the authors of that piece chronicle the fact that the secretary of state has been obsessed with Iran throughout his career in Congress, the CIA, and…

The Middle East and Bible Prophecy

Threats have been coming from Iran over the killing of Iranian terrorist, Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. in a drone strike. Joining Jim for another broadcast on this subject, this time from a prophecy perspective, was Dr. Gary Frazier. Dr. Frazier is a respected speaker and writer on the subject of Bible prophecy. He is the founder and President of Discovery Missions and the author of numerous books including one we’ve previously discussed, ‘Miracle of Israel’ subtitled, ‘The Shocking, Untold Story of God’s Love…

Asara B’Tevet, the siege of Jerusalem: Fast start and end times

The fast of the 10th of the Hebrew month of Tevet, commemorating multiple tragic events in Jewish history including the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, will be observed on Tuesday by Jews around the world who will refrain from food and drink from daybreak until nightfall. The fast, also known as Asarah B’Tevet, was originally established to commemorate the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar in 425 BCE. The siege was “the beginning of the end” and…

Retired Christianity Today Editor Talks Backlash Over Editorial Advocating For Trump’s Removal

(Screenshot via Christianity Today) What does Mark Galli, the now retired editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, make of the response to his call for Trump’s removal from office? We ask him. Guests Mark Galli, former editor-in-chief of Christianity Today. (@markgalli) Richard Land, executive editor of The Christian Post. President of the Southern Evangelical Seminary and Bible College. (@ChristianPost) Interview Highlights On how the editorial came about Mark Galli: “We generally don’t comment on the larger political scene in the United States. So I’d been thinking about, ‘Should…

Can this preacher’s progressive version of evangelical Christianity catch on with a new generation?

On a gloomy Tuesday morning in April, the Christian activist Shane Claiborne was in the studio of WCPN, Cleveland’s NPR affiliate, waiting to go on air. The overhead lights glinted off his thick-rimmed glasses. The 43-year-old had spent the past five weeks on a national tour, living on a retrofitted school bus, speaking at community centers and churches every night, trying to accelerate regional movements against gun violence. His collaborator, Mike Martin, a Mennonite blacksmith from Colorado, was sitting to his left. “Mass shootings…

Ancient Ethiopian Church Discovered, Reveals More About Early Spread of Christianity

A team of archeologists have discovered a 1700-year-old church in Ethiopia which they believe sheds some light on the spread of the Christian faith. FAITHWIRE: Pope Apologizes for Slapping Pilgrim Who Pulled Him Towards Her During New Year’s Eve Greeting The stunning Roman-style basilica, which dates back to the fourth century A.D., was found in the ancient town of Beta Samati; an area once part of the Aksumite civilization. The oldest known church in Sub-Saharan Africa, the structure was likely adopted by local Christians during…

Christianity Today Editor Laments ‘Ethical Naïveté’ of Trump Backers

People have been upset with Mark Galli before. As the editor in chief of Christianity Today, a prominent evangelical magazine, he has printed some controversial editorials. But the people he irks usually do not include the IT department of his own publication. That is what happened when Mr. Galli published an explosive editorial on Dec. 19 arguing that President Trump should be removed from office. So many readers flocked to read the editorial online that the website crashed, overwhelming those whose job it was…

There is a right way to study Bible prophecy

Listen to Today’s Program JD: I’ve been discussing with our broadcast partners top stories prophetically speaking in 2019. I wanted to give some perspective about handling the prophetic scriptures especially when thinking about current events. DJ: You and I have both heard a lot of prophecy teachers some very good and some not so good and probably too many who try to be sensationalistic. You know when I was a kid I always loved to get connect the dot books for Christmas and you would just…

Baba Vanga 2020 prediction: END OF THE WORLD, Putin assassination, tsunami in the New Year

Baba Vanga’s followers often refer to the mysterious woman as the Balkan Nostradamus due to her supposed prophetic powers. Baba Vanga rose to prominence in the year 2000 when she supposedly predicted the sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk. Related articles End of the world claim: Jerusalem third temple fulfils Bible prophecy Asteroid warning: Deep impact predicted for 2069 claims Nostradamus Since then, Baba Vanga is said to have predicted the 9/11 terror attack, the cataclysmic 2004 tsunami and the 2008 election of President…