Bible in the News

Hi everyone, have you noticed stories abounding in the news that make you question your morals? You start to wonder what’s right and wrong!In the Apostle Paul’s final letter before being executed, he writes: “ in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God”.

As we have watched Russia’s role in the Middle East over the past while we have seen it exercising its hegemony over nations like Iran and Syria. It is moved to “protect” them from western interference but also has kept them securely within its circle of influence. Russia's involvement in Libya's civil war speaks to this. We also spend a few minutes considering the disciple's role in protest.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

The news is currently dominated by COVID-19, but events like Brexit still continue in the background. The negotiations between the UK and EU are majorly slowed by COVID-19, but the deadlines are still fixed.

Since the revealing of the Trump peace plan the discussion of Israel applying sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria (what the world calls the West Bank) became much more main stream,  but with Israel having multiple successive elections, and struggling to form a government sovereignty in these most sensitive areas could not proceed.  However with a minority government now in place with one of the terms that sovereignty could proceed, the regional and international backlash has come out strong.  Just as we would expect from Bible prophecy!  As Tim mentioned last week, this is the controversy of the age.

 God wants us all to see his hand and believe in his existence and activity in the world.  The following verses from Ezekiel demonstrate the point:

So much of the world is currently in chaos. Men and women are fearful for their health -even their lives. Many international relations are in tatters as governments make unilateral decisions reacting to the crisis within their own countries. 

Why does suffering exist? If there is a God why does he permit it to occur? Why does He not intervene? What is God’s purpose with this Corona virus? These questions and more are examined in our featured Lockdown Lecture.

What we are witnessing in the world may well be another angelic move to set the stage for the return of Christ. The nations of the world are being prepared to take their appointed roles.  The west is being weakened. Russia is being stretched to its limit and goaded by its energy-driven economy to be ready to take action.

In the news this week we've continued to hear about the coronavirus which has been a catastrophe throughout the world, closing countries down, however strong, however powerful. And of course, many people ask how could this have happened, how could the world be brought so quickly to its knees?

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) causes global lockdown and panic, we take the time to simply read and consider the word of Almighty God and the comfort of Psalm 91. This inspired Psalm is primarily prophetic of Messiah but is most applicable to us in these strange times because it reminds us of the trust we need to place in the God of Israel and in His salvation.

Corona Virus was at first a Chinese problem, and it was presented as similar to the seasonal flu.  In time it has shown itself to be far more contagious, and in places like Italy that are deeper into the crisis the health care system is being completely overwhelmed.  To try and lessen the load on the health care system, country after country are having to lock down their populations.  With the virus now in almost 200 countries, curfews and wartime legislation are beginning to be instated all over the world.  What we are witnessing is truly unprecedented.

We live in extraordinary times. This week we have seen the world reacting hour by hour and minute by minute to the challenge of Covid-19 coronavirus. Stock markets have been plummeting, schools closing, events being cancelled, cities isolated, transport ground to a halt.

The past few weeks have seen hostilities escalate in the Middle East with Turkey and Russia almost going to war in Syria. A ceasefire has been agreed to, and nations are celebrating peace, but the Bible clearly points out what is coming is war.