I find it interesting who responds and how much interest is generated when I post something that is a bit controversial. It produces a mixed bag of emotions in me. A desire rises up to defend my viewpoint especially as it relates to anything I see as having biblical or gospel implications. On the other hand, when people I dearly love and respect express differing viewpoints, I want to take it all down and avoid controversy at all costs. Obviously, I will never run for a political office; I’m not made for debate. Shout out to my brother for curing me of wanting to argue for the sake of arguing. He always got the last word in. 😊

I don’t want anything I post to detract from the beauty of the gospel. I will never back down from something the Bible says is true and right, but I will gladly give you the floor on matters of preference or opinions about non-essentials in doctrine or theology.

That said, I believe the Bible clearly warns us about what will happen in the last days leading up to Jesus’ second coming. At some point, there will be a one-world government that unites the world under a one-world religion to worship a false god, the Anti-Christ, who I believe will eventually be possessed by Satan. Christians and Jews will be persecuted to the point of death. All people will be required to have some type of mark that identifies their allegiance to the Anti-Christ and allows them to buy and sell. These are not conspiracy theories. How and when they will play out is still to be seen; it may or may not be in my lifetime, but the Bible is clear these events ARE coming.

This is why I believe the events that are happening today in restricting our constitutional freedoms and mandating policies in the name of public health are significant. We are accepting things out of fear because of what we are told is true. While I don’t think every person in government is “out to get me,” I do believe Satan is quite capable of playing the “long game” to set up his temporary kingdom during what the Bible calls the Tribulation. The fact that YouTube and Facebook are so quick to take down anything that goes against the narrative that we are being forced to accept gives me great concern. If they are able to take away our free speech in the name of “public safety and health,” what will we do when they take down every gospel presentation? How is it any different than what China does in controlling their media?

When, as believers, we are mocked or dismissed, or called “conspiracy theorists,” how should we respond? We do not push back with the same disdain or crude language. We do not get angry. We do not take it personally and get our feelings hurt. We don’t resort to the enemy’s tactics of unfriending people. We’re not bullies. We’re not in middle school. We can still have a conversation with respect and love for those who disagree with us.

But we should keep speaking, and we need to speak from a gospel perspective.

I don’t share things to prove my point. I write so that people will be challenged to investigate and consider Jesus. The events going on now are frustrating and irritating and yes, they make me angry at times. But the bottom line is, if these are the last days, what will you be doing when Jesus returns? The Bible warns us to consider this very important question.

To my believing friends, here are some verses from Psalm 31 that ought to encourage us. None of this has taken God by surprise. He is well able to preserve and protect His people, and His gospel will be proclaimed in the whole world before the end comes (Matthew 24:14). God always warns us before judgment comes; He is a fair and just God. He may use you or me to speak that warning. Don’t be surprised if your message isn’t well-received. Be humble. Love people anyway. Don’t forget who you were before someone told you the truth. And keep the main thing in mind: Jesus.

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness.

Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call upon You;
Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol.
Let the lying lips be mute,
Which speak arrogantly against the righteous
With pride and contempt.

How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
Before the sons of men!
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man;
You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord,
For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.
As for me, I said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from before Your eyes”;
Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications
When I cried to You.

O love the Lord, all you His godly ones!
The Lord preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.
Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the Lord.

(Psalm 31:14-24)