WHAT'S NEXT?
By Paul Fedena
AFTER THE PANDEMIC - "PERILOUS TIMES"???
2 Timothy 3:1 God says: "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come..." Paul the Apostle goes on to list some 20 things that will characterize those "last days". All the things he mentions are now in place and are becoming progressively worse. (Stop here and read it for yourself.)
So, AFTER THE PANDEMIC will we ever get back to normal? People are already talking about the "new normal" - whatever that is. I personally believe that it will be a time of dramatic change. In fact we are already in the throes of some fearful changes. There is talk that we will always be fearful of one another in an unprecedented way. For example we will abandon shaking hands, we will keep "social distancing" in place. We will not be able to resume what used to be normal personal interaction.
More importantly the "powers that be" who have imposed so many restrictions upon us have now gotten a taste of raw power over us so that there is a likelihood they will feel empowered to continue to elevate themselves and become dictatorial in an unprecedented way. They already have the technology to track us and artificial intelligence is growing daily. They can monitor us through social media, phones, computers and note our habits, buying trends, political affiliations, entertainment preferences, etc. (All included in the prophetic Scriptures)
We have already seen how it has affected what we used to call "church". God has given us a command not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:25)
Some argue that we are still assembling via the internet. I doubt if that was what the Lord meant. We can't even have normal funerals, baptisms, the Lord's Supper, congregational fellowship, singing, etc. Attendance is down, offerings are down, even where in some states folks are allowed to go back inside the church building...there is no nursery, toddlers or normal Sunday School classes, no bus ministries, etc. Older members stay away from church out of fear. Masks are required, people are fearful.
What about those denominations who believe baptism saves and infants must be sprinkled with water in order to have a chance at Heaven?
How about those who practice confession?
Or the Eucharist...and believe that receiving the wafer in communion is receiving Christ?!
Or the "sins" of missing Mass, last rites, etc.?
Will their church members be banished into purgatory or hell? )
No doubt some of these restrictions were safety driven, but we all know the sinful hearts of mankind and their thirst for power over others. We all know that there is a desire and drive for banishing Christianity, so will these present restrictions be continued and extended? Is this a portend of things to come...the "new normal"?
Will the predicted end times prophecies lead us into the "hell on earth" conditions preceding the Tribulation? Do we even believe those prophecies? Those of us who accept the label "Bible believers" certainly do. Can this be the lead up to these horrifying events - "perilous times" ?
For the true "Bible believer" we have both the "Blessed Hope" of the Rapture of the church as well as the promise of eternal life in Heaven. But life as we have known it in the "land of the free" - America - may well be different than we can imagine until either of those two promises become a reality.
If you are not saved and on your path towards the Glory Land, why not confess your sinful state, repent of your personal sins and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you right now?
Why not pray a simple prayer along these lines: "Dear Lord, I realize that I am a sinner by nature, choice and practice. I turn from my sin and turn to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask You to save me and take me to Heaven when I die. I thank you now for doing what you promised in Your holy Word, the Bible. In Jesus dear Name, Amen."
Of course these words are not magical, but they express the gist of what God's Word says you must do to be saved. Then, regardless of what the future holds, you can rest assured that you will have eternal fellowship with the Lord Himself and all believers...forever!
Sincerely in the Savior,
Pastor (emeritus) Paul C. Fedena
2 Timothy 3:1 God says: "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come..." Paul the Apostle goes on to list some 20 things that will characterize those "last days". All the things he mentions are now in place and are becoming progressively worse. (Stop here and read it for yourself.)
So, AFTER THE PANDEMIC will we ever get back to normal? People are already talking about the "new normal" - whatever that is. I personally believe that it will be a time of dramatic change. In fact we are already in the throes of some fearful changes. There is talk that we will always be fearful of one another in an unprecedented way. For example we will abandon shaking hands, we will keep "social distancing" in place. We will not be able to resume what used to be normal personal interaction.
More importantly the "powers that be" who have imposed so many restrictions upon us have now gotten a taste of raw power over us so that there is a likelihood they will feel empowered to continue to elevate themselves and become dictatorial in an unprecedented way. They already have the technology to track us and artificial intelligence is growing daily. They can monitor us through social media, phones, computers and note our habits, buying trends, political affiliations, entertainment preferences, etc. (All included in the prophetic Scriptures)
We have already seen how it has affected what we used to call "church". God has given us a command not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:25)
Some argue that we are still assembling via the internet. I doubt if that was what the Lord meant. We can't even have normal funerals, baptisms, the Lord's Supper, congregational fellowship, singing, etc. Attendance is down, offerings are down, even where in some states folks are allowed to go back inside the church building...there is no nursery, toddlers or normal Sunday School classes, no bus ministries, etc. Older members stay away from church out of fear. Masks are required, people are fearful.
What about those denominations who believe baptism saves and infants must be sprinkled with water in order to have a chance at Heaven?
How about those who practice confession?
Or the Eucharist...and believe that receiving the wafer in communion is receiving Christ?!
Or the "sins" of missing Mass, last rites, etc.?
Will their church members be banished into purgatory or hell? )
No doubt some of these restrictions were safety driven, but we all know the sinful hearts of mankind and their thirst for power over others. We all know that there is a desire and drive for banishing Christianity, so will these present restrictions be continued and extended? Is this a portend of things to come...the "new normal"?
Will the predicted end times prophecies lead us into the "hell on earth" conditions preceding the Tribulation? Do we even believe those prophecies? Those of us who accept the label "Bible believers" certainly do. Can this be the lead up to these horrifying events - "perilous times" ?
For the true "Bible believer" we have both the "Blessed Hope" of the Rapture of the church as well as the promise of eternal life in Heaven. But life as we have known it in the "land of the free" - America - may well be different than we can imagine until either of those two promises become a reality.
If you are not saved and on your path towards the Glory Land, why not confess your sinful state, repent of your personal sins and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you right now?
Why not pray a simple prayer along these lines: "Dear Lord, I realize that I am a sinner by nature, choice and practice. I turn from my sin and turn to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask You to save me and take me to Heaven when I die. I thank you now for doing what you promised in Your holy Word, the Bible. In Jesus dear Name, Amen."
Of course these words are not magical, but they express the gist of what God's Word says you must do to be saved. Then, regardless of what the future holds, you can rest assured that you will have eternal fellowship with the Lord Himself and all believers...forever!
Sincerely in the Savior,
Pastor (emeritus) Paul C. Fedena