Six years ago I was told, “By 2020, Texas will be uninhabitable. The temperature will reach 120 degrees (50° Centigrade) each summer. Huge population migrations will happen as a result.” A dear friend with strong environmentalist views told me this.
Then last November I had a clash with a missionary friend who I’ve known for decades. He was passionate about the need for assault rifles with large cartridges to hold dozens of bullets. And he was emphatic that the Corona virus vaccine would be the literal fulfillment of “the Mark of the Beast”, spoken of in the book of Revelation chapter 13.
Many were listening to him right then and I felt I had to speak what I felt. I told him I didn’t believe the corona virus vaccine was the fulfillment of the Mark of the Beast. It was unpleasant to be so frank with a good friend but I knew I needed to share what I believed was the truth. I asked him then about the American national election that was happening in a week, what did he see would be happening? With utter conviction he said that Donald Trump would be reelected as President and that the Democrats would then start prolonged, violent civil unrest throughout the USA because of it.
These people are dear to me and I want to stay friends with them. The Bible says, “If it be possible, as much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men”. (Romans 12:18) But other verses come into play and, reluctantly and with Godly caution, they must be considered at times. Jude said that there was a time when we need to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3). Paul said “The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men,.. in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves …” (II Timothy 2:24-25).
Truthfully I think I can say I’ve seldom ever seen as much division and disunity among both Christians and people in general here in America. It’s particularly disheartening to have such division with close friends who I want so much to be of the same mind with. But often it’s just not how it is now.
I feel the danger is that there’s an incredible pull towards extremist views now that are not substantiated by the fundamentals of Christianity. Multitudes of Christians are being drawn into powerful vortexes of radical, fringe views that masquerade as Christian, or scientific, or with some supposed high ethical stand that all true Christians are seemingly compelled to follow.
I’ve had to take measures to simply hold on to the fundamental truths and basics of the Word of God that has sustained me through the last 50+ years. No matter how seemingly Christian, supposedly scientific or utterly substantiated some current view is that so many are being swept up in, I’ve had to exercise my spiritual discernment to try to sense the essence of some things and to ascertain what truth they may have, if any.
My friend told me 6 years ago that Texas would be uninhabitable by 2020. That wasn’t true, that didn’t happen. On the other hand, some serious weather events have happened here, both extreme droughts and in the recent winter extreme freezes. In driving through Texas now, I’ve never seen so many trees that have died of drought or prolonged frost. My friend’s timing may have been off. But it’s hard to not see that something is happening with the climate and the weather.
The song from the Buffalo Springfield back in the 1960’s said, “Something’s happening here. But what it is ain’t exactly clear..”. That well describes things currently. What to do? For me, I’m convinced that I can and should hold on the basics of God’s Word that have proven true for the people of faith for thousands of year. I may not have full understanding of all that’s taking place right now. In spite of that, I have in my grasp the fundamentals that God has given His people in His Word that will provide light and guidance in any time, no matter how confusing or unprecedented.
There are serious, extremist views coming at all of us from both “the Left” and “the Right”, not to mention ceaseless modern heresies 
and multiple temptations thrown at us from the prince of this world. Sometimes we don’t know how to go forward. But if nothing else, we can hold on to the eternal truths we already know, until a time that always comes when the fog clears and directions and truths become more evident so that we can better understand our surroundings and which way we should go forward.
Good advice! And in the meantime to practise to listen to his whispers! GBY!
Everyone has their own truth.
We are each being tested in ways that are strange and new to us. Now is the time to “seek peace and pursue it” for our own spiritual well being. Keep holding up the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the enemy.. If it’s confusing, then we must stay peaceful in the midst of the storm and trust the Lord even and especially when things are unclear.
Couldn’t agree more…what a confusing time for everyone; I can’t imagine how those who don’t have the Lord are managing (suicide rates are up it seems). There’s so much we can’t understand or see–we can certainly see SOMETHING is up, and the good news for believers is that it’s pointing to the Happy Ending–but we do have to go through suffering ‘such as was not since the beginning of the world, nor ever shall be.’–So easy days don’t await us…This is a good reminder to remember in many ways we’re all on the same side (as believers)–we just have to continue looking to Him as to what exactly that is, issue by issue, case by case, as we run into them. We know that ‘if it were possible, the very elect will be decieved…’ This could be a bit of a beginning of that, which we’re not used to. God help us to remember Who’s we are and What our job is, and not get lost in the ‘cares and affairs of this life’ and lose sight of the important issues, so caught up in the noisy attention0grabbing ones. Maybe that’s why John’s constant message to the Church of his day, caught up in the Roman persecutions and non-acceptance by the world, ‘Beloved, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.’ Let’s do that!
Thanks Mark. Rev13:10 – He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. I don’t exactly know what the first part of this verse means but it sounds like taking up arms for a cause or what you believe is right. Much like what you mentioned about your missionary friend with his assault rifle and cartridges. But the end of this verse instructs us to have faith and patience. God help us.
Excellent advice. Thank you Mark. We need to walk in Faith meekly, until it really is time to make a last witness.
God is not the author of confusion. We are not ignorant of the devil’s (technological) devices (to control mankind). The image of the Beast Rev.13.14-15 is the major sign that Jesus warned us to flee into the mountains when we see the abomination of desolation Matthew 24.15-16 thru 21. The Image abomination of the Beast comes first before the mark of the Beast which is mentioned later in Rev.13.16-18, after the Image is made and stands in the holy place. The Image will cause you to be killed if you do not worship it. The mark only stops you from buying and selling. Those who worship the Beast image will then get the mark as a reward, a benefit from the government for worshipping the Beast. Too much preaching focused on the mark, when it is the Image that is most dangerous and must be avoided by flight into the mountains, the wilderness in Revelation 12 where God provides a refuge and food for His people like He did for the Hebrews fleeing into the Sinai desert away from Egypt. So, hold fast that which thou hast that no man take your crown. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. You might just be standing here when Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven to resurrect you and take you up into the air with all of His faithful saints to be with the Lord eternally. Marriage supper, yeah!
The prudent hold their peace in this evil time, the ‘crazies’ preach the Word & give the Gospel, at the corner of heartbreak ridge & new hope road! 😅✌🏻😇💖
This is exactly what thé Lord is teaching us nowadays : to follow Him day after day,minute after minute ,and not jump to conclusions based on own interprétation.Listening to Him and praying for keeping His peace and faith day after day is the only way !!