Someone I know, goes to a church that’s currently having a huge problem – so much so that it apparently may cause a church split. That was the inspiration of today’s message.
Their problem is simple – some in the church don’t want to wear face coverings, and some are militant about the fact that they must. Satan is working overtime in this – and most other churches – in the nation, and the world at large.
We see on television and read articles about “mask zealots” who berate those who won’t wear a face covering in public. That’s Satan and his demons, pure and simple.
The face covering – or mask, if you so desire – is a sign – a prophecy if you will – of things to come in the persecution of the church. Does John not write in Revelation 13:
Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13:16-17)
Well, guess what can’t be done in most of the country today – you cannot enter a store without a face covering. You cannot enter a workplace without a face covering. You cannot buy or sell without that “mark”.
It’s not the “Mark of the Beast” of Revelation 13, but it sure is prophetic of what’s to come.
Churches are still closed – because government will not permit them to open, or they’re open under some serious restrictions. Again – government interference in matters of faith. Did not the writer of Hebrews write in Chapter 10:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
We are to gather and meet together, unencumbered by any secular authority. When it comes to following man’s law, or the Bible – the Bible wins out 100% of the time, right?
Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Church in California is having this legal battle right now. Los Angeles County has threatened to cut off power to the church, has cut off access to parking facilities, and has threatened fines and jail time. A synagogue nearby has opened their parking lot to the church on Sunday mornings. John MacArthur and his Elders have stood up to all of it, and are willing to go to jail for his faith.
That’s standing up to persecution!
As for this COVID-19, I truly believe that it’s a warning shot across our bow from God Himself. That, and the reaction of governments all over the world to this warning shot show, that governments don’t give a darn about matters of faith or freedoms that are God-given.
It’s all there to show how powerful they are – to hold sway over everyone and everything.
And people of faith are playing right into their hands.
The church is being silenced like never before. Consider the things, the truths, that the church could preach about, that are banned in many countries, and could get your church defaced or pastor persecuted today:
- The Cross
- The Blood of Yeshua – Jesus
- The Reality of Hell
- Sexual Purity and Marriage
- Abortion
- Race Issues
Pastors are already being quiet about these issues from their messages and sermons – and they’ll lie to your face and tell you that they’re trying to reach a larger audience. The truth is, they’re hiding from persecution.
And this church I spoke of in the beginning is worried about masks?
People – unless there’s a miracle in November, I fear that our children and grandchildren will need to find a way to survive in a world where they either renounce Christ, or they are banished both socially and economically.
I pastor a social media church on Parler (many of you reading this, know this, as this is your weekly message). I wrote in reply to one of our member’s posts, the following:
The rapture of the church, is just around the corner. We, as a people had better be darned ready to meet Jesus in the air, because the Antichrist can be revealed at any time. The last prophecy to be fulfilled is a peace treaty with Israel – and that’s in the works…as soon as enough “Palestinian” neighbor countries sign peace deals with Israel, they will have no choice but to do so themselves, or risk losing a boatload of funding from these Arab countries, and then – that’s it. Done. The stage is set for the Man of Perdition to come on stage.
This is why, as a pastor, I stress that we, as Christians, had better be doing our jobs and be evangelizing like never before, because one the tribulation period starts, there’s no more church – salvation just got a heck of a lot harder, as evangelism just got one heck of a lot harder. There will be hungry people needing that “mark” to buy and sell (see 😷, it’s a sign as well)… and once they take it, that’s it.
Why are we not out doing our jobs and evangelizing like peoples lives depended on it (because they do), instead of fighting about face coverings and closing every other pew. The church is so darned short sighted, it makes me angry to even think about it.
I look at the issue this way, I personally do not wear a face covering outside in public, and will not do so – as it makes no sense. I haven’t since this whole mess started. I will wear one into stores, but it bears a message: “Liberalism, Find A Cure” (my thanks to Mark Dice for the mask), and in the home of my stepson as they have a newborn daughter – and far be it from us to give our new granddaughter any bug.
As believers, however, we should be mindful of other believer’s needs and wishes – and do what we can to be as accommodating as possible.
But to bow down to government “mandates” that violate scripture? Never!
When Peter was brought before the council of the Saducees for preaching The Name of Christ, its recorded in Acts chapter 5:
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men…” (Acts 5:27-29)
Do you think that the persecution is bad now? If we don’t have a miracle at our elections in November, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
We, as believers must oppose the forces of evil.
Pastors, if your churches are closed – open them now, government be damned. Show them that you’re willing to be jailed and fined for your faith! In other words, grow a spine. The Apostles Peter and Paul had backbones – they would never allow a government to dictate to them what they could or could not do with their churches – and neither should you!
We all need to be Acts 5 leaders and believers.
People, read Revelation 13 – heck, read the entire book. Persecution is coming, it’s all a matter of when. If we allow liberal socialist democrats to take over the House, Senate and the Presidency in November – it’ll be very soon.
Democrats don’t give a rip about matters of faith, or they would be outlawing the murder of the unborn.
The so-called “faithful” Catholic members of congress like Pelosi and the wannabe president, Biden, would be calling for us to follow Scripture, and return to values befitting this nation, such as the nuclear family of a married mother and father, not mom and baby-daddy, and certainly not two mommies or two daddies.
And the Jewish members of congress – who are supposed to be following “the law” – Schumer, Schiff, and the rest of your ilk – are you Jews In Name Only? I believe you are!
And to the Republicans who are trying to subvert the will of the people – you are all just as culpable.
The church is under attack like never before – and I truly believe that the Rapture is very near. We believers can hold it off and pray that God holds His hand back, but if things don’t change – if we don’t tell government to get out of our business of faith – God will judge, and the tribulation period will begin – and all bets are off!
COVID-19, pestilences, natural disasters – they’re all under the Hand of God – He’s allowed them to happen – to get our attention! It’s not Climate Change to blame, it’s God trying to get our attention.
It’s about time we listened – and gotten things straight.
The #Heb10 Church 
I hadn’t thought about face coverings before in the context of Rev. 13, but they may be indicative of what’s to come. I appreciate what you said, though, about them not being the “Mark of the Beast.”
Regarding COVID-19: I didn’t know at the outset how it was going to progress, but I now believe it is a portent of much worse pestilences to come, like in Matt. 24:7.
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