My dear readers,
1. Sure Signs of the End Time
The “end times” are also “perilous times” to all who love God and are walking the “narrow way” to life (2 Tim 3:1 ; Matt 7:14 ). Our Lord says they are "as the days of Noe” (Matt 24:37 ) and the days of Lot (Lk 17:28 ). In the days of Noah (Noe), “… the wickedness of man was great … and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5 ). The days of Lot were days of rampant sexual immorality, “gay culture” (Gen 19 ) which brought the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah under the judgment of “brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven” (Gen 19:24 ).
In both instances, the wickedness of man brought swift judgment from God: in Noah’s day God sent a flood which destroyed the whole earth; in the days of Lot, brimstone and fire destroyed the cities of the plain. In our day “… the heavens and the earth, by the same word (of God) are … reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Pet 3:7 ).
In this issue of the Bulletin, we present recent reports of sexual confusion sweeping through America and creeping into the Church.
2. “Married? You’re in the minority”
By Sam Roberts, New York Times, Oct 15, 2006
Married couples, whose numbers have been declining for decades as a proportion of American households, have finally slipped into a minority, according to an analysis of new census figures by The New York Times.
The American Community Survey, released this month by the Census Bureau, found that 49.7 percent, or 55.2 million, of the nation’s 111.1 million households in 2005 were made up of married couples – with and without children – just shy of a majority and down from more than 52 percent five years earlier.
The numbers by no means suggest marriage is dead or necessarily that a tipping point has been reached. The total number of married couples is higher than ever, and most Americans eventually marry.
But marriage has been facing more competition. A growing number of adults are spending more of their lives single or living unmarried with partners, and the potential social and economic implications are profound. (Christian News, 30 October 2006)
3. Episcopal Bishop approves of Homosexual “Marriages”
(Friday Church News Notes, October 27, 2006, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Andrew Smith, the bishop of Connecticut in the Episcopal Church in America, has approved the blessing of homosexual “unions.” He emphasizes that the decision does not allow Episcopal ministers to officiate at civil unions, which are legal in Connecticut, but it does allow them to impart “a pastoral ministry of blessing” (“Episcopal Bishop OKs Same-Sex Blessings,” Associated Press, Oct. 22, 2006). In fact, the difference is meaningless. God’s Word condemns homosexuality in the strongest of terms, calling it “vile affections,” “against nature,” “unseemly,” and “a reprobate mind” (Rom. 1:26-28 ), and never gives the slightest support for “same-sex unions.” To bless that which God has called abominable is the height of folly. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20 ). The Anglican denomination is much more like the filthy Harlot of Revelation 17 than the holy church of Jesus Christ. Those who claim to be “evangelical” and remain yoked together with this heretical abomination are in open disobedience to God’s Word. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14 ). CN Nov 12 2006
4. Evangelical Homosexuals
(Friday Church News Notes, January 5, 2007, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - An article in the New York Times for Dec. 12, 2006 ("Gay and Evangelical Seeking Paths of Acceptance"), described the increase in homosexuals who claim to be committed evangelical Christians. These believe that God made them the way they are and that it would be wrong for them to deny their homosexual desires but they also think of themselves as genuine Bible believers. A poster child for this type of thing is Paul Barnes, who recently resigned from his position as the pastor of a megachurch in Denver after confessing to having sex with men. Though he might not claim that God made him a homosexual, he said he often cried himself to sleep, begging God to end his attraction to men, leaving his hearers with the impression both that he was unable to resist his lusts and that God does not answer such prayers. This type of thing is used to prove that homosexuality is ingrown and natural. In fact, homosexuality, like other forms of immoral lust, is indeed "natural," but it is naturally wrong. These lusts arise from the feeding of man's fallen nature. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23 ). No man can say that God forced him to have immoral relations with men or with women. No one forces a man to break his marriage vows. It is the individual who is responsible not to allow his imagination to dwell on wicked things and not to act on wicked impulses. I have never had a desire toward men and I find such a thing repulsive; but I know the wickedness of the flesh that I inherited from Adam and I know that it is capable of any sort of evil if not denied. God's Word condemns homosexuality in the most severe terms. It is described as "vile affections," "against nature," "unseemly," "error," "a reprobate mind," and "not convenient" (Romans 1:26-28 ). CN Jan 15 2007
5. These are the “Last Days”
Reader, be wise. Pray for spiritual discernment, to understand the “signs of the times.” To be forwarned is to be forarmed, for we are in a spiritual warfare. The devil is ever on the prowl looking for victims. Walk in the light of God’s Word: flee from the wrath to come. Hide in the safety of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lovingly in the Lord
Dr SH Tow, Senior Pastor
Report from Miri
Greetings in the name of our Lord!
We thank you for supporting Preacher Lek to come to Miri to conduct the Youth Seminar. It was a fruitful trip. Daily, 10-13 youths came, and 5 visitors. On Sunday evening, we ended the program with the reflection time at the Camp Fire. The youths were thankful for this seminar and look forward to another one soon. They were very co-operative to make this program successful. We were all encouraged especially the youths and they were very happy. They were pleased with the clear messages that were brought by Pr Lek. The feedback from the youths about the messages was good. We asked them to reflect back what they had learned. One said that she will help in organising the next seminar.
This trip and program has allowed our relationship with the youths, the mothers and some others to improve. Thank God for Elder Chew to suggest the Camp Fire. It was the highlight of the program. The Dyak parents do not have the time to bring their children out for leisure. They spend little time with their children. Therefore, the youths really appreciated that we had organised the Camp Fire. Please continue to pray for our youths to remain steadfast for our Lord.
Reported by Charlene Harrison