Covenant Church

The James Riveris not a mighty river. When there is not much rain the river bed be waded in many places. Once my sons and I had to carry our canoe in places were the water was shallow. In wet times it has more volume, but it is by no means a Mississippi River passing Memphis

But scientists say that the James River, passing Scottsville, Virginia, moves about 3.9 million gallons per day. The water moves along, maybe lazily, but it moves.

Solomon was really having a bad day when he observed that there is nothing new under the sun. A thousand women could not take away his depression on that gloomy day when he observed that life is a dull routine. The wise man caught in a moment of frustration was insisting that the waters of a river stand still…going nowhere…life is stagnant…same old…same old…What was, is…what is, was…more of the same…boring…nothing new!!

Oh, I feel so sorry for Solomon. He may have been rich and smart, but he was poverty stricken in relation to being able to enjoy life and see the hand of a Creative God, e.g., new leaves on trees, new babies being born, new mercies each morning, new works of God filling the universe. Trapped in his own world of selfishness, trying to control all the variables, Solomon thought God had run dry on new ideas and new creations. I do pity Solomon in his hour of discouragement and depression.

Oh, this is about much more than rivers and water and Solomon having a bad day. I write to you about the Almighty God having a plan that is a plan for the ages. Nothing stands still. The clock is ticking. Prophecy will be fulfilled on time. The clock never stops ticking.

The Enemy would love to convince Christians that the present world is paradise; prosperity is the intent of the Christian life; living the good life is the reason Jesus died on the cross, and the Kingdom of God is all about us. The Enemy would like for Christians to relax, be tolerant of other religions, be non-offensive in sharing faith, and respect other religions as being equal. The Enemy would like for Christians to just ease along, not panic, enjoy life, and accept that Jesus will do what He will do without man having to worry about heaven’s agenda.

Life is not in a stalemate. The European Common Market (European Union or EU) is being formed, and it appears to be the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision of the last and great kingdom of man. The EU’s agenda does not promote Christianity. Many of the nations of the EU have political structures that are particularly adverse to Christianity. Many nations of the world are godless, pagan, or dominated by religions that hate the name of Jesus.

The structure of the kingdom of the anti-Christ is fundamentally possible, if not practically already existing in framework. One huge variable may be critical to the propelling of the anti-Christ to imminent power: TERRORISM. Remember Rome was the first nation to virtually ride the high seas of terrorism. Now the EU may well rise to immediate power as it comes to address the issue of terrorism in our modern world. Nations will rejoice for leadership that promises to bring about global peace.

When Jesus comes, the money and properties, stocks and bonds, insurance policies, etc., left by raptured Christians will amount to such vast fortunes as to accelerate the world economy. In an inflationary economy of new wealth, the anti-Christ will have fertile soil to press his political agenda that will include numbering every person in the world and killing those who refuse to cooperate. During tribulation times, those who refuse to accept the anti-Christ will be slaughtered by uncountable thousands.

Here is a conundrum. Islam seems to be the root of terrorism, and the impression is that Islam will sweep the world. This is not consistent with logic or the Bible. Islam is a fragmented religion with roots of violence, but with vast sectarianism. It is hard to imagine Islam ever coming together into an entity with a single leader. Terrorism is bound in its doctrine and culture, and we see how Iraqi Muslims are killing each other.

What seems more apparent is that the EU, when solidified, will have the largest standing army in the world, and it will be the most powerful political and economic machine in the world. It will also be the most powerful agricultural machine in the world. The EU, headed by the anti-Christ, will link with what many believe to be the Roman Catholic Church for its debut of PEACE. Even Israel will be convinced that the anti-Christ is the TRUE MESSIAH. Under this guise of false religion the anti-Christ will bring terrorism into check. This means, as I see it, that the EU, headed by the anti-Christ, will crush Islam’s violence.

In fact, as I understand scripture, his power will be particularly strong in Europe and surrounding countries as an effort is made to number every person with the witchcraft of 666, binding loyalty to the anti-Christ as god. Islamics will have to accept the 666 or BE KILLED…along with millions of others.

It seems to me that OLD EUROPE is rankled that a young country like the United States is the strongest country in the world. The spirit of Charlemagne, Napoleon, and Hitler to tell Europeans they are destined to lead the world yet burns in the bosom of many European leaders. I believe there are many secret meetings of European leaders with the sole intention of developing a plan to bring the United States down, so that Europe can rise. How else can the anti-Christ come to power?

The water is not standing still. The political and moral climate of the world is turning to hate Christ and those who follow Christ. In the heat of this battle we are experiencing the greatest revival in history. In South America, Asia, Africa, and China tens of thousands of precious souls are daily coming to know Jesus as their Savior. God is doing a shaking. Revival is sweeping many countries. Missionary work is increasingly being entrusted to the natives, and their work and harvest is impressive.

I repeat: Jesus will come on time. God is on his throne. Nothing in God’s plan will be late. The real question is whether we are doing what we are supposed to be doing until Jesus comes. Are we living and acting, praying and testifying of the gospel of Jesus? Are the waters of our life carrying us in obedience to be servants in Christ’s Church? Are we performing in a manner that will insure when we stand before the Lord for evaluation of our life on earth we will hear: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant?” (Matthew 25:21).

Allow me to finish with a single word. I am not driven by fear, but by love. We must redeem the time (Ephesians 5:15 & 16).

There is work to do. Let us be generous toward God and man that we may prove the power of God among the godless.

Until He Comes—

Pastor Bare

Luke 19:13b