Homosexual Marriages Are “Right Way” for Christians?
New York’s governor wants to legalize homosexual marriage. Gov. Paterson compares it to a “civil rights struggle” and, by extension, likens those who oppose it to racial bigots. Ultimately, he notes that it is the “solemn duty” of society to recognize such “marriages.” Paterson, once baptized a Catholic, has turned from his religious roots, stating that homosexual “marriage is the ‘right way’ from a spiritual standpoint” (Reuters, April 16, 2009).
The Holy Scriptures plainly denounce homosexuality as a sin (Romans 1:24-32) and clearly articulate that marriage is God-ordained to be between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:22-25, 1 Timothy 3:2). Christians are not to condemn anyone (Matthew 7:1), nor are they to be violent against those who sin (Matthew 5:21-22).
But God did warn of a time, at the end of the age, when society would call things that are evil and wrong “good,” and condemn as “evil” things that are right (Isaiah 5:20). This is exactly what we are witnessing today. This should motivate us even more to pray, as Christ directed, “Thy kingdom come”!
Turkey Gaining Power Over Middle East Water.
“During a recent visit to Baghdad, Turkish President Abdullah Gul reportedly promised to double the amount of water allotted to Iraq from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.” Most of the “fertile crescent,” in central and southern Iraq is watered from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Because of this and the tremendous dams in Turkey, Ankara (Turkey’s capital) is growing in power over Middle-Eastern nations that rely on its water—primarily Iraq (Stratfor.com, March 31, 2009).
Turkey is gaining power over Iraq, which bears watching, as this could also give it more power in the Middle East in general. From one prophetic perspective, Turkey’s power over the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is also significant. At the end of the age, a tremendous army of 200 million will advance on Jerusalem from the East. To get there from the East, they must cross the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Revelation 16:12 states that the waters of the great Euphrates river will dry up, allowing the kings from the East to cross. This prophecy takes on even more significance in light of the power over the waters that Turkey already has. How might Turkey then feature in end-time events? Time will tell.
“During a recent visit to Baghdad, Turkish President Abdullah Gul reportedly promised to double the amount of water allotted to Iraq from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.” Most of the “fertile crescent,” in central and southern Iraq is watered from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Because of this and the tremendous dams in Turkey, Ankara (Turkey’s capital) is growing in power over Middle-Eastern nations that rely on its water—primarily Iraq (Stratfor.com, March 31, 2009).
Turkey is gaining power over Iraq, which bears watching, as this could also give it more power in the Middle East in general. From one prophetic perspective, Turkey’s power over the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is also significant. At the end of the age, a tremendous army of 200 million will advance on Jerusalem from the East. To get there from the East, they must cross the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Revelation 16:12 states that the waters of the great Euphrates river will dry up, allowing the kings from the East to cross. This prophecy takes on even more significance in light of the power over the waters that Turkey already has. How might Turkey then feature in end-time events? Time will tell.
Swine Flu: A Global Warning?
As of Monday, the World Health Organization reported 898 cases in 18 countries worldwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention simultaneously reported 286 cases in 36 states, with one death. Put in context with annual seasonal influenza statistics, the U.S. sees more than 30 million cases each flu season, with more than 36,000 deaths.
So far, the severity of swine flu appears to be similar to that of the seasonal flu. In this context, the swine flu has not turned out to be the global pandemic that some public health professional feared it could be—so far. As flu season begins with the onset of winter in the southern hemisphere, public health officials will be watching this new virus closely. At this point, the virus has not mutated and is relatively easy to track. But this could change (CDC Press Briefing, May 4, 2009).
There are two aspects of this new flu virus that are important to consider as Christians. First, this virus spread extremely quickly around the globe, illustrating how speedily an “end-time plague” could move. Christ did prophesy that “pestilences” would be one sign of the end of the age (Matthew 24:7). Secondly, the spread of this virus is easily contained by following God’s simple guidelines for quarantine (Leviticus 12-13)—guidelines that public health has understood for decades.
While many today would “nail” these basic “Old Testament” principles to the cross, they are in fact a manifestation of the second great commandment (Matthew 19:19). When people stay home and rest when sick, instead of working, traveling, and congregating as society pushes them to do, disease outbreaks like the swine flu can become a thing of the past. This is part of God’s promise to putting “none of these diseases on you,” as He told Israel, IF they would obey His laws (Exodus 15:26).
As of Monday, the World Health Organization reported 898 cases in 18 countries worldwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention simultaneously reported 286 cases in 36 states, with one death. Put in context with annual seasonal influenza statistics, the U.S. sees more than 30 million cases each flu season, with more than 36,000 deaths.
So far, the severity of swine flu appears to be similar to that of the seasonal flu. In this context, the swine flu has not turned out to be the global pandemic that some public health professional feared it could be—so far. As flu season begins with the onset of winter in the southern hemisphere, public health officials will be watching this new virus closely. At this point, the virus has not mutated and is relatively easy to track. But this could change (CDC Press Briefing, May 4, 2009).
There are two aspects of this new flu virus that are important to consider as Christians. First, this virus spread extremely quickly around the globe, illustrating how speedily an “end-time plague” could move. Christ did prophesy that “pestilences” would be one sign of the end of the age (Matthew 24:7). Secondly, the spread of this virus is easily contained by following God’s simple guidelines for quarantine (Leviticus 12-13)—guidelines that public health has understood for decades.
While many today would “nail” these basic “Old Testament” principles to the cross, they are in fact a manifestation of the second great commandment (Matthew 19:19). When people stay home and rest when sick, instead of working, traveling, and congregating as society pushes them to do, disease outbreaks like the swine flu can become a thing of the past. This is part of God’s promise to putting “none of these diseases on you,” as He told Israel, IF they would obey His laws (Exodus 15:26).
