FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE REAL CRISIS FACING AMERICA AND CHRISTIANITY
As has been said, “To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” that is, with the genuine warnings of Biblical truth, particularly prophecy. Otherwise, the counterfeit “forewarnings” do the exact opposite by satanic design—-they keep you distracted and transfixed on the craftily-designed decoys such as mysterious, sinister “deep state” shadowy cabals and “secret societies” controlling the world and such mesmerizing conspiracies, etc. Meanwhile, the real enemy of the people, the nation, and end-time Christianity is soon to manifest itself to the utter surprise of the majority, in fulfillment of Revelation 13. Here under is an flashing indicator of what lies ahead (extract from Yahoo News 360, by Mike Beberness, editor, Dec. 24, 2020, titled, “Is the Supreme Court Primed to Rewrite Religious Freedom Laws?”
“What’s happening? When Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to replace liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsberg on the Supreme Court just days before the presidential election, legal experts predicted she would help establish a new era of CONSERVATIVE DOMINANCE on the nation’s highest court.
“One area in which Barrett has already played a decisive role during her short tenure is in legal challenges to corona virus restrictions on houses of worship. Before Ginsberg’s death in September, the justices had narrowly sided in favor of LAWMAKERS who sought to limit attendance at churches…….
“The court’s decision to block New York [and similar decisions in several other cases] from limiting the size of religious gatherings has BROAD implications that could apply LONG AFTER the pandemic had ended, some legal analysts argue. In the past, laws that restricted the free exercise of religion were allowed to stand as long as they applied EQUAL standards to religious and non religious groups. The justices UPENDED that with their ruling, potentially.
“Perspectives [from other astute observers on this rapid developments]:
“The Court’s enthusiasm for religious rights only applies to Christianity.’ ‘To enforce a strict vision of the Free Exercise Clause [of the First Amendment] for some faiths and not others is a RECIPE for moral and civil DISASTER.’ Matt Ford, New Republic.
“The Court has created enormous room for religious objections to existing laws.’ – ‘For the past 6 years the Supreme Court’s RIGHT FLANK has wanted to REVOLUTIONIZE the law governing ‘religious liberty’ cases, in which a plaintiff who objects to following a particular law on religious grounds seeks an EXEMPTION from that law…..The court made this vision a REALITY.’ – Ian Miller, Vox.
“The Court will allow Religious Beliefs to take Priority over other Rights.’ – ‘Now. Instead of DEFENDING religious groups from discrimination, our nation’s COURTS are openly declaring that CONSERVATIVE RELIGIOUS VIEWS enjoy a PRIVILEGED position in the First Amendment ABOVE ALL OTHER RELIGIONS.’ – Tyler Broker, Above the Law.” (End of quote from Yahoo News 360).
Lest we forget what the ideals of the Founding Fathers regarding Religious Freedom and Liberty were, and are, I will begin including them in this space, beginning with this from James Madison, father of the Federal Constitution:
“Religion is not in the purview of human government. Religion is essentially DISTINCT from
civil government, and EXEMPT from its cognizance; a CONNECTION between them is INJURIOUS to both.” Letter to Edward Everett, 1823.
It’s high time to expand our spiritual lateral vision and sharpen and hone our spiritual knowledge, discernment and perceptions! Pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit as you sink your shaft of investigation deeper into the mine of truth!! Bless all, NMF