One of the most telling signals of these last days I want to point to in this essay flashes daily in the spiritual eyes of observers of these prophetic times.
We are bombarded, of course, by things surrounding the nation Israel, which is the number-one sign of where we stand on God’s prophetic timeline. We see the violence that seems to be rising to the level, perhaps, nearly like it was in the days of Noah. The moral depravity hits us between the eyes hourly with homosexuality on the way to becoming the preferred lifestyle, not merely an alternative lifestyle, if Hollywood, the media, and the political left have their way.
We have become worse as a generation, just in America, than some of the most pagan of societies of past ages. I refer to the murder of more than 59 million unborn babies who have been sacrificed on the altars of convenience since Roe v. Wade in 1973. Abortion is indeed a religion of sort for those who worship the god of self rather than the God Who is the giver of life.
All of that said, I can think of no signal, sign, or attitude that more strongly signifies the lateness of the prophetic hour than that of the current, irrational anger toward Jesus Christ.
Those of us who hold to biblical values for maintaining sane, moral society and culture are accused of waging war on women, are said to be sexists, are called extremists of every description, or are designated homophobes and Islamaphobes. If we want an America like the Founding Fathers gave us and for which millions have fought and died, we are called judgmental and full of hate speech. We are insensitive, inflammatory, and in need of being locked away or sent for re-education/training.
The progressives brand us with all of the phobias they have coined or invented. They equate our belief system with irrational, schizophrenic behavior that is intolerant and that must be judicially dispatched so everyone else can forge ahead into a new age free of Christian restrictiveness.
They are absolutely right in one respect. It is the Christian worldview that is the holdup to wickedness being given free rein and/or reign, make no mistake. Paul foretells in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 that it is the Restrainer–the Holy Spirit, resident within each believer–the Church, that is indeed holding back evil.
Islam is not considered in the liberal mind as being part of things gone awry. This is because the same father of lies directs this sort of thought process like he directs the perverted theology of Islam. Muslim thought and action are, for example, given almost complete non-culpable status around the world by a large portion of those within our political system and by mainstream news media.
This same spiritually dark thinking was made manifest in the Benghazi matter when a video–which practically no one viewed—was blamed for an uprising that murdered the American ambassador and others. The truth is that it was Muslim hatred–Islamist terrorists— that planned then perpetrated those ghastly murders.
One example of this was a number of years ago when the Nigerian Christian schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok. Rather than blame the Boko Haram Muslim terrorists, the Obama administration line was leaked that it was the Christian government of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan that was to blame for the abduction. It was proposed that if that Christian government had been less restrictive and more accommodating to those of Islam, the (group) would not have acted as they did.
That American president from the very beginning made it clear that he viewd America as a non-Christianity-oriented country. He announced right after taking the oath of office that this is no longer a Christian nation.
Now, I’m not saying I disagree with his assessment. America certainly is moving fast and furiously away from the docks of Judeo-Christian moorings to which this ship of state was safely attached by the Founding Fathers. But, it was Obama’s administration’s constant and consistent support of or silence about judicial action against Christians that was so starkly disturbing. I will just mention a few very brief examples here of the hatred by governmental agencies and others for Christian, Bible-based thought. These were from several years ago, but the Christ haters still strain at the bits to punish and destroy Christian businesses.
I could cite dozens, and I’m sure you’ve read or heard dozens of examples yourself.
A Methodist church in New Jersey was sued for not offering its facility for use during same-sex weddings. A judge ruled against them. (LifeSiteNews.com]
Christian photographers, Elane Photography, in New Mexico was approached by a same-sex couple looking to hire a wedding photographer. Elane Photography politely declined, citing their Christian faith. The studio was sued by the couple under the state’s antidiscriminatory laws, and the couple won. (Amicus Brief in Elane Photography v. Willock; cited by Eugene Volokh on November 2, 2012 in Freedom of Speech)
Twin brothers, Jason and David Benham, were preparing to launch a show on HGTV entitled Flip It Forward. In the show, the brothers would be helping families in need renovate their homes. But when their staunch Christian beliefs were brought into the limelight by Right Wing Watch, HGTV cancelled the show before it ever had a chance to air. Their crime? A strong stance against homosexuality, abortion, and radical Islam. (Terresa Monroe-Hamilton, “The Silencing of American Christians,http://www.rightsidenews.com/2014050934250/life-and-science/culture-wars/the-silencing-of-american-christians.html; published on May 9, 2014)
These post-Christian-era bastions of “toleration” call Christian “homophobes” and “Islamaphobes,” and accuse Bible-believing people of being “haters.” But, it is becoming increasingly obvious that they, themselves, are victims of the reprobate thinking–the turning toward insane ways of thought, as given by the apostle Paul in Romans, chapter 1.
They are “Christophobes.” They fear and hate anything to do with Jesus Christ. They see what is represented by His Holy Name as inflammatory and intolerant.
This doesn’t surprise. As a matter of fact, it is a major signal of where we are at present on God’s prophetic timeline.
Jesus said: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” (John 15: 18-21)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I totally agree with your assessment.
But, what has disturbed me for years is the abundance of A.B.J. ( anything but Jesus ) “ministers”, i.e. pseudo-shepherds like Warren, Hybels, Olsteen, et al, who keep the focus OFF of Jesus.
Paul preached “Christ and Him crucified”, these fleece-fluffers and flock-fleecers only name-drop Jesus, and promote themselves and their own agendas, many of which are conditioning their “fans” for the coming one world religion.
I understand all the hate for Jesus in the world, BUT, WHERE IS THE LOVE FOR JESUS IN THE CHURCH?!
Thank you for your always thoughtful and well written articles. I noticed your writings were more frequent than usual, so I’m under the impression you sense the urgency to reach out to people so many of us feel. It is very disheartening for me to see our country fall into such extreme corruption, sin and evil as it is today. So many in our nation have turned their back on God. I know the Bible foretells all of this would happen, but it’s still tough to watch and experience. Knowing that Jesus is coming very soon to save us from this dreadful situation is extremely comforting. Maranatha!
Another insightful article by Terry James!
Interesting isn’t it when you mention the “J” word with people, who you are just getting to know, all is going along nicely and kaboom things just go from peaceful and easy going, to awkward and difficult.
Yet in my own experience the most persecution comes from people who claim to be Christians. “Oh that’s great your a Christian, have you been…” fully immersed in water, as a commandment and follow after what Jesus Himself did, “for the sake of righteousness.” And of course the biggest stumbling block in all of Christendom. “Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in unknown tongues?”
Yes the World hates us because we are no longer a servant of Satan, and the World loves its own; so we can expect persecution, we are told we will be persecuted. In fact if your not being persecuted, then you are probably not doing your job! Interesting that in defense of the Gospel though, that the people who claim to know Jesus, can be the worst offenders at persecuting you. Doctrine divides, one of Satan’s bigger successes.
Well in the last days it talks of the apostasy of the church. There must be a falling away (other things as well) before Jesus comes again so no surprise. When I am in a discussion about Christ I have been told by others I am a Christian cause I go to church. Lots of church attenders attend church thinking that is what will get them into heaven and they could NOT be more wrong but without this falling away Christ will not come. It is more detailed than that but due to space unable to list All that is happening during theses end times.
I can truly appreciate your comment as the Lord just pulled my entire family out of the wretched false teaching that is “being baptized in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in unknown tongues”. I only wish we had seen the truth sooner!
Hello 2Timothy2:15 I am interested in your comment as I recently attended a talk given by “vicar of baghdad” cannon Andrew white and he prayed in tongues …I’m not sure what I think about it…could you tell me why it’s a false teaching ….:)
A great place to begin is Youtube-search “Richard Bennett Pentecostal Road to Rome”. Documents an ex-priest’s personal journey. Anyone who has questions about “speaking in unknown tongues” needs to watch. Blessings.
“Being baptised in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in unknown tongues,” is your choice. You can be saved without being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Tongues is a gift, just like salvation is a gift. You need faith in Jesus to be saved.
You need faith also to be baptised in the Holy Spirit, after you are saved. Acts 19:2-5, Acts 2:4, Acts 1:8, Jude 1:20. There are many more Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit: Fills us with power to witness.
9 Fruit are Christ-like character lived out through us.
9 Gifts given as He wills.
He teaches, guides, convicts, counsels, edifies, bears witness etc.
Jesus said in Math.7:7, “seek and you will find.”
I have to disagree with you here, Helen. Actually, “speaking/praying in unknown tongues” was/is a pagan practice that Paul was scolding the Corinthians for practicing. They were not using the gift at all the way that it was intended. Unfortunately, these very verses are used to somehow justify the false use of tongues. If I ever witness someone speaking in tongues, and it is a legitimate known language(not an “unknown” language or babble) used to share the Gospel to someone *present* who happens to share it as their native tongue….Then, and only then will I acknowledge this as the true gift that the Holy Spirit has divinely given. Unfortunately, I have not once witnessed tongues used in the Biblical format. And I didn’t realize this until I spent countless hours seeking the truth in His word on the matter. If you would like to be shaken to your core, but ultimately know the truth on this matter, please research the links between Pentecostalism/Charismatic movement and its connections with the occult. Also, research a man named Dr. Hobart Freeman. This man was formerly a Baptist, but someone convinced him that believers needed a second baptism to receive the Holy Spirit, with evidence of speaking in tongues. And like you stated, it all had to be done “in faith”. This man believed this, preached this to his growing congregation(which included my Mother), and began receiving false messages “from the Lord”. Many signs and wonders and “miracles” were witnessed and discussed. Emphasis was placed on “speaking in unknown tongues”. Sadly, this man was unknowingly led by unholy forces and taught his congregation that seeking medical care showed “lack of faith for healing”. Over 90 people died believing this. It is in fact dangerous doctrine, and my sisters and I are fortunate that my mother left before we experienced the same tragedy in our family. In fact, the preacher died in his own illness, believing it himself.
In agree. Speaking in tongues was meant for the non believers during 1st century. Whenever person speaks in tongues it will ALWAYS be a known language that the person speaking it cannot interpret BUT there will ALWAYS be someone who can interpret what they are saying. I believe Paul stated that and it was tp prove Christ was who he said he was BUT now we are to take salvation by faith thru grace and no longer need or require proof. What my church believed when I was growing up but it is a gift of the spirit so who knows. I have never been able to speak in tongues though someone did over me. Scared me. Thought it was from the enemy (Satan). Just my thoughts
Karen,
If you’re reading this… I replied to you, Brother Terry posted my reply at the “Rapture and Watching” article.
Lord bless you,
Nora