Dear Fellow-Pilgrims, Marchers to Zion, and Watchmen on the Walls,
The World System and the New Age
The “New Age” is on my mind—“these days” in which we live. The world and its leaders are bent on bringing in the “New World Order,” as George Bush so prominently stated following the Gulf War. Secret pacts, partnerships, dividing the world into 10 political and economic regions, are part of “this age.” Just recently, a 34-nation partnership that extends from North to South America was signed which implements inclusive laws, unified currencies, economies, etc. You may be aware of a meeting held in Rome, Italy just recently to establish the International Criminal Court, which would include the United States and would supersede our Constitution. Anti-abortion proponents could be considered criminal for demanding “enforced pregnancy!”
Morally blinded leaders continue to propose vicious and evil policies that stagger the minds of many Americans, and provide no reasonable recourse, even at the polls. The “New Age” of “this world” speaks of one world government, anti-Christ leaders, deified man/woman, unified economies, inclusive religious tolerance (it will be horrific intolerance), a super race by forced genetic engineering, selective race bias, annihilation of the “typical” family to a “global family” in a “global village”, an anti-Semitic, anti-Christian polarization, global control of communication, finances, and the location of “international” citizens wherever they may be. Frightening? Yes! (See Gen. 11:1-9; Dan. 7:7,8,23-25.) Hopeless? No! God is still sovereign in His World! (See Daniel 7:9,10,13,14,26,27; Rev. 4-5, 7, 11!)
Past History
Much of this, though not in exactly the same way, has happened in the past. Nimrod, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Caesars, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Tse-tung, and many of the atheistic and godless leaders of Russia and the eastern bloc (as well as many other nations), have exercised to some degree totalitarian regimes that, in some cases, still persecute and execute Christians—more in this century than in the past 2,000 years combined!
The Response of the Early Church
The Early Church was not intimidated by “big government” or “Big Brother.” What was the response of the Early Church to the lack of “freedom of expression,” “religious liberties,” “banning of prayer in the public schools,” the “homosexual agenda,” the “feminist movement,” “same sex marriage,” “special privileges to the ‘disabled’”, or the verbal and concentrated attacks against the Church? It was fervent and corporate prayer, an infusion of God’s power, and the bold and exclusive proclamation of the Gospel (that is where the “power” is—in the Gospel!) with signs and wonders. “Lord, behold their threatenings … that with all boldness we may speak Thy Word … and that signs and wonders may be done in the Name of Thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30). The place “shook”! The people shook! The world shook! The rest is history!
The Church’s Greatest Threat
The Church’s greatest threat is not political, economic, educational, or social. Its greatest threat is complacency and abandonment of its “first love,” so that the state of the Church could be considered “lukewarm” in the mire of the “blessings” of prosperity, peace, and corporate power (we now have Christian political action committees). We are being drugged by the very economic boom that is to collapse soon and surely! The success of the Church cannot be measured by its size, location, acceptability with the community, budget, or program. Some criteria for God’s measurement are: its intimacy with Him and its faithfulness to the proclamation of Christ as Lord, the power Gospel in the power of the spirit, and its “power works” in the world. Lord help us!
The True New Age
We too are looking for the “New Age” … “a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” when the Lord shall rule and reign … when “the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever!” Until then? The disciples also longed for the “restoration of the Kingdom.” Jesus’ reply? “It is not for you to know … but ye shall be filled with the Holy Spirit … and ye shall be witnesses” (Acts 1:6-8).
The Church’s Response
Let us put our spiritual and financial houses in order. Let us “not fear him who can kill the body … but fear only Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). We are to “let the Lord be our fear” (Isaiah 8:13). Let us not fear this present evil age, upcoming economic disasters, political and economic unification, or present and future evil world rulers. King Jesus is coming—the rightful Heir of the world! Look up! Be filled with the Spirit! Take heed! Watch! Pray! Prepare! Work! (See Mark 13:32-37.) The Lord (not the devil as its primary source or impetus) is shaking every kingdom of man, including the religious ones, so that only “those things which cannot be shaken shall remain … we having received a Kingdom” (Heb. 12:26-29). Even now He is doing it! Let us Remember! Repent! Remove! Revive! Restore! Receive! Reprove! Rejoice!
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Know you are in our hearts and prayers. We move forward with sure step in Him and in His Word! He is faithful! He cannot deny Himself. If you have something to share with us, please do so. We would appreciate hearing from you. Onward and upward … until that Day!
Waiting, watching, and working,
Reuben & Carmen Sequeira
Revelation 22:10-21