By Pastor Carmen Rizzo

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:35-36)

We read these words and understand them to be a stern warning from Christ against pursuing wealth, materialism, and hedonism, to the point where, who we are at the center becomes fragmented and indeed re-defined. Few, have taken the time to see how this very same warning applies to not only individual members of the Body of Christ, but the corporate body as well.  

I study sociology and various different subjects that most people find to be very boring, because I have seen something in the Church that has frightened me for many years. So, this study, now in its 21st year has been one that I have undertaken not because as some have said that I have "No life," but because, God's Spirit has not allowed me to rest in what would on the surface seem like a random, disconnected, disjointed, fragmented series of movements and events that are bearing full fruit in the culture that we have come to know as Western Civilization. God's Spirit has driven me to see that indeed everything is connected.

By R. T. Neary
Originally published on MassResistance.org
Republished with permission.

Bennington flag unfurling beside my front doorway, I drove away destined for Beacon Hill on Flag Day, June 14, fully aware that the members of our Great and General Court would do all they could this day to violate the democratic processes on an issue with vast implications for families, the state of Massachusetts, and the entire nation. They do have a history of doing this.

Flag Day in '07 will have special significance in history, as it marked the date on which the elected Legislature of this Commonwealth, in effect, replaced the displaying of the stars and stripes with a banner made up of the colors of the rainbow.

Arm-twisting, lucrative job offers, and influence peddling from Governor Deval Patrick's office to Senator Ted Kennedy's and the Democrat leadership in Washington, D.C., had been amply reported in the media , so no one should have been surprised that these solons thumbed their noses at 170,000 signatories on a petition to bring the status of marriage to the ballot on Nov. 4, 2008. Only 45 legislators of the 50 necessary voted to continue moving the issue to this vote. The process died in its tracks! In the wake, however, I wonder how many interpret the Constitutional Convention's brazen action as one of Divine Providence. I do.

by Mitch Cervinka - Republished with permission.

In his book What Love is This? Dave Hunt expresses the typical Arminian reaction to Calvinistic teaching—namely, that a God who chooses only some to be saved is not a very loving God. In reply, I wish to examine the sort of love Mr. Hunt advocates to see if it is truly worthy of our loving God. "What love is that, Mr. Hunt, that you would offer in place of electing love?"

Arminian Love is Limited by Human "Free Will"
Both the Arminian and the Calvinist put limits on the love of God—this is required by the fact that God does not save all men. Arminian love is one that is broad but shallow—it encompasses all men, but doesn't love anyone enough to ensure his salvation. Calvinistic love is selective but deep—it infallibly saves each and every one embraced by it. Arminian love is like a very wide bridge that goes halfway across a deep gorge. Calvinistic love is like a somewhat narrower bridge that goes all the way across.

Arminian love is like the reaction of a mother who sees her child running out into a busy street and merely calls out to him to come back, not wishing to interfere with the child's free choice for self-destruction. Calvinistic love is like that of a mother who runs after her child and restrains him from running into the street—caring more for the ultimate safety of her child than for respecting the child's free will choice. Which of the two mothers would we consider to be more loving? Shall we judge God's love by a different standard?[1]

By Dr. Manfred Kober

Republished by permission of The Baptist Bulletin

A Contemporary Increase of Events

Second in a three-part series on the signs of the times

Last month we noticed how an increasing number of world events appear to have prophetic significance. These events, however, meet with a callous indifference in many people who should be alarmed with their destiny. The dedicated believer will make every effort to glean prophetic truths that give help and hope in these tumultuous times.

Presuppositions concerning the future

Before we begin studying signs of the times, we must understand some basic presuppositions.

First, prophecy, taken literally, allows believers to discern a general outline of things to come, even in discussions such as the identity of the Antichrist—Jew or Gentile? Prophecy clearly reveals main events such as the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Second Coming.

Second, a normal interpretation of prophecy leads to a belief in a pretribulational, premillennial return of Christ. If language means anything, Christ will remove the church before the exact time of worldwide testing (Revelation 3:10). Then He will return with the saints to set up His millennial Kingdom (Revelation 19:11ff.).

By Dr. Manfred Kober

Republished by permission of The Baptist Bulletin

A Callous Indifference

First in a three-part series on the signs of the times

As the twenty-first century continues to hurry along, we are jarred by increasingly unusual events. Devastating earthquakes, deadly tsunamis, unusually destructive hurricanes, and dreadful terrorism convince many believers in Christ that we are truly approaching the end. Discerning students of prophecy realize that between now and the Rapture (Christ’s return for Church Age believers), no specific prophecy needs to be fulfilled. The Rapture could occur at any moment. However, as one observes the natural catastrophes, religious alignments, and political upheavals in the world today, it becomes apparent that events and conditions predicted for the seven-year tribulation period following the Rapture already cast their long shadows today.

While dedicated disciples are interested in understanding the significance of the signs of the times, a large segment of Christendom, like Judaism at the time of Christ, is totally oblivious to the prophetic significance of current events.

What do we mean by the “signs of the times”?

Students of the prophetic Word use the term “signs of the times” for extraordinary natural or world events that point to current or future fulfillment of prophecy. A glance at the religious scene today makes it obvious that most of Christendom is so involved in the here and now that they neglect the study of the signs of the times in relation to the prophetic Word. Even during the earthly ministry of Christ there was an obvious neglect of the signs of the times.