Sound The Midnight Cry

“Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200”

We’ve all played the game and probably drawn the card that sends us to jail. As upsetting as that can be, fortunately it’s only a game. Unfortunately, there is a stealthy plan at work that could very well send you to jail…this time it’s not a game. All courtesy of the concept of federal “hate crimes” legislation, which soon could be mandatory in the United States?

“All that matters are the delicate feelings of members of federally protected groups,” said Michael Marcavage, director of RepentAmerica.com “Truth is not allowed as evidence in hate crimes trials…A homosexual can claim emotional damage from hearing Scripture that describes his lifestyle as an abomination. He can press charges against the pastor or broadcaster who merely reads the Bible in public. The ‘hater’ can be fined thousands of dollars and even imprisoned!”

The language is in a new proposal pending in Congress, H.R. 254, or the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act, proposed by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, D-Texas.

Worse yet, there are some key phrases that open doors wide that many people don’t want opened. For example, the bill is to “prevent and respond to alleged violations,” meaning the government does not even have to wait until a hate crime has been committed but may act preemptively to ‘prevent’ a crime.

The plan, being supported by the powerful Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith is the seventh attempt to get such legislation turned into law just since 1998, Pike said. The bill is pending in the House Judiciary Committee, and is a streamlined version of earlier proposals that passed in the U.S. House.

H.R. 254 would require every state to pass and enforce ‘anti-hate’ laws. It would outlaw stating a bias against certain ‘federally protected’ groups such as homosexuals. Such legislation could mean the Bible would be considered hate literature and preaching from it would be ‘hate speech’ because of references to religious teachings on homosexuality or other behaviors. The implications of these types of laws mean Bible-believing Christians could become criminals simply because they spoke out about their beliefs.

The first century Christians understood the ‘cost’ of taking a stand for Jesus Christ. Could it be that 21st century Christians will also have to learn count the cost? Only time will tell!

“The E.U. And Bible Prophecy Update”

Last Sunday I spoke of the European Union in the light of bible prophecy. The message is available at our website under “Life Messages” at www.lifechurchla.com. A few days ago, the E.U. was again making headlines that correlate with what was taught last Sunday.

The Financial Times reported, “…the European Court of Justice ruling in September 2005 was like giving a child a loaded gun. It opened the way for the European Union to designate a new class of pan-European crimes, and how they should be punished.”

In Britain voices exclaimed in disbelief. Future decisions taken in Brussels could be applied to the British courts, denying parliament the right to determine what constituted a crime and levels of sentencing. What was the cause of the uproar?

Concerns grew when the European Commission interpreted the September ruling as being far wider than the case at issue: environmental crime. It produced a list of offenses it believed should also be covered by the new rules, including counterfeiting, money laundering and computer hacking. The Financial Times stated, “The Commission’s decision this week to create common criminal rules for environmental crimes is seen by some as a sign that Brussels will take full advantage of the court ruling to stealthily advance EU powers.” [underline my emphasis].

The EU’s justice commissioner’s aides acknowledged that they are “fully aware that the court has handed him a powerful legal weapon, but it is one that he will use with restraint.” But the skeptics argue that these are early days. They fear that in time Brussels might forget the court’s reminder that as a general rule “neither criminal law nor the rules of criminal procedure fall within the Community’s competence”.

As stated many times before, the framework is being laid for the revelation of the anti-christ and his network of nations. The Bible is clear and specific and we are witnesses to it’s playing out exactly as prophesied thousands of years ago.   

Luke 21:28 says: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus is coming soon…are you ready? 

“Meet the Minister Who Says He Is Jesus Christ”

Several months ago I reported to you about a Puerto Rican minister [Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda] in South Florida that reported to be Jesus Christ. This past week, Newsweek magazine had an article about the man and his latest claim. If you missed it, here is the beginning of the article.

“At first glance, the congregation gathered in a warehouse in Doral, Fla., seems like a typical Hispanic evangelical group. There's the 10-piece band, the singing and swaying, the whooping and hollering. But look a little more closely. There's not a cross in sight. The lectern is emblazoned with a near replica of the U.S. presidential seal, except that it reads in Spanish, government of god on earth. Off to the side stand three burly guys in dark suits with Secret Service-style earpieces. When a door by the stage opens, the guards leap into action. They surround the man with slicked-back hair who emerges and escort him to his seat. When the crowd spots him, it goes wild. People chant, "Lord! Lord! Lord!" It quickly becomes clear that they're referring to him. "It's Jesus Christ himself!" a preacher onstage announces. "Let's welcome Jesus Christ Man!"

This man’s organization now claims more than 300 congregations in two dozen countries, from Argentina to Australia. He counts more than 100,000 followers, claims to reach millions more through a 24-hour TV channel, a radio show and several Web sites. He is supported by his devotees, who have launched some 450 businesses to pour cash into his bank accounts. The fact that people have been deceived by him is not surprising…the bible tells us that will happen. The amazing thing to me is that how deceived this “god-man” has become.

When he started in 1986, de Jesus didn't claim to be Christ. Instead, he worked as a pastor spreading his doctrine: that under a new covenant with God, there is no sin and no Satan, and people are predestined to be saved. But as his following expanded, his claims did, too. In 1998, de Jesus avowed that he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. Two years ago at Growing in Grace's world convention in Venezuela, he declared himself Christ. And just last week, he called himself the Antichrist and revealed a "666" tattooed on his forearm. His explanation: that, as the second coming of Christ, he rejects the continued worship of Jesus of Nazareth.

Luke 21:8 says, ““Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he…’…Do not follow them.”  Sounds like good advice to me.

So who are you following?