World News Through the Third Lens: It's For the Birds

Dead birds showing up everywhere around the world declares the headlines of Internet news source, http://www.offgridsurvival.com/ This source, along with several others which are better known, such as http://www.msnbc.com/ has reported hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dead birds of varying species showing up dead in Italy, Sweden, Canada, South Korea, et al. Dead fish are also showing up in different places well beyond the Arkansas River. The fanatical group led by Rev. Hocking will probably declare that this is further proof that the world will end on May 21, 2011. Meanwhile, popular actor/evangelist Kirk Cameron has declared that the dead birds and fish are not a sign of the Apocalypse.

So who do you believe? Is the end coming this year. Are these things signs of the end? Should we buy a bunch of MRE's, fuel up the 4 X 4 and head for the hills? All I can say is: "Read your Bible and believe/obey what it says.

Through the third lens of Scripture: Watch for the biblical signs, such as: 1) false Christ's, deceiving many; 2) wars and rumors of wars; 3) famines (those already present get very little news coverage); 4) pestilence (birds and fish dying in large numbers could definitely qualify); 5) earthquakes (2010 was quite a year for these - first 7 days of 2011 rather quiet); 6) being hated for being a Christian (U.S. Gov't. even getting a little alarmed because of Christians being murdered in Africa and middle East); 7) rise of false prophets (the list of those present and popular is too big to tackle here); 8) lawlessness (just read the papers. USA has highest percentage of incarcerated people in western world, and yet new crimes dominate the news).

What are we to do. Since these instructions come from Scripture, they speak primarily to Christians. 1) Do not let anyone deceive you; 2) occupy until Christ returns; 3) preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all the world as a witness (see blog on this topic at http://www.endtimesencouragement.blogspot.com ); 4) endure until the end; 5) look up, for your redemption is drawing near; 6) bear the testimony of Christ; 7) love not your life, even unto death; 8) remain ready, always loving and always living in faith.

So, don't be frightened by scary news; neither dismiss everything thinking that everything will go on as it always has (western version - just keep getting better and better. After all, we spent 3.8% more on stuff for Christmas this year than we did last year). Be encouraged in Christ. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!"