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Encouragement for End-Times Endurance brings you a look at current events around the world from a biblical perspective, including how they might be connected to Bible prophecy.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Tennessee Massacre

In the wake of yesterday's tragedy in Chattanooga, my heart is filled with many things, so this post may be longer than most. Some Christian newsmen/writers/bloggers whom I respect have followed for the past 17 years how uncanny it is that every time our nation (government) does something to advance: 1) the pro-choice agenda, 2) the LGBT agenda, or 3) the endangerment of Israel, some sort of tragic event has hit this country. It may be a natural event, such as fire, flood, tornado, etc. It may be financial, or it may be of human origin (often terrorists). These men (and I agree with them) feel that God has been using this pattern to warn us. Thus far the warnings have not been heeded, and the murders in Chattanooga could very well be a harbinger of... Jeremiah 51:14, "I will fill thee with men, as with locusts; and they shall raise a battle cry against thee."
 
My heart is heavy and sorrowful (Roman 9:2) when I think of the lives lost yesterday and of the friends and families left to grieve. I also sorrow over the fact that Kuwaiti-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, as despicable as his acts were, was created in God's image, and God is not willing that any should perish, desiring that all come to repentance. I have read that the Islamic gunman attended UT Chattanooga, where he received a degree in electrical engineering. In the diversity section of their web page they state: "Christian groups have a large presence on campus. They often have meetings, free food, and live music on campus." I can only speculate as to what interaction there was (if any) between these groups and Abdulazeez.

Built upon the foundations of prayer removal from schools and the introduction of the theory of evolution as science in the 1960's, followed by the infamous Roe v Wade decision in 1973, most governmental decisions (executive, legislative, or judicial) have only proven to be foolish, futile, or fatal. If God is removed from the equation (as many are prone to do) the wounds to our nation seem to be self-inflicted. And somewhere in the midst of it all, the church has been self-absorbed to the point where post-modernism has crept in, carrying in its wake the follies of progressive socialism, Marxism, and Fascism.

These are just a few of the things I weep about. Not all the time, and not even every day. Even these things can stir up a joyous expectation in me, knowing that Jesus said that lawlessness, apostasy, and godlessness would increase before His return. The Christian community at UT Chattanooga did not effectively reach Abdulazeez with the Gospel for some reason. So while I say, Come Lord Jesus," I pray that this message will result, directly or indirectly, in at least one person being lead to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. That will turn many tears into much rejoicing.