Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Dangerous Alliances

The setup for the last days has certainly been in progress for some time, but as we see the orchestration of world events, the hostility toward the things of God, as well as significant evidence of revival in our world, we can live with anticipation of our Savior coming for His Church. Daniel 12 states:
1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

Just days ago on The Meeting House on Faith Radio, Jim Garlow of the ministry of Well Versed warned of the growing threat of globalism in our world today.  On today's edition of the program, Hormoz Shariat will talk about conditions within Iran, where Christianity is growing, yet Christians are facing persecution. 

The Bible points to a group of nations who will come against Israel, who have an agenda that is hostile to the principles of Scripture.  When nations that are not rooted in a Judeo-Christian foundation get together, we must be aware that there are enormous implications for the world as we know it.  The landmark global summit, COP29, is now underway, with national representatives discussing measures in which countries are being asked to surrender national sovereignty under the guise of saving the planet. And, not long ago the BRICS summit took place - which derives its name from the prominent nations participating - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.  Other nations, such as Iran, also took part this year.

An article at Crosswalk Headlines expressed concern over the alliances and decisions in which these nations are participating.  It relates:

The U.S.-based group International Christian Concern (ICC) is warning that China’s recent pledge with Iran would heighten Christian persecution in both countries. As reported by The Christian Post, Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed strong ties with Iran during the annual BRICS summit held in Russia, which gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with 10 member countries, including Iran. President Xi of China stated, according to Xinhua: “No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran..."
The Christian Post quoted from an ICC statement: “China and Iran are known persecutors of Christians, and their mutual support could lead to increased persecution as both countries work to eliminate the practice of Christianity within their borders..."

The article went on to say:
On Sept. 1, China implemented new measures requiring that religious activities, including sermons, integrate socialist values and Chinese characteristics, ICC pointed out. Clergy members are mandated to pledge their allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party.

These measures come after years in which thousands of Christians have endured torture, harassment and imprisonment at the hands of communist authorities.

The Christian Post also noted:

Similarly, Iran has a long history of executing, imprisoning and torturing Christians, ICC said, adding that the nation also supports terrorist organizations, including Hamas, which was responsible for the attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people who were tortured and killed, including some 40 Americans, and over 254 others taken hostage, many also raped or tortured and killed.
International Christian Concern also stated: “China’s unwavering support of Iran, regardless of Iran’s persecution of Christians and backing of terrorists, shows the world where its priorities lie,” adding, “The combined power of the two nations also raises alarm among Christians, who have already endured years of abuse and imprisonment under the two regimes.”

And, at the BRICS summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin was leveraging his influence, according to Worthy Christian News, which reported: "...at the formal opening of the leaders’ summit in Russia’s Kazan, Putin stated that BRICS is 'especially in demand in the current conditions, when truly dramatic changes are taking place in the world, and the process of forming a multipolar world is underway.'”  That article said:
Later on Wednesday, Putin held separate meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian on the summit’s sidelines.

Erdogan said the two countries are addressing cross-border payment issues. U.S. sanctions and the threat of secondary sanctions have disrupted transactions with China, Turkey, and others trading with Russia.

Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing the BRICS summit, said, “Over more than three decades since the collapse of the bipolar system, it has become increasingly clear that, from the perspective of Western powers, peace, democracy, prosperity, and development can only be achieved through pathways defined by them.”

The leaders of China and India also held meetings to try to settle tensions they have had.

Certainly, this counterweight to the G-7 nations, as the article points out, "now represents roughly half of the world’s population and accounts for 35% of global output."  And, the ringleaders: China, Russia, and India, with accommodation of Iran.  By and large, these nations are to be regarded as rivals, not necessarily friends on the world stage.  And, these are nations who have a vastly non-Christian point of view:
  • China - the government of the state with tight controls on religious practice
  • Russia - a secularistic government that has been influenced by the nationalism of the Russian Orthodox Church
  • India - a mainly Hindu foundation, with radical elements
  • Iran - a nation tightly controlled by proponents of radical Islam.
In spiritual terms, there is a conflict of religious practices and worldviews.  This means opposition to the values and principles upon which our nation was founded. And, a rapidly changing landscape in Europe shows a religious shift as well, with a stronger presence of Islam, as well as a secular society.

In the world today, as well as in our nation, there are growing threats to the practice of Christianity.  But, the good news is that God is working powerfully.  Through the missions efforts of dedicated believers, the gospel is being spread, the truth is being shared, and we can be encouraged by the hope that is furthered by the teachings of the Scriptures, which counter the godless ideologies that we find at home and abroad.

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