My long-time friend, brother in the Lord and End-times author Neil emailed me on evening of 1st July,

‘Dear Richard, …Just seen a “mention in dispatches”, for which many thanks. I felt it confirmed that I should send you what the Lord has laid on my heart this week.

‘As you know, I am always watching for signs (as you are) and was struck by the fact that if you take ‘dem’ out of ‘pandemic’ you are left with ‘panic’ (or is it if you put ‘dem’ into ‘panic’ you get ‘pandemic’!). I doubt there is any significance, but the democrats do seem to have infiltrated and corrupted the administrative processes of the USA (like a virus) which should certainly cause concern (panic?) and the contagion could become worldwide pandemic, as a “New World Order”.

It is quite an appropriate introduction to his weighing of what he heard (emphases other than closing ‘word’ are mine):

APPEASEMENT

(Adjusting one’s values for fear of causing offence: conceding to an aggressor’s demands)

Introduction

The Lord said to me: “NO MORE APPEASEMENT”.

We are witnessing a mutiny against God. Sin crucified Jesus Christ and sin is the explanation (prime cause) for the uproar in the world today.

What I write here is determined by God, not by my own inclination. To some that may sound presumptuous. There is no doubt that we are in a world where we deify common sense and rely on our own understanding: some seek to imply that their deliberations are the thoughts of God. My utmost resolve is devotion to Jesus Christ, an unflinching loyalty to the Word of God and humility in service. The Lord has laid this topic on my heart; as always, the reader is urged to weigh and test.

International Relations

The troubles of the world are daunting and getting worse. They are likely to overwhelm those who don’t know Jesus and don’t have the Word of God as their bedrock. That principle applies to the governance of nations as well as to the way individuals face the current mayhem.

Since World War II we have seen a rapid decline in what Churchill called “Christian civilisation”. He was committed to defending our Bible influenced democratic society and totally opposed to any sort of appeasement with the evil of Naziism. Appeasement is likely to involve compromising with sin: an acceptance that battling against sin is futile. It is seen, therefore, as both pragmatic and sensible when the opposition seems indomitable.

History has shown, however, that it is not safe to trust the liberal innocence of leaders who are blinkered by a belief in the nobility of human nature, the invincibility of logic and the conviction that others will act rationally.

Sin is a fact and it must be challenged: we are witnessing the power of darkness. The evildoers are not only delighting in their ability to manipulate the appeasers, they are infiltrating and influencing those governments where there is a reluctance to confront the issues that are undermining social cohesion. Just-cause grievance groups have been hijacked by militants and turned into aggressive anti-authoritarian movements. We used to talk about the battle for hearts and minds – it is now the battle for souls.

Through labyrinthian and all-encompassing intrigue, society is being broken down, and that is as intended by the “puppet masters” who are close to achieving the next stage in their endeavours to establish a “New World Order”. Surely what Jesus said, to the leaders of Israel when He was arrested, now applies to the whole world: “But this is your hour, when darkness reigns”. (Luke 22:53)

National and Individual

The tempest is swirling around us and whether we sink or swim depends on where we fix our gaze. Are our eyes on the chaos and turmoil or concentrating on Jesus? When self-consideration enters in, we sink. Devotion to Jesus is the foundation of our security and well-being, not devotion to causes. Devotion embodies obedience. Obedience to Jesus may lead us into causes for the benefit of mankind, but not the other way round!

Much of the church has chosen to adjust its behaviour, and reinterpret or ignore the difficult aspects of the Word of God. They do so in order to meet the demands of the liberal agenda that has permeated “postmodern” thinking and undermined the values that once reinforced society. Truth is considered subjective: if you think you are a Christian, then you are one!

As we enter this time of great trouble and sorrow, the challenges are enormous. Tribulation has been prophesied; it is not appropriate to pray against biblical prophecy. The time of distress is inevitable, its fires will either burn up a great deal of shallowness and concentrate our thoughts on what has real value, or they will make us bitter and resentful. We are in the valley of decision: it has never been so vital for Christians to make a stand.

There are many middle class, complacent church goers who are adamant (convinced) that they are Christians (the Nicodemus syndrome?). Who will tell them that if they have not given their lives to Jesus and been baptised in the Spirit, they are not Christians? Who would dare to say that they are bound for Hell? To do so would be offensive and completely unacceptable in our post-modern liberal society.

This week the Lord has made it clear to me that there is no special corner in heaven with a little bit of hell in it, set aside to cater for those who want to keep a foot in both camps.

Keeping quiet about the reality of the Word of God, in order to avoid confrontation, is appeasement!

The Lord said to me: “NO MORE APPEASEMENT”.

(Selah)