"Mainstream"Summer 1996 (Part Three) MonthUNITED NATIONS PLANS TO UNIFY ALL RELIGIONSStanding on the threshold of the 21st Century, world leaders are charting a new course for humanity. Blind to the lessons of history, they are yielding their nations' sovereignty to the United Nations, a body rooted in socialist economics and occult spirituality. Strange as it seems, they trust that a united world and its collective wisdom will transcend human tendencies toward tyranny and lead us into a new age of peace and oneness. Drawing from official documents, we present below some of the agendas for the coming New World Order, including the plan to merge all religions. HABITAT AGENDA At the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) which meets June 3-14 in Istanbul, UN leaders and national representatives will finalize the UN framework for global governance. "We will have written a new economic and social agenda geared to the needs of the world community in the new Millennium," says conference director Dr. Wally N'Dow. Habitat II leaders don't hide their intentions. Available through Internet, (i) their documents show their plans to change your family, community, beliefs, and finances. If they continue to win support, UN representatives will manage your "village", monitor your work, demand your service, and dictate your training in global citizenship. All the radical action plans outlined in earlier UN world conferences (unthinkable regulations concerning the environment, consumption, population control, gender equality, etc.) would be implemented through the Habitat II design for your neighborhood. Common values would be required. Every person would be trained to embrace global spirituality, a pantheistic blend of the world's earth-centered religions. The Habitat Agenda and other reports suggest that Biblical Christianity and traditional gender roles would be out - along with capitalism and cars - and global socialism would be in. No one would escape the watchful eyes of UN agents. "Build capacity for monitoring and evaluating compliance... at all levels", states the Habitat Agenda. ORIGIN
WORLD THEOLOGY PROJECT
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NEWS ROUNDUP |
Church leaders are striving to do the impossible - to celebrate the year 2000 as a massive birthday party for Jesus but in a way that does not exclude other faiths. "A Chance To Start Again", the report on the millennium by Churches Together in England, calls for a Millennium party centred on Jesus Christ, but which stresses "important areas of common faith between members of all faiths". It condemns the "triumphalism" of proclaiming the Christian faith in isolation, and the denigration of other faiths. Churches Together said it was consulting Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Jews about the millennium plans, and wants to involve them in nationwide discussions. The report also calls for repentance for times of persecution against other faiths. "In our present multi-faith society", it says, "any celebration of Christian heritage must be accompanied by repentance."
CAREY'S ECUMENISM
Dr George Carey has declared war on fundamentalism saying that all violent extremists "must be condemned". Speaking in Los Angeles he argued for the tolerance and acceptance of others that were written into every religious code. "Sadly, the injunctions to respect, honour and tolerate those of other faiths are not always heeded".
Dr Carey called for a total commitment to building bridges between different religions. DT May 25th 1996.
St. Paul's Cathedral is to be taken over on 3rd July 1996 for a performance of 'A Mass of Life'. It is part of the City of London Festival whose official brochure claims that this performance "pours scorn on the central concepts of Christianity". Is this the kind of event any Christian Church should host? The arts critic of the Times (11th May) asks "Is there no limit to the credulity of the people who run the Church of England?"
The presentation is a setting of words written by Friedriche Nietzsche who inspired Hitler and the Nazi movement. Chambers Biographical Dictionary describes his characteristic themes as "the vehement repudiation of Christian and liberal ethics...the celebration of the Ubermensch (superman) who can create and impose his own law and the death of God." The decision to present an atheist mass in one of our country's leading cathedrals is a deliberate insult to God and a mockery of Christ.
GAYS MARCH ON
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie, recently shocked members of his own Church and Christians everywhere by announcing that he had ordained known homosexuals. Dr George Carey, the present Archbishop, has so far refused to comment. (DT May 17th 96)
Homosexuals seem to be swiftly advancing towards respectability and acceptance as a normal part of society. There are moves to normalise every part of their lives, such as "marriage" in Church, and equal rights to Council housing and employment perks.
They have had several triumphs in the past few months: Australia's third largest denomination, the Uniting Church in Australia, has issued a controversial report on sexuality supporting gay clergy, same-sex marriages and relationships out of wedlock. (Reuter May 17th)
The leader of the Christian Coalition, in the States - one of the Republican party's largest support groups - has told religious leaders to back off from the homosexual issue. Ralph Reed, CC leader, has also urged "charity" towards single mothers, and wants the Republican Party to rethink its proposed ban on abortions. (DT May 6th, 96)
Civic leaders in Georgia, in America's Bible Belt, are rethinking their laws because they fear their towns will miss out on the great 1996 Olympic Games bonanza if they are perceived as being anti-gay.
Two local authorities in Southern Georgia have already rescinded resolutions that condemn homosexuality, despite overwhelming public support for the anti-gay measures. (DT May 6th 96)
In Britain, a railway clerk told an industrial tribunal that it was unfair of her employers, South West Trains, to give free travel passes to the partners of staff who were married or living together, but refuse to give one to her lesbian lover. (She was represented at the Tribunal by Cherie, the wife of Tony Blair.) (DT May 3rd 96)
AGREEMENT TO SHIELD GAYS
The World Council of Churches is seeking protection for gay clergy attending the forthcoming assembly in Zimbabwe, where homosexual offenses are a crime. The WCC and President Mugabe have reportedly signed a secret agreement giving immunity to gays and allowing them to speak freely about their sexuality in the conference in 1998. (DT May 1st 96)
SIGN OF THE TIMES
A sign saying "Jesus loves all the little children" has had to be removed from a prison crèche because the Governor thought it provocative. David Sherwood, Governor of Highpoint Prison, Suffolk, ordered the sign to be taken down, saying that it might offend the prison's ethnic minorities. Mrs Logan of Chatteris, Cambs - a Christian who started the crèche four years ago for the children of visitors - put up the sign after waiting eleven months for approval for it from the prison authorities. Two weeks later it was removed. (DT May 3rd 96)
Yoko Ono, wife of the late John Lennon, has angered Church officials by tearing up the pages of a Bible on a New York stage. (DT May 18th 96)
When police entered the house of the gunman involved in the Tasmanian Port Arthur massacre, they found more than 2000 violent and pornographic videos. (DT May 15th 96) (DT = Daily Telegraph newspaper.)
UK Supplement |
Now, I have a confession to make. Are you ready? I am a Trekkie! Yes, up to now only my closest friends knew the sad truth - I am an avid watcher of Star Trek - and even Deep Space Nine and (gasp!) Babylon 5. Is there any hope for me?
Of course, I watch these programmes not for pleasure but for research purposes. (Oh, all right, I enjoy them as well!) These so-called sci-fi programmes are one of the most direct ways of accessing the thoughts of new-agers and of grasping their teachings. They are like New-Age textbooks revealing all the secrets that these people think are so secure from ordinary prying eyes. But anyone practised in discernment and knowing the biblical endtime plan can see what is being taught.
The most interesting thing for me is that the TV series, as opposed to books or films, have an ongoing story that runs alongside current events, and provides a sort of commentary for anyone astute enough to perceive it. I find it is often incredibly transparent in its comment on world events, and the Church even, and blatant about its plans for the future. Although the three major sci-fi series on TV are separate, they often run the same story line, and each plot is going along the same lines. The story-line at present is the impending major war that is about to hit the universe. (You will see within this issue discussion on the coming conflict.)
One phrase that caught my attention in a recent Babylon 5 episode shows just how closely the new-age scripts follow current events, for one of the leading characters, in outlining their war strategy, told the others "we are at present in a lull between two storms". This is exactly true.
There is now growing talk amongst the Toronto followers of a "firestorm" about to descend upon us. How long will it be before the predicted "next wave" strikes that exceeds the heresies of Toronto and sweeps many more thousands into apostasy?
One avid "prophetess" often quoted in the New Wine areas of the Internet is Jane Williams of Christian Fellowship Church, Columbia, Missouri.
On March 6th she spoke about the coming storm under the title, "It is Coming!" She said:
"For throughout the earth My Spirit is being poured out... Throughout the earth the enemies of God are trembling. There is no scattered shower going on but a steady rain. A rain that will increase to a downpour... And I say to you, are you ready for more? Are you ready for the downpour to begin? Oh, know when it does, things will move very quickly for what happens in a mighty rain? The drains and the ditches fill up quickly. The ground becomes saturated and full. Dust is washed away instantly. People run for cover as fast as they can. Sometimes the sky darkens, in a moment lit only by brief flashes of light. Thunder startles all creation and strong winds begin to blow. Oh church, you have known a season of gentle rain, but I say the clouds are about to burst. For the appointed hour is approaching and can not be held back much longer.
And when this downpour comes, what will happen in that day? ...There will be more than enough to saturate, even flood the ground of the earth. For the wells of salvation are unlimited and the supply will never end. The dust represents the sin of many which will be instantly removed by My love, for this downpour will touch hundreds who were unchanged by the gentle rain. The lightning and thunder represent several things. Signs and wonders, of course, but also great clashes of spiritual forces for the heavens will be wild with activity. Powers and principalities engaged with My heavenly hosts. These normally unnoticeable skirmishes will be obvious to even the naked eye in days to come. Oh the days of gentle, steady rain are nearly over and the downpour is about to begin.
For I say to you, the weather forecasting instruments of heaven are wildly predicting this storm. Prophets around the world are arising and echoing the heavenly throng. Its coming! Its coming! Its coming!
Oh people, this is no foolhardy talk for the misinformed. It is the very plan of God being revealed to man in this day. For just as Jesus remained untouched by the Pharisees until His appointed hour, then was suddenly captured one night, so shall My dealings be unto you. Waiting and waiting and waiting until the appointed time. Then suddenly the clouds will burst open and the downpour will begin."
I have included a longer portion of this than usual because of the remark at the end about the Pharisees, which is odd. She has used a strange portion of scripture to describe an outpouring of the Spirit, namely Matt 26:45/Mark 14:41 - compare Luke 22:53. "And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. "
Just now the "pharisees" are leaving "the corporate christ" alone, this prophetess seems to say, but one day they will rise up in anger and disgust and arrest his progress - but this storm will lead to an even greater spiritual outpouring that will touch many of those hitherto unmoved by Toronto.
The Lord has also indicated to me that many who escaped the first wave of error will somehow be tempted and possibly fall for the next overpowering wave, whatever that might be. I also sense that this time the "reformed/evangelical" and non charismatic Christians will be caught up in the battle and many of them may be swept along, unable to fight the force of the storm.
I want to draw your attention to one other passage from this woman's prediction: "This is not a day in which the Lord has departed from his people. This is not a day when the Spirit has gone elsewhere to reside. This is not a day when my people are left alone to walk according to their own ways. This is a day...when my Spirit never departs from them. No other generation has known such a thing..."
Considering the spirit that inspired this predictions, I think this could be an attempt by satan to comfort the Toronto followers against the day when God's Spirit really does depart, and when he does "go elsewhere to reside".
God will, one day - perhaps very soon - say "IT IS ENOUGH!" and as in the days when Israel defiled the old Temple, he will rise up and depart, saying "you have driven me out of my dwelling place!". For the Lord will not share his living Temple with idols and demons. He will not suffer the worship of another spirit very much longer. He will, as the above word indicates, leave those people alone to walk according to their own ways, to follow the god of their hearts and emotions.
I was very struck by the following passage from Proverbs, which I relate to current events: "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." (Prov 1:25-33)
Well - it's over. And what a blessing! The Conference in Derby exceeded our expectations in almost every way. Jon and I would like to offer our thanks to all who helped us, and made the Conference run smoothly, and also to each Speaker. We would also like to thank YOU for coming and giving us such warm support. We had just the right number of people to fill the College, and all were catered for in a comfortable and relaxed way, with excellent food for both body and mind. Each speaker added to the overall picture, with fine preaching, teaching and devotional studies. The worship was a thrill and a delight, with so many hearts in union praising the Lord of all with gladness. There was also a sense of unity that went beyond even the last time we all met together.
My impression was that we had all moved on. We had weathered the storm of Toronto, which we had only just begun to deal with the last time we met in 1994, and we had matured and been made stronger by the battle. Most of the people I met seemed like seasoned soldiers now, rather than raw recruits, and the sense of dedication to the cause was so encouraging. We stood like one strong Body prepared to do or die, and ready to declare ourselves to be "on the Lord's side" no matter what. We saw the price of faithfulness, we embraced it, and we went out in preparation for what is to come, knowing WE ARE NOT ALONE! Below is a summary of the weekend produced by Richard Smith of I.T.S., Leeds.
Perhaps the chief characteristic of this weekend was a mood shift which took people away from feelings of despair and isolation to one of hope and cautious expectation as the realisation dawned that Christ had not given up on his people (Psalm 43:5). There was still work for them to do (James 1:25).