OF COURSE CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS DON'T WORSHIP THE SAME GOD

BREAKING NEWS. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.

To the Muslim, God (Allah) is too transcendent and "other" to be our friend. He is to worshiped and adored and obeyed, just as our heavenly Father is to be worshiped and adored and obeyed, but Muslims do not have "fellowship" with God as Christians do. (Reuters)

WE DO NOT WORSHIP THE SAME GOD,
WHICH IS WHY MUSLIMS SEEK TO CONVERT
CHRISTIANS TO ISLAM

BY DR. MICHAEL BROWN, THE LINE OF FIRE, CHARISMA NEW —

It is true that the three primary monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all believe in an eternal, uncreated Creator God to whom all human beings must one day give account. But it is self-evident that Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God.

FIRST,
 GOD IS THE HEAVENLY FATHER OF CHRISTIANS, BUT ALLAH IS NOT THE FATHER OF MUSLIMS.

This is one of the most fundamental revelations of the Bible, which is why Jesus taught His followers to pray the “Our Father” prayer on a daily basis (Matthew 6:9-13). The New Testament even goes as far as saying that God has put the spirit of sonship into our hearts so that we can call God "Abba," just as Jesus called His Father "Abba" (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).

But Allah is not seen as the heavenly Father in Islam, let alone as “Abba,” an even more endearing term. That's why "father" is not one of the 99 names of Allah in Islamic theology.

SECOND, 
THROUGH JESUS, WE CAN HAVE INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP—EVEN FRIENDSHIP—WITH GOD.

Already in the Old Testament, God referred to Abraham as His friend (Isaiah 41:8), but in the New Testament, Jesus takes this even further, saying to His disciples: "Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you" (John 15:13-14).

A Muslim could not possibly think of Allah in such terms.

To the Muslim, God (Allah) is too transcendent and "other" to be our friend. He is to be worshiped and adored and obeyed—just as our heavenly Father is to be worshiped and adored and obeyed—but Muslims do not have “communion” with God as Christians do (2 Corinthians 13:14).

In Islam, a human being cannot enjoy that kind of personal intimacy with the Creator.

This difference between the Christian conception of God and the Muslim conception of God is seen clearly when we consider the aspect of prayer. The depth of communion we enjoy with the Lord is expressed in the words of a famous hymn by Fanny Crosby, who wrote,

---

“O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!”

---

In Islam, Muslims must follow prescribed prayers in Arabic, even if they don’t understand Arabic. So much for friendship with the deity. This alone underscores the deep contrast between these two faiths in terms of how God is viewed.

THIRD, 
CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE FULL MANIFESTATION OF GOD, WHEREAS MUSLIMS SEE JESUS AS ONLY A HUMAN PROPHET, NOT AS THE UNIQUE REPRESENTATION OF THE IMAGE OF GOD.

Jesus told His disciples that if they He had seen Him, they had seen the Father; that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him; and that He and the Father are one (John 14:9-11; John 10:30). The New Testament also states that Jesus is the very image of the invisible God and "the express image of Himself" (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews. 1:3).

All of these concepts are totally foreign to Islam.

For Muslims, Jesus is simply another creation of Allah. For Christians, Jesus is the one through whom the Father made the universe.

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“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.”

John 1:1 ~ King James Version (KJV)

---

FOURTH, 
THE CHRISTIAN “BLESSED TRINITY” IS, FOR MUSLIMS, A CURSED BLASPHEMY.

For 200 years, Christians have sung the classic hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy,” which speaks of "God in three persons, blessed Trinity," articulating truths taught by the Church for centuries.

The words of that hymn are terribly offensive to Muslims, as emphasized in a chapter in the Quran which Muslims recite in prayer five times a day, Sura 112, which states that Allah “begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.”

---

“For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 ~ King James Version (KJV)

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This Sura was originally spoken with reference to Muhammad's polytheistic hearers but was then applied to Christian beliefs as well. This means that five times a day, Muslims denounce some of the most fundamental tenets of the Christian faith.

FIFTH, 
TRUE CHRISTIANS WOULD RATHER DIE THAN DENY JESUS AS LORD; TRUE MUSLIMS WOULD RATHER DIE THAN CONFESS JESUS AS LORD. THIS IS AS BASIC AS IT GETS, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT A DEVOTED CHRISTIAN OR MUSLIM WOULD ARGUE WITH THIS PREMISE.

The New Testament tells us that an essential element of salvation is confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). In stark contrast, the Quran says of those who believe that Jesus is God’s Son, “May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?” (Sura 9:30).

Can there really be any serious debate as to whether Muslims and Christians worship the same God?

Someone could argue that both faiths represent human attempts to please and obey the Creator, but what those faiths say explicitly about that Creator is mutually exclusive.

We do not worship the same God, which is why Muslims seek to convert Christians to Islam and Christians seek to convert Muslims to faith in Jesus.

The good news is that Jesus really is Lord and that one day, willingly or unwillingly, every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will make that very confession—"Jesus Christ is Lord"—to glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11).

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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DR. MICHAEL BROWN - BIOGRAPHY

MICHAEL L. BROWN holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Denver Theological Seminary, the King’s Seminary, and Regent University School of Divinity, and he has contributed numerous articles to scholarly publications, including the Oxford Dictionary of Jewish Religion and the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. » Read full bio

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

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~ Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:13

BLASPHEMOUS ‘TRANSGENDER JESUS’ PUSHES GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JEZEBEL

BREAKING NEWS. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.

A TRANSGENDER JESUS PORTRAYED AS DRAG QUEEN OF HEAVEN, PERFORMING A “REVOLUTIONARY QUEER RITUAL”

BY JENNIFER LECLAIR, WATCHMAN ON THE WALL —

A while back, I wrote an article about transgender as the new black, which is a phrase that simply means it's a hot new trend. But I never thought I'd see the day when Jesus was portrayed as a transgender according to the gospel of Jezebel.

Dubbed The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven, performer and poet Jo Clifford wrote the perverted play that combines theater with storytelling, the spoken word and ritual that promises to leave everyone "feeling blessed." It left me feeling grieved.

“Join Queen Jesus for a revolutionary queer ritual in which bread is shared, wine is drunk and familiar stories are reimagined by a transgender Jesus,” the description of the play, written by a trans playwright, reads. "Team Jesus is now embarking on a national and international pilgrimage of creative, spiritual and LGBTI sites and spaces, forging partnerships with theatres, church groups and communities on the way."

Mainstream media is celebrating the blasphemous work of live art. The Guardian listed it as a "show not to miss." And BBC Four said it "reaffirms everyone's right to live free of discrimination and prejudice."

"The play imagines a transgender Jesus coming back to the world today," Clifford said. “She [transgender Jesus] pitches a sermon and tells a few very familiar gospel stories. She has a communion, shares bread and wine with the audience, which is really a gesture of solidarity in the face of death, and she gives a blessing. So it's a very important, very intimate show."

Clifford, a transgender woman, describes himself as a practicing Christian and feels “religious people so often use Christianity as a weapon to attack us and justify the prejudices against us.” He denies that the play portraying Jesus as the Queen of Heaven is in any way blasphemous and keeps emphasizing that he's a practicing Christian.

"As a practicing Christian myself, I have no interest in attacking the church or mocking the church or make fun of the church or in anyway being blasphemous or offensive," Clifford says, suggesting that Christians who are moved by this play are authentic in their faith while those who are offended are not. "I simply want to assert very strongly, as strongly as I can that Jesus of the gospels would not in any way wish to attack or denigrate people like myself."

No, Jesus would never attack a lost soul. He came to seek and save that which is lost Luke 19:10 But Jesus is not the Queen of Heaven. Jezebel is—and portraying Jesus as a drag queen is offensive to authentic Christians. Painting Jesus as a gender-confused Messiah is blasphemous. And perverting the image of Christ is exactly what Jezebel does.

My heart breaks for Clifford and people like him who look for ways to justify a lifestyle from which God desperately longs to rescue them. Clifford is ultimately no different from any other sinner looking for a Bible verse to sanction a sinful lifestyle, whether it's adultery, alcoholism, lying, stealing, etc.

There is a difference, though, between practicing Christianity in the name of Jesus and practicing sin in the name of Jesus. There is a difference between tolerating Jezebel and glorifying Jezebel. There is a difference between using the gospel as weapon to destroy hurting people and using it as a sword to set people free.

I refuse to use the Word of God as a weapon, but I will use it as a sword of the Spirit to demolish strongholds:

• Genesis 1:27 says: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
• In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul points out fornicators, adulterers, idolaters, homosexuals and "effeminate" men (KJV)—men who dressed as women to engage in prostitution—but Paul says these effeminates were set free from their sinful practices when they turned to Christ.

• When we're practicing sin, it darkens our mind (Eph. 4:18). In fact, the devil has blinded the unbeliever's mind (2 Cor. 4:4). I believe it's a strong delusion that causes them to believe the devil's lies (2 Thess. 2:11).

Jesus came to set the captives free. Some of us were captives to drugs. Others were captives to sexual immorality. Still others were captive to idolatry. God is no respecter of persons, nor does He tolerate sin forever.

Jezebel, the queen of heaven, preaches a hyper-grace gospel that seduces people into idolatry and immorality. Jesus preached a gospel of truth, light, hope and deliverance. Jezebel excuses our sin because that spirit hates us and wants to see us go to hell. Jesus lays an axe to its root so we can spend eternity with Him in heaven.

I pray that Clifford and all those who are blind to the gospel's light will encounter God's heart and find true justification in Christ. Amen.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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JENNIFER LECLAIR - BIOGRAPHY

Jennifer LeClaire’s passion is to see the lost come to Christ and equip believers to understand the will and ways of God. She carries a reforming voice that seeks to turn hearts to the Lord and edify the Body of Chris. Jennifer also serves as news editor at Charisma magazine.» Read full bio

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER LECLAIR
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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

---

~ Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:13

DR. MICHAEL BROWN EXPOSES THE REAL DEMONIC THREAT AGAINST CHRIST FOLLOWERS

BREAKING NEWS. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.

THE DEMONIZATION OF CHRISTIANS

‘THE LINE OF FIRE’

Dr. Michael Brown, The Line Of Fire, Charisma News —

When a white supremacist murdered black parishioners in Charleston, South Carolina, there was national outrage leading to the banning of the Confederate flag and a fresh discussion of race relations in America. But when Christians are targeted and murdered on a campus in Oregon, much of the nation yawns.

According to eyewitness reports, the Oregon shooter asked students what their religion was, and if they said "Christian," he shot them in the head. Yet the secular media, for the most part, is focusing more on gun laws than on the shooter's alleged anti-Christian motivation. Why?

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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DR. MICHAEL BROWN - BIOGRAPHY

MICHAEL L. BROWN holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Denver Theological Seminary, the King’s Seminary, and Regent University School of Divinity, and he has contributed numerous articles to scholarly publications, including the Oxford Dictionary of Jewish Religion and the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. » Read full bio

CONNECT WITH DR. MICHAEL BROWN
» Dr. Michael Brown | ‘The Line Of Fire’ Article Archive
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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

~ Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:13

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WHY SO MANY PEOPLE THINK OBAMA IS THE ANTICHRIST

BREAKING NEWS. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.

Description Of The Beast

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“Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.”

---

Zechariah 11:17 ~ King James Version Bible

Jennifer LeClaire, Watchman On The Wall, Charisma News —

If you type in "is Obama the Antichrist" into Google, you'll get about 822,000 results in .34 seconds. By way of comparison, if you ask "is Bush the Antichrist" you get 454,000 results in .43 seconds.

(Last week, we learned if you type "is Pope Francis Antichrist" into Google, you'll get about 425,000 results in .37 seconds. And you ask Google the same question about Pope Benedict you only get 137,000 and it takes a little longer—.47 seconds.)

So just as I asked why so many people think Pope Francis is the Antichrist last week, I'll ask another pointed question: Why do so many people think President Obama is the Antichrist? Could it be for some of the same reasons his popularity is declining? His approval rating in the United States has dropped from 86 percent in January 2009 to 44 percent in August 2015, according to Rasmussen Reports.

Indeed, even some Democrats are cooling off to Obama, the first-ever African-American to take office. In fact, the once-hated President George Bush is now more popular than Obama. Fifty-two percent have a favorable opinion of Bush, despite the fact that over 100,000 questioned if he was the Antichrist during his term, according to a CNN/ORC poll.

So what gives? "Despite the public's focus on the economy, it may not be the issue driving down Obama's approval ratings," writes CNN Polling Director Jennifer Agiesta. "While the public's assessment of his handling of the economy is about the same as it was in February, he's lost ground on his handling of ISIS (down 8 points since February)."

It turns out, 1 in 5 Republicans think Obama is the Antichrist, according to Public Policy Polling. Obama is an pro-abortion activist and a pro-gay president who ushered same-sex marriage into the mainstream in his term. He inked a nuclear deal with Iran that sets the stage for Israel's destruction. And, generally speaking, his policies have certainly given boldness to the antichrist agenda. His refusal to call terrorism Islamic has also ruffled feathers.

“Although President Obama is certainly not the Antichrist, his policies are paving the way for the Antichrist,” megachurch Pastor Robert Jeffress said. "While I am not suggesting that President Obama is the Antichrist, the fact that he was able to propose such a sweeping change in God's law and still win re-election by a comfortable margin illustrates how a future world leader will be able to oppose God's laws without any repercussions."

Nevertheless, there is no lack of YouTube videos that claim to absolutely prove Obama is the Antichrist. Some claim to have a biblical code that proves it. Others aren't buying that, but they do believe that Obama is the seventh king before Antichrist.

“There is an anti-Christian bias that is now in our government, has permeated our government, that's also permeated Washington but [also] at the state and local level,” said Franklin Graham during a Mar. 11 interview on Washington Watch With Tony Perkins. It's the progressives, whatever you want to call them, that are trying—and the president is into this and the attorney general is into this 100 percent—and that is, forcing on the American people a new morality. And it's a morality that does not include God or His standards. That's what we're facing today. It is an anti-Christ movement that we're seeing taking place."

I don't believe Obama is the Antichrist, but the fact that so many people are utterly convinced is telling. Obama has made plenty of Antichrist moves during his presidency. Could Obama be the seventh king mentioned in Revelation 17:10 before the Antichrist enters the picture? The chatter continues. One thing is clear, believers are paying close attention to the signs of the times—including the rise of the Antichrist.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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Jennifer LeClaire - Biography

Jennifer LeClaire's passion is to see the lost come to Christ and equip believers to understand the will and ways of God. She carries a reforming voice that seeks to turn hearts to the Lord and edify the Body of Chris. Jennifer also serves as news editor at Charisma magazine.

» Read full bio

Connect with Jennifer LeClaire
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Jesus, Matthew 7:13

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

COULD ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENT USHER IN THE END TIMES?

BREAKING NEWS. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.

WATCHMAN ON THE WALL

Jennifer LeClaire, Watchman On The Wall, Charisma News —

All the of end-time catastrophes don't bother Professor Stephen Hawking much. He's more concerned about artificial intelligence.

It may seem like science fiction to you, but the famed astrophysicist says it could extinguish the human race. That's because, he asserts, the technology would become self-aware and overtake mere flesh and blood.

Think Terminator.

"The primitive forms of artificial intelligence we already have, have proved very useful," Hawking told the BBC. "But I think the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race."

But that won't happen if Tesla founder Elon Musk has anything to do with it. The billionaire is investing in 37 research projects that aim to control artificial intelligence. "Here are all these leading AI researchers saying that AI safety is important,'' Musk told the Daily Mail. "I agree with them, so I'm today committing $10 million to support research aimed at keeping AI beneficial for humanity."

Meanwhile, neither seems to be too concerned about end-time prophecy.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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Jennifer LeClaire - Biography

Jennifer LeClaire's passion is to see the lost come to Christ and equip believers to understand the will and ways of God. She carries a reforming voice that seeks to turn hearts to the Lord and edify the Body of Chris. Jennifer also serves as news editor at Charisma magazine.

» Read full bio

Connect with Jennifer LeClaire
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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

~ Jesus, Matthew 7:13

THESE 600 CHURCHES WANT TO STOP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

BREAKING NEWS. SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE.

600 churches are fighting to legalize recreational drug use. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

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“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.”

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Jesus Christ, John 10:10 ~ King James Version Bible

Jennifer LeClaire, Watchman On The Wall, Charisma News —

President Richard Nixon launched the battle in 1971. President Ronald Reagan passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 during his office. And of course, his wife Nancy made the words "Just Say No" popular with her campaign.

Although the war on drugs hasn't ended drug abuse, I have to believe it has made a difference. Nevertheless, at a time when some churches are capitulating on gay marriage, other churches are suggesting we give up the battle against barbiturates, marijuana, crack, heroine and the slew of newfangled highs hitting the streets today.

The New England Conference of United Methodist Churches passed a resolution calling for an end to the war on drugs. Why? Because they say it's not effective. That's ridiculous! We must not bow and allow the spirit of pharmakeia to take over the next generation! We're already seeing marijuana legalized in several states. If anything, now is the time to fight harder, not shrink back.

It's one more sign of the times, in my opinion. Legalizing drugs sends the wrong message to a generation trying to fill the void in their heart only Christ can fill.

These Methodists argue, "Many more lives have been lost to overdose because there is no regulation of potency, purity or adulteration in the production of illicit drugs." That's tragic, but are these Methodists really calling for the legalization of hard drugs for the sake of regulation? Even if we lay down our weapons—even if we made it all legal for adults—there will be drugs sold on the black market to underage consumers looking for a quick fix at any cost.

These Methodists argue, "Our prisons are overcrowded with persons, many of whom are nonviolent, convicted of violation of the prohibition laws." So we should stop the war on drugs because folks don't want to pay the price for selling them? I agree that we should not house non-violent criminals with violent ones but we don't have to end the war on drugs to solve that problem.

These Methodists argue: "Many lives have been lost as a result of the violence surrounding this criminal enterprise, including innocent citizens and police officers." Again, how does ending the war on drugs save lives? The criminal element will not vanish just because we stop prohibiting drugs, and let's not forget that intoxicated drivers killed over 10,000 people in 2013 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I'm scratching my head over this one. From the world's perspective, I suppose it makes sense. The war on drugs has cost trillions of dollars, sent addicts into hiding and put many people of color behind bars for selling a few grams of pot. From that perspective, it has failed. We have not defeated drugs.

On the other hand, from a spiritual perspective, to stop battling against the principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places and rulers of darkness is not an option. We cannot lay out weapons down and expect the enemy to call a truce. No, the enemy will press in harder to kill, steal and destroy (see John 10:10).

With all that said, the best way to wage war against drugs is by preaching the gospel, delivering the addicts from the demons that have entered their soul by welcoming the spirit of pharmakeia, and praying that the generation susceptible to these spirits will fail in tempting its targets. We may have lost the war on drugs in the natural, but we can win the war on drugs in the spirit with the power of God that brings salvation.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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Jennifer LeClaire - Biography

Jennifer LeClaire's passion is to see the lost come to Christ and equip believers to understand the will and ways of God. She carries a reforming voice that seeks to turn hearts to the Lord and edify the Body of Chris. Jennifer also serves as news editor at Charisma magazine.

» Read full bio

Connect with Jennifer LeClaire
» Jennifer LeClaire | ‘On The Wall’ Article Archive
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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

~ Jesus, Matthew 7:13

AFTER OUR NATION’S FALL DOES CHRISTIAN AMERICA NEED A NEW FLAG?

Breaking News. Spiritual Perspective.

WHAT THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER STANDS
FOR WAS TAINTED WHEN THE SUPREME COURT
VOTED TO VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION IN JUNE

Jennifer LeClaire, Watchman On The Wall, Charisma News —

You've seen the black-and-yellow "Don't Tread on Me" flags, and many Americans from all walks of life are flying them in the face of a tyrannical government.

Of course, that's not the only alternative flag that's selling more these days. While Confederate flag sales have all but come to an end, more flag retailers are selling banners that some say better represent the plight of Christian Americans.

After the recent Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage the law of the land, two pastors in North Carolina erected a Christian flag above the American flag on poles outside their churches. The idea is to communicate that we're one nation under God.

“Our typical flag etiquette is to have the American flag above the Christian flag. But when you stop and think about it, it should be our commitment to God first, then our commitment to country,” said Rit Varriale, pastor at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, North Carolina. “I really don't need a lecture on patriotism, I’m willing to give my life for my country. When you think of military mottos, for example, God and country, God first and then country.”

Varriale and neighboring Focus Missionary Baptist Church pastor Walter Wilson may be starting a trend. They are flying what is known as the Christian flag, a white flag with a dark blue square in the corner; a red cross in within the square.

"As I was changing the rope one day, the Lord just laid on me that He is first and when He told me that, I switched the flags around," Wilson said. "We know that not everyone is going to agree with that. But that's not going to make us sit down and stop talking about what's important."

Of course, there’s another flag that’s makings its way on the flagpole, inside churches, and even on T-shirts. It’s a white flag with an evergreen tree in the center and the words “An Appeal to Heaven” written across the top. It emerged long before the Christian flag and was a predecessor to the Don’t Tread on Me flag.

Indeed, an emerging movement is growing under this banner. You might have seen this flag flying atop the Arkansas State Capitol, or in the hands of believers like Mike Huckabee and Gov. Bobby Jindal, or hanging in prayer rooms and churches across the nation that carry a heart for awakening. You may have even seen it on the cover of my book, The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening.

This was the banner George Washington used on his navy ships to signal that their only hope against British rule and religious persecution was an appeal to heaven. Washington cried out to God for deliverance from British tyranny. This banner is galvanizing a movement that could lead to a Third Great Awakening in America.

Of course, the devil hates it. A group of pastors were kicked out of the U.S. Capital Visitor Center (CVC) over a prayer meeting with an Appeal to Heaven theme. And atheists have waged an all-out war against the flag. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is charging that the flag is unconstitutional.

So, same-sex marriage is constitutional but this flag isn’t? What the Star Spangled Banner stands for was tainted when the Supreme Court voted to violate the Constitution in June. I'm not suggesting that we do away with Old Glory, but after America's great fall it seems the flag no longer represents what was intended.

For example, the white stripes signified purity and innocence. Purity is almost a curse word in this nation, where pastors and government officials alike are caught in sex scandals and the floodgates are open to perversion. Innocence is a foreign concept to a pro-choice movement that fights for the right to shed innocent blood. Valor, or personal bravery, has been largely replaced with cowardice in the White House. And where's the justice?

That brings me back to the Appeal to Heaven flag. British philosopher John Locke believed inalienable rights came from God, not from laws of man. In his Second Treatise of Government, he wrote, “And where the body of the people, or any single man, is deprived of their right, or is under the exercise of a power without right, and have no appeal on earth, then they have liberty to appeal to heaven ... .”

Saints, this is where we are today. Our government is corrupt. Our churches are not rising up with truth and light. Our society is ailing. Our economy is failing. I am believing God for a Third Great Awakening and He wants to pour out His Spirit in a mighty way. But we have to do our part. We need to make an appeal to heaven, with a contrite heart, and keep lifting our voices and taking faith-inspired actions until we see His glory in this nation again. I'm all in. Will you join me?

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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Jennifer LeClaire - Biography

Jennifer LeClaire's passion is to see the lost come to Christ and equip believers to understand the will and ways of God. She carries a reforming voice that seeks to turn hearts to the Lord and edify the Body of Chris. Jennifer also serves as news editor at Charisma magazine.

» Read full bio

Connect with Jennifer LeClaire
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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

~ Jesus, Matthew 7:13

7 WAYS TO RESPOND TO THE RISING TIDE OF ANTI-CHRISTIAN HATRED

Breaking News. Spiritual Perspective.

THE ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS’ RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ARE JUST BEGINNING

Dr. Michael Brown, In The Line Of Fire, Charisma News —

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision on marriage, which effectively codifies Bible believers as bigots, the attack on conservative Christian values has reached fever pitch.

This is not the slightest surprise, as I and many others have been warning for some time now, but the ferocity and ugliness of it is still shocking, and it is something we must be prepared for.

The other day I posted on Twitter, "Much has changed since the SCOTUS decision, but more has not changed. Jesus is still Lord, the world is still fallen, Satan is still raging."

An "equality" advocate responded by challenging me to name one thing in my life that had changed since the decision.

I responded, "The absolutely horrific, ugly, non-stop, nasty, vile attack on me (& colleagues) from LGBT advocates. That's just one. :)"

Bear in mind that I constantly address LGBT issues with sensitivity and compassion (for two recent examples, see here and here), but because I strongly oppose gay activism, that makes me a "hater" of the worst kind.

Here’s just the tiniest sample of posts on my Facebook page in the days following the Supreme Court decision, almost all of them coming from those who identify as LGBT (or their advocates), and almost all of them being totally unsolicited—in other words, open attacks rather than responses to my own posts or comments.

Of course, I'm not complaining about this—far from it—nor is this worth comparing with the real suffering endured by Christians around the world. It is simply a representative sampling to remind us of what we're up against.

• Here is a man who preaches hate and ignorance.

• What a pathetic example of humanity your opinion and those who follow you portray. Small mindedness is unacceptable this day and age. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!

• You are not a Christian, you probably are a devil worshiper passing for a Christian.

• People would get a better look at the gospel from Satan himself ... and I'm not even a Satanist. If you take the Bible literally, do not bother responding to me. Thanks!

• This guy is just another cultist who worships the evil, mass-murdering, incest-obsessed, rape-encouraging and hate-mongering god of Abraham as a good thing. Anyone who worships evil as good and claims that basic human rights is something to
be fought against is a threat to civilization and a terrorist.

• Just another cult leader, disgusting!

• A very hateful, stupid person. The worst kind.

• Completely ignorant. Shut your mouth and mind your business.

• Just another brainwashed, uneducated Christian.

• Doctor of what, exactly? Bigotry? Intolerance? Ignorance? Do they give out Ph.D.s just for being a complete (expletive) these days?

• Just another ignorant, hate-filled Christian bigot.

• Who wants to ask a bigot doctor anything! [Note: These last five, among others not cited here, were received within a 45-minute period.]

• BRAVO to the Supreme Court! You LOST, Christian bigot! Get over it!

• Ignorant bigot.

• Icky bigot.

• Another ridiculous, ignorant bigot. Get the (expletive) out.

• Close-minded bigot who thinks he's better than others because of his close-minded beliefs.

• Bigots like this wrapping themselves in religion while viciously attacking LGBTQ folks is DISGUSTING. The Supreme Court has ruled. Gays exist and are just as valid and have all the same rights you do. SHUT YOUR BIGOT FACE. NOW!

• You're a (expletive) gross, pimple-nosed (expletive) (expletive). Dr. Brown I hope you catch (a specific deadly disease) and die.

Again, this is only a tiny sampling of what I've actually seen, which represents a tiny sampling of hateful comments that I haven't seen, but the overall theme is undeniably clear: If you do not affirm homosexual "marriage," homosexual relationships and even homosexuality itself, you are a hate-filled, despicable, uneducated bigot, with the emphasis on that last word, bigot.

HOW THEN DO WE RESPOND?

First, the uglier and more vile the attacks, the more we know we're doing the right thing. The opposition is a sign of encouragement to us, and the more people try to silence us, the louder we shout.

Second, we must remember that this is a spiritual battle and that Satan hates homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. Fervent prayer is one of our greatest resources.

Third, we must bless those who curse us and overcome evil with good, to use the words of Jesus and Paul. Responding to hatred with hatred will hurt everyone, ourselves included.

Fourth, we must continue to propagate the truth until the lies are dispelled, cutting through the emotional arguments and rhetorical attacks and doing our best to get people to think, sometimes by asking questions.

Fifth, we must remember that Jesus already warned us that the world would hate us for doing what is right, and so we must renew our resolve to stand firm with backbones of steel and hearts of compassion.

Sixth, we must determine afresh to bring the good news of the gospel to everyone, knowing that our ultimate counterculture weapon is the message of the death and resurrection of the Son of God.

Seventh, we must pray for revival and visitation, knowing that only a massive move of God can turn the tide.

Ultimately, whether America goes up or down, we will continue to live for the Lord, continue to do what is right, continue to reach out and continue to stand strong.

Forward!

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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Dr. Michael Brown - Biography

MICHAEL L. BROWN holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Denver Theological Seminary, the King’s Seminary, and Regent University School of Divinity, and he has contributed numerous articles to scholarly publications, including the Oxford Dictionary of Jewish Religion and the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. » Read full bio

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”

~ Jesus, Matthew 7:13