Vol 12 No 3: May – June  2009		      	         Promoting a Christian Agenda for the End Times

EDITORIAL:  THE NOOSE TIGHTENS ON CITIZENS OF THE EARTH
   The meltdown of global economy continues to harry down society towards path scripted for it by One World Government gurus.  Nowhere is this more obvious than in the United States, which once prided itself in her national sovereignty, capitalism and individual liberties.  With each passing day, age-long traditions and values in the US continue to disappear into thin air, with few people bothering to ask why.  In other countries, similar changes are occurring, even if more subtly.
     Hopefully, nobody out there thinks the meltdown just happened.  It should be clear enough to all that what is being manifested are products of long-term deliberately engineered policies -which Christian watchmen have been loudly harping on for a long time.
     Economy is only the chosen arrowhead for effecting the change-over into a New World Order.  Other issues simultaneously being used to complement the economic  factor include terrorism, the environment, and threats of epidemics (ranging from HIV to the flus), etc.  
     The infrastructure for global governance also is being developed at a frenzy pace.  Microchip  implants including brain prosthetics are being produced and marketed via various ingenious strategies.  Blatant manipulations in the educational sector ram down society’s throat  distractive and destructive concepts such as the morality-blind new sexuality; while the farce called evolution theory continues to take out meaning, purpose and personal responsibility out of living.  continued on page 2

US Panel says Nigeria is top Christian persecutor
    The International Christian Concern (ICC) recently reported (May 4), that the annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has  designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern for "tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion."
         The ICC noted that Nigeria has been plagued by religious violence since 1999 when Sharia law was introduced in the northern part of the country (precisely at the same time that a Christian unexpectedly took over the mantle of leadership after perennial Moslem rule).  The ICC further observed that since this time, “the Christian minority in northern Nigeria has been more severely persecuted by Islamic extremists. Muslim radicals have been killing Christians, burning down churches, and forcing Christians to flee their homes.  Authorities in Nigeria have failed to stem this recurring violence. pg 2

Adieu, Mummy Kumuyi
      The Church in Nigeria collectively lost one of her leading lights during the Easter period as Pastor (Mrs) Biodun Kumuyi, matriarch of the Deeper Life Bible Church, went to be with her Saviour on Saturday 11th April.  
    Apart from several vital ministries she served within the Deeper Life organization, Mrs Kumuyi was also the publisher of the Christian Women Mirror, a monthly magazine widely circulated across denominational lines and proven as a veritable tool for developing Christian women in godliness,  child training, and other virtues.  
    Of course, by far her greatest contribution to the Body of Christ was simply being the help-meet for Pastor William F. Kumuyi, and a shining role model to hundreds of thousands of  Christian ministers’ wives, particularly in Nigeria.   continued on page 2

Rick Warren disavows support for Anti-Gay Marriage Initiative
One of the titanic social battles in recent history would certainly be the so-called Proposition 8 - a ballot proposition passed in California, USA, late last year which amended the State’s Constitution to restrict marriage to opposite-sex human couples.
     Many Nigerians would find it hard to believe that such an apparently simple, fundamental issue could be the subject of an epic battle of wits, lawsuits and considerable blackmail.  At the end of the day, over $83 million was raised and expended, making the social campaign one of the most expensive ever -  apart from the US Presidential contest itself.
      Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Mega Church (and author of the best selling book: Purpose Driven Life), like many other evangelicals, had been part of those who supported the Proposition – a fact clearly documented even on Wikipaedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008)).  Many Christians were therefore disappointed to hear Rick Warren  apologize recently on CNN that he ever supported the Proposition.  He further futilely attempted to justify this position by claiming that his previous support had somehow been qualified. 
      Speaking with CNN’s Larry King on April 6, Rick Warren declared:  "During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never -- never once even gave an endorse-ment in the two years Prop. 8 was going" pg 2
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“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”  - Mathew 24:12
Departure of a Matriach (continued from page 1)
      The departure of Mummy Kumuyi at the rather young age of 57 has big positive lessons for the Church.  One of these is the way the Lord arranged the circumstances, scheduling it to coincide with the period when the strongest message of Christianity, victory over death through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, was being preached and celebrated.  
      More than preaching, the Lord also gave the man of God, Pastor Kumuyi, to demonstrate this reality in a clear manner as he took the news of the death of his wife calmly and continued with his preaching schedule at the then on-going Easter Camp of the Church.  Most members noted the fresh vibrancy and vigour with which the man of God preached on the necessity of “Feeding the Sheep” of Christ irrespective of prevailing circumstances.  None suspected that he had just lost his partner and soul-mate of almost 30 years.
    We join Christians all over the world in celebrating the life of Pastor (Mrs) Biodun Kumuyi as well as the demonstrated Christian Hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ, our soon-coming King. Meanwhile, may the Holy Spirit comfort and encourage His people as they grapple with the vacuum created by this departure.

Editorial (continued from page 1)
       The critical phase of the shift to the new world order is ongoing with governments all over the globe increasing the level of their control on their citizens.  The next concluding phases would be much easier – first getting the UN to increase its control on those governments, and finally installing a dictator over the UN (Rev 17:17).  This charming powerful personality will be the one, with the services of his religious goons, who will cause “…all, both small and great, rich and poor; free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark..”  Rev. 13:16-17.
       Meanwhile, the Church – the Salt and Light for society in this dispensation -  is locked in a mortal conflict spearheaded by the inter-faith “all-roads-lead-to-God” movement.  Subverted from within by Judases, and buffeted without by a ruthless spirit of Herod.   
      These are the issues Church Arise! seeks to keep on the front burner of its readership, and are reflected in this edition.
   Yes, disasters are indeed coming the way of mankind.  The flus, the suicide bombers, etc will some day get out of control.  It will be a season of reckoning for the earth -  the period of great tribulation, to use the Biblical term.  However, it’s not too late to yet get out of the mess.  The Rapture flight is still boarding.  Visit a Bible-believing Church near you today or call our new hotline:07041678556  for assistance.  Are you already checked in for the flight? Top up your tank with extra oil today!
Nigeria a top Christian persecutor (cont’d from pg 1)
       The report by the Commission expressed concern that "years of inaction by Nigeria's federal, state and local governments has created a climate of impunity, resulting in thousands of deaths."  It further indicates the role of countries such as Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan in fueling the violence by building mosques and Islamic religious schools in which an extreme version of Islam is preached. The report noted, "An increasing number of Nigerian Islamic scholars and clerics are being trained in Saudi Arabia and return with a politico-religious ideology that explicitly promotes hatred of, and violence against, non-Muslims."
       Like we warned, nothing has been heard again concerning the horrible bloodshed in Jos, despite two Panels set up (one by state government and the other by the Federal); not to talk of  the follow-up massacre in Bauchi (see Vol 12 No 2).

Easter  Violence In Niger State
A fresh example of the impunity with which Christians are harassed and persecuted in Northern Nigeria was again demonstrated in Niger state over the Easter period.   Reports from several national newspapers  describe the unbelievable incidents in Gwada and Minna, the state capital :  A company of Christians  in high spirits were moving round in a procession, celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from death,  when a horde of  muslim fundamentalists suddenly arose  from the ambush they had laid, and unleashed severe violence on people and properties. Just like that, without any provocation!
       Church buildings, cars, and no fewer than 26 Christians (in Gwada) received various levels of damages and injuries.  Reporting on the Minna incident, the Nigerian Tribune reported that “blood from the injured littered the ground”. 
       According to the PRO of the Nigeria Police, ASP Richard Oguche, it took three Assistant Commissioners of Police and a strong detachment of anti-riot policemen to put the situation in Gwada under control.  As many as 88 muslim fanatics were arrested on the scene.  Twenty others were arrested in Minna.  Unfortunately, as has happened over and over again, the case (both the pawns arrested or their ‘untouchable’ masterminds behind the scenes) is all but forgotten just a few weeks now after the incidence!

Rick Warren changes tune on Marriage (from pg 1)
       However, apart from the already cited Wikipedia article, OneNewsNow has a well-documented record of Warren’s support for Proposition 8.  According to the news organization, “Just two weeks before the November 4 Prop. 8 vote, Pastor Warren issued a clear endorsement of the marriage amendment while speaking to church members.”  Rick Warren was quoted as having said:   "Now let me say this really clearly: we support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8….. I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear.”  
       Concluding his emotional endorsement, Rick Warren said :  "Now here's an interesting thing. There are about two percent of Americans [who] are homosexual or gay/lesbian people. We should not let two percent of the population determine to change a definition of marriage that has been supported by every single culture and every single religion for 5,000 years….  This is not even just a Christian issue -- it's a humanitarian and human issue that God created marriage for the purpose of family, love, and procreation. So I urge you to support Proposition 8, and pass that word on. …..”  (See the complete transcript at: www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280)
        Rick Warren now denies having given such a clear and comprehensive support for the anti-gay marriage initiative.  According to OneNewsNow, Pastor Warren has not responded to request for interview so he could clarify these clearly contradictory statements. www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=483576
        And, as for the supposedly little measure of support he now claims he ever gave in support of the Proposition, Rick Warren has nothing but deep remorse.  During the CNN interview, Warren said:
 "There were a number of things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends -- the leaders that I knew -- and actually apologized to them.”
      Dr. Jim Garlow, the senior pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in the San Diego admits he is confused and troubled by Pastor Warren's decision to apologize for supporting Prop. 8.
      "Historically when institutions and individuals back away from convictional biblical truth, it is driven primarily by one single factor -- and that is the respectability of other people. In other words, much more caring about what other people think about them than what God thinks about them," he concludes.
    Another Pastor, from Washington, DC, lamented that Rick Warren has done "tremendous damage" by his latest apology.  According to Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr.,of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, Warren’s statements on CNN were very disappointing. 
       "This man … who I really respect with all my heart and love what he's doing in Africa, is falling into a trap that is emblematic of the problem that the entire church is facing in this generation," Jackson states. "And that is that we love the applause of men more than we love the work of God and the gospel. Jesus...told us that we are to honor God first, and that we are not to fear men but we're to fear God."
www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280

Gay-marriage supporters not giving up 
The Anti-Proposition 8 crowd are headed back to their favourite and most potent arsenal – the Court, where they hope to have the people’s will, (as clearly demonstrated in Prop 8) overturned.    A false report  (on May 15) is actually making them to celebrate early victory, far too prematuredly.
 (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/false-report-on-proposition-8-being-overturned-lights-up-twitter.html)
     However, they probably have pretty good reasons to be optimistic.  Serious pressure, including carefully-planned blackmails and boycotts are being organized against specific individuals and companies who had supported the Proposition.  Evidences, such as the new dance-steps of people like Rick Warren, show that the measures are working – sadly.  Like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had boasted, "the door's wide open, it's going to happen, whether you like it or not".  
    Of course, like most other issues defining the end-time conflict, it is only the Lord who can tell on which side of the Rapture this ‘going to happen’ would happen! 

Nigerian Anglican Church condemns Gay Marriage, Focuses on Youths
     The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Reverend Peter Akinola has lauded the Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill which aims to proscribe in Nigeria, any so-called marriage between people of the same sex. In a paper, recently submitted to the Nigerian Parliamentary Committee, stating the Church’s position, Akinola demonstrated his support for the bill which is continually being stalled by high-level desperate advocacy by international homosexual groups desperate to seek an inroute into Africa for their nefarious agenda. 
www.mask.org.za/article.php?cat=nigeria&id=2071
     Strong voices like Akinola’s are part of what is keeping legislators from having totally jetisson the bill initiated by then President Obasanjo, over 2years ago.
     On his blog (www.virtueonline.org), Anglican orthodoxy defender, David Virtue further quotes Rev. Akinola: "Same sex marriage apart from being ungodly is also unscriptural, unnatural, unprofitable, unhealthy, uncultured, un-African and un-Nigerian. It is a perversion, a deviation and an aberration that is capable of engendering moral and social holocaust in this country. It is also capable of extincting mankind and as such should never be allowed to take root in Nigeria. Outlawing it is to ensure the continued existence of this nation. The need for doing this is urgent, compelling and imperative. The time is now."
    Referring to developments in the Anglican church elsewhere in the world, Akinola said:
    "As Anglican Christians we continue to be distressed by the spiritual crisis within our own family of faith in other parts of the world. Since 2003 the unilateral revisionist actions of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church Canada have torn the fabric of our common life. While the Church of Nigeria stands resolutely and uncompromisingly on the truth of the Holy Scriptures and the Lordship of Jesus Christ endless meetings and repeated communiqués have done nothing to bring restoration of our beloved communion."
      One tactic frequently employed to introduce unwholesome practices into the Church today is to claim we are in a post-modern world, and that the supposedly “restive” youths must somehow be indulged by the Church.  For instance, in the United States, the United Church of Christ (Barak Obama’s church) has endorsed the action of distributing condoms to youths in the church, calling it “a matter of life and death” for which the Church has a “moral responsibility” (www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=468294)
    Once again, the Anglican Church in Nigeria is providing exemplary leadership on this note.  The  Standing Committee of the Church, at its last General Synod  (with the theme "The Youth of our Church" ) said it recognized that the youth of today are living under very different conditions from older generations. In a statement, it further avers that: "The ease of access to the global village afforded by Information Technology has a profound impact on what they believe and how they behave.”  
     And the Action Plan? “We will do all that we can to secure the commitment of our youth by involving them fully in the task of nation building through the transforming mission of the church. We will challenge them, guide them, listen to them and assure them of our support. " (www.virtueonline.org, 24/03/09). Way to go, brethren!

Antichristian elites intend to herd people in electronic death camp to gain absolute control
In a recent interview with Interfax-Religion,  Russian  academician, biocybernetics and management systems expert, Valery Filimonov, averred that “world elites” are working assiduously on  using technology to turn humanity into controllable “biomass”.  He referred to a universal technotronic dictatorship as an old dream of the high and mighties:
    “Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote about necessity of total control and technotronic dictatorship in 1968. David Rockefeller cynically said, “The super-national sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination” Today their plans are gradually materializing.  It is becoming only evident that the current recession is part of the world's elite scheme to enslave humanity. ”
     Filimonov described as the ultimate goal, the use of “the latest informational and telecommunicational technologies as a powerful instrument of electronic suppression of free human will.” He further points out that “ It is an open secret that the main driving force behind the global Internet community unites antichristian and cosmopolitan members of the world's elite, rather than science experts.” 
      In conclusion, he sees a spiritual aspect to the whole exercise: “ God created man in His image, free and responsible. Technotronic dictatorship is being introduced with the aim to suppress the Divine freedom of each human individual and completely change all behavioral patterns.  Is it possible to preserve God-like dignity in the society of creatures stuffed with electronics and subjected to various manipulations?” he asked rhetorically
Details at  www.interfax-religion.com/?act=interview&div=71
 
Patent sought for 'Killer tracking Chip implant'
       The German Patent office has rejected an application filed by a Saudi national to patent a microchip device which, linked to GPS, will continually track the location of the implantee.  The device, according to the application filed, is specifically meant for “ people sought by security forces” including fugitives from justice, terrorists, illegal immigrants, criminals, political opponents, defectors, domestic help”, as well as people who overstay their visas – such as  people “who don't return home from pilgrimages," 
       In case such people become security risk, the Saudi inventor also makes provision for a  model B of the device that could remotely release poison to "eliminate" the individual.  This is no fiction, and it demonstrates not only the present capabilities achievable by microchip implants, but also the thinking of people developing the technology.
    It is not much relief learning that the German Patent and Trademark Office rejected the request, since, according to a spokeswoman of the office, Stephanie Kruger, it is quite likely that this inventor, like most others, also made similar applications in several countries. 
      And according to Worldnetdaily, “That leaves open the possibility the Saudi inventor  will find success in another country.” 
www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98386

Luring of society into total microchip dependence  unabating
   In the meantime, VeriChip Corporation has announced that it has completed the development of a new, smaller human-implantable RFID microchip measuring approximately 8 millimeters by 1 millimeter. The new, smaller microchip has been developed specifically to be incorporated into Medical Components, Inc.'s ("Medcomp") vascular ports. The Company's existing microchip, used as part of its VeriMed™ Health Link system for patient identification, measures approximately 11 millimeters by 1 millimeter. 
     Similarly, from Dubai came the report (May 11) that Emirates NBD is issuing to its customers, a wristwatch featuring contactless payment capabilities. With the watch on their wrists, customers can make purchases of up to $27 and just simply walk out of the stores without any need to sign any receipt. (Signatures are required for larger purchases).  The watches are made by Laks GmbH, which provides similar products to Vakif Bank in Turkey.
www.americanbanker.com/article.html?id=200905089VA49MC0

Is Zionism apartheid?
 Prasch challenges Sizer to public debate 
      Bible teacher Jacob Prasch  has left a standing challenge on his website (www.moriel.org) for a public debate with Stephen Sizer, the Vicar of Christ Church, Virginia Water, UK.  Sizer is a vocal proponent of the notion that Zionism is apartheid and that the modern state of Israel does not fulfill biblical prophecy.  
      The statement from Prasch reads in part: “As an Anglican in a church ordaining homosexual clergy and with a Druid Arch Bishop of Canterbury now calling for Britain to integrate elements of Islamic Sharia, anti Zionists like Sizer in a church with a pro Islamic hierarchical agenda must be challenged.”  
     Prasch considers it “nothing short of ludicrous” the continued insistence by Sizer and elements of the Anglican Church in the UK that Israel is the major perpetrator of injustice in the Middle East; when all available evidences clearly demonstrate that Israel is the one country in the Middle East which assures the rights and security of its Christian population in the face of widespread persecution of Arab, Persian, Asian, and African Christians throughout the Moslem world.
      “We are compelled by the evidence to regard Sizer as hypocritical and biblically ignorant. …It is also difficult for us not to additionally suspect Sizer of being a pseudo-academic fraud, but he at least deserves the opportunity to demonstrate otherwise in a public forum.” Jacob concludes.
http://www.moriel.org/Moriel_UK/Moriel_UK.html

Atheist Richard Dawkins dodges Debate Challenge
Ray Comfort, author of the Amazon.com’s best seller, You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, But You Can't Make Him Think – is offering $20,000 to  Richard Dawkins (probably the world’s most famous atheist) simply for Dawkins to appear in a public debate on the issue of the beginnings of the universe with him.     
        However, it seems Prof Dawkins would rather keep his tirades against God to his website and circle of atheist fans. Dawkins first claimed he will not join the debate as it would only give “credibility to the opponents” and again that as far as the origin of the Universe is concerned,  “the debate is over”. 
       However even ardent fans of Dawkins are beginning to question the rationale of rejecting the opportunity of picking up an easy $20,000 (which could be donated to charity) just by turning up to articulate the position you are famously noted for.  Phrases such as “ weak sauce”, “a total cop-out”, “arrogant” etc are freely being used on blogs discussing the challenge.  Dawkins later said he would do the debate only for $100,000 – which only further put holes in his earlier argument that he was refusing the debate on points of principle. 
   As seen on Ray’s blog, Atheist Central (http://raycomfortfood.blogspot.com/), scientists far more eminent than Dawkins had not hidden their raw contempt for atheism.  Samples:
 “In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God.   But what makes me really angry is that they quote me for support of such views” – Albert Einstein

“Atheism is so senseless” – Isaac Newton

Explaining his motivation for making the $20,000 offer, Ray explains:
      "All I want [is] for people...to be open-minded, if they're sitting on the fence, to realize that it's very easy to prove God's existence. …You cannot have a creation without a creator, you cannot have a painting without a painter. Everything made shows us there was a maker." 

Violence increasing in frequency and intensity
On Sunday, March 15, an Illinois pastor was murdered while standing in his pulpit; two days later, on Tuesday, a man went on a shooting rampage in Alabama that left 10 victims dead.  On that same day, a teenager killed 15 students at a school in Winnenden, Germany.  Within the next month, eight other high-profile killings were further reported – in the US alone.  Three of these (including an engineer with Yahoo) involved people killing members of their own immediate families (20 dead), while 2 involved police officers (7 of who were killed). For a list, briefly describing these tragic evidences of gradual failure of modern society, see http://www.raptureready.com/nm/243.html.  With similar situations being replicated in several locations  all over the globe, we can only concur with Todd and Terry at RaptureReady that all these violence is symptomatic of the end times - just like the Bible predicted over 2000 years ago, and the exact opposite of what the evolution theory predicts  – progressive improvement, goodness, satisfaction, etc in mankind with time. 

Christian Faith under continuous Fire!
The U.S. military has confirmed that it destroyed some Bibles belonging to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan. According to Reuters News, the Bibles were confiscated and destroyed after Qatar-based Al Jazeer  television showed soldiers at a Bible class on a base with a stack of Bibles translated into the local Pashto and Dari languages. The US military claims their personnel are not allowed to proselytize.
      Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis (rtd), a Pentagon adviser and military and national security analyst finds it mind-boggling to think that military officials would allow Al Jazeera to walk through the front gate of a forward operating base and videotape soldiers conducting a Bible study.  22,000 people responded to a poll conducted by OneNewsNow on the issue, 63% of whom believe that if had been the Koran, the US military will never have dared to destroy the books.  At least there would be a few local Christians who would have been blessed having the Bibles for their own personal studies.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/

British publisher scraps Christian encyclopedia for "negative" portrayal of Islam
    The saga of the multi-volume “Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization”, which scheduled publication was cancelled after a two-year intensive literary efforts, is pushing “political correctness” to the realm of  absurdity.  Briefly, as recounted by  MercatorNet (http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/reduced_to_pulp/), the eminent English academic publishing house, Wiley-Blackwell, in March 2006 commissioned George Thomas Kurian, an experienced encyclopedist of high repute, to produce a multi-volume "Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization."  Two years later with the toil of almost 400 contributors, the task was successfully accomplished.  Rave reviews were coming in and the publishers prepared for the grand launching.
       The story however developed a “k-leg” when a group of four members (out of several editors, not to talk of the aforementioned 400 contributors) of the encyclopeadia editorial board came up with a litany of complaints, claiming that the encyclopedia’s introduction portrayed Islam in a bad light.  According to Mercatornet, they ‘demanded Kurian modify his introduction "to remove the offence thrust at Islam and other religions and to moderate the tone of confrontation and polemic."’  Encouraged by the shivers demonstrated by Wiley-Blackwell top notches, the aggrieved Islamists later came up with more demands, effectively denuding the supposed Christian encyclopedia of its Christian content.  Entries such as "Antichrist," "Virgin Birth," "Resurrection" and "Uniqueness of Christ and Christianity" were requested for removal. 
       The long and short is that Wiley-Blackwell not only halted the production of the very well-received encyclopedia, it even made some attempt to claw back already distributed copies with a view to pulping them!  Just because some Islamists were offended by the reality of “Christian Civilization” compiled into an encyclopedia.
       Sociologist Alvin Schmidt, author of about 70 articles in the encyclopedia, says he has never before in his academic life "run into this kind of politically correct nonsense." 

Saying “God bless” at work prohibited in the UK
Also from the UK came the news that an employee with the London Borough Council has been suspended from work for nearly two months because he encouraged a homeless woman with an incurable medical condition to look to God for help - after doctors told her they had given up hope.  Duke Amachree (53) is a Homelessness Prevention officer with Windsworth Council and has been on the job for almost 18 years.  He is also a member of the UK World Evangelism Church in London.  In an investigatory interview on March 17, Mr Amachree was told he should not raise the issue of religion at work.  He was told it was inappropriate to “ever talk about God” or even say “God bless”.
(News from Assist News Service ANS, 31/03/09)

British Parliament cowers before Islamists 
In what has been described as a new high for Islamic intimidation in the UK, the British Parliament quietly cancelled a scheduled visit by Dutch parliamentarian and film maker, Geert Wilders to show his factual but uncomplimentary film on Islam, Fitna.  
     Just as happened in the United States, a member of the House had invited Mr Wilder so the British lawmakers could have a first-hand assessment of what exactly was the problem fundamentalist moslems have with the film.  However a Muslim member of the House of Lords, Nazir Ahmed, threatened he would mobilize 10,000 fellow Muslims to block Mr Wilders entrance into Westminster.  And, very strangely, for the sake of “peace” perhaps, one of Western civilization's most venerable institutions, the British Parliament surrendered its own most basic of freedoms. The event was cancelled. For more details, please see www.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=33952
     Incidentally, the man at the centre of this cowering of the British Parliament, Nazir Ahmed, had an on-going case with the law, having ploughed his jaguar car into a stationary vehicle and killing a young man in the process in 2007.  Mr Ahmed admitted he was sending text messages on his phone, while cruising on the Motorway at the time of the accident.  He was subsequently jailed for 12 weeks on Feb 26, but was released only 16 days after.

100,000 secular Britons seek 'de-baptism'
Also from London, (Mar 30) came the news  (Agence France Presse) that more than 100,000 Britons have recently downloaded "certificates of de-baptism" from the Internet to renounce their Christian faith.
Most of the people who downloaded the certificates  (at a cost of 4.35 dollars or 3.20 euros) had been baptized as children, and have long stopped practicing the Christian faith.  However the initiative was launched by a group called the National Secular Society (NSS) and is designed to embarrass the Church and keep her mute over social issues.   De-baptism movements have already sprung up in other countries such as Spain, Italy, and Argentina .  (From Yahoonews).
       Contrast however the above story, where massive campaign is being organized to get people to announce their renunciation of old links with the church, with the situation in other religions.  In India, Christians continued to be attacked and murdered in large numbers just because people are choosing to leave the Hindu religion to become Christians.  A recent case in Egypt also highlights a similar situation with Islam.  At a hearing on Sunday Feb 22, Lawyers urged that the death sentence be pronounced on Ahmad El-Mo’otahssem Bellah El-Gohary for his efforts to officially convert to Christianity.  (Compass Direct) www.copts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1185&Itemid=1

Good News!
          Despite all these desperate actions against Christianity, the good news is that the Good News cannot be stopped.  Even in hostile India, a 17th March posting by Mission Network News indicate that the number of believers in India has risen to 10 or 11 percent of the population, rising from three percent in the last 20 years. About 60% of pastors that attended a recent evangelical conference in the country were under the age of 30.  PTL.

Can two walk together except they be agreed?
      Polarization of Churches into “goat” and “sheep” congregations, as the Bible suggests would happen as the end times draw near, is already intensifying.  Early May, members of the Chippewa United Presbyterian Church (representing 87 churches in two counties) voted 104-1 to leave the Presbyterian Church (USA), PCUSA, citing its liberal views on abortion, homosexuality, biblical authority, and the significance of Jesus Christ.  That would be the fifth Congregation that would be leaving to join the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church in recent months.  www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=512672

Italian EarthQuake: Expert’s inconvenient warnings dismissed
“Reports of earthquakes from diverse places” is one of the signs the Lord Jesus said would precede His second coming (Mat. 24:7).  Most prophecy journals (such as Church Arise!) have simply stopped reporting on incidences of earthquakes from diverse locations on earth due to the sheer number.  However, the one that occurred in April, in Central Italy once again had urgent useful lessons for mankind. 
     Even more saddening than the loss of precious human lives (over 150 dead) is the refusal of relevant authorities to pay attention to the strident warnings of a qualified Italian scientist that the incident was imminent 
       Based on increasingly high levels of radon gas which he was measuring, Dr Gioacchino Giuliani (a seismologist at the Institute of Nuclear Physics at nearby Gran Sasso) was convinced of an imminent big tremor.  However, not only was he ignored and derided by the relevant authorities, he was forced to remove his findings and comments which he had posted on his website.  A few days to the incident, desperate to get the information out to the local folks, Dr Giuliani began to tour the region in a van with loudspeakers warning people.  But even then, he was reported to the police by authorities for "needlessly spreading panic" .  
       On the morning of the big quake, a saddened Giuliani was quoted:
"This morning I could see what was about to happen and I could do nothing because I could not turn to anyone because I had been warned not to say anything about an earthquake.
      "People had dismissed me as a crank and said terrible things about me. I was called an idiot and told that earthquakes just cannot be predicted.”
      This easily brings to mind the Lord’s remark that the end times would be just like the days of Noah or Lot.  People would not want to respond to warnings     about danger, if they find the response required of them too inconvenient.
       Unfortunately, the only way to escape from a disaster such as an earthquake is to ESCAPE. It is immaterial whether you are a “good” person or not.
       Today, the Church continues to warn of an even greater danger looming for ALL.  Experts from various fields of study continue to warn that the current world system is headed for a total collapse.  The only way out is to enter the Ark of Salvation – Jesus.  
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” Acts 4:12

TOPICAL ISSUE (CONTINUED from back page)        
     The Bible tells that a peace agreement, precisely for seven years, will be forged between Israel and her Arab neighbours in the end times. (Dan 9:27).  Even if opinions might differ slightly among Bible scholars as to precise timing, it is agreed that the rapture of the Church could actually be counted in days, rather than decades, within the period of this signing. (These final seven years actually correspond to the remaining “one week” appointed for the Jews - Dan 9:24 - and the Church has no business being around at this time.)  
        The on-going event at Washington DC is therefore terribly crucial as it might as well turn out to be the major precursor for the eventual 7 year Covenant to be crafted by the antichrist.  Church, look up for your redemption is surely near! For more news and comments, see http://www.jnewswire.com/article/2645; 
www.newsmax.com/international/ml_israel_palestinians/2009/05/06/211220.html
EXHORTATION: What Should We Be Doing? 

          I think it is foolhardy for people to be watching the end-time signs unfold, while at the same time divorcing themselves from any responsibility that comes with being a believer. 
        We are seeing spectacular signs of how close we are to the tribulation hour. Yes, all this end-time news is amazing, but what are [we] doing about it?  We’ve all seen the headlines concerning the shaky state of the financial system. It makes me wonder where Christians have their priorities when they continue to put their faith in a system that is based on a mountain of IOUs . If believers could see the ultimate fate of their earthly treasures, they would probably be more inclined to invest in their heavenly accounts. 
   I get a lot of e-mails from Christians who express their frustration at having to watch the world slowly fall into the enemy’s hands. They want to go home and leave this wicked world. I think the best cure for the rapture blues is the realization that we are accountable for every second we spend here on earth. Someday, we will stand before the Lord and tell Him what we’ve done in His name. 
    After the rapture, it’s show and tell: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). 
        I don’t understand how Christians can believe so strongly in Bible prophecy, and yet have such a cloudy grasp of their role in the kingdom of God.  It is very important to regularly ask ourselves how dedicated we are to the cause of Christ. Here are few questions to test your motivation level: 
  How active is your prayer life? Do you regularly study God’s Word?  Do you live a life of spiritual integrity?
When is the last time you shared your faith with someone else? Do you support Christian causes?

Church Arise! is published bi-monthly by the Church  Arise! LivingWater Ministries (CALM), P.O. Box 1674, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. 
Editor: Joshua O. Ojo
Library: Deborah Adeosun      Circulation: Bankole Olaniyan

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Financial donations are most welcome from children of God, as led by the Holy Spirit. Please address cheques to CALM, Ile-Ife. We operate current account No: 1992010018999 at First Bank Plc, Ile-Ife branch.

    One of the key things missing from the Church today is a sense of duty. The 1st century Christians weren’t willing to die for their faith simply because they joined a club. They were willing to suffer martyrdom because they had a hope that went beyond the cares of this world. 
      Our actions are what really define us as believers. The desire to spread the gospel message is something that should be on the hearts of all Christians. Charles Spurgeon once put it very bluntly, “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." 
      The opportunity to be productive in the Lord’s work is only for a limited time and will never be repeated. Once the rapture takes place, intercessory prayer, the sharing of our faith, and the ability to financially support godly causes will abruptly end.

Todd Strandberg 
(culled from www.raptureready.com/nm/242.html
TOPICAL ISSUE: Edging Toward The 7 Year Middle East Peace Covenant
       As we write this, a momentous event is going on in Washington DC as the new president of the US,  Barack Obama meets for the first time, the new PM of Israel, Benyamin Netanyahu.  After decades of an extremely cordial relationship between the two nations, observers fear things might be headed for the rocks – although an outright flare-up is not expected at this first meeting as both leaders test the ropes at this early stage of their individual tenures. 
      Clearly, Netanyahu’s priority in this historic visit is to secure America’s support in neutralizing the threat of a nuclear Iran.  In exchange, he proposes various economic and social supports for the Palestinian people.  But the position of Barak Obama, adapted directly from the proposition of Saudi Arabia, is that the Palestinians must be given a separate state, contiguous with the state of Israel, presumably along the pre-1967 borders.  That would mean “Old” Jerusalem (including the Temple Mount) would be given back to the Arab-Palestinians!  To press home this mission-impossible, Obama is directly linking any support for Israel on Iran with their accepting this two-state solution.
     Probably no American President has ever been more passionate about a 2-state solution for the Middle East than Barak Obama; and, ditto, no Israeli PM has ever been more opposed to this solution than Netanyahu!
        Former British PM, Tony Blair, is the secretary to the Quartet comprising the US, the UN, the EU and Russia, determined to work out a peace agreement between Israel and the Arab.  Mr Blair said that Obama would be having similar meetings with the PA leadership and Egypt, after which a final position will be announced – within six weeks. 
     All factors considered, the prospect for Israel entering into a suicidal “peace agreement” with the Arabs, is now all too plausible. And according to Blair, imminent!         continued on page 7