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IS 'SARS' A
PRECURSOR
TO THE
GREAT TRIBULATION
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
IS
S.A.R.S. (SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME) A PRECURSOR TO THE GREAT
TRIBULATION?
"And
I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was
Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them
over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger,
and with death, and with the beasts of the field." (Revelation 6:8)
IS
SARS ONE OF THE PLAGUES COMING DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD?
Is
the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome that swept the world in a possible
epidemic, a harbinger
of the coming plagues which will envelope the earth during the Great
Tribulation Period prophesied by Daniel and by Jesus Christ?
I
believe SARS is one of the coming plagues, and that we have seen only the
‘tip of the iceberg’ of latent diseases and plagues which are waiting
to surface! For more than forty years, I have studied the Holy Scriptures
together with relevant medical and scientific data available to me, and I
am convinced that what we have seen in the past, will pale in comparison
to “what is yet to come”!
The
recent outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) did not
really surprise me. We’ve been through a lot. Legionnaires Disease
didn’t affect a large segment of the population, so we passed it off as
something involving a certain select group. When the Flesh Eating Disease
struck, it hit closer to home when Premier Lucien Bouchard of Quebec was
severely afflicted.
The
fear and frenzy of the AIDS epidemic shook us all as homosexuals,
bisexuals and intravenous drug users began dying like flies. And as the
HIV virus and AIDS spread through Asia and Africa ravaging millions, and
infected prostitutes gave it to soldiers and truck drivers who in turn
infected their wives, it looked as though there was no hope! And even
with medicines to slow the disease, it is still taking an awful toll of
young lives across the world!
LATENT
TUBERCULOSIS TIME BOMB - IS THIS ALSO A SIGN
OF ONE OF THE PLAGUES COMING
A
recent news report states: “Expert warns of tuberculosis ‘time
bomb’. Of the world’s six billion people, two billion have latent TB.
There are 8.4 million cases of active, usually infectious TB, every year
and the number is growing. More people will die of TB this year than in
any year in history. Each person with TB infects 20 others before he or
she is treated or dies.
The
World Health Organization declared TB a global health emergency in 1993,
the only time it has ever made such a declaration for any disease.” Dr.
Lee Reichman, executive director of the New Jersey Medical School
National Tuberculosis Center and co-author of ‘Time Bomb, The Global
Epidemic of Multi-Drug–Resistant Tuberculosis’, was in Edmonton
recently. Speaking to TB doctors, and doctors and medical students at the
University of Alberta, he stated that a Russian tuberculosis epidemic
fanned by a rapidly growing number of HIV infections has the potential to
spread multi-drug-resistant TB worldwide!
Andy
Ogle of the Edmonton Journal reported: “HIV patients can easily infect
others with TB, which is spread through the air like the common cold. For
that reason it has been referred to as ‘Ebola with wings.’
Both
the TB and HIV epidemics in Russia are being incubated in its overcrowded
prisons, which hold more than one million inmates, mostly men, where one
prisoner in ten has active infectious TB, says Reichman. “HIV
infections are growing faster in the former Soviet Union than any where
else in the world: ‘When the HIV epidemic hits the pool of latent TB
infections, there’s going to be an explosion of MDR-TB.
This
is the time bomb!’ TB is quickly being transferred to the general
population by prison staff and by released prisoners, says Reichman.
“Of 300,000 prisoners being released every year, 30,000 of them have
active TB and 10,000 have multiple-drug-resistant TB, he said. There’s
little or no medical follow up after they’re released. ‘It’s an
increasing risk for all of us. There are 500 million international
travelers going through 5,000 international airports every year,’ he
said.”
An
old enemy is again rearing its head. Syphilis is making a dramatic
come–back, especially among the often very promiscuous homosexual
community! Chlamydia is rampant among a large segment of sexually active
and irresponsible young people. With sadness, I often read of the many
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) that are infecting millions of youth
with both terminal and life-long debilities. Think of the pain, shame and
remorse many have to endure because of their sinful lifestyle, which has
left them with incurable herpes, and other STDs!
SARS:
HARBINGER OF WHAT IS TO COME!
We’ve
had our experience with the Ebola Virus, the Hanta Virus, the Mad Cow
Disease, and the Foot and Mouth Disease that saw millions of sheep and
other cattle slaughtered not long ago in Europe! And the West Nile Virus
is slowly but surely making headway across the USA and Canada! Spread by
mosquitoes to crows and other birds, and then to humans, it is an
alarming future prospect!
Much
of the world is holding its breath, as the new SARS (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome) plague is making gigantic inroads across
Asia, Canada, and other countries! Presently, more than 5000 cases have
been reported in nearly 50 countries, with several hundred deaths. Many
fear that there is much more to come, even as scientists work feverishly
to find a cure and a vaccine to stop this killer!
Should
we be we concerned? Yes! We are living in dangerous, even perilous times
as the Bible predicted so many years ago! Will our governments protect
us? Will Canada’s vaunted Medicare System and Health Care Workers hold
up under the terrible strain, economically and physically? How many more
doctors and nurses will die or leave their posts, before we can get a
handle on this terrible disease? I’m sure that they will do all they
can!
If,
however, an epidemic of West Nile Virus, SARS or other new plagues does
ensue, there will not be much that anyone will be able to do, until new
vaccines and other medicines are discovered! Several other frightening
news items concern the reappearance of the Black Death Plague in parts of
Africa, as well as other ancient plagues. The distinct possibility that
‘Fanatical Islamic Terrorists’ may be able to obtain deadly
biological agents – including Small Pox – which could be released
from a light aircraft, or Anthrax inserted into the ventilation systems
of large complexes, is scary indeed!
Can
you imagine the terrible suffering and death – hundreds of thousands or
even millions – that might bring! And what of nerve gas, mustard gas,
dirty bombs or even nuclear bombs in their hands?
BEASTS
OF THE FIELD: PESTILENCES TRANSMITTED BY ANIMALS!
Upon
examination, it becomes evident that several of the above, were
transmitted by animals! The Black Death that decimated Europe in the
1340’s was carried by rodents and squirrels, but transmitted to humans
by fleas which lived on them. It was manifested in four forms: Pneumonic
Plague, Bubonic Plague, Septicemic Plague and the Enteric Plague! Some
believe that AIDS was transmitted to humans in Africa, from the green
monkey.
The
deadly Ebola Virus is reported by the Associated Press to have infected
the ape population in equatorial Africa, reducing it by 50% in 20 years.
The Hantavirus is spread by deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and white
footed mice! Mad Cow Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and Foot
and Mouth Disease (FMD) are spread from animals to humans! The West Nile
Virus is spread by mosquitoes to crows, other birds and to humans, and
the deadly SARS is believed to have also come from animals!
Nearly
2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ revealed that in the final seven years of
human rule on this earth, the evil Antichrist will through deception,
lies and stealth, take control of this planet. God, however, will pour
out His wrath upon him and all those who follow him and who worship the
image which he will erect! (Revelation 13: 13-18)
One
fourth of the earth’s population will die by sword (war), hunger
(famine), death (fear, war, accidents, diseases) and beasts bringing
pestilences (animals)!
I
repeat, what we are seeing today is only a harbinger, a precursor, a
pre-picture of what lies ahead during the Great Tribulation period, when
God turns his wrath upon the Anti-Christ and his followers! By God’s
grace, I am calling upon each one to begin praying to our merciful
Heavenly Father, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, that He would
intervene and help us at this precarious and frightening time!
It
is God’s will for us to intercede for all the sick and suffering in
times of tragedy and crisis! The Bible says: “God is refuge and
strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Offer unto God
thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon Me in
the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.”
(Psalms 46: 1; 50:14,15) ;
Here
God’s invitation to us all: “If My people, which are called by My
name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sins,
and HEAL their land.” (2 Chronicles 7: 14)
If
ever there was a time for people of all races, religions and faiths to
call upon God for assurance of sins forgiven through the sacrifice of
God’s beloved Son, Who was made flesh (incarnated) for us all, it is
now in this dark time of uncertainty, unrest and fearful forebodings!
Jesus
Christ said: “Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) My dear friend, will you not come
to Him today, and allow the Saviour of the world to become your Lord and
Saviour as well? I trust and pray that you will! Amen.
OUR
WORLD IS IN CRISIS
HOW TO
PUT THE WORLD
BACK TOGETHER
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
And
mankind hasn't changed over the millennia's. There has been no
evolution of the human spirit,
mind or body. Except perhaps, a degradation or devolving of the human
spirit.. A deterioration of man's desires, goals and aspirations has
occurred and at the same time mankind has had an increase in lust, fear,
hatred and greed!
WITH
TWO WORLD WARS AND
HUNDREDS OF SMALLER CONFLICTS, PEOPLE ARE
LIVING IN FEAR OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT
It's
no wonder we've had two world
wars this century, with hundreds of smaller conflicts across the
planet.
Word
War III is still ominously lurking somewhere on the horizon.
The entire world is living in fear of what is next to come, as the
conflicts, fighting and religious wars continue.
Violence,
murder, drug abuse and other criminal activities have escalated at a
frightening rate, suicides have spiraled, herpes II is almost epidemic
and AIDS may soon bankrupt our health systems!
HOW
DO WE CHANGE THE WORLD?
How
do we usher in the era of brotherly love, kindness, peace and
understanding we all crave for? How can we fix the world that is so
badly damaged?
What
is the needed ingredient that is missing in today's peace conferences and
boards of inquiry into drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide, family
breakdown, child abuse and racism?
Certainly,
our educational system is unable to communicate love, and impart it to
the students. We read with alarm of the tragic rise of bullying and
violence by juvenile delinquents against younger kids in the schools.
This violence has escalated into horrific incidents of killing, murder,
suicide and terror for those involved in the school and college
shootings. example: ( Columbine
school massacre killings )
All
our anti-racial and anti-hate laws will never eradicate the awful stigma
of bias and prejudice from people. They may even be anti-productive
in eroding our basic freedoms. Taking from good people the right to free
speech and expression, while the bigots still hate and feel superior
certainly cannot build a better society! YOU
CANNOT LEGISLATE LOVE!
COMPASSION,
CARING & LOVE MUST BE BORN WITHIN BY A FORCE OF GOOD
You
cannot legislate caring, compassion or love, you cannot make a law saying
you must love others or face criminal charges. Caring, sharing
and compassion must be born within by a force of good, which has invaded
and possessed our beings. This force of good is what changes us from
the inside!
In
other words when we are spiritually born-again, the desire to hate leaves
and instead a strong urge to love and befriend people automatically moves
into action.
Our
nature is changed by the overwhelming influence of the Holy Spirit of God
in a life transforming action called the New Birth. And the subsequent
Baptism of the Holy Spirit!
It's
not difficult to love people when there is no hate in the heart. When
the animosity is gone! And the devil has left!
When
no fear remains, it's easy to feel safe. When all torments have gone,
it's not difficult to know peace and when the depression and sadness has
lifted, joy fills the vacuum.
THE
WICKED ARE DRIVEN BY EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES WHICH
ARE UNCLEAN DEMONS & SPIRITS
The
sadist wants to injure, the rapist subjugate, torture and sexually molest
and the killer desires to put out the light of life. They are being
driven by evil spirits, unclean demons of darkness!
SPIRITUAL
FORCES ARE AT WORK WORLD WIDE
CAUSING DEATH, ABUSE, PERVERSION
New
York Times reporter, McCandish Phillips stated recently, "Spiritual
forces are massively at work in North America causing a rise of drug
abuse, sexual perversion, the occult and the breakdown of the nation's
morals".
When
Jesus Christ - the Prince of Life and Light - comes in, all the evil
spirits depart; for light dispels darkness and good destroys evil.
When
Jesus Christ takes over your life, mind & heart it is then easy to
forgive, bless, help and share!
WHAT
DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WORLD?
What
we need to change and fix the world is one missing ingredient. This
ingredient is God's divine 'Agape' Love which so changes the
individual that he begins to think like God thinks, love like God loves
and act like God acts!
WHAT
IS AGAPE LOVE?
What
does "Agape" Love mean? Agape love is pure and simple:
unconditional love! Love so pure that actions are motivated by pure,
selfless compassion and caring!
A
preacher was preparing his Sunday sermon on a Saturday morning. His wife
had gone shopping, leaving little seven year old Johnny with his daddy.
The
little fellow was in and out of his Dad's office every 10 minutes or so.
Restless, energetic and bored! His Dad kept giving him magazines to leaf
through, books to read or blocks to play with. Johnny read them all in a
few minutes and clearly was looking for some new adventure.
He
was full of questions and wanted to look through his Dad's files.
The
pastor then got a brilliant idea. He tore off the back cover of one of
his magazines which had a very large photo of the globe on it. Then he
cut it into small pieces.
PUT
THE WORLD BACK TOGETHER!
"Here,
my son," he said. "Use this scotch tape and put the world back
together again."
Within
7 or 8 minutes the little fellow was back knocking on the pastor's door.
"I've
got the world back together, Dad. I've got the world back together,"
he shouted. Excitedly his father jumped from his desk. He ran out into
the den. It was true. His son had done the impossible. He had put the
world back together from little bits.
How
had he done it? How had his small son put the world back together.
His son must be a genius. It was a job that would have taken an adult at
least an hour or more.
Johnny
just smiled and said, "I've looked through that magazine many times
Dad, and I noticed that on the inside of the cover was a full length
picture of a man.
"When
I put the man together, the world automatically had come back
together."
HERE
IS THE KEY TO CHANGING THE WORLD AND PUTTING
THE WORLD BACK TOGETHER
Herein
lies the key to our world's major spiritual, moral, sociological,
psychological and economic problems!
That's
why St. Paul wrote: "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new
creature, old things are passed away. All things become new". (2
Corinthians 5:17)
The
gospel of Christ changes the individual from the inside out. The
Bible addresses the real problems of life and declares that UNBELIEF,
REBELLION & DISOBEDIENCE - which is sin - are the root causes of all
our problems. And once this is settled we receive God's peace, a stable
mind, good morals and the strength to cope with the pressures of life!
"Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him
that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24)
Jesus
said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free". (John 8:32)
What
is the truth?
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh
unto the father but by Me". (John 14:6)
He
also stated, "Thy word O God is truth". (John 17:17)
Jesus
is the living Word of God and the Bible is the written Word of God. And
if you will read, believe and obey God's Word, Jesus will come out of its
pages and come into you heart!
The
Bible says, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see (or enter)
into the kingdom of God". (John 3:3-7)
Receive
Jesus Christ into your heart today my friend and you will be born again
and the world will automatically become a better place.
GOD
BLESS YOU
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