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