Volume XXXI Issue XI November 2012
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Fax: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
I Peter 4:16-18
"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
Luke 18:7-8
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
Joel 2:32
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Revelation 12:17
In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will examine the current events of our day and the many indicators that this world is under siege by the forces of darkness. We will also examine some of the dangers threatening the earth and look to the Holy Scriptures to gain insight into this present time.
In the book of II Thessalonians, chapter 2, the Apostle Paul warns us that there would be a "falling away" in the last days. I believe there is ample evidence that the falling away spoken of in the Holy Bible is now occurring. On October 10, 2012, an article written by a heretic known as Steve McSwain was published by the Huffington Post. In this article, Mr. McSwain makes the claim that "Christianity is dying." He then proclaims that Christianity is slowly being replaced by a new religion, which he deems to be far superior to the beliefs of those who follow the Bible. "For decades now, the church has sought to survive on a doctrine of salvation that depended on the shedding of innocent blood to appease an obsessively angry God so as to rescue humanity from what would otherwise result in their conscious and eternal torment in hell. It's crazy theology," McSwain wrote. (1) The article also states that followers of this new religion will not revere the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God. "They interpret the Bible for what it is: an inspired book, capable of providing inspiration, wisdom and spiritual direction, not a textbook on science or morality or answer-book preachers might use for 'Stump the Preacher' talk shows," the article declares. (2) Another portion of the article advocates embracing elements of other religions. "I see this new evolving Christianity being birthed in the hearts of sincere and devoted Christ-followers who are open to what other religions can teach us about spirituality, too." (3) Perhaps Mr. McSwain has never read I John 4:1, which tells us, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
The notion that Biblical Christianity is dying is being spurred by a recent study published by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. According to the results of the study, twenty percent of Americans have no religious affiliation, which represents a five percent increase over the last five years. (4) These people, which are commonly referred to as "the Nones," are known to be particularly offended by conservative values. "The survey finds that the unaffiliated are concentrated among younger adults, political liberals, and people who take liberal positions on same-sex marriage," stated the Pew researchers responsible for the report. (5) The study also revealed that seventy-two percent of the Nones expressed support for abortion, whilst seventy-three percent support same-sex marriage. (6)
Even as some men proclaim that Christianity is dying, a theoretical cosmologist at the California Institute of Technology by the name of Sean Carroll has expressed hope that the scientific community may someday be able to disprove the existence of God. "As we learn more about the universe, there's less and less need to look outside it for help," Carroll stated. (7) It is also interesting to note that a recent survey performed in the United Kingdom found that more respondents believe in the existence of space aliens than those who believe in God. Regarding the results of the survey, Nick Pope, a former UFO investigator at the U.K. Ministry of Defense stated, "In the case of religion, we have only faith - faith based on some ancient texts where, despite the claims, no divine origin can be proven. Even where people claim to have had a first-hand experience, why should we believe accounts of miracles and visions any more or less than UFO sightings or claims of alien abduction?" (8)
We know from the Scriptures that as we progress through time, and draw ever closer to the return of our Saviour, many people who once embraced Christianity will fall away from the faith. It was this realization that prompted Jesus to say in Luke 18:8, "… Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Thankfully, we know that there will always be a remnant in the Kingdom of God, and all of Satan's efforts to destroy us will come to naught. For as it tells us in Joel 2:32, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." You have an opportunity to be a part of that remnant if you will dedicate your life to God and obey the commandments found in the Bible. If you have not yet given your heart to God, I urge you to do so now.
A Fierce And Violent Generation!
In II Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul writes, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." A brief examination of today's current events reveals that the conditions of our time match the description found in the Bible with pinpoint accuracy. One such trait which has intensified in recent days is a demonic fierceness which has engulfed a large segment of the young people in the United States, particularly in larger cities.
In Chicago, Illinois, the city that Barack Obama calls home when he is not occupying the White House, gang violence has become so widespread that a recent news headline asked, "Murders in Chicago: What Can Stop The Bloodbath?" (9) As of September 23, 2012, nearly 400 murders have been committed in Chicago, which represents a twenty-five percent increase over the entire year of 2011. (10) The shocking mentality of the city's gang members was revealed in recent interviews performed by a reporter of the local CBS affiliate in Chicago. When reporter Walter Jacobson asked one of the gang members what the solution to the violence would be, the gang member replied, "There's no solution to the violence. Killing, killing is the solution." (11) Responding to another query regarding how gang members obtain money, another young man answered, "Rob, steal, and kill. That's the only way." (12)
Much of the violence perpetrated in Chicago is sparked by posts on social media websites such as Facebook, according to a report by ABC News. "Social media has led to a lot of killings in Chicago," said Tio Hardiman, the director of a group known as CeaseFire Illinois Cure Violence. He further went on to say, "What happens with Facebook and Twitter, you can say the wrong thing and you don't know who's going to shoot you." (13)
Meanwhile, the crime rate in Detroit, Michigan, has increased to such an extent that the local police department has distributed a flyer warning visitors to "enter Detroit at your own risk." (14) Regarding the present state of affairs in the city, Detroit Police Officer Association attorney, Donato Iorio stated the following, "Detroit is America's most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed." Despite the crime surge, the police force in Detroit has been shrinking rapidly in recent months. "These are the men and women who we look to protect us… and police officers can't protect you if they're not there. Officers are leaving simply because they can't afford to stay in Detroit and work twelve hour shifts for what they are getting paid. These police officers are beyond demoralized. These officers are leaving hand over fist because they can no longer afford to stay on the department and protect the public," declared Iorio. He further went on to say that the conditions of the city are "dangerous and war like." (15)
As an example of how dangerous the city of Detroit has become, a mob of forty gang members recently seized a convenience store and beat a clerk who tried to stop them. "They came into the gas station and said 'We own this. This is our hood. This is our gas station. We are going to take whatever we want.' It's a war zone," said the store owner. With the mob unwilling to leave and the Detroit Police Department unwilling to arrest them, police officers advised the store owner that he should hire a security guard. (16) Needless to say, the citizens of Detroit no longer feel safe, and consequently, the population continues to shrink. More than 200,000 citizens have left the city of Detroit since 2001. (17)
Shocking incidents of fierce violence have also occurred in smaller cities. For example, six teenage girls were recently arrested in Chester, Pennsylvania, after they brutally beat a mentally challenged woman who had been sitting on her porch. According to reports, the woman was punched, kicked, and struck with a chair by the young girls. There is no known motive for the attack. "It appears just for fun. There hasn't been a discernible explanation as to why," said Police Detective James Nolan. (18)
Another brutal incident took place in Racine, Wisconsin, when two men robbed and beat a man in a wheelchair. According to a report dated October 15, 2012, the two men beat the man, forcibly removed him from his wheelchair, and left him lying on the sidewalk before making off with his phone. "I think they were trying to kill me, I really strongly do," said the victim. (19)
Sadly, the numerous examples of senseless violence we now see in the news headlines are another indicator that masses of people are acting under the bondage and influence of evil spirits. As people continue to move farther away from God, they will only grow increasingly coldhearted and wicked. Jesus warned us that this would be the condition of mankind in the last days. For as it says in Matthew 24:12, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
The Dangers Of Genetically Modified Food!
In the book of Genesis, chapter 1, we find the creation narrative which explains how God created the universe, the earth, mankind, plants and animals. In Genesis 1:31 we read, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." However, in these last days, mankind has determined that God's creation is not good enough, and consequently has begun manipulating nature, particularly in regards to the genetic composition of plants and animals.
Today, much of the food produced in the United States contains genetically modified organisms, which are commonly referred to as GMOs. The genetic modifications found in the American food supply and other countries around the world is brought about by splicing genes from unrelated species into the seeds used to produce many of the most common crops. These crops include soy, corn, beets, cotton and alfalfa. (20) In some cases, the genes, which are spliced into the seeds, are not even derived from plants, but rather from animals.
Although the companies which produce genetically modified seeds, such as Monsanto, insist that their products are perfectly safe, some independent studies indicate that there may be long term health consequences when food which has been unnaturally manipulated is consumed by humans. One such study, which was performed by scientists at the University of Caen in France, found that rats that were fed a variety of genetically modified corn known as NK603 for a two-year period had a higher rate of breast cancer and organ damage. (21) The findings of the study prompted the nation of Russia to suspend all imports of NK603 corn until the study could be further evaluated by their experts. (22) Regarding the study, Mustafa Djamgoz, a cancer biology professor at Imperial College in London, England, said, "The results are significant. The experiments are, more or less, the best of their kind to date. We are not scaremongering here. More research, including a repetition of this particular study are warranted." (23) However, the nation of France has rejected the study saying that it did not adequately demonstrate the dangers of the NK603 corn product. (24)
Another study performed by Professor Jack Heinemann at the University of Canterbury in Australia has found a new variety of genetically modified wheat, which was developed by the Australian entity known as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation or CSIRO, could have a tremendously damaging impact if it is consumed by humans. "What we found is that the molecules created in this wheat, intended to silence wheat genes, can match human genes, and through ingestion, these molecules can enter human beings and potentially silence our genes. The findings are absolutely assured. There is no doubt that these matches exist," Professor Heinemann declared. (25) Meanwhile, Professor Judy Carman of Flinders University in Australia has also issued a dire warning regarding this new species of wheat. "If this silences the same gene in us that it silences in wheat - well, children who are born without this enzyme not working tend to die by the age of about five," Professor Carman stated. (26)
At this time, food companies in the United States are not required to provide labeling indicating that their products contain genetically modified organisms. However, this could soon change in the state of California if a new law is passed. On November 6, 2012, the people of California will vote on Proposition 37, which if passed would require all genetically modified food sold within the state to be clearly labeled. The biotech firm, Monsanto, has emphatically opposed the measure, and has spent at least seven million dollars in an effort to prevent the law from passing. (27) Here let it be noted that although government agencies in the United States insist that genetically modified organisms are safe for consumption, Barack and Michelle Obama avoid them, choosing rather to eat organically produced food. (28) Amazingly enough the cafeteria which provides food for the employees of Monsanto has also shunned genetically modified foods. A notice was posted at the locale stating a decision had been made "to remove, as far as practicable, GM soya and maize from all food products served in our restaurant. We have taken the above steps to ensure that you, the customer, can feel confident in the food we serve." (29)
New Warnings Of Potential Disasters!
In August 2012, Scottish Professor Iain Stewart issued a dire warning to the world. The scientist warned that it will only be a matter of time before a catastrophic earthquake strikes a major city and causes a death toll "unprecedented in human history." The reasoning behind his prediction stems from the fact that large cities tend to be built near earthquake faults, and have consequently put masses of people around the world in considerable danger. (30) This unsettling prediction is particularly intriguing when put into context with Bible prophecy. In Revelation 16:18-19 we read, "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath."
The scientific community has taken new measures to help the people prepare for a major earthquake. On October 18, 2012, over thirteen million Americans participated in a drill as radio stations simulated announcements of a 7.8 magnitude quake. "The natural tendency of people who live in risk areas is to downplay the danger or ignore it. The goal of this is not to frighten people but to give them positive things they can do to prepare and survive," said Lance Webster, one of the drill's organizers. (31) The nation of Israel also performed an earthquake drill on October 21, 2012. The exercise involved the use of television and radio broadcasts to warn Israeli citizens to flee outdoors if possible. Israel had never held an earthquake drill before, and it stood in stark contrast to the usual exercises which simulate missile attacks against the country. "We want people to run into homes during a missile attack, and we want people to run out of homes during an earthquake," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (32)
Amidst the attention given to the threat of earthquakes in recent days, it is worthwhile to note that Portuguese researchers recently performed a study indicating that those who experience quakes often suffer from heart complications shortly thereafter. In fact, the research found that the risk of suffering from heart problems increases by sixty percent in the days following an earthquake. (33) When I ponder this new information, I cannot help but think of the words of Jesus in Luke 21:25-26, which tells us, "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Although it may not always be obvious, our planet is now shaking and quaking on a constant basis. Even as I write this newsletter in late October 2012, The United States Geological Survey is reporting that there have been 7,443 earthquakes in the last thirty days. (34)
Experts have also expressed grave concern over the possibility that the Mount Fuji volcano in Japan could soon erupt. A September 2012 report indicates that the pressure levels in Mount Fuji's magma chamber now exceed the levels present at the mountain's last eruption, which occurred in 1707. (35) Professor Toshituga Fujii of Japan's volcanic eruption prediction panel has warned that the consequences of such an eruption could be severe. "Volcanic rocks will fall near the mountain. Tokyo will be covered in a few centimeters of ash. Yokohama will be under 10 centimeters. Trains will stop, planes won't fly and crops will fail. Millions will be affected," said Professor Fujii. (36)
Remarkably, scientists have also expressed worry over the possibility that the earth's magnetic field is weakening, and threatens the very existence of the human race. "Magnetic north has migrated more than 1,500 kilometers over the past century. In the past 150 years, the strength of the magnetic field has lessened by 10 percent, which could indicate a reversal is on the cards," claimed Conall Mac Niocaill, a scientist from Oxford University. According to a report from Reuters, scientists fear the magnetic field of the earth may all but disappear in about five hundred years. (37)
What we now see happening to our planet is no surprise to the Christian people. We were warned thousands of years ago through the Bible that these calamities would befall the world in the last days. In Isaiah 51:6 we read, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." The earth is truly waxing old like a garment even at this present time. There is no solution for mankind other than to put our hope and trust in God. Let us continue to watch and pray as we watch the signs unfold all around us indicating that our Saviour is coming soon.
More Threats Of Cyber Warfare!
In recent days, United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has reiterated his concerns that the United States may soon face a "Cyber Pearl Harbor." In a warning issued in October 2012, Panetta stated that attacks on American infrastructure through computer networks could destabilize the country and even prove to be deadly. "An aggressor nation or extremist group could gain control of critical switches and derail passenger trains, or trains loaded with lethal chemicals. They could contaminate the water supply in major cities or shut down power grids across large parts of the country," Panetta declared. (38) There have been suggestions that threats of cyber attacks against the country might be used as an excuse to spy on the American people, although Panetta was quick to deny such intentions. "We're not interested in looking at email, we're not interested in looking at information in computers, I'm not interested in violating rights or liberties of people. But if there is a code, if there's a worm that's being inserted, we need to know when that's happening," Panetta said. (39) In another report, Panetta made the claim that the United States is already facing cyber attacks from Iran. "As I speak, there are attacks going on in this country, cyber attacks, on financial institutions, on banks. Now they're developing the capability to be able to go after our grid, our power grid, our financial systems, our government systems, and virtually paralyze the country," Panetta fretted. (40) William Robertson, an assistant professor at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, agreed with Panetta. "I don't think it's hyperbole. These kinds of attacks that he's talking about have actually been going on for quite some time. And they've been increasing in intensity lately," Robertson said. (41)
Barack Obama's Strange Endorsements!
As I write this newsletter, we are less than two weeks away from knowing whether or not Barack Obama will be given four more years in the White House. It is truly remarkable how much damage the man has been able to cause since January 2009, and I find it difficult to fathom what the next four years may hold. For those who wonder what Obama's true agenda may be, we are able to glean some insight from those who endorse him. One of Obama's earliest endorsements for 2012 came last year from the Communist Party USA. While the chairman of the party, Sam Webb, admitted that there had been some disappointments with Obama, he asserted that Obama is still the best man for the job. "Neither party is anti-capitalist, but they aren't identical either. Differences exist at the levels of policy and social composition. And despite the many frustrations of the past two years, the election of Barack Obama was historic and gave space to struggle for a people's agenda," Webb stated. (42)
Barack Obama has also received an endorsement from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. In a television appearance, Chavez stated, "Obama is a good guy." He also told his audience that he would vote for Obama if he could and that he believes Obama would return the favor and vote for him if it were possible. (43) The daughter of the communist dictator, Raul Castro of Cuba, also communicated her support for Obama. "I believe that Obama needs another opportunity and he needs greater support to move forward with his projects and with his ideas, which I believe come from his heart," Mariela Castro said. (44) It is my opinion that when communists and dictators are lining up to endorse a man, it sends up an enormous red flag. (No pun intended.) However, we need to remember that whether Obama is given four more years or not, ultimately God is in control. He will only allow the forces of darkness to progress so far before he fully stops them in their tracks.
In closing, I wish to express my gratitude to those who so graciously support this ministry. Thank you for your financial support, kind letters, articles and newspaper clippings. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you, and strive always to follow the will of God as we watch and pray in this tremendously important period of time. I know there is much wrong in the world, but we know our God will be with us every step of the way as we endure until that great and notable day when our Saviour returns. If you have any prayer requests, please do not hesitate to send them our way. We always give each prayer request individual attention, and we have seen countless prayers answered over the last thirty-one years of this newsletter's publication. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Samuel David Meyer
Acknowledgements
01. The Huffington Post, October 10, 2012, By Steve McSwain, http://huffingtonpost.com.
02. Ibid.
03. Ibid.
04. Pew Forum, October 9, 2012, By Pew Forum, http://pewforum.org.
05. The Huffington Post, October 15, 2012, By Michelangelo Signorelle, http://huffingtonpost.com.
06. Ibid.
07. LiveScience, September 18, 2012, By Natalie Wolchover, http://livescience.com.
08. The Huffington Post, October 18, 2012, By Lee Spiegel, http://huffingtonpost.com.
09. USA Today, October 4, 2012, By Judy Keen, http://usatoday.com.
10. Ibid.
11. CBS News, September 27, 2012, By CBS News, Chicago, Illinois.
12. Ibid.
13. ABC News, October 19, 2012, By Lauren Effron and Kinga Janik, http://abcnews.go.com.
14. CBS News, October 6, 2012, By Kathryn Larson, Detroit, Michigan.
15. Ibid.
16. World Net Daily, October 1, 2012, By Colin Flaherty, http://wnd.com.
17. Forbes, October 19, 2012, By Daniel Fisher, http://forbes.com.
18. Associated Press, September 28, 2012, By Patrick Walters, Chester, Pennsylvania.
19. 620 WTMJ, October 15, 2012, By WTMJ News Team, Racine, Wisconsin.
20. Natural News, September 19, 2012, By PF Louis, http://naturalnews.com.
21. The Daily Mail, September 25, 2012, By Sean Poulter, http://dailymail.co.uk.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
24. Reuters News Service, October 22, 2012, By Marion Douet and Gus Trompiz, Paris, France.
25. Digital Journal, October 9, 2012, By Elliot Freeman, http://digitaljournal.com.
26. Ibid.
27. San Jose Mercury News, October 1, 2012, By Jason Hoppin, http://mercurynews.com.
28. Natural News, October 8, 2012, By Carolanne Wright, http://naturalnews.com.
29. Ibid.
30. The Courier-Mail, August 9, 2012, By Athony Marx, http://news.com.au.
31. The Telegraph, October 17, 2012, By Raf Sanchez, Washington, D.C.
32. Reuters News Service, October 21, 2012, By Dan Williams, Jerusalem, Israel.
33. The Portugal News, September 13, 2012, By The Portugal News, http://theportugalnews.com.
34. US Geological Survey, October 24, 2012, http://usgs.gov.
35. Wired, September 6, 2012, By Liat Clark, http://wired.co.uk.
36. Australian Broadcasting Corporation News, October 13, 2012, By Mark Wallacy, http://abc.net.au.
37. Reuters News Service, October 3, 2012, By Chris Wickham, London, England.
38. The Telegraph, October 12, 2012, By Alex Spillius, http://telegraph.co.uk.
39. Ibid.
40. Reuters New Service, October 20, 2012, By Reuters, http://reuters.com.
41. Ibid.
42. World Net Daily, August 3, 2012, By Aaron Klein, http://wnd.com.
43. The Washington Times 24/7, October 2, 2012, By Ilana Freedman, http://times247.com.
44. Ibid.
Special Note: A new tribute website for Pastor David J. Meyer can now be accessed at http://pastormeyer.org.
Comments regarding this newsletter or topic suggestions may be submitted to editor@lasttrumpetnewsletter.org.
If you would like to submit a prayer request, you may send email to prayer@ltmmail.org or mail it to our postal address.
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In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will examine the current events of our day and the many indicators that this world is under siege by the forces of darkness. We will also examine some of the dangers threatening the earth and look to the Holy Scriptures to gain insight into this present time.
In the book of II Thessalonians, chapter 2, the Apostle Paul warns us that there would be a "falling away" in the last days. I believe there is ample evidence that the falling away spoken of in the Holy Bible is now occurring. On October 10, 2012, an article written by a heretic known as Steve McSwain was published by the Huffington Post. In this article, Mr. McSwain makes the claim that "Christianity is dying." He then proclaims that Christianity is slowly being replaced by a new religion, which he deems to be far superior to the beliefs of those who follow the Bible. "For decades now, the church has sought to survive on a doctrine of salvation that depended on the shedding of innocent blood to appease an obsessively angry God so as to rescue humanity from what would otherwise result in their conscious and eternal torment in hell. It's crazy theology," McSwain wrote. (1) The article also states that followers of this new religion will not revere the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God. "They interpret the Bible for what it is: an inspired book, capable of providing inspiration, wisdom and spiritual direction, not a textbook on science or morality or answer-book preachers might use for 'Stump the Preacher' talk shows," the article declares. (2) Another portion of the article advocates embracing elements of other religions. "I see this new evolving Christianity being birthed in the hearts of sincere and devoted Christ-followers who are open to what other religions can teach us about spirituality, too." (3) Perhaps Mr. McSwain has never read I John 4:1, which tells us, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
The notion that Biblical Christianity is dying is being spurred by a recent study published by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. According to the results of the study, twenty percent of Americans have no religious affiliation, which represents a five percent increase over the last five years. (4) These people, which are commonly referred to as "the Nones," are known to be particularly offended by conservative values. "The survey finds that the unaffiliated are concentrated among younger adults, political liberals, and people who take liberal positions on same-sex marriage," stated the Pew researchers responsible for the report. (5) The study also revealed that seventy-two percent of the Nones expressed support for abortion, whilst seventy-three percent support same-sex marriage. (6)
Even as some men proclaim that Christianity is dying, a theoretical cosmologist at the California Institute of Technology by the name of Sean Carroll has expressed hope that the scientific community may someday be able to disprove the existence of God. "As we learn more about the universe, there's less and less need to look outside it for help," Carroll stated. (7) It is also interesting to note that a recent survey performed in the United Kingdom found that more respondents believe in the existence of space aliens than those who believe in God. Regarding the results of the survey, Nick Pope, a former UFO investigator at the U.K. Ministry of Defense stated, "In the case of religion, we have only faith - faith based on some ancient texts where, despite the claims, no divine origin can be proven. Even where people claim to have had a first-hand experience, why should we believe accounts of miracles and visions any more or less than UFO sightings or claims of alien abduction?" (8)
We know from the Scriptures that as we progress through time, and draw ever closer to the return of our Saviour, many people who once embraced Christianity will fall away from the faith. It was this realization that prompted Jesus to say in Luke 18:8, "… Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Thankfully, we know that there will always be a remnant in the Kingdom of God, and all of Satan's efforts to destroy us will come to naught. For as it tells us in Joel 2:32, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." You have an opportunity to be a part of that remnant if you will dedicate your life to God and obey the commandments found in the Bible. If you have not yet given your heart to God, I urge you to do so now.
A Fierce And Violent Generation!
In II Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul writes, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." A brief examination of today's current events reveals that the conditions of our time match the description found in the Bible with pinpoint accuracy. One such trait which has intensified in recent days is a demonic fierceness which has engulfed a large segment of the young people in the United States, particularly in larger cities.
In Chicago, Illinois, the city that Barack Obama calls home when he is not occupying the White House, gang violence has become so widespread that a recent news headline asked, "Murders in Chicago: What Can Stop The Bloodbath?" (9) As of September 23, 2012, nearly 400 murders have been committed in Chicago, which represents a twenty-five percent increase over the entire year of 2011. (10) The shocking mentality of the city's gang members was revealed in recent interviews performed by a reporter of the local CBS affiliate in Chicago. When reporter Walter Jacobson asked one of the gang members what the solution to the violence would be, the gang member replied, "There's no solution to the violence. Killing, killing is the solution." (11) Responding to another query regarding how gang members obtain money, another young man answered, "Rob, steal, and kill. That's the only way." (12)
Much of the violence perpetrated in Chicago is sparked by posts on social media websites such as Facebook, according to a report by ABC News. "Social media has led to a lot of killings in Chicago," said Tio Hardiman, the director of a group known as CeaseFire Illinois Cure Violence. He further went on to say, "What happens with Facebook and Twitter, you can say the wrong thing and you don't know who's going to shoot you." (13)
Meanwhile, the crime rate in Detroit, Michigan, has increased to such an extent that the local police department has distributed a flyer warning visitors to "enter Detroit at your own risk." (14) Regarding the present state of affairs in the city, Detroit Police Officer Association attorney, Donato Iorio stated the following, "Detroit is America's most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed." Despite the crime surge, the police force in Detroit has been shrinking rapidly in recent months. "These are the men and women who we look to protect us… and police officers can't protect you if they're not there. Officers are leaving simply because they can't afford to stay in Detroit and work twelve hour shifts for what they are getting paid. These police officers are beyond demoralized. These officers are leaving hand over fist because they can no longer afford to stay on the department and protect the public," declared Iorio. He further went on to say that the conditions of the city are "dangerous and war like." (15)
As an example of how dangerous the city of Detroit has become, a mob of forty gang members recently seized a convenience store and beat a clerk who tried to stop them. "They came into the gas station and said 'We own this. This is our hood. This is our gas station. We are going to take whatever we want.' It's a war zone," said the store owner. With the mob unwilling to leave and the Detroit Police Department unwilling to arrest them, police officers advised the store owner that he should hire a security guard. (16) Needless to say, the citizens of Detroit no longer feel safe, and consequently, the population continues to shrink. More than 200,000 citizens have left the city of Detroit since 2001. (17)
Shocking incidents of fierce violence have also occurred in smaller cities. For example, six teenage girls were recently arrested in Chester, Pennsylvania, after they brutally beat a mentally challenged woman who had been sitting on her porch. According to reports, the woman was punched, kicked, and struck with a chair by the young girls. There is no known motive for the attack. "It appears just for fun. There hasn't been a discernible explanation as to why," said Police Detective James Nolan. (18)
Another brutal incident took place in Racine, Wisconsin, when two men robbed and beat a man in a wheelchair. According to a report dated October 15, 2012, the two men beat the man, forcibly removed him from his wheelchair, and left him lying on the sidewalk before making off with his phone. "I think they were trying to kill me, I really strongly do," said the victim. (19)
Sadly, the numerous examples of senseless violence we now see in the news headlines are another indicator that masses of people are acting under the bondage and influence of evil spirits. As people continue to move farther away from God, they will only grow increasingly coldhearted and wicked. Jesus warned us that this would be the condition of mankind in the last days. For as it says in Matthew 24:12, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
The Dangers Of Genetically Modified Food!
In the book of Genesis, chapter 1, we find the creation narrative which explains how God created the universe, the earth, mankind, plants and animals. In Genesis 1:31 we read, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." However, in these last days, mankind has determined that God's creation is not good enough, and consequently has begun manipulating nature, particularly in regards to the genetic composition of plants and animals.
Today, much of the food produced in the United States contains genetically modified organisms, which are commonly referred to as GMOs. The genetic modifications found in the American food supply and other countries around the world is brought about by splicing genes from unrelated species into the seeds used to produce many of the most common crops. These crops include soy, corn, beets, cotton and alfalfa. (20) In some cases, the genes, which are spliced into the seeds, are not even derived from plants, but rather from animals.
Although the companies which produce genetically modified seeds, such as Monsanto, insist that their products are perfectly safe, some independent studies indicate that there may be long term health consequences when food which has been unnaturally manipulated is consumed by humans. One such study, which was performed by scientists at the University of Caen in France, found that rats that were fed a variety of genetically modified corn known as NK603 for a two-year period had a higher rate of breast cancer and organ damage. (21) The findings of the study prompted the nation of Russia to suspend all imports of NK603 corn until the study could be further evaluated by their experts. (22) Regarding the study, Mustafa Djamgoz, a cancer biology professor at Imperial College in London, England, said, "The results are significant. The experiments are, more or less, the best of their kind to date. We are not scaremongering here. More research, including a repetition of this particular study are warranted." (23) However, the nation of France has rejected the study saying that it did not adequately demonstrate the dangers of the NK603 corn product. (24)
Another study performed by Professor Jack Heinemann at the University of Canterbury in Australia has found a new variety of genetically modified wheat, which was developed by the Australian entity known as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation or CSIRO, could have a tremendously damaging impact if it is consumed by humans. "What we found is that the molecules created in this wheat, intended to silence wheat genes, can match human genes, and through ingestion, these molecules can enter human beings and potentially silence our genes. The findings are absolutely assured. There is no doubt that these matches exist," Professor Heinemann declared. (25) Meanwhile, Professor Judy Carman of Flinders University in Australia has also issued a dire warning regarding this new species of wheat. "If this silences the same gene in us that it silences in wheat - well, children who are born without this enzyme not working tend to die by the age of about five," Professor Carman stated. (26)
At this time, food companies in the United States are not required to provide labeling indicating that their products contain genetically modified organisms. However, this could soon change in the state of California if a new law is passed. On November 6, 2012, the people of California will vote on Proposition 37, which if passed would require all genetically modified food sold within the state to be clearly labeled. The biotech firm, Monsanto, has emphatically opposed the measure, and has spent at least seven million dollars in an effort to prevent the law from passing. (27) Here let it be noted that although government agencies in the United States insist that genetically modified organisms are safe for consumption, Barack and Michelle Obama avoid them, choosing rather to eat organically produced food. (28) Amazingly enough the cafeteria which provides food for the employees of Monsanto has also shunned genetically modified foods. A notice was posted at the locale stating a decision had been made "to remove, as far as practicable, GM soya and maize from all food products served in our restaurant. We have taken the above steps to ensure that you, the customer, can feel confident in the food we serve." (29)
New Warnings Of Potential Disasters!
In August 2012, Scottish Professor Iain Stewart issued a dire warning to the world. The scientist warned that it will only be a matter of time before a catastrophic earthquake strikes a major city and causes a death toll "unprecedented in human history." The reasoning behind his prediction stems from the fact that large cities tend to be built near earthquake faults, and have consequently put masses of people around the world in considerable danger. (30) This unsettling prediction is particularly intriguing when put into context with Bible prophecy. In Revelation 16:18-19 we read, "And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath."
The scientific community has taken new measures to help the people prepare for a major earthquake. On October 18, 2012, over thirteen million Americans participated in a drill as radio stations simulated announcements of a 7.8 magnitude quake. "The natural tendency of people who live in risk areas is to downplay the danger or ignore it. The goal of this is not to frighten people but to give them positive things they can do to prepare and survive," said Lance Webster, one of the drill's organizers. (31) The nation of Israel also performed an earthquake drill on October 21, 2012. The exercise involved the use of television and radio broadcasts to warn Israeli citizens to flee outdoors if possible. Israel had never held an earthquake drill before, and it stood in stark contrast to the usual exercises which simulate missile attacks against the country. "We want people to run into homes during a missile attack, and we want people to run out of homes during an earthquake," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (32)
Amidst the attention given to the threat of earthquakes in recent days, it is worthwhile to note that Portuguese researchers recently performed a study indicating that those who experience quakes often suffer from heart complications shortly thereafter. In fact, the research found that the risk of suffering from heart problems increases by sixty percent in the days following an earthquake. (33) When I ponder this new information, I cannot help but think of the words of Jesus in Luke 21:25-26, which tells us, "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Although it may not always be obvious, our planet is now shaking and quaking on a constant basis. Even as I write this newsletter in late October 2012, The United States Geological Survey is reporting that there have been 7,443 earthquakes in the last thirty days. (34)
Experts have also expressed grave concern over the possibility that the Mount Fuji volcano in Japan could soon erupt. A September 2012 report indicates that the pressure levels in Mount Fuji's magma chamber now exceed the levels present at the mountain's last eruption, which occurred in 1707. (35) Professor Toshituga Fujii of Japan's volcanic eruption prediction panel has warned that the consequences of such an eruption could be severe. "Volcanic rocks will fall near the mountain. Tokyo will be covered in a few centimeters of ash. Yokohama will be under 10 centimeters. Trains will stop, planes won't fly and crops will fail. Millions will be affected," said Professor Fujii. (36)
Remarkably, scientists have also expressed worry over the possibility that the earth's magnetic field is weakening, and threatens the very existence of the human race. "Magnetic north has migrated more than 1,500 kilometers over the past century. In the past 150 years, the strength of the magnetic field has lessened by 10 percent, which could indicate a reversal is on the cards," claimed Conall Mac Niocaill, a scientist from Oxford University. According to a report from Reuters, scientists fear the magnetic field of the earth may all but disappear in about five hundred years. (37)
What we now see happening to our planet is no surprise to the Christian people. We were warned thousands of years ago through the Bible that these calamities would befall the world in the last days. In Isaiah 51:6 we read, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." The earth is truly waxing old like a garment even at this present time. There is no solution for mankind other than to put our hope and trust in God. Let us continue to watch and pray as we watch the signs unfold all around us indicating that our Saviour is coming soon.
More Threats Of Cyber Warfare!
In recent days, United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has reiterated his concerns that the United States may soon face a "Cyber Pearl Harbor." In a warning issued in October 2012, Panetta stated that attacks on American infrastructure through computer networks could destabilize the country and even prove to be deadly. "An aggressor nation or extremist group could gain control of critical switches and derail passenger trains, or trains loaded with lethal chemicals. They could contaminate the water supply in major cities or shut down power grids across large parts of the country," Panetta declared. (38) There have been suggestions that threats of cyber attacks against the country might be used as an excuse to spy on the American people, although Panetta was quick to deny such intentions. "We're not interested in looking at email, we're not interested in looking at information in computers, I'm not interested in violating rights or liberties of people. But if there is a code, if there's a worm that's being inserted, we need to know when that's happening," Panetta said. (39) In another report, Panetta made the claim that the United States is already facing cyber attacks from Iran. "As I speak, there are attacks going on in this country, cyber attacks, on financial institutions, on banks. Now they're developing the capability to be able to go after our grid, our power grid, our financial systems, our government systems, and virtually paralyze the country," Panetta fretted. (40) William Robertson, an assistant professor at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, agreed with Panetta. "I don't think it's hyperbole. These kinds of attacks that he's talking about have actually been going on for quite some time. And they've been increasing in intensity lately," Robertson said. (41)
Barack Obama's Strange Endorsements!
As I write this newsletter, we are less than two weeks away from knowing whether or not Barack Obama will be given four more years in the White House. It is truly remarkable how much damage the man has been able to cause since January 2009, and I find it difficult to fathom what the next four years may hold. For those who wonder what Obama's true agenda may be, we are able to glean some insight from those who endorse him. One of Obama's earliest endorsements for 2012 came last year from the Communist Party USA. While the chairman of the party, Sam Webb, admitted that there had been some disappointments with Obama, he asserted that Obama is still the best man for the job. "Neither party is anti-capitalist, but they aren't identical either. Differences exist at the levels of policy and social composition. And despite the many frustrations of the past two years, the election of Barack Obama was historic and gave space to struggle for a people's agenda," Webb stated. (42)
Barack Obama has also received an endorsement from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. In a television appearance, Chavez stated, "Obama is a good guy." He also told his audience that he would vote for Obama if he could and that he believes Obama would return the favor and vote for him if it were possible. (43) The daughter of the communist dictator, Raul Castro of Cuba, also communicated her support for Obama. "I believe that Obama needs another opportunity and he needs greater support to move forward with his projects and with his ideas, which I believe come from his heart," Mariela Castro said. (44) It is my opinion that when communists and dictators are lining up to endorse a man, it sends up an enormous red flag. (No pun intended.) However, we need to remember that whether Obama is given four more years or not, ultimately God is in control. He will only allow the forces of darkness to progress so far before he fully stops them in their tracks.
In closing, I wish to express my gratitude to those who so graciously support this ministry. Thank you for your financial support, kind letters, articles and newspaper clippings. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you, and strive always to follow the will of God as we watch and pray in this tremendously important period of time. I know there is much wrong in the world, but we know our God will be with us every step of the way as we endure until that great and notable day when our Saviour returns. If you have any prayer requests, please do not hesitate to send them our way. We always give each prayer request individual attention, and we have seen countless prayers answered over the last thirty-one years of this newsletter's publication. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Samuel David Meyer
Acknowledgements
01. The Huffington Post, October 10, 2012, By Steve McSwain, http://huffingtonpost.com.
02. Ibid.
03. Ibid.
04. Pew Forum, October 9, 2012, By Pew Forum, http://pewforum.org.
05. The Huffington Post, October 15, 2012, By Michelangelo Signorelle, http://huffingtonpost.com.
06. Ibid.
07. LiveScience, September 18, 2012, By Natalie Wolchover, http://livescience.com.
08. The Huffington Post, October 18, 2012, By Lee Spiegel, http://huffingtonpost.com.
09. USA Today, October 4, 2012, By Judy Keen, http://usatoday.com.
10. Ibid.
11. CBS News, September 27, 2012, By CBS News, Chicago, Illinois.
12. Ibid.
13. ABC News, October 19, 2012, By Lauren Effron and Kinga Janik, http://abcnews.go.com.
14. CBS News, October 6, 2012, By Kathryn Larson, Detroit, Michigan.
15. Ibid.
16. World Net Daily, October 1, 2012, By Colin Flaherty, http://wnd.com.
17. Forbes, October 19, 2012, By Daniel Fisher, http://forbes.com.
18. Associated Press, September 28, 2012, By Patrick Walters, Chester, Pennsylvania.
19. 620 WTMJ, October 15, 2012, By WTMJ News Team, Racine, Wisconsin.
20. Natural News, September 19, 2012, By PF Louis, http://naturalnews.com.
21. The Daily Mail, September 25, 2012, By Sean Poulter, http://dailymail.co.uk.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
24. Reuters News Service, October 22, 2012, By Marion Douet and Gus Trompiz, Paris, France.
25. Digital Journal, October 9, 2012, By Elliot Freeman, http://digitaljournal.com.
26. Ibid.
27. San Jose Mercury News, October 1, 2012, By Jason Hoppin, http://mercurynews.com.
28. Natural News, October 8, 2012, By Carolanne Wright, http://naturalnews.com.
29. Ibid.
30. The Courier-Mail, August 9, 2012, By Athony Marx, http://news.com.au.
31. The Telegraph, October 17, 2012, By Raf Sanchez, Washington, D.C.
32. Reuters News Service, October 21, 2012, By Dan Williams, Jerusalem, Israel.
33. The Portugal News, September 13, 2012, By The Portugal News, http://theportugalnews.com.
34. US Geological Survey, October 24, 2012, http://usgs.gov.
35. Wired, September 6, 2012, By Liat Clark, http://wired.co.uk.
36. Australian Broadcasting Corporation News, October 13, 2012, By Mark Wallacy, http://abc.net.au.
37. Reuters News Service, October 3, 2012, By Chris Wickham, London, England.
38. The Telegraph, October 12, 2012, By Alex Spillius, http://telegraph.co.uk.
39. Ibid.
40. Reuters New Service, October 20, 2012, By Reuters, http://reuters.com.
41. Ibid.
42. World Net Daily, August 3, 2012, By Aaron Klein, http://wnd.com.
43. The Washington Times 24/7, October 2, 2012, By Ilana Freedman, http://times247.com.
44. Ibid.
Special Note: A new tribute website for Pastor David J. Meyer can now be accessed at http://pastormeyer.org.
Comments regarding this newsletter or topic suggestions may be submitted to editor@lasttrumpetnewsletter.org.
If you would like to submit a prayer request, you may send email to prayer@ltmmail.org or mail it to our postal address.
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