The latest on what is happening with the North Korea (King Jom UN) and US (Trump) standoff and it's potential for World War 3. With Trump according to the media sending an Armada of warships to North Korea in response to the escalation of missile tests by the ruler of that country, things looked like they were Heading to a possible World War 3 event, the timing which would have been over the Easter weekend. With all eyes on the media and North Korea over the Easter period, the result has been an almost deafening silence from the media and anywhere else on North Korea.
Recent developments post Easter in the headlines seem to suggest that China seems to be finally acknowledging the seriousness of the potential situation and starting to take steps. Russia has been more pro-active and taking the appropriate actions in view of the escalating North Korea and US face off. Here are the latest headlines emerging over the past few days that shed some light on whether a World War 3 is in the pipeline and a brief explanation of that headline
The US Armada heading to North Korea?
Last week Donald Trump, the US president, said he had ordered an "armada" into the northwest Pacific in a show of force designed to deter North Korea from further missile and nuclear weapons test. The US defence ministry later acknowledged the ships had actually travelled into the Indian Ocean to carry out manoeuvres with Australian forces, and only began their journey north recently. Hence the quietness over Easter when the warships would have arrived.
The suspension of flights from China to North Korea
China's national airline, Air China, announced it was suspending flights from Beijing to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, from late on Friday, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said. It did not say why the flights, which operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, were being suspended.
Video. Via Dahboo77
Russia starts to move military to it's borders with North Korea.
Russia has moved heavy military equipment towards its border with North Korea amid mounting fears of a military clash between Pyongyang and the United States over the North’s nuclear program. According to news sources Helicopters, Tanks and ground forces have been moved to the Russian Border with North Korea
The recent UN meeting
After a recent UN meeting, in a unanimous statement, the council demanded that North Korea "conduct no further nuclear tests" and said Pyongyang's "illegal missile activities" were "greatly increasing tension in the region and beyond".North Korea carried out a failed missile test on Sunday, a day after displaying missiles at a parade in Pyongyang. A warning that sanctions would be issued if further missile testing were to take place was issued by the UN counsel.
The recent statement from North Korea
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said in an editorial on Thursday: "In the case of our super-mighty preemptive strike being launched, it will completely and immediately wipe out not only US imperialists' invasion forces in South Korea and its surrounding areas but the US mainland and reduce them to ashes,".
Here's the latest updates in the last 24 hours on the North Korea and US situation and headlines that possibly clarify what is going on with North Korea and a potential World War 3 flare up.
Latest Headlines:
Putin Sends Troops, Tanks and Helicopters To North Korea Border - via @UNILAD
South Korea on heightened alert as North readies for army celebration via Reuters
Volleyball games appear to take place at North Korean nuclear test site via The Guardian
North Korea: China on 'high alert' as tensions escalate between Pyongyang and White House via The Independent
There is mention from numerous sources that 25 April 2017 would be the strongest possibility of a new missile test and flash point.
The US and North Korea conflict in Prophecy terms
What started out as a potential situation between the US and North Korea has, as anticipated escalated, sucking in other countries including the two major Super powers of China and Russia. The question that is raised is will China and Russia who are neighbouring nations that have recently forged ties be willing to support a US strike on North Korea when the US relations with both China and Russia are not exactly on the friendliest of terms? As mentioned in a previous US and North Korea article this situation in prophecy terms would tie in very closely with the Prophecy mentioned in the Book of Revelation especially the Second Seal of Revelation known as the Second Horseman of the Apocalypse
Bible Quote:
Revelation 6:3-4
3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Bit of a deep and cage rattling article this one, touching on Christian Evangelism and it´s role and it´sfuture in these modern times and more to the point End Times or even Last Days. Taking you right into the war zone of Christianity. Are massive changes on the horizon or will Evangelist types still be free to do what they do, or will their freedoms be severely restricted. This is an article for somebody just curious on what Evangelism is, or maybe you are thinking about becoming one. Maybe like myself you are in the faith and being prodded and nudged and guided by the Spirit to go in that direction, even though you have other ideas or plans. This article is for those types and for non believers alike.
How this article came about
This is one of those articles that just came from nowhere whilst walking down the road and staring out the window afterwards with the mind in neutral. When you get those thoughts you know it has come from somewhere else and it´s the most high giving you a tap on the shoulder saying "don´t just think about it, get that article out there NOW". So here it is!
This process was probably started by myself stating in a recent video talking about the Holy Spirit, and I classed myself as a "Non Denominational Christian" and a sort of "Evangelist" or "Evangelical" type? I´m not sure that was me talking there but that is what was said. Even though I go five days a week to a Church of England Church?. Even though I go to Church regularly, I don´t really class myself as a fan of the Institutional Church and do not see myself as the "Church" going type. If you watch my videos you´ll probably agree and think "he doesn´t look like the church going type" as well. More the jack the lad type.......... but appearances can be deceptive.
Here´s a recent example. Is the owner of this website an Evangelist on the quiet, preaching in a Testimonial style???
Evangelism is the announcement, proclamation, and/or preaching of the gospel , the good news of and about Jesus Christ. Therefore, the gospel is a communicated message—communicated in verbal and/or written form. Evangelism is the communication of the gospel message, includes a warning, an explanation, and a call. Evangelism includes warning people about sin and the consequences of sin It includes an explanation of God’s remedy for sin—the gospel. And it includes the clear call to repent (to turn from sin and to turn toward God) and believe the gospel. via CARM
What would be Examples?
Street Preachers, Speakers at London´s famous Hyde Park Corner or other equivalents around the world, people who preach the word in some shape or form on the web (such as myself), people who have ministries or video platforms and Evangelise such as on You Tube, people who preach via Social Media and so forth. Also the types you see standing on the streets just holding leaflets or handing them out and not saying a word can be classed as a form of Evangelism or silent Evangelism. Finally going round and knocking on peoples doors is another form of Evangelism. In summary those in the faith will call it "spreading the word". If you are Born Again ...you WILL have the unexplainable and overpowering urge to do this in some shape or form. It´s what I call Frontline Christianity. That´s your job!
What styles of Evangelism are there?
Superb article from PBCF.org by a Senior Pastor by the name of Jeff Warren details 6 different styles of Evangelist delivery.
1. Direct Style 2. Intellectual Style 3. Testimonial Style 4. Interpersonal Style 5. Invitational Style 6. Serving Style
Here are some famous quotes focused on Evangelism. It´s something people either love or hate and most people have strong views on the subject. Here´s my views on Evangelism arrived at many years ago. A Jewish work colleague from a job many years ago once said to me something that has stuck ever since (about 15 years ago) when I showed some interest and was fascinated with the Jewish Religion (never pursued it) and he had this to say:
"We don´t come to you Frank...............you come to us!"
That is something that has stuck with me to this very day and is how all The Twelve Gates websites operate." You come to me and knock on my door and ask questions or come looking for answers, I don´t come to you and bash on your door and try to ram Religion in your face"
Strangely enough that´s how you will become "Born Again" or "Saved" . Personally my approach is the reverse to the positive, uplifting, flowery and make you feel good type of preaching. I´m more of a cage rattling Joshua type stepping on Spiritual toes and exposing the darkness . It´s a wake you up and make you sit up and take notice mentality whilst shining that bright light in your face. Confronting you with the truth and revealing who you really are and making you aware that it´s time to do something about it. It´s brutally honest. That´s just me, everybody has a different job in the body of Christ.
Here´s some other views on Evangelism from all walks of life taken from the Good Reads website which demonstrate some quite strong views on Evangelists and what they do.
“Let eloquence be flung to the dogs rather than souls be lost. What we want is to win souls. They are not won by flowery speeches.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“I believe that entertainment and amusements are the work of the Enemy to keep dying men from knowing they're dying; and to keep enemies of God from remembering that they're enemies.”
― A.W. Tozer
“True gospel preaching always changes the heart. It either awakens it or hardens it.”
― Chan Kilgore
“A need for approval lies behind all efforts of evangelism. If someone else can be convinced, that will show us that we are on the right path. The attempt to convince someone of anything is a mark of insecurity. (173)”
― Ravi Ravindra, The Wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Guide by Ravi Ravindra
“Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; he waited until one of them turned to him.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison David Platt “Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?”
― John Wesley
“Religion is like a pair of shoes.....Find one that fits for you, but don't make me wear your shoes.”
― George Carlin
The Future of Evangelism and Russia
Which brings us nicely onto why this article came about in the first place. A couple of videos leapt out from that famous Video platform featuring the President of Russia which provided a dramatic and worrying contrast. The first was filmed a couple of years ago when he was talking about Christianity, how it is a good thing and talking about the "West" which is featured below.
Putin defends Christianity and condemns anti-Christian West and political correctness
Merely a couple of years later this second video has been released after the Russian President stated that no Evangelism is allowed in Russia in the future including in your own home, on the internet, on the streets and public places, only in Churches?
RUSSIA BANS CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM !!! AntiChrist Spirited Vladimir Putin
Is this the Future of Evangelism
Putin was baptised into the Eastern Orthodox Church on the basis of his mother being Eastern Orthodox and her pushing for her son to be baptised. Only in recent years after life dealt him some heavy blows and he visited Israel (see HollowVerse) did he finally come back into the Christian Faith again embracing Eastern Orthodoxy. Which is why this stand against Evangelism is all the more worrying. It is a well known fact that the Roman Catholic Church is not keen on Evangelists and they have been persecuted throughout history being called Heretics, but in modern times they have been allowed their freedoms as a basic human right which it now looks like, this has been removed...in Russia. Does this mark a worrying potential change on a global scale, or is it something just isolated to Russia?
Conclusions
With Christian Persecution on the rise especially in China and the Middle East views are changing in society towards Christianity, becoming more Anti by the day including towards the Holy Book itself....The Bible. Will websites like this and others, Evangelists on You Tube and Facebook and Twitter and the classic street preacher be forced to shut down and become a thing of the past. As mentioned in a previous article on Monk´s, Hermits and Anchorites´s many who have the faith will end up going underground and going back to the old Biblical ways of Christian communities meeting around peoples houses and sharing everything they have. In more extreme cases they will go just like the Agafia woman who fled into the Siberian wilderness. Only time will tell but one things for certain.........times they are a changing?
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
A final video, left till last that carries a WARNING. Contains bad language and some disturbing scenes including vomiting and it is a cage rattler, but it gives a good insight into what a True Christian Preacher will be confronted with on the streets and shows the "Power of the Word" and confirms to even the hardened Atheist that YES there is a GOD!
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:15-16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Psalm 105:1
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Mark 8:35
Sodom and Gomorrah, those words whether you are Religious or not, read the Bible or not, or are a Christian or follow another Religion, those words or even just Sodom alone conjures up images in the mind. It's a historical place and event that most people are aware of. People are also aware of what Sodom and Gomorrah represents and why it was ultimately destroyed in quite spectacular and undeniable fashion by God. The question is, has the lesson been learnt, OR, is our world heading into a similar Sodom and Gomorrah scenario but with a modern day twist and what lessons can be learnt from it?
In these modern times, our Western societies are walking down the same road as the infamous times of S&G . This same trend of flaunting sin openly and publicly just like back in those Biblical days without a care is becoming increasingly prevalent in our times to the extent it's almost becoming acceptable or even "Cool".. A lot of parallels are being drawn with Western Society with America leading the way into a Sodom and Gomorrah style judgement. Not only in numerous religious circles is it a shared view that a "Judgement" is coming and that quite visible warnings as we speak are being given but just like in the Bible they are being ignored. Even in Politics, Russia the promoter of traditional society values that refuses to adopt Western Society ethics and morals has pointed the finger at America and said they are heading down the S&G road in spectacular fashion as demonstrated in the Moscow Times in 2013
Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned not just in Christianity but also in Islam and Judaism. The cities were located in the same region as 3 other cities Admah, Zeboim and Bela. These five cities, also known as the "cities of the plain", were situated on the Jordan River plain in the southern region of the land of Canaan. The plain or region surrounded the dead sea and was of magnificent beauty and a land of super abundance and fertility, being a land well-watered, lush and green. (Genesis 14:2) and was compared to the garden of Eden[Gen.13:10]
In spite of this beautiful land and what appears to be blessings of abundance of good things in all those cities, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were also renowned for their wickedness and sinfulness and the total rejection of God in every shape and form. Rather than living by God’s instructions, “the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13).
What happened prior to the Judgement?
A straight lift from GotQuestions.org that explains in simple terms the Biblical Account of Sodom and Gomorrah that led to the judgement and the all important Bible Quotes that shed further light on what actually happened.
The biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah is recorded in Genesis chapters 18-19. Genesis chapter 18 records the Lord and two angels coming to speak with Abraham. The Lord informed Abraham that "the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous." Verses 22-33 record Abraham pleading with the Lord to have mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah because Abraham's nephew, Lot, and his family lived in Sodom.
Genesis chapter 19 records the two angels, disguised as human men, visiting Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot met the angels in the city square and urged them to stay at his house. The angels agreed. A mob then arrived outside Lot's house. The Bible then informs us:
Gen 19:5-8: “and they called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.’ But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, ‘Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. KJV
Lot in order to direct the mobs attention away from the Angels offers his two virgin daughters as detailed in this Bible quote below
“Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, in as much as they have come under the shelter of my roof,” (Gen. 19:8).
The angels then proceed to blind all the men of Sodom and Gomorrah and urge Lot and his family to flee from the cities to escape the wrath that God was about to deliver. Lot and his family flee the city, and then "the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah — from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities..nothing survived."
To this day nothing exists or has survived in that area since, it is a desolate area where nothing grows............nothing! Further details in the video below called "Sodom and Gomorrah- proof of the supernatural"
Why did God punish or judge Sodom and Gomorrah?
God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was “very grave”
Genesis 18:20
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
They went in the face of God's statutes and commandments. It was in God’s perfect judgment that he destroyed these cities with fire and brimstone (sulfur) dumped from above.. It was done for good reason, letting them serve as sobering examples for all mankind to learn from. It was done as an example for those at the time and also burned into history for all future generations to be made aware of the danger of ignoring God's Statutes and Commandments
The five main reasons that God poured judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah
Because the people of Sodom had done the following:
1. Sodom’s society was steeped in widespread sexual immorality, including homosexual acts and vicious rapes. The residents of Sodom had become so evil that God could not find even 10 righteous people among them (Genesis 18:32).
2. The inhabitants were uncharitable and abusive to strangers, the poor, sick, and disadvantaged. In that society, a person had a very strong obligation to protect any guests in their home.
3. They wanted to humiliate their visitors by engaging in "an act of sexual degradation and male rape...These are acts of violence that are committed by parties seeking to show their hatred for those they are degrading. It is not an act of love or of caring"
4. Wanted to engage in bestiality -- having sex with members of another species such as Angels. The mob mentioned outside Lot's home where the Angels stayed may have wanted to rape the angels. Angels are not human beings; they are of a different species and in their minds was the going after of "other flesh" or "strange flesh."
5. Wanted to adsorb the power of the angels: In ancient times, sacred sex was very common. If the people of Sodom realized that angels sent by God were present in their city, the men of Sodom may have concluded that raping the angels might give them supernatural powers?
What was the real reason that God passed judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah?
The above five points are the main reasons touted that spring to mind which center around the question of immorality especially Homosexuality. Delve deeper and beyond Genesis and one of the Seven Deadly Sins, one that is not so obvious but still "grievous" none the less. (Ezek. 16:49-50) highlights the fact that God found Pride among the inhabitants of Sodom, one of the "Seven Deadly Sins and "sloth" mentioned as idleness as the other, which many cite as the real and one of the chief reasons for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and judgement by God.
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
What did Jesus and the The New Testament of the Bible have to say about Sodom and Gomorrah
Jesus Christ said that societies at the end of the age would parallel those in the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26-30). Regarding the time of Lot, Jesus said, “They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all” (verses 28-29).
Paul called the period just before Christ’s return “perilous times.” He said they would be filled with pleasure-seeking, materialism, immorality, violence, idleness and rejection of the things of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Sound familiar.
(Romans 1:20-25). As mankind went astray, men and women began to exchange the wholesome, God-ordained use of sex for vile and shameful passions (verses 26-27). Paul also listed a number of other sinful behaviors that humans began practicing as they turned from God (verses 28-31).
God spoke about moral decline in Romans 1:18-32. here's some sample verses from the middle of that Chapter
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Are Western World Leaders Responsible for the Modern Day Moral Decline?
Modern Day Western Society has democratically elected leaders. They lead and society follows. A Gay Marriage law is passed by a Government it sends out a signal that in these modern times Homesexuality is now not a sin and all the Bible quotes that state otherwise have been overidden by man........... all in the name of modernity.
Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths. (Isaiah 3:12)
For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32)
Is America the Modern Day Sodom?
---------------------------------------------------------
America is a nation that had it all, you could say was blessed by God because of it's initial adopting of God's statutes and it's embracing of Israel and it's people into it's country and also the nation Israel itself and it became a Superpower that controlled the world. The rot started to set in when corruption started to enter the White house and the Abortion Law became reality allowing the mass murder of millions of lives. Things have progressively gone down hill ever since and 9/11 was the wake up call for the nation. The nation has carried on regardless slipping further away from God and now in these modern times seemingly turning it's back on God and embracing the darker side. Warnings have come in many forms since but the Nation carries on regardless.
These quotes from the Bible I personally think sum up the situation not only in America but in the Western World today. We are living in times where evil is considered good or hip and cool, sin is to be encouraged and enjoyed and who cares about the consequences. Those that are seen to be doing right or good are "upsetting the new status quo" and are "party poopers". Christian symbols are being torn down with "The Cross" and "The Ten Commandments" and the words "In God We Trust" being particular victims in these S&G times. With churches closing or being attacked and burnt down, Materialism and Promiscuity rampant, and with an openly encouraged embracing of the Seven Deadly sins, we are in the times mentioned in Romans 1:28-32 above.
We are seeing mass shootings, rampant pornography addiction and the rise of narcism and Selfie Culture and a society obsessed more with Celebrity than with God. Rampant Government debt and spending and financial markets that bear no semblance to economic reality with "market intervention" being the buzzword in financial circles but a bubble that is waiting to pop in spectacular fashion.
The current bizarre obsession over the LGBT community and their toilet rights?? above everything else by the current US administration speaks volumes in itself. Why they are not concentrating on more pressing issues that are affecting the broader population is a head scratching mystery? We are seeing the rapid erosion of moral values and privacy and civil liberties. Mothers killing new born babies with their own hands becoming a common headline, the breakdown of the family unit, Americas back turning on Israel, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. We are living in times where "what is wrong is right and what is right is wrong" with the attitude "what's wrong with that".
Is there a Sodom and Gomorrah style judgement coming. I think it's overdue, but the problem in these modern times is that unlike Sodom and Gomorrah the problem is not local in nature and contained within two cities, it is now rampant across much of the globe with the US leading the way merrily heading it's way into oblivion. We live in an interconnected world, but if a judgement is coming it will be interesting in what shape or form it will come..............and more to the point..... who will be affected and what the final outcome will be?
Some Bible quotes to ponder over
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20
“‘Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 6:15).
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
(Jeremiah 23:14).
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
(Ecclesiastes 8:11).
Statements and Comments from Religious Events and Conferences on the Sodom and Gomorrah effect in our modern Times
via Scottwoodward.org
We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. All of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil. (Ensign, Nov 2001, 4)
Boyd K. Packer (Quorum of the Twelve) Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now.
Words of profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. Unspeakable wickedness and perversion were once hidden in dark places; now they are in the open, even accorded legal protection.
At Sodom and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now they are spread across the world, and they are among us. (Address to CES religious educators, Feb. 6, 2004, 4)
Spencer W. Kimball (President)
Because of this widespread tolerance toward promiscuity, this world is in grave danger. When evil is decried and forbidden and punished, the world still has a chance. But when toleration for sin increases, the outlook is bleak and Sodom and Gomorrah days are certain to return. (Faith Precedes the Miracle, 154)
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