Author: MikeBain

There is a worldwide trend happening now.

Don’t know if many people have noticed or even care about it?

I’m talking about the worldwide decline in numbers attending church services.
To be fair, Covid 19 lockdowns did nothing for anybody, especially church attendance.

Scrolling through a Christian News Website I was disturbed by the number of stories and there were many, reported about sexual abuse within some congregations.

You’re thinking it’s the megachurch, well yes, it is but it’s unfortunately found in smaller churches.

The Catholic Church has had its fair share of problems, but what about your church, is there something underlying you don’t know about.

Unfortunately Abuse comes in many forms and church leadership prefer to hide or ignore the problem.

If that becomes the case, then God will not stand idly by and allow it to be kept concealed.

 God exposes wrongdoing.

Some who pastor a congregation should read the bible and they will understand that their abuse of others in Gods name will be uncovered, then watch them grovel to their congregations claiming they were sorry, it’s interesting they are full of remorse after they have been exposed.

Speaking of exposure many in New Zealand were not surprised to hear of the abuses which were conducted in GOD’S name at both Gloria vale and Arise Church.

Because Gloria vales missteps are before the courts today it’s not prudent to discuss them.

The other mega church which has gained media attention is the Wellington based Arise church.

Much was made of the abuse of power levelled at interns, and we made comment on it in an earlier podcast.

At the time the leadership initiated a review of its practices although I suspect the leadership was or should have been aware of what was happening to the flock they were supposed to be shepherding.

 Interns were asked to work long hours and do cleaning, driving, babysitting, and gardening for pastors.

There were allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, and manipulation.

Senior pastor John Cameron, who chaired the leadership board had sole authority to approve new board members, has previously admitted the church “allowed a culture of performance … and this negatively affected Arise Ministry School students.”

When he announced in April that he was “stepping aside from his pastoral duties” and an independent review was initiated by Pathfinding: A Christian response management company, Cameron promised that things would change.

“We are going to listen and learn,” Cameron said. “We are open for dialogue and will be making the organizational changes recommended.”

Cameron resigned as senior pastor the following month.

Pathfinding made ninety-two recommendations in its 49-page report.

 They ranged from encouraging diversity to an independent review of the church’s finances and pastors’ discretionary spending.

Pathfinding also called for the resignations of the church board because it “had lost its moral mandate to govern.”

Remember the promises from Cameron they were going to and learn, be open for dialogue, and will make the organizational changes recommended turned out to be just empty talk.

In the month following the report no member of the board resigned.

They also declined to release the report—despite previous commitments—or publicly say what recommendations had been made.

Despite wanting to be open and learn from the recommendations in the report, Cameron and his wife, Gillian, placed a legal non-publication order on the report through the Employment Relations Authority.

Ask yourself, what was it they didn’t want the public to know?

I wonder if there wasn’t a hand of God who leaked the report to and subsequently published by the media; the Employment Relations Authority overturned the non-publication order.

The actions of Arise Church will have greater and a more far-reaching impact on Christian organisations in this country because now the state has launched through the charities division of Internal Affairs an investigation into the practices of the mega church.

And the question is where it will end and will other mega churches come under scrutiny.

AS a Christian, it makes me sad when the only time we see or hear about those professing to represent God in the news is for bullyish or sexual behaviour.

Jesus said judge a tree by its fruit and arise, Gloria vale and the catholic church along with others has failed to represent God in spirit and truth.

If you are current member of Arise, your leadership has stumbled, Now would be a suitable time to explore options.

There are warning signs at Arise that it’s not prepared to change.

You still have the same board running the church, sure you will by now have a new pastor, but unless the leadership is willing to change then God will once again step in and expose its wrongdoing.

We, that is all Christians in New Zealand should pray for the 10,000 people who attend Arise throughout the country that God will lead them to a place where they can find rest and comfort in his word.

Ian Foster retains his position as head coach for the All Blacks until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

That really should come as no surprise to anyone given the loyalty of the NZRFU.

The rugby organization had the opportunity many times to dump coaches who were underperforming.

Graham Henry, Laurie Mains, Wayne Smith, and John Mitchell were retained despite appalling records, but went onto win or come close to winning the Rugby World Cup.

What price would you put on loyalty?

We demand it from our family, friends and even our dogs.

Loyalty is something no one can or should take for granted in today’s ever-changing society.

WE are all loyal to a point, just ask any person who has been involved in a solicitous relationship outside of marriage,

Loyalty in this century is huge, that is why commercially so many companies are prepared to buy it either with a free cup of coffee to some extravagant giveaways

Loyalty is about forming an allegiance with another party, like what governments do when deciding its friends.

Currently New Zealand has an allegiance among others with Australia, the United States and China.

It is a decision that’s not taken lightly.

In Ian Foster’s case, I am sure the NZRFU would have weighed the cost of sacking him vs keeping him on.

But they remained loyal to the decision and the man they chose eighteen months ago to lead the All Blacks.

It wasn’t that long ago the country was being urged to be loyal to the America’s Cup yachting Team New Zealand via a song by Dave Dobbyn.

While we show loyalty to one another I find it quite disturbing that many in this nation shows little or no loyalty to the one who created the earth, man, and woman.

Unlike the commercial sector God has no price on loyalty.

Many times, we read in the scriptures of his loyalty to the nation of Israel.

A nation which rejected him and formed allegiances with other nations that were guilty of many detestable practices.

We can read where the nation received severe judgement and was taken into captivity.

Despite this God remained loyal to the nation and still does today.

Loyalty doesn’t rely on what you personally get out of a relationship.

Unlike a cat or dog, whose loyalty is centered around a food bowl, loyalty for humans comes from the heart.

As a nation we have become so ungrateful to the loyalty shown to us by our creator.

Just look at what this nation has become.

We have become self-centered, self-righteous, and self-pretentious to the point we believe we no longer need God in our lives.

Hit the wrong button people, whether you are a Christian, or not while we no longer show loyalty, God has not altered.

Think about this, who is it that makes the sun rise and set every day, who provides the oxygen we breathe and so it goes on.

This is truly God at work showing loyalty to his creation.

His creation spelt out in the first book of the bible in Genesis 1 clearly states he made you and me.

His loyalty is unwavering, his loyalty to us will never cease, his loyalty will continue for his people until time indefinite.

As members of society, we need to ask ourselves what loyalty means to me.

Take time out and list the organizations, the people, the family to whom you show loyalty.

As for Ian Foster, the NZRFU has shown faith and has been loyal, now it’s onwards and upwards with the hope we can lift the Rugby World Cup in 2023,

Is he walking amongst us now

That is the question many are asking

Is the person soon to reveal himself as the Anti-Christ amongst us.

When you look closely at events happening around the world you can only conclude his time is near.

Worldwide civil unrest brought about by soaring food prices, energy costs and inflation are expected to bring in a time of discontent.

Pockets of unrest are being felt in Europe, Sri Lanka, Peru, Kenya, Ecuador, and Iran will soon spread and New Zealand won’t be immune.

Making sense of the impending global turmoil is Verisk Maplecroft, a UK-based risk consulting and intelligence firm.

They have just published an updated version of the Civil Unrest Index (CUI), covering seven years of data, showing the last quarter saw the most countries ever since the index was created move higher in civil unrest risk

 Given New Zealand’s inflation, along with its failing economy and anti-government protests we must add our country to the list.

When the people’s livelihoods are affected — watch out — that’s an environment ripe for social unrest. It’s already happening in Europe and could spread like wildfire.

Already New Zealanders are feeling the pain of rising food prices, high energy costs and an unaffordable housing market,

Couple this up with a growing number of people who are reliant upon the Government for food and housing.

It’s clear the New Zealand Government has no answer to the spiraling out of control economy, except to print more money devaluing the dollar along with its buying power,

Only a significant reduction in global food and energy prices can arrest the negative global trend in civil unrest risk.

Recession fears are mounting, and inflation is expected to be worse in 2023 than in 2022,” 

We are watching civilization crumble all around us and we are rapidly plummeting into an abyss of anarchy, madness and chaos, and the days ahead are not going to be pleasant.

Think back to the Arab spring of 2011 when anarchy broke out on the streets of middle eastern countries like Morocco, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Sudan.

Arabs protested in the streets which lead to governments being overthrown,

Anarchists don’t need a reason, they will stir the masses to suit their agenda,

Think about the siege of the White House in Washington, locally think about how wrong the protests could have gone at Parliament earlier this year.

Many Bible prophecy scholars speculate that such worldwide anarchy could open the door to civilization crying out for someone to save us from ourselves. 

Instead of looking to God, society will turn to yet another politician who will offer promises of peace and solutions to the world’s problems but instead it will begin one of the most terrible times in all of world history.

This period known as “The Tribulation Period” will last 7 years and be instigated by the one known as “The Antichrist”.

The Antichrist will bring about peace and security for the world under a one world government, but it won’t last.

Halfway through the seven-year period the Antichrist will reveal his true mission and it will really be woe for the world.

When you look at events happening now you may well wonder where to from here.
let me tell you about how no politician in this country can bring the population together when their back pockets have been decimated.

Add into the mix overseas influences, the prospects for New Zealand appear dire.

If you want to find out more check out The Book of Revelation which describes this coming period in detail.

I reject the premise of that question

So often have we heard this answer from our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

When she says she rejects the premise, what exactly is it she is rejecting.

A premise is a statement in an argument that provides reason or support for the conclusion. There can be one or many premises in a single argument.

So, when questioned by the opposition in Parliament, is the Prime Minister correct in rejecting the premise of a question?

Rhetorically, yes.

If the premise is false, any answer which implicitly accepts the premise will be tainted by it.

 Conversely, a response which explicitly rejects the premise, still gives a kind of credence to it, as it implies that the question is worth responding to.

Let me give you an example

Question: When did you stop beating your wife?

Answer: I have never beaten my wife in the whole time we have been married.

Question: So, you admit beating her before you were married?

After five years in government Jacinda Ardern has become very proficient at batting away questions she doesn’t want to answer in this manner.

Former Prime Minister John Key was a great practitioner of changing a narrative but was able to satisfy the question at hand.

We the people of New Zealand elect others on trust to public office, to point the country in a direction which satisfies the majority, to be fiscally prudent, to keep us safe, and to ensure we have a decent quality of life.

For over a century these people have been bestowed titles such as the Right honourable Mike Bain because being a member of the house of representatives was an honourable position.

Alas this is not the case today when we watch the actions of these honourable people in the main ring of the parliamentary private school yard, controlled by the right honourable chief bully Trevor Mallard.

Let’s go back to the question or the premise of the question.

Any question asked, doesn’t matter who asks it, deserves an answer, and shouldn’t be dismissed or batted away.

Now, its fair to say we all know Jacinda Ardern has a different perception of the meaning of truth, but I am concerned about others who are just as aspirational as she is, to occupy the Prime Ministers office on the ninth floor of the Beehive.

Enter the frame, Christopher Luxon.

Crowned as the leader of the National Party, doing ok in his personal rankings in the polls, party going well without too much drama until events in the USA drew attention back to his claim, he is a Christian.

Luke 6.44 says Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. 

In an earlier podcast I challenged Luxon’s claim of Christianity following his watered-down statements the week following, claiming he had not been to church for five years or so.

I said at the time if Luxon is going to wear the Christian T Shirt he must have the courage to walk the walk.

The Roe v Wade fall out has drawn attention to New Zealand’s liberal laws on abortion.

Luxon was quick to point out, if National were to hold power they would not relitigate the laws as they had only just been passed and would rather work on the issues such as our dying economy.

AS a Christian I was a little disappointed but knowing the mood of the country I was satisfied with his response,

Enter MP Simon O’Connor and social media.

Since then, Luxon has scrambled and deflected so many questions to restate his original stance on Abortion, which he continues to refuse to do, and this one issue has raised many flags for Luxon regarding the future.

We often compare people to trees in this country, e.g., the mighty Totara, because when one falls its impact is felt.

Luxon is by no means regarded as a mighty Totara tree whose roots are deeply grounded in the earth, but Luxon’s Christian roots look poisoned by desperation and populist politics.

It was like Luxon forgot or was embarrassed that he along with half his caucus voted against the abortion Act of 2020.

WE, all of us driven by desire, but that desire is also grounded in the belief of who we are as a person.

For Christopher Luxon, his claim he is a Christian, this is where his roots are grounded, when someone makes the claim, they have a deep burning desire to serve God, other people hold you to a higher account.

Could it be that Christopher Luxon by his action is now refuting the premise of his own claim?

Yes. I was a Christian, but no longer an active one. No longer on the team,

Bit like being a former All Black, you have “the Jersey,” but not the desire to front up to the opposition these days.

An interesting point to note.

Much has been made in the past of the beliefs of both Ardern and Luxon.

Ardern brought up and grounded in the beliefs of the Church of The Latter-Day Saints which she rejected and Luxon claiming today to be a Christian.

Ardern’s fruits are well documented, but the bible warns us that many will come professing his name.

Stay on the watch my friends, stay on the watch,

We as a nation are becoming desperate to rid ourselves of the evil that has control of this country.

Stay on the watch and be vigilant, be discerning

Matthew 7 :15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

I’m not surprised when someone tells me they’re tired these days, stressed even.

This world is changing at such a rapid pace even I can’t keep up with it.

I remember my parents saying something back in the sixties but if they thought the cultural changes they saw because of Rock n Roll, flower power, drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and LSD along with girls popping the contraceptive pill and the explosion of free unadulterated sex, was mind blowing.

Politically back then, the generation was divided into two camps, Left and right.

If you were Left, you were typically from a blue-collar manual working background.

Socio economically poor, often berating the wealthy, and radical in your thinking, a bit of a socialist

On the political right you were socio economically wealthy, a free marketeer, capitalist, but conservative in your outlook

I’m only glad they are not around today to see the results of what an insignificant cultural ideal was started which is having a major impact worldwide.

I’m talking about a quiet revolution to overthrow a society without the use of force, military or political.

Today, we recognise this subversive idea as the Long March through the institutions.

What started out as a slogan. I guess the sixties had lots of them, Ban the Bomb, Free Love, Peace.

But the long march a phrase used as a reference to a prolonged struggle of the Chinese communists which included a physical long marc of their army across China back in 1934.

But the author of the slogan communist student activist Rudi Dutschke around 1967 described his strategy for setting up the conditions for the revolution to subvert society by infiltrating institutions such as the professions by infiltrating the idea of Marxism through schools, universities media and the church.

Dutschke was encouraged by the German/American born writer and philosopher Herbert Marcuse who in his 1972 book Counterrevolution and Revolt thought the theory of a quiet evolution was possible and so it started.

The strategy was what we call the long game, rather than striking and causing anarchy the idea was to infiltrate, rather than learning to do a job but how its done, and this they did with the professions.

They learned about mass media, computerisation, education, production, they were over everything and no one noticed.

The long march included the concerted effort to build up counter institutions.

So, it’s no surprise today when we see how much influence the left leaning has.

For years we have allowed our children to be influenced and radicalised by teachers within the education system, not forgetting the entertainment system.

It should be no surprise to you that it is now the educated, wealthy who are thinkers of the left ideologies, it’s almost been like a pendulum swing. But that is exactly how the march through the institutions by the Marxist.

 It’s been slow, but it hasn’t quite got there yet.

For attitudes to change you need to start at the beginning of a generation.

If you are the parent of pre-schoolers, you can see how the curriculum is now radicalizing your children.

Is it any wonder our education success figures are low, and children are opting out of school?

Its because the system no longer teaches them how to read write and think.

If the preschool book the Gay BC isn’t enough to convince you where your child is being taken you need to wake up.

The march has gone through the entertainment industry using the gay agender and forces homosexuality or alternate lifestyles to be accepted as normal.

The march has gone through the halls of Christianity as it has succumbed to the views of the Marxist, just as some had last century with fascism.

The God worshipped and taught in these institutions is not the God of the Bible.

We need to be alert, we need to ponder, question every word from the pulpit and then check it against Gods word, and if it isn’t there or it’s been manipulated, you’re in the wrong church.

In New Zealand we see the government trying to introduce new ideals and radical thinking which are foreign to us, and they are, but the majority have been taught how to accept them without protest.

The march through the institutions is about alter belief, altering mindsets, altering the ability to think by oneself and having a reliance on the government.

In other words, they are making us stupid.

That is not being harsh, but a true statement

Over the past two years in the name of a pandemic we have seen the governments of the world control us in a mass experiment.

Anyone who has spoken out against it have been labelled as radicals, terrorists, conspiracy theorists, tin hat wearers.

But do you know what, there are still thankfully a lot of people like that.

There voices will remain as did the watchmen on the walls of the cities of the Old Testament as a warning of things approaching.

The march through the institutions is not Fake, it’s real, and its upon us all.

But have faith, it is not the end there is redemption, salvation still ahead of us.

You and I, we just need to remember the words of Jesus, stay on the watch, these times must come before the return of the son of man.

Looking forward to that day I can tell you.

For centuries we have based our morality, laws and virtue on God’s word found in the Bible,

For centuries, I am not talking about yesterday but centuries.

Yesterday is this, centuries are this on a time scale.

Recently, my church pastor in a teaching sermon mentioned what is righteous and just regarding the judgement of God.

This means when it comes to judgement day, mankind’s behaviour will be judged on what is accordingly to be right and fair.

If you are a believer, then this judgement would be fair.

We see many examples of God’s judgement in the past based on what is believed to be right and fair.

The issues I see is the belief on what is right and what fear is have changed.

Let me give you some examples,

Yesterday, if you committed a crime against society, you were apprehended, judged, and punished in a just and fair way, according to the rules accepted by society.

We all know, for example we have speed limits on our roads.

They are there as a guide and not a target but for some they are a hindrance, because they know better and will drive faster.

These drivers are often caught and will accept their punishment because it’s the law and deemed to be accepted and just.

Here’s the problem and I quote from the book of Judges 21

 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

These are the conditions we see in the world today as many reject the word of God.

We see a population now believing they can drive not just their cars but their lives the way they see fit.

We are seeing the rejection of God in all levels of our culture as the world does it the way they see fit.

The Bible points to the second coming of Jesus who will judge the nations but hang on.

The world no longer accepts the principles he will use to judge the earth.

We see this in all facets of life when people don’t accept something they move the goalposts.

So often we see it being used by this and subsequent governments and you do it yourself in everyday life.

Moving the goalposts is an informal fallacy in which evidence presented in response to a specific claim is dismissed and some other (often greater) evidence is demanded.

 That is, after an attempt has been made to score a goal, the goalposts are moved to exclude the attempt.

Society today spurred on by many radical groups like the jumbled alphabet group LGBTQI+, the women’s right, Black Lives Matter, pro-abortion groups in fact anyone or any group opposed to decency, democracy, and Gods law are excellent at moving goal posts for their own agendas.

So, it’s true, without God, everyone is doing what they see ft and what is right.

I’m curious to know what happens when their strong belief of what is right clashes with a similar belief, but believe they are right.

 Now with everybody doing what they see fit to do, everyone has different goalposts.

When it comes to the law of the land where do you get the base line. Who is responsible for making it, good grief imagine how it would look if everyone insisted the law reflected their differing forms of beliefs?

Back to Gods’ values on morality, law, and life, these are now so far removed from what society accepts.

It hasn’t moved the goalposts, it destroyed them.

So how dare he judge us on the premise of an outdated belief system which no one believes in anymore

This is the world we have become, but thanks for popping in Jesus, but who are you to judge us on what you see is righteous and just, because we have our own,

HMMM Let me ponder that for a moment.

To those of you who say the laws of God are no longer relevant, do so at your own peril.

Your new laws, your new way of doing what is right in your own eyes is meaningless.

The law of God handed to Moses were carved in stone meaning they cannot be changed.

If you are reading this, and you are one who rejects the word of God, then can I say, take another look, take a moment to think about whether you want to live in a world and to be honest with you, a world which is so unsettled, so unstable, a world where tomorrow you have to run with the crowd, or be left behind.

Pick up the scriptures and read for yourself why God has etched his laws in stone, why Gods people have them etched in their hearts and submit to the word of GOD.

For centuries we have based civilization on these laws,

What makes you think you are wiser than the one who created the earth for you to live on

You CAN change the world, your world, you can stop being the driver in a car speeding towards an Ethiopian intersection.

Let God be your driver, Let God be you reason and accept God is righteous and just.

Jesus asked a guy who had lain on a mat beside a healing pool for 38 years,” Do you want to get well?”

After 38 years day in day out doing the same thing of just turning up, what do you think his reply would have been?

The story reminded me of a scene from the Monty Python movie “The Life of Brian,” where a disgruntled beggar walked through a crowd bemoaning the fact, he had now lost his income because some do-gooder healed him of his ailment.

” Do you want to get well?” Jesus asked the man at the pool.

I guess it’s a question we could ask of several people who today are reliant on government aid for an income.

Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge there is a considerable number of people in this country who are unable to take a full active role in life.

But there is also a number who are capable but refuse help to get up off their mats, or couches.

The bible account doesn’t tell us how this invalid got to the pool daily, but he laid there for 38 years.

The account tells us he tried to get into the pool at the right time but was unable to without some aid.

In New Zealand, especially over the past three years a substantial number of people have received help from the government.

Help in this form has been available for over a century.

It was designed as a hand up rather than a handout.

Over the last decade and beyond, New Zealand has experienced huge growth in its economy, at the same time increased dependency on the state has continued to rise.

Fudging figures, all governments grapple with the numbers, because when you have industries calling out for more workers to aid with growing the economy, strangely we see them importing workers.

It’s said repeatedly, there are jobs and opportunities for many New Zealanders to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Like the beggar from the Monty Python movie, they cannot see past their current lifestyle.

The question Jesus asked at the pool is still relevant today,” Do you want to get well?”

In the case of the mat man, his answer was yes after 38 years, but what about those long-term dependents on the state. “Do you want to work?”

We can all draw a conclusion to the answer.

There are many lessons which can be drawn from this account in John 5.

The one that stands out for me is the fact that this guy laid on his mat for 38 years.

He said there was no one to help him into the pool despite being surrounded by a multitude of people.

It was a fair question from Jesus,” Do you want to get well?”

I can’t help thinking that some Christians are like this man.

There are many who sit or lie beside their own pool of misery, because the Church has offended them in some way.

They wait and wait for an apology or is it that they don’t want to be healed and are content with where they are, on the outside.

Are you the Christian who has sat in the same seat for 38 years in a church service on a Sunday, still raising your arms in worship, nodding in agreement with the message, then goes home and never thinks about God until the service next week?

But here’s the thing, both of you are content with where you are.

There is a multitude of people who surround you but neither of you are willing to raise your hand and ask for help.

You both don’t want to get your feet wet; you are not that much different to the person who relies on the government cheque each week.

” Do you want to get well?” Jesus asked?

If you have had a long-term relationship with the government and there really is nothing apart from your laziness, “do you want to be healed:” get up and take your mat and find some work and contribute to society.

If you are the one who is offended by the church,” Do you want to get well?”? get off your mat and go speak to the person who offended you and put the matter right.

If you sit in your seat on a Sunday but haven’t grown in your faith, “do you want to be healed of your complacency?”  Then get out of the seat and ask your Pastor or anyone in that church, for help and guidance.

Without a doubt this account in John has many lessons contained in it.

I have centered only on one, but I encourage you to read it for yourself. and to ponder on the lessons it has

This my friends are not the time to just occupy a space.

Throughout the centuries many Christians have looked towards the second coming of Jesus.

But this is time, we have all be waiting for.

Yes, we can sit on a couch, mat, fence, chair, or even righteous indignation. unless we get of it, we cannot progress.

Right now, we need to be well of what is holding us back from working.

We need to be working, some for their families, some just for their own self-esteem.

For the Christian, we need to work to save as many as we can and point them towards our lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

Before I go, I just want to ask another quick question.

You may not be the one who is the one who needs help, but are you the one who will step over that person as you rush to receive the blessings of Jesus?

” Do you want to get well?” Jesus asked? Only you can answer that question.

If our world is not on a direct path to the fulfilment of Revelation 13, the only alternative is to assume that something with a most uncanny resemblance to the mark of the beast is coming our way. 

In other words, if what the globalists propose for our world is not the prelude to the mark of the beast, I do not know what it would look like. The plans they have for our future fit like a glove with what John wrote in Revelation 13:15-18:

“And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

Also, it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.”

Please understand that this passage does not reach its complete fulfilment halfway through the seven-year Tribulation, well after the Rapture of the church.

What we see today is NOT the mark of the beast, but it’s most certainly both a prelude to and a conditioning for it.

John 8:44 is another key passage that’s essential for understanding the agenda of the elite powerbrokers.

Though not a prophecy, it speaks directly to what we see in our world today because the devil and his demons control the globalists who wield great power in the governments of the world as well as in the business world.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.

He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.

When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

The Luciferian elite of our day have two basic goals: First, they plan to reduce the world’s population and second, they intend to deceive and control those who remain through the means of transhumanism.

Both objectives are essential to their final goal of forming a one-world government over which they hope to rule and enslave humanity.

WHAT IS TRANSHUMANISM?

Wikipedia describes it this way:

“Transhumanism is a philosophical movement, the proponents of which advocate and predict the enhancement of the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies able to greatly enhance longevity, mood and cognitive abilities . . . Some transhumanists believe that human beings may eventually be able to transform themselves into beings with abilities so greatly expanded from the current condition as to merit the label of posthuman beings.”

Leading the way to bring about this change is a group called the World Economic Forum (WEF) with Klaus Schwab as its founder and CEO. Here is a quote from the group’s website regarding the changes they wish to impose on the world:

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution [the WEF term for transhumanism] represents a fundamental change in the way we live, work, and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions. These advances are merging the physical, digital, and biological worlds in ways that create both huge promise and potential peril. The speed, breadth and depth of this revolution is forcing us to rethink how countries develop, how organizations create value and even what it means to be human.”

The globalists of our day do not hide their objectives; they are in plain sight for all to see if one is willing to investigate. Is it not shocking that they intend for us to “rethink . . . what it means to be human?”

Believe me there is much more to this subject than I have time to discuss now. Just go to the WEF website, it’s all there.

The theme of merging “the physical, digital and biological worlds” runs through many of the articles on the WEF website.

They ‘re their evil intentions are not even kept secret, but openly broadcast them to all who are paying attention.

Before the dawn of this century, it would have taken an army of several hundred thousand to control the buying the selling across the planet and even then, it would not have been foolproof. Now with artificial intelligence and all the many advances related to transhumanism, the technology exists for one person to do this. 

That person will be the antichrist. The globalists will have everything in place before he steps onto the world stage.

Because of the speed at which technology and transhumanism are advancing, everything will be ready for him when the time comes for him to appear on the world’s stage. 

Last word: you know if I am being honest, learning about this stuff leaves me with a real unease about the future, but because I have faith in Jesus, I know these things must happen before he before he ushers in the kingdom of God.

If you are feeling uncomfortable, I have said it many times, but just look up to the heavens, and accept Jesus Christ today as your saviour, for this is where your salvation comes from.

I have heard it asked so where is God in all of this?

It’s a question people often ask in times of disaster, buts it can also be a question on a day-to-day basis.

Naturally anybody who pastors a church will say God is here.

But even when people visit a church they don’t see or experience GOD.

New Zealand’s last census in 2018 confirmed what most churches already knew- numbers were dwindling.

Breaking down the figures from those who ticked the box from just having a belief to those who believe, and practice is far different.

While 36% of the population claim to be have a belief in a higher authority but remove from the figures those affiliated churches who have a following which were lumped into the figure and its quite a surprise the Church of the Spaghetti Eating Monster, The Jedi’s and others which made up a considerable figure.

In that 36% I have not factored in Muslim, Buddhists, and other Eastern religions.

The downturn in New Zealand is not unexpected.

A similar survey from the USA showed a similar decline but a recent survey out of the United Kingdom has seen the trend continue.

Its authors say  It “answers what people think of Jesus; how non-Christians view any practicing Christian friends they might have; and the evangelism landscape in the United Kingdom today”,

Furthermore, a part of the report “also shows how practicing Christians come to faith and will help church leaders to be strategic for growth”.

The authors wanted to look at positive outcomes and look at how to reverse the trends with the first survey undertaken in 2015, enables them to look over 7 years and see trends that will help strategically with church growth.

The survey reaffirms that, post-pandemic, there has never been a better time, or more need, for us as Christians to invest in making Jesus known”,

Head of Mission at the Evangelical Alliance United Kingdom, Rachael Heffer, stressed that “the report presents good news both for the church across the UK and for us as individual Christian witnesses. It goes to reaffirm that our non-Christian friends think well of us and like us, that there is an ever-greater openness to hear our stories of faith”.

The report revealed only 6% of adults in the UK identify as practicing Christians, while 42% say they are non-practicing Christians. It also found that 4% identify as agnostics, and 12% as atheists.

It also says that 20% of the UK population believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and the majority (33%) sees him as a as a prophet or spiritual leader, but not God. Moreover, 45% of the respondents believe in his resurrection.

According to the report, while in 2015, 68% of non-Christians in the UK said they knew someone who was an active Christian, in 2022, that has fallen to 53%.

Doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you must agree that’s a significant drop and take it as a warning.

Churches need to look out and as individuals, we need to make sure that we have got some great life-giving friendships with people who don’t yet know Jesus”,

The encouraging thing about no Christians according to the survey, 33% want to know more about Jesus Christ after a conversation with a Christian.

“I wonder if the pandemic and a slightly wobblier world when people don’t know what’s happening, has actually made people more interested in faith, but it makes this an even more important moment for us to talk about our faith.

One of the key facts found in the 2015 research was that conversations with Christians are one of the most important influences in bringing people to faith.

And surprise, surprise they discovered that Christians are not always confident in putting their faith into words.

So keeping all that in mind, I was pleased to see the Churches in England prepared to do something positive about the field which is ready to be harvested, to create a course to inspire Christians to share their faith naturally and relevantly

Six percent of believers is not a great number, but hardly surprising

When you look at the decline in numbers in Christianity, its exactly as it was foretold many times in scripture especially in the last days

Jesus words recorded in Luke 8 says “Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root.

They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

For the many who may have fallen away, have they been tested? Or were their roots not planted in the word, and were they left in the full blazing sun of this world with out nurture and care from the shepherds of the church.

Were they not given solid food but just milk?

Like I said it’s encouraging to see the church in the UK doing something to encourage those who have a belief but not putting it into practice.

When I look at the decline of the church in New Zealand, I ponder what positive steps are they taking to find the spiritually lost in our communities.

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

Since the beginning of 2022 we posted three podcasts relating to the concerns facing the world like the global cost of living crisis.

I recall someone scoffed in the comments section at the idea of paying a week’s wages for a loaf of bread.

Today we see the cost of bread is stable but other items are not.

A post on Twitter exclaimed a 1 kg block of cheese which is not imported but manufactured in New Zealand was costing $21.95 at their local New World.

It wasn’t helped by someone suggesting instead of buying 1 KG cheese maybe they should buy 500g instead as it would only be half the price, there’s always must be a clown somewhere.

There are many stories emerging where people are saying they had spent more for less in their supermarket trolley.

Who, six weeks ago would have believed the price of fuel would exceed $3 a litre, let alone see the government reduce the size of its take in excise tax?

 Right now, all I can say is If you’re waiting for things to “return to normal”, you can stop waiting, because a perfect storm has arrived, and things are definitely not going to be “normal” for the foreseeable future.

What is obvious it’s not just New Zealand facing these issues.

One thing is for sure what we are experiencing today is not just a New Zealand problem – its affecting everyone on our planet, and the one Jacinda Ardern is on.

As we warned in previous podcasts, 2022 is going to see famine like conditions.

We spoke last November about China stockpiling as much grain it could get its hands upon.

One of the world’s biggest suppliers of grain, Ukraine is preoccupied at the moment and the harvesting of an export product is the least of its worry.

But what about other food producers in the world?

The US has been hit by drought like conditions, In the Middle East a bomb wiped out grain storage facilities and suddenly what grain is available has rocketed in price.

Add onto the issues of transport with delays at ports, then the cost of fuel at the pump.

In New Zealand, our farmers have seen rises in the cost of fertilizer, increased costs to harvest and they are not the ones who are going to absorb the costs.

The New Zealand government could foresee the issues we are facing today.

I’m not sure but haven’t we just finished a government enquiry into fuel companies and supermarket profits?

Ironically, it’s the corporations who are making a profit that are the ones responsible for how much you are paying while the government absolves itself of all responsibility for the economy.

While New Zealand pours money into climate change and other idealistic ideals – its people are going without.

We may well have to wait another 18 months or so for a change of government but even then, they will not resolve the crisis we are facing.

I’m sorry what we are going through is just the start of the perfect storm, just watch the money markets as they start to crash.

We can put all our faith, and hope, in politicians to help us rise again, but let me tell you this and watch what happens.

Jesus foretold to watch out for things like, famines, pestilences, war, just to name a few from Matthew 24, you can read about those yourself, but he was talking about the end.

While we are starting to go through challenging times, we cannot look to our worldly leaders for an answer.

We are living in the end times but before the return of Jesus Christ, the bible foretold of a time of tribulation.

An answer will come in the form of just one man who will solve all the problems and then create mayhem on the earth during his seven-year reign

You have heard of him He is the antichrist.

Believe me, paying a week’s wage for a loaf of bread will be the least of our problems.

My message today is simple.

Times are getting tougher, but our hope should never diminish.

Simply look up, believe that Jesus is your saviour, then know your salvation is near.