"Many Christians Are Discouraged In This Post Covid World"

Many Christians are discouraged in this post covid world. That's our message. The first part of a two-part message the text is taken from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.

As nations line up to attack Israel, vowing to destroy the beloved nation, many are saying it is a sign that, Jesus Christ may return at any moment. But of course there have been many times in the history of the world when the people of God have had similar thoughts. For instance, during World War I in which approximately 20 million were killed. then World War II when 60 to 70 million died. And, during the time of the Spanish flu plague that killed 50 to 100 million people. And, yes during the covid-19 pandemic that killed much more than 7 million. Many thought it meant that the return of Jesus Christ was near. You can be sure many were thinking the day of the Lord was at hand during these catastrophic events. So, here we are today, still wondering where we are on God's end time calendar. many speculate, but no one really knows for sure!

Father we thank You for this word. Send it forth with great power under the anointing of Your Holy Spirit. Bless the message Lord and the one that receives it, in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

"Yes everyone really is sick a lot more after covid-19," says an article by global Center for Health security and Bloomberg. They are telling us that it is not our imagination, they say that at least 13 communicable diseases are surging past pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the report tells us that, "Around the world, a post-covid reality is beginning to sink in: everyone everywhere really is sick a lot more often," they say. I was amazed by the amount of journals that have reproduced this story and republished it. Our ministry in the Bahamas has been encountering an unprecedented amount of sick people who need prayer, and very many requests to pray for families of bereaved persons. And therefore, it seems as if, people are clearly sick and dying more frequently than before covid-19. There has clearly been an uptick in the request for prayer over these past two years.

Today there seem to be so many who are sick and dying from various diseases, and even though they pray for healing, healing does not seem to come! And so they are left in the hands of those in the medical profession. Has the power of God left our churches in this season? Has God forsaken His people for a small moment, and then plans to gather them again with great mercy at a later date? Is He saying to us the same thing that He said to the people of Israel in Isaiah 54, where He says, in a little wrath He has hid His face from us for a moment, promising that He will have everlasting kindness and mercy upon us soon? And is this the reason why Church attendance is declining in so many nations? Is it possible that, because God is not showing up in great displays of His mighty power today, people are losing faith, and beginning to doubt His Word?

Well no matter what the answers to these questions may be, we can find some solace and comfort from God's Word in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, where we are told: "Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us that is us the apostles. In other words do not be troubled either by any prophetic word, by a spirit, by a message, by a letter alleged to be from us telling you that, the day of the Lord has come.

Then the text continues by saying, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed the son of perdition (which means Son Of Destruction)." And so the Apostle tells the Thessalonians of two significant signs that will be evidence of the imminent arrival of Jesus Christ to gather the saints. Number one, there will be a great falling away in the Church of the Most High God as we approach this time, and number two, the man of sin, the son of perdition, who is the Antichrist will be revealed. Now whether the Antichrist will be revealed immediately before the saints of God are gathered or immediately after, scripture does not make it completely clear to us. Nevertheless God's Word tells us, we are not to be quickly shaken or become unsettled or even alarmed by any prophetic revelation that a messenger or some prophet or even a spirit will bring. And we must be careful not to lose our composure in other words. Stay focused.

These words were written to the Thessalonians who believed that the Lord had already come, and they had missed His appearing. Which tells us that, often times the people of God everywhere swim in a river of uncertainty and confusion as a result of the times that they live in. And very often they were expecting the return of Jesus Christ immediately. In the same way, others among us are sensing that they are seeing signs in the global world today, signs that point to the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Is He soon to appear or are we to expect more of the same perilous times, and even worse for a longer season, and then He will show up. No one really can say for sure, but we are expected to be ready for either scenario. And yes, Church attendance all over the world has dipped significantly in recent times according to many reports. But not everyone is leaving the church for the same reason, says one report, and all denominations are seemingly affected. Reasons such as relocating, and not finding a new church, to politics or simply not feeling like they belong to their church any more are more commonly heard.

But there's one very interesting fact that caught my attention, and listen to this, "The more educated someone is today the more likely they are to stay in church," says many reports. Can you believe that? In times past it was often said that church was for the uneducated and the foolish, but Recent research says it is quite the opposite ! Studies now say that, the more educated people of God are, the more they trust the institution of the church, and the more they value participating in church work and Ministry. So this is great news! And it tells us that we should all be working on becoming more educated. We can do this by ratcheting up our study of the Word of God. By searching God's Word daily, asking questions, and praying for the Holy Spirit to give us more understanding. And by paying attention to what is happening in the global world, and comparing it to the prophecies in the Holy scriptures. More good news is that, even those who leave church, or stop attending church, still say they believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to The Father. And many of these are also willing to go back to church. If only they can get past disagreement over politics, hurt feelings and discouragement.

In at least one credible report, Europe is referred to as the continent that nurtured Christianity for almost 2,000 years. Several reports say that Paul and his companions brought Christianity to Europe. And for almost 2,000 years Europe was the Hub of Christianity. However, today, churches, convents chapels all across Europe stand empty, and increasingly derelict as faith and church attendance shriveled over the past half century according to appnews.com. In Germany, France, Denmark for instance only 10% or less of Christians report that they attend church at least once a week. And then the nations of the world with the highest Church attendant are Venezuela, Ecuador, and Israel where 38 to 41% attend church. However Sweden and the Czech Republic are the nations with the highest percentage of citizens that say they do not believe in God.

So if you think you were discouraged or distracted in your walk in Christ you can pin partial blame on the challenges of the season in which we now live. The Apostle Paul describes these days as, "Perilous times," in which people will become selfish, and their hearts will be hardened against Jesus Christ and His Word, according to 2 Timothy 3. Many on earth will be of corrupt minds, and reprobate concerning the faith. We are already seeing difficult times of great stress and trouble, times that are hard to bear. And Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 prophesied about them also, saying, we shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, but we must see that we do not allow ourselves to become troubled, because these things must come to pass. And, nation shall rise against nation, and kingdoms against kingdoms. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various parts of the world.

These things can be seen in our nation, in neighboring countries, and nations all over the world even now. In places like the Middle East, Ukraine, and now even Russia, in South Sudan, in Yemen, and some African nations, there is war and violent unrest. In addition, in parts of Europe, and the United States and the Caribbean islands there have been massive flooding from hurricanes and torrential rain this year. In many of these nations they are facing unprecedented peril, loss of lives, and many have had to flee for their lives!

And finally, verse four of second Thessalonians 2 tell us that in that day the Antichrist when he comes he, "Opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God showing himself that he is God, the new King James version. In other words he will brag and will oppose everything that is called God, and every object of worship. He will take his place in the temple of God proclaiming that he is God! And Revelation 13:6 describes his behavior in even more vivid detail saying, "He opened his mouth to speak blasphemies which is abusive speech and slander against God, to blaspheme the name of God, to blaspheme His name and His Tabernacle, and those who live in heaven.

God bless and keep you in Jesus mighty name. Amen. If you've been listening to this message and you do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we want to encourage you to commit your heart to the Lord today. Please engage your heart and say this prayer after me:

• Father I am a sinner.

• I am sorry for all my sins.

• I crave Your forgiveness.

• Thank You Lord for forgiving me all my sins.

• Today I invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.

• Dear Lord Jesus welcome.

• Make my heart Your home.

• Today I give You the key to my heart because I now belong to You forever.

• Please give me the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth.

• Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Amen.

Welcome friend to the body of believers in Christ who are all here on earth awaiting the return of the Good Master. In the meantime we encourage you to become water baptized as quickly as possible. Begin reading the Word of God every day. Begin in the Book of John then go to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Pray daily. Attend at your local church and one glad morning the Savior will come and receive us all unto Himself and we shall forever be with the Lord. God bless and keep you in Jesus mighty name. Amen.