Volume XXXVIII      Issue VII      July 2019
Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org

A World In Defiance Against God

"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will carefully consider recent events that should be of great concern to God's people. The world at this present time is becoming increasingly saturated with evil as the masses rise up in defiance against God. This is especially evident in the United States today, which despite being plagued with natural disasters of Biblical proportions, is filled with a people determined to flaunt their pride while demanding the right to slaughter their children and exhibiting complete intolerance and contempt for anyone who does not agree with their beliefs. All of this is happening while efforts are being made to establish a global government.

Consider a recent speech by Pope Francis. Speaking at an event in May 2019, the leader of the Roman Catholic church told his audience that there needs to be a new global special authority established for the cause of the common good. "When a supranatural common good is clearly identified, it is necessary to have a special authority legally and concordantly constituted capable of facilitating its implementation. We think of the great contemporary challenges of climate change, new forms of slavery, and peace," the Pope said. (1) In other words, Francis has declared this new authority must be put in place and tasked with combatting climate change and human trafficking while also working to establish peace. Again, we see that the concern over global warming and climate change will be the linchpin for the establishment of a one world government. The Pope further urged the countries of the world to surrender their sovereignty stating, "The nation-state is no longer able to procure the common good of its populations alone. The common good has become global, and nations must associate for their own benefit." (2)

In another push toward globalism, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, which is headquartered in Paris, France, announced in June 2019 that 129 countries have come together and agreed on a plan to tax large technology corporations. (3) If implemented, the program will essentially be a new global tax. While it may not seem concerning to some that wealthy technology corporations would be subjected to this new form of taxation, we should consider the possibility that this scheme may be only the beginning of a greater far-reaching plan. Perhaps someday there will be a global tax on personal income, too. This new method of taxation is slated to be a significant topic of discussion at the G20 Summit scheduled for the end of June 2019 in Japan. (4) Without a doubt, there are forces at work attempting to unite this world in an unholy union that would have a catastrophic impact on the lives and liberty of people not only in the United States but around the world. As these forces continue to tighten their grip on humanity, we find solace in the freedom we find only in God. In II Corinthians 3:17, the Apostle Paul writes, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." We find this liberty when we are delivered from sin, for as it tells us in John 8:34-36, "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." I urge every reader of this newsletter to repent of your sins if you have not yet done so and give your heart to God. In so doing, you will become a recipient of a freedom that no man can steal away.

Low Birthrates And An Uncertain Future

Another topic being heavily discussed among the G20 Summit members is the problem of low birthrates and aging. Low birthrates have been especially problematic in Japan - the nation hosting the G20 Summit this year - insomuch that numerous firms are unable to find staff to fill their job openings while a large contingent of Japanese citizens are delaying retirement to help fill the void left by a lack of younger workers. (5) Nevertheless, the problem is not just affecting Japan, but rather, most developed countries in the world. "You basically have a very large portion of mankind that is aging, and then the workforce is shrinking. But I would say the G20, in particular, are aging faster," opined Angel Gurria of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. He then went on to say, "These are trends that will continue, I am afraid. It's not something you can suddenly stop." (6)

How pervasive is this problem? A report published by the BBC in November 2018 states that an astonishing one-half of all countries in the world are facing a baby bust. As such, the birthrates in these countries are so low that they are unable to maintain their population levels, and in the days ahead, the population in the affected countries is going to drop precipitously. (7) Regarding this crisis, Professor Christopher Murray of the University of Washington was quoted as saying, "We've reached this watershed where half of the countries have fertility rates below the replacement level, so if nothing happens the populations will decline in those countries." A fertility rate of 2.1 is required to prevent a nation's population from declining without the aid of migration. Here let it be noted that the fertility rate for the United States in the year 2017 was a meager 1.8. Other countries suffering from low birthrates include the United Kingdom - 1.8, Ireland - 1.8, Australia - 1.8, France - 1.9, Germany - 1.6, Italy - 1.3, Spain - 1.3, Greece - 1.4, Switzerland - 1.5, Russia - 1.8, Japan - 1.4, and China - 1.6. (8)

In China the forthcoming population crisis is a disaster of their own making. For decades the communist Chinese government has sought to prevent population growth by limiting family sizes to one child per family. Now the Chinese government has increased the limit to two children per family and is actually encouraging Chinese citizens to have another child. Yet, the people of China have become so accustomed to only one child per family that many married couples do not want to have another baby. "China should have stopped the policy twenty-eight years ago. Now it's too late," stated senior scientist Yi Fuxian of the University of Wisconsin in Madison. (9) By the year 2050, a full one-third of the Chinese population will be age sixty or older. (10)

The world's population is still growing because poorer countries still continue to produce a lot of children. For example, the birthrate in Niger is 7.1. (11) Why has the fertility rate fallen so much in developed nations such as the United States? There are no doubt many factors, but one thing that certainly is not helpful is the prevalence of abortion. As of January 2018, more than sixty million babies have been aborted since 1973. (12) If those sixty million lives had not been needlessly snuffed out before they could even take a breath, there would be many more people in the United States at this present time.

The Clamor For Abortion

Of all of the problems facing the United States of America today, I find the sin of abortion to be the most reproachful. Yet, a recent study conducted by National Public Radio found that three-quarters of respondents to the poll want abortion to remain legal in this country. (13) Furthermore, we see hordes of liberals rising up and defiantly demanding completely unfettered access to abortion. Their words and actions in recent days show that they will seek to destroy anyone who dares stand in their way.

Consider, for example, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. Just as some of his colleagues have done recently in other states, Edwards recently signed a heartbeat bill in his state that if enacted would ban abortions after a baby's heartbeat can be detected in the womb. The most remarkable thing about this development is the fact that Governor Edwards is a Democrat. After news broke of his intent to sign the bill, members of the Democrat Party were livid. Regarding the issue, Representative Pramila Jayapal was quoted as saying, "I do think that there should be a set of core Democratic ideals that we all agree to. You can't say you're a Democrat if you're against immigrants, if you're against abortion, if you're against gay marriage and LGBTQ rights. I'm not sure what it means to be a Democrat if all of those things are true." (14) On the other end of the spectrum, Kristen Day, who is the executive director of a group known as Democrats for Life, complained that others in her party are actively attempting to expel the small minority of Democrats who oppose abortion. "It's all about abortion; they just don't want anyone who opposes abortion. They're kicking people out of the party instead of trying to bring people in," Day said. (15)

A further demonstration of liberal intolerance can be found in the recent upheaval in the state of Georgia. Members of Hollywood's elite have been hopping mad about Georgia's new heartbeat law, which has not taken effect yet and may not survive legal challenges. Nevertheless, numerous Hollywood companies have threatened to pull all operations out of Georgia if the new law is implemented. This includes Netflix, the famed producer of TV shows and movies, which recently resurrected the devil-glorifying television program known as "Lucifer." (It had been canceled by Fox.) (16) In regards to Georgia's new law, Netflix's Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos told a news reporter, "We have many women working on production in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others will be severely restricted by this law. It's why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we'll continue to film there, while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we'd rethink our entire investment in Georgia." (17) Other companies that have threatened to pull out of Georgia include WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal, CBS, AMC, Sony, Viacom, and the Walt Disney Company. (18) Disney, despite its reputation as a purveyor of family-friendly entertainment, evidently does not value the innocent lives of the unborn.

Another example of the callous nature of the "pro-choice" crowd is demonstrated by an open letter that was published in June 2019 and signed by more than 180 chief executive officers from American companies. In this letter these executives claimed that new laws intended to restrict abortion are "bad for business" and complained that such restrictions would "hinder people's health independence and ability to fully succeed in the workplace." (19) This attitude is nothing new. Pagan cultures who lived thousands of years ago would often sacrifice their children in the hopes that their false deities would bless them with prosperity.

Meanwhile, the state of Illinois has recently passed legislation that will eliminate most regulations that limited abortions in the state. This heinous law declares that "a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights." The new law further eliminates a rule established in 1975 that required the people of Illinois to obtain spousal consent before receiving an abortion. Waiting periods were also removed from the law books as well as criminal penalties for abortion providers, thus essentially giving such institutions free-reign to do as they please. (20)

In addition to these repulsive news accounts, California Governor Gavin Newsom wants his state to be a haven for abortionists, and in a recent statement, he encouraged women to come to California to end their unborn children's lives. "California will continue to uphold women's equality and liberty by protecting their reproductive freedom, educating Californians about their rights to reproductive freedom, welcoming women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights, and acting as a model for other states that want to ensure full reproductive freedom for women," Newsom declared. (21) Finally, New York City now has the distinction of being the first city in the United States to offer funding for abortions. "I'm proud that we're doing this," said New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. (22)

Clearly, the pro-choice crowd is rising up and demanding more bloodshed. Abortion is a core value of the Democratic Party, and there are people who will stop at nothing to ensure that women and girls can obtain abortions whenever they want one. In fact, the magazine known as Teen Vogue recently instructed teenagers on how to proceed if they wish to procure an abortion without their parents finding out. "Having access to abortion should be your right regardless of your parents' beliefs," the article states while further instructing the young impressionable readers regarding the logistics of obtaining a judicial bypass. (23)

"Pro-choice" advocates, which ironically deprive the unborn of any and all choices, often refer to a baby in the womb as a fetus and suggest that it is just an unfeeling blob of cells. Yet, a recent birth in Japan proves that even a tiny underdeveloped baby is still a human being. In August 2018 the smallest baby ever documented was born in the city of Tokyo. He was only 24 weeks old at his time of birth and he weighed just 9.45 ounces. By February 2019 the boy had grown to over seven pounds and was discharged from the hospital. Regardless of how small they may be, those so-called "blobs of cells" are God's handiwork. For as it tells us in Psalm 139:13-14, "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." (24)

America - A Nation Filled With Pride

In Proverbs 16:18 we are warned, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Despite this warning, which all God-fearing people should note, the United States of America is a nation that is filled with more pride than ever before. Each year the month of June becomes Pride Month as the masses gather to celebrate LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or sometimes queer) lifestyles. The celebration has become so mainstream that it is not unusual to hear people wishing others "Happy Pride" even as many thousands of people gather for Pride parades all over the country. Politicians love participating, and this evidently includes the current President of the United States, Donald Trump. On May 31, 2019, Trump recognized Pride Month for the first time when he posted a message on Twitter commending "the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation…" (25)

Homosexuality has gained such acceptance in this country that it is possible that the next President of the United States could be an openly gay man. Pete Buttigieg, who is the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and is currently a Democratic contender for President in the 2020 election, seems to be rising in popularity and was recently praised by President Trump. In an appearance on the Fox News program "The Next Revolution", Trump told host Steve Hilton regarding Buttigieg's same-sex marriage, "I think that's something that perhaps some people will have a problem with. I have no problem with it whatsoever. I think it's good." (26) The well-liked mayor from Indiana recently spent time with former American President Jimmy Carter. In early May 2019, it was reported that Buttigieg and his husband had met with Carter in the state of Georgia. They attended Carter's Sunday school class, and the gay candidate read to children from the Bible at the request of the former President. (27)

It is an undeniable fact that children are being groomed to accept homosexuality and transgenderism. In fact, some American Middle Schools have even erected rainbow flags in June 2019 to celebrate Pride Month. This includes schools in Antioch, California; San Jose, California; and Powhatan, Virginia. (28) Even more troubling is the programming children are being shown on television.

On May 13, 2019, PBS aired an episode of the animated children's show known as "Arthur." The episode which is titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone" is about a third-grade school teacher who in the end marries another character of the same sex while the wedding is attended by his young pupils. (29) There was some controversy regarding the episode, and Alabama Public Television refused to air it. However, First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, decided to step in and screened the episode at its church on June 15, 2019. (30)

Cartoon Network also got in the act and has been promoting Pride Month. The channel, which is loved by children, posted an image featuring characters from its show "Powerpuff Girls" along with a message that said, "We want to wish everyone a HAPPY PRIDE and encourage all of our LGBTQ fans to stand proud all year long!" (31) Not to be outdone, the children's program known as "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" introduced two lesbian characters in June 2019 episode. "I think it's fantastic that we can show that what truly defines a family is love - that to me, is the core of My Little Pony," said co-showrunner Nicole Dubac. (32)

Yes, these days it seems that LGBTQ Pride is everywhere, and that includes churches in these modern times. In fact, a church in Leander, Texas, recently announced plans to host a "Drag Queen Story Time" at the city's public library. After leaders at the Open Cathedral Church learned that an initially planned event at the library had been canceled, they stepped in and reserved a room at the facility so that the event could go forward. A June 6, 2019, article reported that church leaders at the time were in the process of interviewing drag queens in an effort to find the best one to read to young children. (33)

Clearly, there are many professing Christian who have a profound lack of Biblical understanding. This includes Sonny Hostin from the television program known as "The View." After bragging on the show that she intended to take her children to a Pride Parade, she further went on to say, "You know, my faith always taught me 'What would Jesus do?' And I know Jesus would be attending that pride parade with pride." (34) Perhaps this is the greatest problem of all. Modern day Christians have embraced and are teaching another Jesus. It is not the Jesus of the Bible, but a Jesus of their own liking. It calls to mind the words of the Apostle Paul written in II Corinthians 11:3-4, which tells us, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." We are also admonished in Galatians 1:6-8, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

In closing, as mankind continues to carry on with its endeavors, we see many notable things happening within God's creation. The United States continues to battle major flooding that is more devastating than anything I have ever seen. According to a report from June 10, 2019, by USA Today, portions of the United States received a month's worth of rain in one day. "The same storm system that linked up with tropical moisture and dropped more than a foot of rain in portions of the south-central United States is crawling eastward," said meteorologist Renee Duff. (35) This weather came after the state of Kansas set a record for precipitation in the month of May where nineteen weather stations recorded totals of more than twenty inches of rain. (36) Furthermore, there was a streak of thirteen days in a row in the United States where tornadoes struck the United States. (37) In other notable news, the Los Angeles Times reported on June 19, 2019, that the state of California had just endured a three-week long streak of more than one thousand earthquakes. The quakes struck in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. (38) Much is happening, and we must continue to be on guard in these eventful days as we continue to seek God's wisdom and guidance.

Thank you all for your kind support of this ministry. Please remember that we are here to pray for you and your needs. We always give each prayer request individual attention. I also want to thank all of you who contacted our ministry regarding my health concerns. I appreciate your prayers. My vision has improved greatly over the course of the last month, and my symptoms related to diabetes are getting better, too. I am trusting God to help me, and by His grace, we will continue to publish this newsletter for years to come if this world persists that long and the Lord enables us. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.