Covid-19 has changed its label before

In late 2019 Covid-19 was an outbreak of a new virus within the coronavirus family. Months later, in early 2020 the Covid-19 virus changed from a local outbreak that was localized in Wuhan, China region to a full-scale pandemic that easily crossed borders and continents.

Surfing the waves to a Covid-19 endemic

As the 4th wave of the virus begins its surge in various regions of the world, is it time to see this virus as changing again from pandemic to endemic?

This would mean that the virus would be unique in its variation to each section of our globe. It also means that we would begin treating it as we do the common cold or the flu. It is here to stay and the best way to “live with it” is by yearly vaccines (like the flu) that will attack the most prevalent strain of the virus.

Making the virus the norm and not masks

Should we only be treating the outbreak areas to keep numbers low to make it easier on the local health care system? By doing such a thing we can continue with our lives and keep our economy functioning.

Because of the seriousness of the disease, this could only be possible if the majority of the population are fully vaccinated. Once the majority of the world’s population is fully immunized, we can move forward without masks and distancing.

Trusting souls in trustworthy leaders

Yes, there will always be people who cannot get vaccinated for health reasons or because it violates their conscience. Such people should not be vilified. Their rights and freedoms must be respected. Rather, it is the task of governments to communicate honestly, openly, and effectively with their citizens. More than masks, vaccines, conspiracy theories, and protests, Covid-19 will only be brought under control by TRUST in the system.

A worthy goal

What I wouldn’t give for a handshake or a hug. Hey, I’d even settle for a fist bump at this point. Rubbing elbows just doesn’t cut it!

The post Is it now the Covid-19 ENDEMIC? appeared first on MacDonald Publishing.

Due to the seriousness of this subject, I have chosen to read from many various authoritative sources as well as from independents. I find that reading is much different than watching a video. With reading, I can more accurately verify the source of the information and the people behind it.

It also removes more of my emotion and places the emphasis on my thinking. Reading forces me to think it through slowly and carefully. It takes much more work to read than to watch and listen. It also separates out viral videos that may be more emotional than meaningful.

The following are some examples of searching various authoritative websites of higher and lesser degrees:

1. Healthline

2. British Society for Immunology

Of course, there are countless other sources where fact-checking is rigorous. The examples I offer thoughtfully differ on some of their opinions which is what I need to make my own informed decision. In the examples above, the emotional element is removed.

To quote one of them: “No medicine can ever be completely risk-free or 100% effective.“

This is so true! I think of the emergency measures of requiring a Covid-19 vaccine similar to that of blood transfusions during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

12 hours and AIDS

In 1986, both my wife and my newborn daughter were in emergency need of blood. However, the tainted blood scare was at its peak (two of my childhood friends who were hemophilic, died of AIDS via transfusions).

I was a new father for only 12 hours and my world was crumbling around me when my wife and child both became seriously in need of blood transfusions.

I quickly learned that the medical establishment could not offer me guarantees. It was then I truly learn to trust in God and make my best-informed decision with the information available. I also committed to never “dig in” with regard to my opinion on earthly things. I rigorously keep my mind open to new facts as they are learned and presented.

So it is with virus vaccines. Those involved do their best especially in emergency need situations but there are no guarantees. One must make their own decision. But please give equal time to all sides of the argument. Remember, it can’t be an informed decision if you are uninformed by only seek sources that are one-sided.

The post Do you watch or read Covid-19? appeared first on MacDonald Publishing.

With all the current buzz about various countries landing rovers and drones on the Martian surface, it is hard to believe that this is old hack. Besides Wells’ sci-fi prophecy of Martian attacks nearly 125 years ago, most people don’t realize that Mars was actually “conquered” by humans in the 1970s.

Follow along, and I’ll show you why this matters

On March 3, 1974, the Russians (USSR) crashed landed the first “lander” on Mars. The USA’s NASA had much more success in 1976 when it landed crafts from its Viking 1 and Viking 2 missions.

Primarily due to costs, missions to Mars slowed significantly after the 1970s. However, with a renewed interest in the prospects of water evidence being discovered, the race for the red planet resumed. The following groups have either past, current, or future missions regarding Mars:

• USA
• Russia
• Europe
• India
• Japan
• China

China’s Tianwen-1 mission is significant as it includes a lander, rover, and orbiter. Part of its tasks involves looking at the water content of the soil and to examine Martian climate and environment.

On May 14, 2021, the Tianwen-1 lander successfully landed. On May 22, the Zhurong rover descended from its lander onto the Martian surface to begin its scientific mission.

With the increasing focus on space and especially Mars, there are a few of questions I have:

1. Is Russia planning something devious?

After more than two decades of international cooperation in space research, Russia announced in May 2021 that it would be withdrawing from the International Space Station in 2025 and build and manage its own floating laboratory that will be launched into orbit by 2030.

What is Russia up to? What could be so secret that they don’t want to share anymore? You know that the building of a brand-new laboratory will NOT BE CHEAP! Especially if Russia is paying for the whole thing by themselves. They are therefore up to something and that is NEVER GOOD. So much for international research cooperation! This leads to my second question …

2. Will China surpass the USA?

The US has always competed in space against the Russians (USSR). Normally, Russia does something first but then is out bested by the US. Russia beat the world into space and to Mars, but again, the US was able to be more successful in both endeavours.

Ah, but now there’s China! As Russia pioneers and the US does it better, China has had a history of doing things more efficient and cheaper. I used to get a kick out of buying Canadian souvenirs as gifts only to read the bottom stickers “Made in China”. Will this be the case on Mars as well?

Up until this point the good guys normally won. USA, the supreme capitalists from the west had always given us a sense of comfort in knowing that they ruled the skies (all the way into space). But now things are changing. I guess my worry has to do with American politics more than anything.

The US is divided right down the middle between right and left, red and blue, Republican and Democrat. I have never seen it so divided. There seems to be no room for compromise and cooperation to get important things done. This might spill over into space and Mars exploration.

As the US wars within itself and alternates funding for programs every four years depending upon the person in the White House, China is forging ahead. Yes, I realize they are not the “good guys, but they are under a dictatorship that drives forward in a slow but consistent direction.

In the fable of “the tortoise and the hare,” the hare discounts and ridicules the tortoise for being so slow. This led to the hare’s undoing when he decides to take a nap while the slow-poke tortoise keeps on moving (right past the finish line).

Is the USA like the tortoise? Is it taking China’s slow but powerfully consistent progress for granted? Instead of a nap, is the US perhaps bouncing around all over the place full of energy but with no cohesive direction? I hope I’m wrong, but if this is the case we are in for trouble!

3. Will we see war on Mars, or worse?

Is this not a fair question? I mean, if the USA, Russia, and China are currently at battle-ready stations here on earth, what makes us think that if something valuable is found on Mars, the war will not be carried on there as well?

Of course, the war I am really worried about will never happen on the red planet, but it will on this blue planet we call home. If China or Russia discover something on Mars that is vital for progress here on earth, you know they will attempt to seize it. If China or Russia have advanced research, technology, and weapon systems surrounding our earth, you know that they will eventually attempt to use them.

4. Should anybody care about Mars?

I believe so, yes, and for a couple of very good reasons:

1) Technology

Through research and advancing space technology, we learn things when exploring space. The Apollo program brought us many technologies that are used in each of our everyday lives. Just imagine what a comprehensive Mars program could bring us.

2) Security

Also, we establish national security and international stability when we rule the skies and beyond. I sleep better at night knowing that the good guys have eyes in the sky to counteract the intentions of the bad guys.

So what?

The frightening thing is that what is discovered on Mars might be the spark that causes the fire of war to reign down upon us on earth. I am not afraid of Martians; I am afraid about Earthlings. It will not be a war of the worlds as much as it is a war of the world.

China’s landing on Mars this year has reminded me that while the USA fights vehemently against itself, other countries who are not our friends are consistently moving forward in advanced technologies. It’s time for the sleeping Hare to wake up and run once more against the Tortoise before the race is over.

Are you afraid? Share your comments with me

Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post. I would love to know your thoughts!

Until my next editorial post, keep seeking TRUTH!

Regards,
Mike MacDonald

mike@macdonaldpost.com

– – – – – –

About Mike MacDonald:

As an ordained theologian, Mike has served in many gospel ventures.
He has been a church pastor, chaplain, seminary vice-president,
Christian school principal, and creation evangelist. These roles have
built up an expertise in Mike’s ability to help people discover the true
essence of the Bible and how to make it apply in everyday life.

The post War of the Worlds in 2021 appeared first on MacDonald Publishing.

I mean, really stretch out and see what God has for you?

A common reason for a Christian’s failure is the fact that he/she doesn’t realize their full potential. Have you found yourself failing quite often in your Christian life? It may be due to a lack of realizing your God-given potential.

Over the last 40 years, I have witnessed Christians steadily convince themselves that they have very little potential. But there are 4 things you must know about the potential of God’s people. Consider the following from the Bible in 1 Kings 17:

1. Your potential in a pandemic is based on your priority (v. 1)

1 Kings 17:1     And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

What are your priorities? Circumstances change the priorities of some people. Some tell themselves, “God is #1 in my life as long as my life is good.”

Some people seek notoriety as their chief priority. They will neglect the things of God if they feel that it makes them look bad in the eyes of others. For some people it’s money. Their life’s decisions are based upon what earns them the greater riches, even though riches are deceitful and impossible to take to the grave.

Elijah was a mighty prophet of God. He did a lot of mighty works because his priorities were right. Elijah stood before Ahab, the king of Israel. If he played ball with the king and made Ahab’s requests his priority, he would have: 

1) prestige
2) a comfortable lifestyle
3) lots of wealth

However, he would never do any mighty miraculous works. Elijah stood before the king but kept his priorities straight. Instead of looking to earthly power he looked to heavenly power and proclaimed: “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.”

“before whom I stand” means before whom I serve!

What are your priorities?

2. Your potential in a pandemic is based on God’s power (v. 1)

Where does your power come from? Some people seek inner power of the mind. Some people seek earthy power of the earth’s produce such as crystals. Some people seek cosmic power of the stars.  Today, people want power and they will try the craziest things to get it!

The growing interest in astrology driven by millennials, as well as the popularity of crystals and tarot cards via the ballooning wellness industry, have brought mysticism from the fringes, and right into the mainstream.

The practice of witchcraft has seen major growth in recent decades. From 1990 to 2008, Trinity College in Connecticut ran three large, detailed religion surveys over an 18-year period and this is what surfaced:

Wiccans (witches) grew from an estimated 8,000 in 1990, to 340,000 practitioners in 2008. They also estimated there were around 340,000 Pagans in 2008 (polytheists, idolaters).

The Pew Research Center in 2014 found that almost 1.5 million Americans, identify as Wicca or Pagan. Folks, society is abandoning the Creator and are instead seeking creation for its power.

Elijah’s power came from God. He proclaimed, “as the Lord God of Israel liveth“. Elijah came in the name and power of the Lord. Elijah was willing to trust that God’s power was greater than Ahab’s.

True power!

When you pray for something do you seek God’s power? In 1990, I remember reading about the pastor of the world’s largest Christian congregation. The church is Yoido Full Gospel Central Church in Seoul, South Korea. Listen as I read a more recent excerpt about it:

Beginning in the 1980s, Full Gospel Central Church decided to establish satellite churches throughout the city of Seoul and further afield, as it would not be able to keep on expanding indefinitely. Despite the expansion of the auditorium to seat 12,000 in 1983, seven Sunday services were insufficient to accommodate the entire membership. As exponential growth continued, reaching 700,000 by 1992, the need for satellite churches became more pressing. Despite the drain of members to the satellite churches, however, new recruits by the mother church — brought in through the vast cell network – have made up for the losses, and membership stood at 780,000 in 2003.

Today, this one church has a membership of 800,000 and weekly attendance of 200,000. But, what was the cause of such miraculous growth? As I read more about the pastor’s life I came across this fact: The church’s senior pastor spends 3 hours each morning with God.

When you do service for God do you do it in the power of God? The important part of the Great Commission occurs in the words leading up to it when Jesus said, “All power is given unto me”.

3. Your potential in a pandemic is based on prompt obedience (vv. 2-5)

1 Kings 17:2-5     And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

Are you prompt to obey?

When looking back at our problems we find that many could have been avoided if we had taken the bull by the horns and obeyed God with haste.

For example, God’s word says that we are to correct our children early. In other words, we are not to put discipline off, do it immediately. Eli was the high priest of Israel, by all accounts he loved and served the lord; however, his son’s, Hophni and Phinehas, despised God and everything associated with God. Eli’s failure to chasten his son’s early in life lead to their demise.

Likewise, David was the king of Israel, he was a man after God’s own heart. Yet, through carelessness, he failed raise his sons in a like manner. There was great sin and even murder within his children’s lives. Somethings cannot be put off; prompt obedience is a must to reach our full potential!

God gave Elijah a command = “get thee hence” (v. 3)
AND …
Elijah’s response was immediate = “So he went” (v. 5)

When God says something, do it right away, before the flesh, world, & Satan talk you out of it!

4. Your potential in a pandemic is based on your persistence (vv. 7-10)

1 Kings 17:7-10         And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

Elijah stayed persistent with the Lord’s command long enough to see the brook dry up. He never left the Lord’s will for his life, no matter how lonely or bleak things looked. Once there were no more resources to sustain him, the Lord said move. In keeping with Elijah’s persistent character, he continued to obey the Lord no matter what.

The Saviour’s challenge

Many years later, the Lord Jesus Christ talked about the servant’s persistent living this way:

Luke 9:23     And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Are you persistent in living for God? One of the terms for discipleship is a daily living for Jesus. To fulfill your potential, you must not quit even in the hardest of times. The hardest times are the best time for success. They are the “make or break moments”. During such times you are standing next to victory. That’s why Satan’s crowd opposes you so much.

Anyone can be gifted in an area of life, but if it is not pursued it is wasted. Living for God is hard but if you quit after 1 month; 1 year; 10 years; or even 50 years, you will never see your great potential realized.

So, what about your potential in a pandemic?

“Potential” is by definition: the maximum limit you can achieve.

But what is the Christian’s potential? I suppose it is directly related to God’s potential. Does God have any limits? Is there anything that is able to stop Him or slow Him down?

In like manner, there is no limit to what you can do if you have:

1) the right PRIORITY – God 1st
2) the right POWER – God’s alone
3) PROMPT obedience – like Elijah’s
4) PERSISTENCE – like Jesus commands

Just think what you could do; your family could do; your church could do if you acted as Elijah and realized its full potential! Stop looking at your glass as half empty!

PRIORITY + POWER + PROMPTNESS + PERSISTENCE = POTENTIAL

Care to comment on this?

Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post. I would love to know your thoughts!

Until my next editorial post, keep seeking TRUTH!

Regards,
Mike MacDonald

mike@macdonaldpost.com

– – – – – –

About Mike MacDonald:

As an ordained theologian, Mike has served in many gospel ventures.
He has been a church pastor, chaplain, seminary vice-president,
Christian school principal, and creation evangelist. These roles have
built up an expertise in Mike’s ability to help people discover the true
essence of the Bible and how to make it apply in everyday life.

The post Potential in a pandemic? Yes! appeared first on MacDonald Publishing.

The politics

Christians get into politics when they lose sight of the value of Christ’s church. They get into politics because they want to get someone elected to government. They want to get into government so they can pass laws for their society. And, they want these laws so that their society will be obedient to a more biblical way of life.

The problem

God has already given our societies laws. They are commonly known as the Ten Commandments! If people will not obey the Ten Commandments, what makes us think they will obey our laws? If the Ten Commandments do not save a soul, what makes us think that heaping more of our own commandments will save a society?

The proof

Don’t believe me, read Revelation 20:

v. 4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

v. 7) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

v. 8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

For 1,000 years, Christ will rule the entire earth with perfect laws and perfect magistrates to enforce them. At the end of the 1,000 years, most of the people born during His perfect reign and under His perfect laws will rebel against Him by following Satan.

What makes us Christians think that we are better than our Master?

The power

So now you know why I won’t be running in the next election. Government is important. God instituted government in Genesis and as we have just read, will in the future set up His own government upon the earth. But laws do not save, they only control. Much of the time laws only serve to point out our flaws and force us into hiding behind the legalism of lawyers and religions.

Christian, instead of forcing more laws upon people, share your faith and testimony with others. Warn them of the literal eternal Hell for those dying in their own sin. Tell them of the saving grace that is only to be found in Jesus Christ.  Then watch the Holy Spirit transform individuals one-by-one from lost sinners into eternal saints.

No, I won’t be running in the next election. Our time is so limited. Do not waste it on dirty politics and failing results. The church must rise up by falling on its knees before God and begging for the power of witness!

Care to comment on this?

Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post. I would love to know your thoughts!

Until my next editorial post, keep seeking TRUTH!

Regards,
Mike MacDonald

mike@macdonaldpost.com

– – – – – –

About Mike MacDonald:

As an ordained theologian, Mike has served in many gospel ventures.
He has been a church pastor, chaplain, seminary vice-president,
Christian school principal, and creation evangelist. These roles have
built up an expertise in Mike’s ability to help people discover the true
essence of the Bible and how to make it apply in everyday life.

The post Why I won’t be running in the next election appeared first on MacDonald Publishing.

My daughter bought a parakeet a couple of months ago and did that little bird capture my attention. It was more than just some stick figure sitting on a perch belting out the occasion chirp. No, this was an Ace Ventura moment for me.

Instead, this bird put on a show for all to see. Go-jo, as she is called, exhibited the attributes of a full personality. Similar to my daughter’s dogs, the bird wanted to interact with its owners. And by interact, I mean to communicate and play.

Go-jo, flies casually throughout the house and lands just about anywhere to inspect just about anything. She will hop on your finger, look into your eyes, and issue sounds attempting to get your attention.

Why am I making such a big deal of this?

It is because for well over one hundred years now evolutionary scientists have been seeking to trace our lineage back to a common ancestor that is shared with all other species within the animal kingdom. I think of these scientists as viewing the animal kingdom as half empty.

What propels their notion of a common ancestor is the fact that we have so much in common with many of the critters that walk (or fly) this earth. As I have stated, animals such as Go-jo even have personalities and desire to communicate with us. This makes for a very big case in the evolutionary half-empty worldview.

Another reason perhaps?

But could there be another reason for the similarities between us and the animals? Could there be another reason that animals seek to communicate with us? Ladies and gentlemen, I propose to you a glass-half-full to ponder.

Instead of going down to the lowest common denominator and seeking some primordial RNA virus as our ancestor in common, what if we look upward instead? Could it just be possible that the real reason that humans and animals interact so well is that they have a common Creator?

Could it be possible that the account in Genesis is 100% historically accurate and that God originally created the animals to interact in a positive way with mankind under human leadership? That is exactly what the first couple of chapters of Genesis tell us.

So is Ace Ventura half empty or half full?

Like I said, something to ponder. So, the next time you watch an Ace Ventura movie, OR the next time a bird lands on your finger and strikes up a conversation, consider looking upward to a glass-half-full rather than looking downward to a glass-half-empty. Look at the animal as a created entity that was designed by a common Creator.

Care to comment on this?

Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post. I would love to know your thoughts!

Until my next editorial post, keep seeking TRUTH!

Regards,
Mike MacDonald

mike@macdonaldpost.com

– – – – – –

About Mike MacDonald:

As an ordained theologian, Mike has served in many gospel ventures.
He has been a church pastor, chaplain, seminary vice-president,
Christian school principal, and creation evangelist. These roles have
built up an expertise in Mike’s ability to help people discover the true
essence of the Bible and how to make it apply in everyday life.

The post Is Ace Ventura half empty or half full? appeared first on MacDonald Publishing.

“antichrist” = that which is opposite to that of Christ (whether an actual person or a mentality).

“herd” = a large group of animals of one kind that live together. (e.g., herd of cattle)

So, after examining these two definitions, why did I refer to herd immunity as being the spirit of antichrist? I do so for the following reasons:

1. It reduces people to animals

The very word “herd” is in reference to animals. Of course, this is exactly how Darwinists view humans. According to evolutionary theory, mankind is just a simple mindless extension of the circle of life that has accidentally arisen from the primordial soup of cosmic mud-like substances.

Following this path of thought leads us to think that we have no more rights than alley cats. But listen to God as He speaks through the Psalmist in the Old Testament (Psalms 8):

v. 3) When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

v. 4) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

v. 5) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

v. 6) Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

v. 7) All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

v. 8) The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

Wait a minute, God also refers to humans as sheep and goats!

Why am I griping about the referencing of humans as animals? God did the same thing in the Bible! He even refers to church elders as shepherds (pastors) over God’s flock. Doesn’t that put God’s speech in the same camp as Darwin’s?

It is true that God sometimes refers to people as sheep or goats. But there is a difference – a big difference! God’s reference to sheep and goats is metaphorical. However, when scientists refer to a large group of people as being apart of a herd (e.g., herd immunity), they are truly treating humans as if they are a collection of animals. This is the worldview of the health science departments in universities around the world.

The danger for the Christian is to get caught up using evolutionists’ words and unknowingly adopting to their mentality.

In the 1980 movie The Elephant Man, there is a line spoken by John Merrick (an intelligent, sensitive man who was born with a hideous disfigurement).

In his anguish of being treated as a freak in a sideshow, Merrick exclaims, “I am not an animal! I am a human being. I am a man.“

Such a powerful statement should shock us back to the reality that people are NOT animals. They do NOT congregate as a herd. Herd immunity is the spirit of antichrist.

2. It reduces Jesus Christ to an animal

When Christians get caught up in types of theistic evolution, they forget the ultimate insult it bears upon their God. God’s precious Son, Jesus, was sent to this earth in the form of a man. God the Son took on 100% humanity so that He could offer Himself as a man for the sins of mankind.

Reducing humans to the level of animals is of great insult to the Lord! Listen to God speak through the prophet of Hebrews in the New Testament:

Heb. 2:6          But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Heb. 2:7          Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Heb. 2:9          But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

3. The individual loses his/her value

Adapting a language leads to adapting a mentality leads to adapting a behaviour. Talking about people as being a herd of animals ultimately leads to treating people as being a herd of animals.

This is of the spirit of antichrist as it directly opposes the meaning behind Jesus’ parable of the sheep (Luke 15:4-6):

v. 4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

v. 5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

v. 6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Luke 15:7        I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Once again, this is a parable that metaphorically refers to humans as having some sheep-like qualities (not literally being animals sprouting from the same origin as sheep, as in Darwinism). Herd immunity is the spirit of antichrist.

Christ over communism

In this parable, Jesus did not use a herd immunity mentality but rather the opposite. He employed an individual value mentality. In herd immunity, the individual is expendable for the sake of the larger number. It is survival of the fittest where individuals do not matter, and weak ones are expendable for the good of the herd.

However, in Christ’s flock, every individual is equally precious to each other and to the group. The individual does not exist for the value of the group, rather the group exists for the value of the individual (many churches could learn something from this).

Herd mentality leads to communism. Everything is to be done for the good of the “Party” (herd). But here is the downside to that: When the individual loses their value, they become dissatisfied with their life. As each individual loses their zest for life, the society (herd) weakens. That which was made strong initially through herd immunity has unintentionally reduced its members to mere valueless objects within the commune. In time, the commune (herd) will implode upon itself.

So what?

The notion that you are part of a herd is fed by evolutionism that treats humans as being no different (and no more valuable) than animals. The fact that the individual loses their worth in comparison to the group is fed by godless communism.

When speaking with others I am certainly not angered when they the term “herd immunity”. However, I have begun to correct my own language by referring to it as “GROUP IMMUNITY”. I do not want to reduce humans to the level of animals. For sure, I do not want to reduce my Saviour to the level of an animal. I do not want to devalue an individual no matter how weak they are in comparison to the community.

Enough is enough! You are not an animal! You are not worth less than anyone else or even the group as a whole! No, you are the ONE for whom the Son of God came to find and to save! Remember, language means something. It creates thought and behaviour.

Care to comment on this?

Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post. I would love to know your thoughts!

Until my next editorial post, keep seeking TRUTH!

Regards,
Mike MacDonald

mike@macdonaldpost.com

– – – – – –

About Mike MacDonald:

As an ordained theologian, Mike has served in many gospel ventures.
He has been a church pastor, chaplain, seminary vice-president,
Christian school principal, and creation evangelist. These roles have
built up an expertise in Mike’s ability to help people discover the true
essence of the Bible and how to make it apply in everyday life.

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Luke 10:2 …

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

All these historical events were under the guidance of God. Yes, God uses bad things for His good. The phrase “no pain, no gain” was not coined by the Lord; but it was surely employed by Him many times.

What does this have to do with Covid-19 and the church?

Every time God’s people got comfortable in their lives, they got complacent – every time. God, who is great in mercy and patience permitted opportunities for repentance and revivals by sending messengers. Sometimes, the revivals would occur, but much of the time they did not. In such instances, God would SHAKE UP His people by bringing them heaps of trouble for which they could not resolve without His help.

Covid-19 and the church??

Did God give Covid-19 to the church? The book of Revelation is a prophetic letter written by John, the last remaining Apostle. It graphically lays out the future of our entire universe in amazing colour and detail. The first 3 chapters focus on the current “Church Age” that we have been a part of for the past 2,000 years. Seven letters were written in chapters 2 and 3 and addressed to 7 churches contemporary to John in his day.

However, these 7 churches also represented 7 historical stages that Christ’s church would go through (this double referencing is common to Bible prophecy). We know that these were historical stages because the rest of the book of Revelation is laid out in linear chronological fashion.

The last church type is the Laodicean church. It is known as the church of the people. Regrettably, all churches should be the church of the living God, not the people. For decades now, I have heard men preaching fiery sermons against our current church age and warning of how complacent we have become.

Covid-19?

It took a pandemic for this to fully expose the dire condition of Christ’s church. For a long time now, churches have stopped witnessing to the outside world and have turned inward upon themselves. Despite Christ’s command to go out into the world, the church has focussed its witnessing to the lost by inviting them to come into the church. As a result, we have built “seeker sensitive” church services rather than Saviour sensitive services.

The church was always meant to be for Christians who were saved, baptized, and voluntarily added to the church membership roll. There are New Testament passages that focus on disciplining individuals out of the church, but many current Bible churches aren’t even aware of who their fellow members truly are.

Visitors have always been encouraged to come and hear preaching at the typical church service; however, this eventually shifted the focus from training believers and instead focussing on using the services to evangelizing the lost. Over time, the churches discovered that through entertainment and political correctness, they could draw larger crowds. Church members were happy with the entertainment, programs, and fellowships, while at the same time feeling that they had fulfilled their Great Commission commitment by inviting others out to their meetings.

Churches even learned how to be accepted by the ever-growing secular humanism within their society.

Listen, as God explains our current church age:

Revelation 3:14-19…

14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Now Covid-19

Did God give Covid-19 to the church? As mentioned earlier in this editorial, God’s patience eventually wears thin, and He takes action. Our inward-looking Seeker Sensitive / Believer Entertaining / Politically Correct churches need to be exposed for their error.

This one tiny virus has rapidly spread throughout the earth bringing down economies and health care systems. The churches’ response? Don’t close us down we are essential! Essential to who? To its members? To those lost in sin?

It is no secret that today’s standard Bible believing church has become a social club with a time of preaching and prayer (don’t believe me, read Revelation 3 again). We have focussed on influencing our towns with a way of life rather than sharing with them THE way of life! We have become more interested in who our government leaders are than who our GREAT GOD is that sets up our government leaders.

When our governments issued decrees to limit our services, God was in charge. He always has been. God is using His political leaders (whether democratic, despot, or communist) to SHAKE UP His church and get out the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. This is exactly what has happened.

Here’s what is truly amazing

Bible churches have spread more of the gospel message to the world through government lockdowns than they were doing before Covid-19 hit. It is true! Many churches that have been operating only through a “come to church” evangelizing were forced to get out on the Internet and preach outward to the world.

Also, the church members have had to take a serious look into why they exist. They had to justify their importance to the world and as to who they truly answered to. Is our strength found in the church service or in Christ? They are not the same thing!

So, think about it

Has the past year under Covid-19 restrictions made you a stronger Christian? Have you found yourself digging deeper into God’s Word to find answers? OR have you turned further away from God and become another voice demanding the government do something.

God’s SHAKE DOWNS are divisive and decisive. To those turning to Scripture for understanding – Amen! To those turning to government – Revelation 3…

18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

How about one more example?

The Bible specifically shows of a time when Christians were permitted by God to be persecuted. This was not a lockdown from having a church service with more that 10 people in attendance. This persecution led believers to lose their homes, occupations, communities, and even their lives.

Take a look at Acts 11:19-21…

19) Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

20) And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21) And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

The scattering of the church led to a great number of new converts! These churchgoers didn’t rebel against government or even demand their rights. They rolled with the punches and preached the gospel!

How do we fair today with our persecution of Covid-19? Did God give Covid-19 to the church? I’d love to hear your comments – mike@macdonaldpost.com.

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In John 1:1, Scripture repeats the phrase found in Genesis 1:1, “in the beginning”.  This phrase refers to the beginning of our universe with its dimensions of time and space.  It keeps with the view that God is looking down on His creation as an outsider.  He is distant from us and this is the view that many people hold.  Even most agnostics hold to a view that if God does exist, He is out there somewhere looking on. 

The new “in the beginning”

However, unlike the story in Genesis chapter 1, the gospel of John chapter 1 goes beyond the origins of the universe. It gets downright personal.  John 1:14  provides a most amazing clause, “And the Word was made flesh”.  The apostle John tells us that at one point in history, God the Son lowered Himself to be one of us!  

Verse 14 changes everything.  Man is no longer bound to a vertical relationship with God.  Now that God has become a man in the person of Jesus Christ, our relationship to Him CAN BE horizontal as well.  Christ never ceased being God but has now added on the nature of a perfect man.  Of course, this was God’s plan right from “in the beginning”.  God knew that man would sin against is His law. But, because of His great love for us (John 3:16), God planned upon identifying with us and to be sacrificed upon the cross of Calvary.   

The point of my blog today is this:  the purpose of being a creationist is NOT to win endless debates against evolutionists; rather, it is to establish the connection between John 1:1 and John 1:14.  God created and then God saved.  All people upon this earth have benefited from John 1:1 but not everyone benefits from John 1:14. The latter requires the individual to humble themselves before a holy God and ask for the salvation of Jesus Christ.  Something to seriously consider! 

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