davidbowerkingwood

CHAZ

Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone

We are witnessing today, a phenomenon I had never expected to see in the United States; a large American city that has willingly abandoned a significant portion of the city to a group of anarchists. Seattle, Washington is allowing a group of anarchists to occupy a portion of the city, and is giving tacit permission for them to be there.

A member of the Democrat controlled city council is even suggesting the police station in the area should be turned over to them completely. The CHAZ area has been designated as a “no cop” zone and police are not welcome in the zone. Internal disputes have arisen over the name, some wanting the area to be designated as Capitol Hill Organized (or Occupied) Protest, CHOP.

When you add this to the rioting in Democrat controlled cities all over the United States, it seems as if the spiritual war is beginning to heat up! It seems the carnage which has largely been absent from this struggle is beginning to proliferate across the country.

We Have Been Warned!

It would appear there is a spirit of deception raging across the United States. The events we are witnessing make no sense at all; one feels at a loss to understand the driving force behind these bizarre events. In the Bible we have been warned about the end times and it appears to me we are there right now. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it is written:

3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ² For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. ³ They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. ⁴ They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. ⁵ They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

If these are truly the times referenced, then we know God is setting the stage for the Antichrist and the removal of the church is coming soon. In the meantime, as soldiers of the cross who will live out our entire lives on the spiritual battlefield, we simply must accept the fact that we can only operate in the power of God, the Holy Spirit.

I first published this series on the Spiritual War in June of 2014; in light of current developments I thought it fitting to update it and publish it again.

Like it or Not, You’re a Soldier if You’re a Christian

Have you ever thought of yourself as a soldier? There are few classic physical manifestations of warfare in most of our lives; we’re not surrounded by bombed out villages and carnage so we may doubt the reality of a spiritual war or be lulled into thinking we really don’t have to be involved in any “spiritual warfare.” If you’re thinking any variation of these thoughts then you’re wrong and potentially endangering yourself and others.

Although it will change during the final conflict, we are now dealing with destruction and carnage in the lives of everyone at a spiritual level as the spiritual battle for men’s soul’s rages around us. The carnage is being displayed in many lives as people make bad choices and cause themselves and others serious harm. Broken lives, broken marriages, broken commitments of many sorts litter the battlefield of this war.

What is Going On Today in the World?

Last week (June 10, 2014), I wrote on right and wrong and this week I would like to dig into more of the background that has produced the framework for this spiritual battle between right and wrong. While the trend in society seems to involve an abandonment of objective moral standards; the problem of right and wrong, and good versus evil, goes back to a time before the creation of man.

It is entirely possible that we are approaching the climax of this ancient struggle; the Bible has outlined the general conditions that will prevail at that time and it appears that more and more pieces are falling into place. God moves according to His own timetable so this climax may occur within the next few years or the next few hundred years.

I feel it a real blessing that God is waiting; it is pointed out in 2 Peter 3:8-9, “⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

I suspect each of you can join with me in an outpouring of praise to the Lord for our opportunity to join the body of Christ by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. By God’s grace we are still living in a time when an increasing number of people all over the world are being saved. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47b It is exciting to see how many are coming to the Lord in faith and being saved each day that passes!

Photo from KNKX public radio. “Ranked as one of the most popular public radio stations in the nation, KNKX has served the Pacific Northwest since 1966.” www.knkx.org.

Next time, some background information.