A Word to Persecuted Christians around the World

Many of you who are reading this live in countries where you are being severely persecuted for being a Christian.  I write as your sister in Christ to encourage you in the Lord.

Psalm 34:19 reminds us that "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

The Lord would say to you today, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, "Do not be discouraged and do not be afraid. I have not forgotten you.  I am nearer to you than you think.  I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Stand fast, for I will sustain you.  Keep your eyes focused on Me, for I am your refuge and your fortress.  In Me you will have peace in the midst of the storm.  Pray for your enemies.  Bless those who persecute you, for their eyes are blinded to the truth.  This world is fast passing away, but your reward is forever.  Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Dear ones, let us keep our eyes on Jesus. As we do, He will give us perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).  As the Lord commands, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

As the world grows darker and darker, the Light of Christ in you will grow brighter and brighter.  We are children of the Light, and Light always dispels darkness.  Let us stand strong in the Light, for that Light is ignited by Love.

And Love never fails.
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Copyright 2014 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. 

Is the World Coming to an End?

There’s something in the air. Everyone seems to sense it in one way or another. It feels like a dark cloud covering the earth, overshadowing it with increasing darkness.

Fear is reaching epidemic proportions as people listen daily to the constant barrage of bad news. Climate patterns have become erratic, resulting in earthquakes and tornadoes in places that rarely, if ever, witness them. Diseases once thought extinct are resurging, as are new strains of viruses and plagues.

People are becoming more rude, more selfish, and more defiant. Traditional values are being superseded by blatant rebellion against the laws of decency and self-respect. In short, the world seems to be falling apart.

Granted, we live in an age of instant communication when the air waves transmit wars in all of their ugly immediacy.  But the truth is that things are coming to a head in the earth.  And that head will be none too pretty.

So, what is really happening? Is the world really coming to an end, and, if so, what should we do about it?

What is really happening is a battle as old as time.  It is a spiritual battle, and the main players are Satan vs. God.  Scripture tells us that Satan, originally named Lucifer, was the Angel of Worship in Heaven.  He became proud and attempted to overthrow God Himself.  But, of course, no one can overthrow God.  So God cast Satan out of Heaven.

Enraged at his fall, Satan vented his anger on God's creation, Adam and Eve.  He tempted them by maligning God's character. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve fell for his temptation and, as a result, they forfeited their dominion over the earth and handed it over to Satan. Since then, Satan has been the god of this world.  All evil comes from him.

When Jesus Christ came to earth to die on the Cross, He broke Satan's hold on man. From that moment forward, any person who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord regains dominion over Satan.

And Satan doesn't like that one bit.

The Bible speaks of many events that will take place before the return of Jesus Christ.  Yes, Jesus is returning to earth.  His return will be in two stages:  1) He will appear in the skies and draw to Himself all those who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord;  2) After seven years of tribulation, He will return with the armies of Heaven to destroy the enemies of Israel and set up His millennial reign as King of the Earth.

These prophecies are recorded throughout the Bible, particularly in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Ezekiel, the Book of Matthew, and the Book of Revelation.  Just as Satan could not stand against God, so Israel's enemies will not be able to stand against God. It is a dangerous and futile fight to oppose Israel, because in opposing Israel, one is actually opposing Israel's God.

You will be affected by Christ’s return to earth. How you will be affected is entirely up to you.  If you choose to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will be taken up with all those who trust and obey Him.  If you refuse to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will be left behind to endure the horror of the Great Tribulation and, worst of all, the horror of eternal damnation and eternal separation from God.

God created you because He wanted a personal relationship with you. That relationship is possible only through Jesus Christ.  When you accept Jesus, you accept a personal relationship with God the Father.

Don’t delay any longer.  Although we do not know exactly when the end of the world as we know it will come, we also do not know when our own personal end on this earth will come.  Why take a chance with the salvation of your soul?  Why risk losing Heaven for a momentary pleasure?

If you are reading this, God is calling you to Him because He loves you.  He does not want you to die in your sins.  He has provided a way of escape for you, and that way is Jesus Christ.

Accept your Savior today.  Make Him the Lord of your life.  You will then understand the meaning of true peace, true joy, and true love.

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Copyright 2014 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio.  All Rights Reserved.
Photo Source: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1887. Painting by Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov.