Satan and COVID-19

"Certainly, the rampant immorality, persecution of God’s people, killing of babies and genocide of cultural groups are all reasons enough for Him to act." 

"I remember speaking in this room when it was jam-packed with pastors."  Dr. Rev. Jerry Schmoyer,
 Recent Pastor's Conference Attendance in India Limited Due to COVID Crisis 

By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer
Christian Training Organization

The following post was used with permission from the Christian Training Organization. For more information about their ministry and mission please visit their website at christiantrainingonline.org/

SATAN AND COVID-19

When something bad happens, some people want to know whose fault it is and why it is happening. Some Christians are asking the same question about Covid-19. Is this from Satan? Is this all made up by the government? Is God bringing judgment on the world? Or is it just a fluke of nature? I must admit I wonder about those things myself – or I wouldn’t be writing this blog!

The Covid-19 crisis could be from Satan, who is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). In Job we see Satan was responsible for Job’s skin disease and other calamities to his family (Job 1-2). Satan loves to murder, destroy (John 8:44), and promote fear. But even if Satan intends it for evil, God will use it for good (Genesis 50:20).

Additionally, Covid could be from God who used plagues as a means of discipline or punishment (Exodus 11:1; 32:35; Leviticus 26:25; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; Jeremiah 21:7; Revelation 6-20). Certainly, the rampant immorality, persecution of God’s people, killing of babies and genocide of cultural groups are all reasons enough for Him to act. Is Covid a warning, like many believe 9-11 was? Could it be part of the early birth pangs predicted before Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:8)? Or is it a natural consequence of the fall and brokenness of nature since the Garden of Eden.

Whatever the reason, God uses all things to accomplish His purposes. (Amos 4:10). If God is sovereign then everything comes back to Him. Even what Satan does is under God’s ultimate authority (1 John 4:4; Job 1-2). So, which is it? I don’t know, and I don’t think we can know.

I can say with confidence Satan loves to use times like these to bring about fear and death. Deaths from suicide and drug overdoses are increasing, as well as those that have already died from the virus. He can ignite political unrest and racial tensions. Economic problems are in his toolbox too. He desires us to be a godless country. Satan will take advantage of anything he can and uses it for his purpose. But God is ultimately in total control (Lamentations 3:37-39; Psalm 115:3; 135:6)

Perhaps if we knew just what God has planned in all this it would help us better adjust and trust. But we don’t know. Trusting in a sovereign God who loves us and wants our best is our solution no matter the cause. He promises to care for us as He does for the sparrows (Matthew 19:29-31). So, whatever is going on, God is still in control and always will be. We are safe in the loving care of our Father Who loves us so much He sent His only Son from heaven to die on the cross for us. We are in good hands (Psalm 30:4).

Colossians 1:16–17 "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

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Philly Teacher Worries 'Conservative Parents' Can Now See His Virtual Classes and Catch Him 'Destabilizing' Their Kids

"conservative parents" were his chief concern as a teacher "if we are engaged in the messy work of destabilizing a kid's racism or homophobia or transphobia."

By CBN News

A Philadelphia public school teacher's question on Twitter over the weekend has gone viral after he wondered aloud to the social network's universe that virtual classes might allow parents to hear him indoctrinating their kids.

Matthew Kay, who teaches English at the Science Leadership Academy, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tweeted over the weekend he's concerned about the "damage" that "helicopter parents" might cause if they overhear lessons on topics such as gender and sexuality, the Daily Wire reported.

The Washington Examiner reports in Philadelphia, students will begin learning through online classes before transitioning to a hybrid learning method of online and in-person classes.

The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh shared screenshots of Kay's post on Sunday before it received a lot of backlash and was set to private.

"Public school teachers are afraid that you might be able to hear them brainwashing your kids," Walsh posted.

"So, this fall, virtual class discussion will have many potential spectators — parents, siblings, etc. — in the same room. We'll never be quite sure who is overhearing the discourse. What does this do for our equity/inclusion work?" Kay tweeted. "How much have students depended on the (somewhat) secure barriers of our physical classrooms to encourage vulnerability? How many of us have installed some version of 'what happens here stays here' to help this?"

Kay continued, writing that "conservative parents" were his chief concern as a teacher "if we are engaged in the messy work of destabilizing a kid's racism or homophobia or transphobia."

Click here for link to CBN article

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Chinese Churches Are Ordered to Praise Socialism, Slander the United States

In Henan, one church was not allowed to reopen because officials did not approve the pastor’s sermons.

By Michael Foust
Christian Headlines

State-approved churches in China that were forced to close due to the pandemic are being allowed to reopen only if they use their sermons for “patriotic education” and to support the Communist Party, according to a new report.

In one region of China, pastors even were required to slander the United States.

The controversy involves churches that are part of the Three-Self movement and that are allowed to operate legally under government restrictions.

The report was released by Bitter Winter, a watchdog that monitors violations of religious liberty in China.

“Those that fail to meet the prerequisites are not allowed to reopen,” Bitter Winter reported.

In June, the Religious Affairs Bureau of Zhengzhou, the capital of the province of Henan, released a list of 42 prerequisites for churches that want to reopen. Among them, churches are to “intensify patriotic education” and “study China’s religious policies,” Bitter Winter reported.

Churches also must promote the so-called “four requirements,” a nationwide campaign that originated in 2018 and involves: 1) requiring religious communities to ritually raise the national flag, 2) promoting the Chinese constitution and laws, 3) promoting “core socialist values,” and, 4) promoting “China’s excellent traditional culture.”

In Henan, one church was not allowed to reopen because officials did not approve the pastor’s sermons.

“None of the 11 places of worship in our area was approved for reopening,” a deacon in the church told Bitter Winter. “We were busy preparing to meet the requirements for reopening, but the government made things difficult for us in every respect.”

Churches that did reopen often left members unhappy about the sermon content.

“Instead of a normal sermon, the preacher talked about the patriotism of medical workers during the epidemic, and their sacrifice to the state,” a member of a Three-Self church told Bitter Winter. “These things are important, but political things were discussed for half of the time. Many believers complained afterward.”

Website: Christian Headlines

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Wedding Officiant Sues Ohio County over Law Forcing Ministers to Officiate Same-Sex Weddings

“we all lose when bureaucrats can force citizens to participate in religious ceremonies they oppose, speak messages they disagree with and stay silent about beliefs they hold dear.”

Kristi Stokes (center), owner of Covenant Weddings in Cuyahoga, 

County Ohio, interacting with a bride and groom at a wedding 

photo shoot. | Courtesy of ADF

By Anughar Kumar
Christian Post 

An ordained minister in Ohio has filed a federal lawsuit against Cuyahoga County, challenging a law that would require her to officiate same-sex marriage ceremonies or face a fine of $5,000.

Kristi Stokes, an evangelical Christian and the owner of Covenant Weddings, filed the lawsuit this week at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

The county recently passed a law that forbids businesses from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, says the Christian legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed the suit on behalf of Stokes.

The law applies to any “place for the sale of merchandise to the public, or any other place of public accommodation or amusement where the accommodation advantages, facilities, or privileges thereof are available to the public.”

“Like other ministers, Kristi chooses which weddings to officiate and write about based on her faith,” the lawsuit says. “While Kristi works with and tries to convey God’s love to everyone no matter who they are, she can only celebrate weddings consistent with her beliefs.”

“Since a young age, I’ve dedicated my life to ministry, and today I love serving my community by officiating and writing for weddings,” Stokes said. “My religious beliefs influence every aspect of my life, and I can’t simply put my religious identity into separate personal and professional boxes. If you’re looking for someone to officiate your wedding, and you’re hoping to incorporate a cannabis theme or write prayers to celebrate an open marriage, I’m not your girl.”

The lawsuit says, “… Because Kristi offers wedding services that celebrate marriage between one biological man and one biological woman, the County says she must also provide the same services for weddings that contradict her beliefs or Kristi commits illegal ‘discrimination.’”

This, in turn, means that Stokes “must officiate same-sex weddings, pray over same-sex marriages, write vows calling biological men women, write homilies using incorrect or gender-neutral pronouns (like Per, Xe, and Ze) or face heavy fines, attorney fees, and injunctions,” the suit adds.

The law also forbids Stokes from explaining on her company’s website or social media “that she can only provide wedding services consistent with her religious views on marriage and gender.”

“No one should be forced to officiate ceremonies that conflict with their religious beliefs,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson. “Because of Cuyahoga County’s law, Kristi faces an impossible choice: disobey the law, defy her own faith, or ditch her business. Many different religions and countless people of goodwill believe that weddings are sacred ceremonies between one man and one woman.”

Christian Post article continues

Persecution Unveiled has been called to prick the consciences of our nation and all free people to pray for, speak up and act on behalf of those who are persecuted for their faith. Follow us on Pinterest.