It’s Tuesday, July 14th, A.D. 2020. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Kevin Swanson
Chicago is threatening to bulldoze a church
Matt Staver, the Liberty Council President and attorney, told radio talk show host Todd Starnes the City of Chicago is threatening to bulldoze a church which will not comply with the COVID-19 requirements.
Chicago has referred to these churches as “public nuisances,” and have sent written notices, which, according to Staver, would involve the “destruction of the facility without any judicial process or further notice.”
California Governor shutting down all churches in 80% of state
California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced he is shutting down all places of worship in 30 critical counties in the state of California — affecting 80% of the state’s population.
The total deaths per million people is slightly up in the state, but still only 1/10 of what New York and New Jersey have experienced.
So far, California reports 7.053 deaths by COVID-19. That’s about the same number that die of the flu each year in the state, and one half the number of those who die of upper respiratory disease, and half of the number of despair deaths in a year (which averages around 14,000).
Proverbs 24:23 reminds all of us that “these things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.”
British taxpayers now subsidizing “eating out”
The British government has introduced a program, offering to cover half the tab for Brits who want to eat out at a restaurant, as another economic COVID recovery plan.
The Help Out to Eat Out program is expected to run the month of August.
Are Christians bailing on their faith during COVID shutdowns?
Is COVID-19 the opportunity many Americans have been waiting for to bail on the faith?
Barna Research found that 33% of practicing or professing Christians have stopped connecting with the church altogether — refusing to participate in Zoom services. That includes 35% of Gen X Christians and 26% of Baby Boomer Christians.
Hebrews 10:24-27 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”
Price of silver is up
The price of silver is soaring — hitting $19.32 per ounce on Monday — a 60% increase since March. And gold has topped $1,810 per ounce. These are the highest levels in eight years, reports CNBC.
Meanwhile, the stock market has corrected about 37% since March, far less of an improvement than the bullion markets.
Federal Reserve pumped $3 trillion into COVID-hit economy
The Federal Reserve has upped its commitment to purchase more of the nation’s assets, by throwing an additional $3 trillion on its balance sheets, as of Monday. By April 29th, the Fed had already pumped $2.3 trillion into the economy, according to the Washington Post.
These purchases will be mostly limited to U.S. Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities. However, this artificial infusion of capital is causing an artificial stimulus or irrational “frenzy” in the stocks.
The Wilshire 5000 to GDP has hit a record 1.6. These are unprecedented levels — far above the 1.0 ratio before the 2008 recession, and the historical average of 0.8. In other words, it’s the worst time in history to invest in stocks.
Open Doors: U.S. is limiting entrance to persecuted Christians
Brother Andrew’s organization, Open Doors, notes that the United States has virtually shut its doors to the persecuted Christian world since the election of Donald Trump in 2016.
The refugee program which used to take in an average of 81,000 persecuted persons per year, has reduced its intake to 22,874. Yet over 1 million people continue to receive permanent residence status each year in this country. The timing could not have been worse, in that the Christian church worldwide is suffering the greatest persecution in centuries.
In its 13-page report, Open Doors calls on the church to pray that “Congress and the administration will strengthen U.S. commitment to the persecuted through the refugee and asylum processes.”
Open Doors reports that over 240 million Christians are persecuted for their faith each year, and over 4,000 are martyred. Pray for the persecuted church today.
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, July 14th, in the year of our Lord 2020. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (adam@TheWorldView.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.