It’s Tuesday, April 7th, 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
Nepali Christian woman arrested over coronavirus
COVID-19 has become a pretense for the persecution of Christians in some sectors of the world.
International Christian Concern reports that a Nepali Christian woman, Janaki Dhugana, was arrested for saying something about the coronavirus. The woman is known by the local community for praying over the sick.
She was required to pay 5,000 rupees for her alleged crime. Local pastors say that “the coronavirus situation has allowed the police to arrest and harass the Christian community.”
Benham arrested for pro-life sidewalk counseling over COVID-19
David Benham, a pro-life Christian author, was arrested for sidewalk counseling outside of an open-for-business abortion mill in North Carolina. Not only did Benham’s group, Cities for Life Charlotte, have fewer than 10 people, they also practiced social distancing.
Listen to the encounter, caught on video, between the policeman and Benham as he was arrested.
BENHAM: “I know you’re acting under the advice of your attorney. We have the authority to be here.”
POLICEMAN: “If we did not feel like we had firm legal standing, we would not be doing this.”
BENHAM: “I understand and I appreciate your service. I really do.”
POLICEMAN: “So that’s why all these police officers are here. We’re prepared for this.”
BENHAM: “I understand. I’m very thankful.”
POLICEMAN: “If you want to make this, draw this line in the sand.”
BENHAM: “No, it’s not me drawing the line in the sand. We are recognized charity.”
POLICEMAN: “Who is it?”
BENHAM: “We are recognized charity. You know, this. We are offering essential services to these mothers and you know this. And we are practicing social distancing. We are doing everything well within the ordinance, well within the provision.”
POLICEMAN: “It’s a state statute.”
BENHAM: “It’s well within the statute.”
Benham told the Daily Wire, “This is selective enforcement of the law. [They] are coming after us because we’re standing in front of an abortion clinic.”
Taking to Twitter, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a constitutional attorney, called this “an unconstitutional arrest.” He said Benham was exercising “core First Amendment rights” and insisted that the elected Democrat leaders are “pro-abortion” and “abusing their power — in a one-sided way to silence pregnancy counselors.”
American COVID-19 deaths top 11,000
U.S. deaths attributed to the coronavirus have now topped almost 11,000, according to the Coronavirus Sick Map.
The U.S. has sustained an average of 1,000 deaths per day since April 1st, for five days now.
The American deaths from COVID-19 are about 25% of the 40,000 influenza-caused deaths experienced on average in the United States over the last few seasons.
Dow Jones up 1,600 points
The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a positive correction of 1,600 points yesterday, on reports that new cases may be leveling off in New York and New Jersey, reports CNBC.
However, the closing mark of 22,680 still represents a 7,000-point drop from February’s high.
Iran, Italy and South Korea witness decrease in COVID-19 deaths
New COVID-19 cases in Iran have begun decreasing since March 30th, after steadily increasing over a period of one month.
Beginning March 26th, Italy also witnessed a decrease in the number of new cases. And active cases in South Korea have been on a steady decrease since March 15th, down to 3,600 from 7,500.
British Prime Minister moved to ICU
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was diagnosed with COVID-19, has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit after his condition worsened, reports the Washington Post.
The UK death rate from the virus is the seventh highest for large countries, following Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain.
Queen Elizabeth fails to acknowledge God in COVID-19 address
Queen Elizabeth addressed the nation concerning the present crisis, but made no mention of God, of faith in God, humility, or repentance before God.
Listen to one sentence of her 4-minute address which is representative.
QUEEN ELIZABETH: “Together, we are tackling this disease. And I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.”
Psalm 146:3-5 warns, “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.”
7% of U.S. churches holding in-person services
Lifeway Research reports that 7% of US churches are still holding live in-person services, as of March 29th.
On March 1st, 99% of churches held in-person services. On March 8th, 95% of churches held in-person services. On March 15th, 64% of churches held in-person services. And on March 22nd, 11% of churches held in-person services.
Only 3% of U.S. churches say they will have an in-person gathering — no matter what.
90-year-old COVID-19 survivor glorifies God
And finally, a 90-year-old woman in Kirkland, Washington survived the coronavirus and gives credits to God for it, reports CBN.
At one point, doctors didn’t think Geneva Wood would make it, and they called her family for final goodbyes. But she finally pulled through by the grace of God.
Now, since the start of her audio is a little hard to understand, I want to make sure that you know that she says, “If it had not been for my faith in God and my family …”
Listen to Mrs. Wood as she glorifies God in her interview with CBN News.
WOOD: “If it hadn’t have been for my faith in God and my family and their prayers and all their families and the church and everything. And just the faith and prayers pulled me through.”
Friends, this week especially, we are reminded that we have no fear of death, because Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:19-20 and 56-57 says, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. … The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, April 7th 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.