Tuesday, June 14th, in the year of our Lord 2016
By Kevin Swanson
Was popular singer, Christina Grimmie, known for her time on “The Voice”, killed this past Friday in Orlando for her Christian faith? Police are investigating Grimmie’s killing as a hate crime, after examining the recent posts and emails produced by her killer, Kevin James Loibl. The Santa Monica Observer broke the story yesterday, reporting that “it is increasingly apparent to police . . .Grimmie was murdered because of her outspoken Christian faith.”
2 Timothy 3 reminds us, “In the last days, perilous times will come. . . Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Police are also investigating the motive behind the Saturday night Orlando murder spree in a homosexual nightclub that took place only 3.8 miles away from the Grimmie murder. It was the worst mass murder in American history, resulting in at least 50 deaths. Both President Obama and presidential Democratic contender Hillary Clinton are blaming guns, and calling for more gun control. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump blames President Obama for not opposing radical Islam. Al Sharpton blames it on homophobia. The shooter himself identified with ISIS during the rampage. But the Apostle Paul blames it on a depraved mind: “Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder.” (Romans 1:28-29)
Christian entrepreneurs Jason and David Benham commented on Orlando. They said that Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong, but the right thing for any Christian to do on that night in Orlando would have been to lay down their lives for others. “We as Christians believe that homosexuality is wrong, and in these two Islamic extremist cases, they believe that it’s wrong, but you know what, our response is different. If we were in that nightclub there, maybe they’re pulling people out, hopefully, we would have placed our lives in front of those killers.” “Yeah, that’s the Christian response here, and so what we’re hoping that what Americans across this country will do, is respond in Christian love.” Link to the original video: https://www.facebook.com/BenhamBrothers/?fref=ts
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, Republican from Alabama, predicts there will be more terrorist events to come in this country. Sessions says more than 570 people have either been convicted, charged, or connected to terrorism since the 9/11 attacks on America. Almost all of them, he says, are “Islamic individuals.”
The Bangladesh government arrested over 8,500 people in an effort to stem Islamic terrorism. That country has suffered 40 terrorist-related murders in the last year.
China Aid reports that churches in Guizhou province are suffering tougher persecution at the hands of the state. The Huoshi church reports that six members, including two pastors, are facing charges. The church has been pressed into meeting in small groups for now.
Persecuted people in Vietnam are asking for aid from the U.N. after persistent human rights violations.
In other news, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Puerto Rico may not restructure its debts after filing bankruptcy. From here on out, the island state will fall to the mercy of the U.S. Congress to help with its debt-relief — now totaling $72 billion. Once again, confirming the Proverb: ”The debtor is servant to the lender.”
The Broadway play ”Hamilton” won 11 Tony awards at the Annual celebration on Sunday night. It’s a Hip-Hop rendition of the life of Alexander Hamilton.
Film producers Chad and Corey Hayes have produced another horror film, ”Conjuring 2.” They say is based on Ephesians 6:12. The movie topped the box office last weekend at $100 million. But World Magazine sees the film more as a replay of the Sons of Sceva exorcism program. The characters use seances and Latin incantations to go after Hollywood’s representations of demons. The movie rejects the sovereignty of God over evil, and places man in the drivers’ seat. The movie script informs us that God exists and the devil exists . . . But “our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow.”
Remember today, that God is really sovereign over everything that happens. Daniel 4 says, “He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’”
Former President Jimmy Carter paid a visit to the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter construction site in Kentucky last week. Now 91 years old, the former president told the Cincinnati Enquirer he does not agree with the Young Earth Creation story, but he admired the structure of the ark replica. He said it was “the finest example of woodworking I’ve ever seen.”
And that’s the World View in 5 Minutes.