I remember visiting Great Britain in 1989 and being aware of occult activity and witchcraft there at the time. I learned more about the witchcraft in England when the Harry Potter books came out. In general, it has been clear that Europe as well as England is in a post-Christian era. It made sense, the threat of Islam in Europe and Great Britain because with the decline of Christianity, it left people open to other influences. But I was visiting a church in revival in Toronto that had people coming from all over the world, particularly people from various parts of Europe and the UK. And I was hearing about how churches were reviving in the UK and Europe.
I have a cousin who has been very concerned about the rise of Islam in Europe and the UK and he has been finding articles about it and forwarding them to me. It looks awfully bleak. But you have to know the truth beyond that stark reality in order to have a positive sense about the future. In God's kingdom, the truth(mostly not through the media but by word of mouth) is always bright, because He is always at work beneath the surface and it is always good. This article on Christianity in Europe tells about that reality. The author of this article seems to be fueled by the same sources as I had: hearing of European and British churches and their returning to an early church passion for Christ and practicing the miracles of Jesus.
In the post-Christian era that Europe has, no one assumes that Christianity is the "way" anymore. As the article states, the Alpha Course being taught by London's Holy Trinity Brompton church is taught as if one doesn't know what Christianity is about. I think that if America continues as it is going, it will end up as Europe is and it will be a blessing for Christians. Policy may not be made according to the values of a "moral majority." Leaders may not be the ones chosen by Christians. Christians will be challenged, just as they are in Europe with radical Islam rearing its ugly head. But Christians will set aside differences and bond together more. The miracles of Jesus will again be practiced. The passion will get stronger. The light will become brighter in the darkness.
8 comments:
Europe certainly isn't looking so hot. But then again, God is not limited.
I am sure your post is encouraging to those Christians struggling in Europre. Especially with the muslim craze, it must be discouraging.
Did you know that Muhammad is the second most popular name in England, and is expected to become THE most popular by the end of the year?
I deleted my earlier comment to make a better comment. The information that leads one to believe in the more positive, hopeful side of things comes through meeting people in the UK and Europe who are part of God moving there.
By writing this post I helped myself - went away with a surge of life! God is doing something! I so look forward to having the $ to go to Europe and the UK again. We lose out by not being able to be there. I have a Christian sister in Germany.
We have got to go there if we can and find out for ourselves! I have heard about the name Mohammad in England through my cousin, but see how the media sources sensationalize the things that they want to believe in, i.e. Christianity falling, or failing.
You have to be careful what you believe in, in terms of what you set your hope on. It looks scary, but does not tell the whole story about God's power. God enjoys showing up at the midnight hour and showing his might.
I have gotten inside info through the connections I made going to that church in Toronto. Those are the kind of connections one needs. I met lots of people connected to that church in London mentioned in the article.
Additional note: I didn't ignore the fact that you already said "God is not limited." So true. Also, when I was in England in '89 and after that, they were saying that a huge majority of people were turning to witchcraft.
I don't remember the statistics, but witches outnumbered Christians in the late 90's, and so I wondered what the repercussions would be. Interesting that witchcraft itself didn't stand strong against the influx of Islam, it just left England open to it.
Now look what has happened! Look how weak the people are, so Muslims can just come in and have their way! This is not the England that was. England was the ruling country at one time!
Oh bizarre post - another addendum....what I've heard, and tasted, is I've been to conferences in Toronto that have been huge with a kind of passionate worship I've never experienced elsewhere, and these attended by many from the UK and Europe. And then I've learned of similar conferences in the UK and Europe. And this revival experiences included miracles of healing - the miracles of Jesus. The Trinity church in Brompton, London is one that holds similar conferences I know.
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