II Thessalonians 2:7-12

On June 30th, 2006, ABC News released a story about a new witch school that has opened in Hoopeston, Illinois. The CEO and director of the witch school is Ed Hubbard, who had this to say about his school: “The school is dedicated to educating the public in Wicca…the school has roughly 120,000 active students who enroll in internet courses and 30 to 50 more are added each day�?.In 1990, only 8,000 people in the United States openly claimed Wicca as their religion, that number was increased to 134,000 in 2001.�?(30)

It is a sad fact that witchcraft is almost everywhere, and it brings a great curse with it. The vast array of disasters that are now afflicting our nation is just the beginning of what is to come, and only a true repentance can change things. I do not see that happening at this time. I must also mention at this point that August 1st of every year is a high cross-quarter sabat of witchcraft known as Lughnasaid (pronounced loo-na-sa) and is the celebration of the harvest of not only produce from the earth, but also of souls. Witches look at the year as a circle, and they divide the circle first into four parts or quarters and then into four more parts or cross-quarters making eight divisions that are marked as sabats. Witchcraft designs and terminology are built into our calendar and our daily vocabulary. Even the word cereal, so often eaten at breakfast, is taken from the name of the pagan goddess Ceres, also known as Demeter by the Greeks. Ceres was worshipped as the goddess of grain, especially on her day of Cerealia or April 19th. The goddess was also honored, however, at the harvest time of Lughnasaid.

In Britain, six new coins with images of Harry Potter have been minted, and the 1-crown coins are legal tender on the Isle of Man, which is largely populated by witches. (31)

Witchcraft has a demoralizing effect, and this is clearly visible in our strange, present society. Recent studies have shown that thirty-six percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo. Witches have set the trend for this, but Leviticus 19:28 forbids tattoos. It is also true that many witches make their money as prostitutes. Sexual sins are plaguing our nation as never before, because it is a spiritual problem. During the time of the witches�?sabat of Midsummer, or the third week of June, Los Angeles, California, hosted an erotica convention, which drew 50,000 participants who attended a series of sex seminars where they were taught techniques in perversion, and many were prepared to audition for forthcoming porno movies. (32)

In Germany, there are heavy elements of witchcraft, and during the year 2002, Germany legalized prostitution. There are now 400,000 working prostitutes in Germany, and they reportedly were all kept busy by the soccer fans that gathered there for the World Cup competition. Prostitution in Germany is a multi-billion dollar industry. (33)

In Houston, Texas, a new billboard advertising Budweiser beer is attracting much attention. The massive billboards have a picture of Jesus in the center holding a can of Budweiser beer in front of his face. In large print, the left side of the billboard says “King of Jews�?and the right side says “King of Beers.�?(34) Florida has another serious problem. Sexually transmitted diseases are wildly epidemic in the retirement villages of senior citizens, and doctors are shocked by it. One gynecologist said that she has treated more cases of genital herpes and papilloma in retirement villages than in downtown Miami. Doctors have also noted a heavy use of Viagra in these retirement centers, and people in their 80’s are among the diseased. (35)

Why has our country become so corrupt and such a shame and disgrace to common decency? It is because organized religion in America is demonized, and false prophets and teachers are everywhere. Here let it be noted that the infamous Rick Warren and his so-called “purpose-driven�?ministry have become popular with the North Korean Communist government. The multi-millionaire Warren has recently been invited to North Korea to speak to 15,000 people. Ingrid Schlueter of VCY America Radio Network said it very well regarding this Rick Warren event with the following words: “Warren won’t call the communist faithful to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ because he preaches a man-centered, counterfeit gospel. Not for a moment do these leaders worry that they will have a Christian revival on their hands by letting Mr. Warren speak. Rick Warren is loved and feted because his message is absent the cross and Christ’s call to die. That’s why he is popular and politically useful.�?(36)

A Continual Groaning and Travailing Creation!

As sin abounds and the coming of the Saviour draweth nigh, the earth and sky continue to cry out against rebellious mankind. On July 16th, 2006, two earthquakes of magnitude 6.3 and 5.0 shook an area off the coast of Chile. On that same day, the Tungurahua volcano erupted in Ecuador sending people scrambling in terror. The next day brought a 7.7 magnitude earthquake to Indonesia, a deadly tsunami hit Java, Mt. Aetna erupted with a storm of fire and lava, another explosion of the volcano in Ecuador destroyed 100,000 homes, and two volcanoes on West New Britain Islands erupted, and sent people running for their lives. (37)

In the United States, horrifying floods hit the eastern part of the country paralyzing much of that region and even shutting down Federal buildings in Washington, D.C. (38) In addition to the floods, America has been stricken with a severe heat wave which has broken all records. A strain on utilities has shut down electricity in some areas as temperatures climbed above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. (39) Strangely enough, in the northern states it was hotter as you traveled north. According to the Associated Press, the first half of the year 2006 is the hottest on record, and Parade Magazine reported that every year since 1997 has been continually hotter. (40)

Wildfires have also been ravaging many areas of the United States, and in some areas many rich homes have been burned to cinders. (41) There is much weeping and howling but very little repentance.

Scientists have also noted numerous potential disasters that are now imminent. The southern San Andreas Fault is under extreme pressure, and strain rates indicate that a massive earthquake could devastate Los Angeles at any time. (42) (Los Angeles is the pornography capital of the nation.) We also know that a massive underwater volcano, the size of Washington, D.C., has been discovered off Sicily. (43)

These are truly the last of the last days and the coming of the Saviour is at hand. We continue to watch with awe as the Scripture is fulfilled, and every sign unfolds before our eyes with flawless precision and accuracy. The Lord Jesus said there will also be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. We have now learned that NASA plans to crash a high-powered explosive space craft into the moon in 2009. The explosion is to be so great that it will be visible to the naked eye from earth. (44) Everything is so volatile right now, and we must all be ready for the great day of the Saviour’s return. Where will you spend eternity?

In closing, I once again want to thank all of you who support this end-time prophetic ministry in so many ways. God bless you exceedingly. Remember to send us your prayer requests, as our intercessors will give them personal attention. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

David J. Meyer