Not long ago, social media presenting end times information was bustling with activity.  Eschatological and discernment posts were peppered with thousands of likes, comments and shares.  Now, most of the ones I’ve checked have incurred a significant drop-off in views, likes, comments and shares.  The most popular ones are receiving only a few hundred views and some less than a hundred.  It is as if a switch was flipped and people are staying away from information deemed negative.  The blogs and pages maintaining viewership are the ones presenting heresy or benign information.

Negative information overload reaches critical mass

Why are people shunning the news of a perilous time arriving?  Are they rejecting portents of harsh period because they no longer believe them to be true?  I do not believe that is the case.  I believe that it is the Great Shut-down.  I’ve been expecting it to manifest—it has finally arrived.  The Great Shut-down is the point when negative information overload reaches critical mass.  People can only take so much bad news, especially the ones who are spiritually weak, or have not been incrementally conditioned to receive harsh truth.

Futurologist Alvin Toffler, labels the phenomenon in secular society as “future shock” syndrome.  Toffler postulates that “Future Shock” is the result of people witnessing and feeling the effects of sudden negative changes in society.  The lack of response from any authoritative source can cause them to feel helpless and hopeless.  They reach the point that they no longer have the will to resist or even complain.  Obviously, the secular faction is not looking to Christianity for hope.  However, there appears to be a lack of hope in professing Christians.

Burdens and stresses prevent people from sensing the presence of God

Émile Durkheim, observed that the collapse of European society by modernity dramatically affected Christianity.  He observed that once “the collective force so vital for the life of a society was no longer generated”, faith in God declined.  Harsh burdens and stresses prevented the people from sensing the presence of God.  This resulted in a replacement of faith with belief in social justice and science.  In other words, “the social milieu that supported Christianity disappeared, leaving Christian faith, values, and thinking without any social foundations to give them life.”  (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Émile Durkheim, c. The Death of the Gods)

Heretical and cultural trends diametrically opposed to the biblical concept of God’s nature

Consider the situation today.  There is a constant stream of information indicating that Christianity is disintegrating from the inside out.  Incredible doctrines and practices virtually unopposed by any significant leader are being introduced by heretics.  The effects of that heresy plus the fact that hirelings are inviting diabolical practices, trends, and philosophy into the churches, is erasing biblical Christianity.  One of the major heresies, Contemplative Spirituality, appears unchecked and is spreading like a deadly disease throughout Christianity.  Effects of that malignancy is rejection of love for truth and unbridled acceptance of heretical and cultural trends diametrically opposed to the biblical concept of God’s nature.

A steady flow of negative information

Concurrently, there is a steady flow of negative information about the shenanigans being foisted on society by the courts and the federal government.  There are the ObamaCare, IRS scandals, executive orders circumventing Congress, the aberrant and oppressive SCOTUS ruling against Christianity, the Nuclear Treaty with Iran, an porous border with Mexico, etcetera.  Adding to the flow is the news of terrorists beheading Christians (among other atrocities), the Umpqua Community College massacre, the Kim Davis saga, and attacks on Christian businesses that decline to support homosexual marriage.  Combined with the Benghazi scandal, the  Common Core invasion of public education, concerns about presidential election and that our current president may be a Muslim, a completely undependable economic future, the nationwide genuflection of the pope, etcetera, it piles on the burdens and stresses, crushing all hope.

Professing Christians brought to the tipping point

Additionally, psychological studies concerning the effects of watching cable news indicate it produces “negative mood experiences”.  Many professing Christians have been daily cycling through a spectrum of negative experiences including anxiety, outrage, sadness, anger, disgust, discouragement and even depression, from cable news and radio talk shows.  This combination of a constant flow of bad news about secular and religious events, along with the many warnings about encroaching heresy, the great apostasy, and the dark and deadly period ahead, has brought millions of professing Christians to the tipping point.

In my opinion, the factor that initiated the shut-down was the highly publicized false prophecies based on the “blood moon” theories.  People have had their emotions manipulated for profit with “wolf warnings” one too many times and at the wrong time.  It was after that fiasco was proven false that I noticed the shut-down.

The “Ostrich Complex”

Whatever the cause, shutting down is the worst thing a Christian can do at this point.  Instead of shutting down, people need to be selective about what they are putting into their minds and spirits.  Being informed is essential to be prepared.  Shutting down will not prepare one to endure the harshness of the last days.  I can understand if people are focusing on their relationship with God to the extent that they spend less time on the Internet and watching TV.  However, many of the ones who are shutting down are engaging in entertainment media and outlets of benign and mundane information.  They are not adjusting with a balance, but are going into denial.  They are forcing themselves to believe that it will be a long process if and when our society collapses.  That’s the “Ostrich Complex”.

A “House of Cards”

Whether one accepts it or not, the fact is that the United States has become a “house of cards” society.  Further, there are individuals and forces working feverishly to topple it. It will only take a push in the right area for it to collapse.  It can and perhaps will occur very rapidly, possibly overnight.  Christianity (the religion) has been compromised into the same precarious “house of cards”.  If one falls, both will fall.

As harsh as it is to accept, we are on the verge of a global government and religion that will be very brutal to true Christians.  It will take more than a sabbatical from bad news and ominous warnings to prepare for enduring life in that environment.  Instead of shutting down, we need to look up.  Genuine blessed hope is the buffer for the stress of perilous times.  It can only be had with a sincere and strong relationship with Christ.  That is the only focus that makes sense in this period of encroaching darkness.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death. and to keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield, for our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.” – Psalm 33:18-21 NKJV

Three of our enemy’s primary tactics against us are temptation, accusation, and distraction. To defeat temptation, we must be fully surrendered to God and keep our bodies under subjection. (1 Corinthians 9:27) Defeating accusation is accomplished by trusting that the glory of the Lord is your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12 & 58:8) Distractions are defeated by making certain that our words and actions measure up to our calling. (Ephesians 4:1) All of that equals confidence, but not in the flesh.

I have experienced that all temptations begin with some variation of, “Has God indeed said…” followed by a lie. All temptations should be countered with praise for all that God has provided. Satan and the world system has nothing to offer greater than what God provides.

I have learned that I cannot waste time defending myself against accusations. Besides, some of them are not false, but they are well in the past and under the blood. All of them are aimed at your heart through your back. My defense is God who will reward the wicked according to their works.

Finally, I have learned that all distractions are not wrong because they are evil works. Most of them are wrong because I was not called to be involved. Someone else who is not called to preach can coach the little league baseball team. It is an honorable endeavor, but I must obey my calling.

I consider false accusations the most troubling. Ministers of God’s word have the most important calling on this earth. We were not called to be benign parsons who agree with everyone and stand for nothing, who fear to preach the truth boldly, and avoid controversy. Yes, such a one is the darling of the city or village, and well-spoken of by all. God’s word says, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26) If you are truly called of God, your reputation is protected in heaven and impugned on earth.

When people speak ill of the politician, he or she says, “I’m okay as long as they can’t prove it.” The God-called man or woman says, “I’m okay because God has proven me.” The Greek word for “prove” in this tense is dokimazo, which means; “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize, to see if a thing is genuine or not, to deem worthy.” If we are not proven, we will be reproved. But once He has proven you, you can say with the Apostle Paul, “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:17)

Some of the worst rumors spread about me were from people I tried to help or trusted as a friend. Don’t be depressed when it happens to you. The day you said, “I will” to God’s will, you became a target. Did you expect the enemy to congratulate you? But here’s the steel in your resolve. You’ve been tested. When I am countering the insults and slander of the enemy, I don’t consider my good works, but the trials I have been through. (When measured against the suffering of Christ, I have nothing to boast of.)

God has stored every tear, recorded every time you sacrificed, that your heart was broken, that you endured injustice, ingratitude, rejection and abandonment, loneliness, and sense of worthlessness. He has recorded every battle you have fought, with fear and doubt, over financial needs, and observing other people driving new cars, living in nice homes, while you struggle to maintain. None of that was trash—it was gold. Never look at it as the bad in your past, but a golden foundation for your present and future. With all honesty and firmness, as bad as Cheryl and I have suffered in the past, there is not enough wealth on this earth to pay me for the benefits of being proven.

So, rage on O devil and your storm! My God is faithful who will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to bear! The way of escape that He has prepared is the door of complete trust in Him! I may go down before I go up, but I will go up! (Shout here!) I look back over the battlefield of my past and I do not see my body lying there! I do see the rubble of the weapons of Satan that did not prosper! I look to my future and I see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ! I will see the King of Glory! The greatest word I long to hear, and it will resonate throughout heaven, is “faithful”. Faithful, faithful, faithful! If you are thus proven, you will be victorious!

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” – Revelation 17:14

Well, I have a cat.  I didn’t ask for the cat.  It proactively sought attachment to my residence.  I am uncertain whether the cat even respects the fact that I have tolerated “it”.  I say “it” because I don’t know if “it” is male or female.  “It” had no name when “it” arrived that I was aware of.  My granddaughter named “it” Milky Way.  Two-word cat names are undesirable.  Name them Bo, or Spot.  It doesn’t matter as long as you say it when the chow is dropped in the bowl.  They’ll remember it and respond.  However, two-name cats may think you are calling them and someone else.  That leads to unwanted and unwarranted cat friction.  That is unsettling, especially when no other cat is present.  (The cat’s brain is wired to be a bit paranoid and unpredictable.)  I would have called “it” It.  It is a good name for a cat.

Now you may wonder why I didn’t check the gender of that cat.  It because it is the most raggedy looking cat I have seen, scruffy from nose to claw. I would call “it” Scruffy, but I hope to improve “its” condition.  It looks like it has been, well, in a cat fight.  A rather volatile cat fight at that.  I do not want to touch its mangy exterior.  Further, “it” is a bit skittish and occasionally growls when I get too close.

The fact is, I do not wish to be near the nasty critter lest it somehow transmit some of its degradation on me.  However, I began feeding the unfortunate mammal.  So now you must be asking why I even bothered to befriend “it” at all.  Maybe because I’m a sucker for impossible cases such as Milky Way.  Okay, I felt pity for “it”.  The mendicant feline may be too far gone to restore to a proper standard, at least to cat dignity.  And cats are way too dignified to suit me.  In any case, pity outweighs my repulsion.

Therefore, I took on the project whilst holding my nose and trying to ignore “its” sorry hide—partially missing and matted with filth.  After feeding “it” some table food, I purchased some tins of cat food.  Milky Way eagerly consumes it all.  However, the highlight of “its” cuisine is no doubt the occasional table food.

After a number of good meals, Milky Way is beginning to show signs of recovering “its” fur.  Further, “it” is beginning to lose fear of me.  I’m beginning to expect a full recovery from Milky Way.  It is possible that “it” will look like a regular cat again in another week or two.  I might even attempt petting “it”.

Why should I help such a lost cause?  What compels me, who has important things to do, who obviously doesn’t need or want a cat, to care about this mangy stray?  Why did God help me?  I must have been more repulsive than Milky Way.  But God loved and loves me—there is no doubt.  He also had incomprehensible mercy and grace for me.  I didn’t deserve it.  I came to Him in my sin-ravaged condition, filthy and repulsive.  But He did not turn me away.  I believe He put mercy in my heart.

It doesn’t matter where we’ve been, how much we’ve sinned, or how bad our condition—His infinite, merciful love reaches out.  The only thing required is to come and fully surrender to His will.  He won’t leave us in our filthy and depleted condition.  He intends to restore us not harm us every time we come before Him beseeching His mercy and grace.  We don’t deserve it.  We didn’t do anything to earn it.  It is simply a matter of His love and compassion.

So I had mercy on Milky Way.  I want “it” to recover and become a spectacular cat.  I also hope that it will move on to another venue, but that’s probably not going to happen.  Now that I am identified as the source of food, that cat is here to stay.

One last thought is that we don’t have to move away from God, from the source of sustenance.  God will feed and nurture us.  If we become empty, we can come and He will feed us again.  Sometimes I come before Him tattered and beaten down by trials.  He is always receptive.  He never shuts the door in my face.  I can come into the Holiest through The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He has helped me when I thought situations were beyond any solution.  How much more does He care for me than I do for Milky Way?  Thank God for His infinite mercy and grace!