The boys in Charlotte are concerned about a new Danish law that requires sermons spoken in a language other than Danish to be translated and submitted to the state for approval. Since LCG considers itself to be a religious minority, they see this as a direct assault on their freedom to say anything they want. We saw where that freedom went when Meredith's sermons drove Terry Ratzman over the edge and to start shooting up one of their churches.
This will certainly send the Great Bwana Bob Thiel into a homeopathic knicker twisting frenzy as a sure sign the Beast is rising up in Europe to persecute the Church of God. Oh, wait, the Living Church of God says the same thing. No surprise there. Persecution is always at the doorstep ready to throw LCG members into concentration camps and hang their children from meathooks, at least those who are Laodiceans.
Danish Law vs. Religious Freedom: A new law under consideration in Denmark would require all sermons not given in the Danish language to be translated and submitted to the state (The Guardian, January 31, 2021). According to the government, the purpose of the new law is to “enlarge the transparency of religious events and sermons in Denmark, when these are given in a language other than Danish”—ostensibly part of an attempt to combat growing Islamic extremism.
However, many are concerned that the proposed legislation represents extreme governmental overreach that would squelch freedom of religious expression—as it impacts all religious minorities in the country, not just Muslims. In addition, many fear that, if the law is passed, it will “be replicated elsewhere in Europe at a time when religious minorities were generally finding their freedoms being encroached upon.” At this time, it is unclear whether translated sermons would need to be submitted before or after they are given.
Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought are all central tenets of Western civilization—and have been for centuries. These fundamental freedoms have allowed the Church of God to freely preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to nations all over the world (Matthew 28:18–20). However, Bible prophecies indicate that the freedom to preach the truth of Scripture will be greatly restricted as we approach the end of the age (Amos 8:11–12). Bible prophecies also reveal that a European “beast” power will emerge that will control not only trade but even religious ideas and teachings. The newly proposed Danish law could be a small foretaste of what is coming in the years ahead. For other important insights into Europe’s future, be sure to read The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon- Coming Reality?
Never fear though, Doug Winnail is back with warm fuzzy Happy Sabbath thoughts on the value of suffering through trials.
The Value of Trials: Trials are never pleasant. Yet, when trials come, it is important to maintain a godly perspective (Isaiah 55:8–9). The Bible reveals that God allows us to experience trials to accomplish His purposes. Job was a “blameless and upright” man “who feared God and shunned evil,” yet he encountered a sudden series of tragic reverses because God was working out a purpose in his life (Job 1–2). Jesus and John the Baptist did not suffer and die because they sinned. They each had an important role to play in God’s plan, and their lives ended when they had fulfilled God’s purpose. We can be confident when trials come if we remember that God cares for each of His children (Matthew 10:29–31) and that God is molding and fashioning each of us for a much bigger purpose (Philippians 1:6). We also need to remember God’s promises: that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), and that God will “make the way of escape” when we look to Him during our trials (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is why James wrote that we can rejoice as we endure trials, so we can learn lessons as we see God’s purpose for our trials (James 1:2–4).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
