Pastor Artur Pawlowski was arrested again Tuesday as he returned to Canada after a 4-month visit to America. He had been visiting churches here warning about the perils of a socialist country, about tyranny, and about increasing religious persecution.
In several cases across North America, not only pastors, but congregants have been arrested and fined for holding services. In Australia, churches were fined for not scanning people’s phones as they entered, and some pastors fear the government will soon require proof of vaccination to attend worship services.
Should Christians submit? I think I need to see chapter and verse on that one.
Like Canada’s Artur Pawlowski, a very small but vocal minority of uncompromising pastors in the U.S. last year resisted government overreach and double standards as churches were severely restricted. And I believe, tested.
But more of us are starting to see the writing on the wall. We’re hearing about what’s happening in Canada and Australia and wondering if the same kind of tyranny and draconian lockdowns are coming to our shores soon. I believe we’ve already seen power-grabs here that should not be allowed under the U.S. Constitution.
But they saw last year how much they can get away with, and we generally waved our proverbial white flags and gave up our churches. Historically, when government grows in power and takes new ground, it almost never gives it back.
In a new report this week, Melbourne pastor, Paul Furlong was asked why he chose to open his church against government orders, and a few other pastors there are concerned about Australian authorities punishing churches. Watch. (2:43-3:22)
God bless every church and ministry that has leaders with bold faith and a commitment to live out our faith and please God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said,
“He who fears the face of God does not fear the face of man. He who fears the face of man does not fear the face of God.”
Here in the states with religious freedom protections, why do you thing we haven’t heard more pastors winning lawsuits as some have done, and why don’t we generally see more Christians speak out against unfair, discriminatory mandates and double standards?
The Bible states that believers in Christ are to come together and assemble regularly to hear God’s word, pray, make disciples, have fellowship with like-minded Christians in order to equip the saints for ministry. That’s impossible to do by watching a video at home.
I can understand the world’s reaction to a new virus. I sympathize with unbelievers who are afraid, who have no faith, no hope and no God to rely on during life’s trials. But we, believers in the church, are not like those who have no hope, and we must not give in to fear, worry or be anxious as if we don’t know Jesus, the Rock & Cornerstone of our faith.
California pastor Jack Hibbs recently warned about what he sees as a “demonic” reaction to the Rona pandemic – all intended to sow fear, division, and confusion into people. The reaction of many citizens in a free country to the Democrat media’s irresponsible reporting has been embarrassing.
Most discerning Christians also recognize the dark agenda behind all this.
Don’t think this fear and more government intrusion can’t make it to America. In fact, by the way some people are acting, it’s clear the fear-mongering globalist media has been quite effective peddling its panic-porn and propaganda for the power elites and socialists.
By the way, Canadian authorities didn’t confirm why Artur Pawlowski was arrested on the tarmac, but it appears to have something to do with disobeying a June 5 court order. I’m sure they would have found something to charge him with as soon as he touched ground.
When I interviewed pastor Tim Stephens of Calgary, another church leader who was arrested and imprisoned for keeping his church open, he indicated there is a good chance the government will soon make an example out of him, as well as pastor James Coates of Alberta, and Artur Pawlowski.
Most of us understand this goes far beyond public health concerns. There is almost an acceptable hatred of the biblical Christian worldview today and those who sincerely practice their faith. Of course, it is nothing new, nothing we weren’t warned about in the Bible, and nothing that is catching God off guard.
A few months ago, arsonists tried to burn down Pawlowski’s property, setting a garage on fire next to his private residence. The pastor said it was a sign “someone wants us dead,” referring to his wife and family.
According to Rebel News, he mentioned one of his church’s ministries and responded,
“I’m thinking, ‘Why?’” “I’m feeding the poor. I’m feeding Muslims. I’m feeding homosexuals. I’m feeding whites and Asians and blacks. I’m feeding people and I’m not hurting anyone, and they want me dead, and they want my children dead?”
Will we see extreme control measures in the U.S. now that Covid variants, forced vaccinations, and perpetual booster shots seem to already be here? No one would have predicted a few decades ago that a pastor could be put in prison for holding worship services, or as the Canadian agency described the offense, “organizing an illegal in-person gathering.”
The more an antichrist culture and its ruling elites try censoring and silencing believers in Christ, the more undaunted we must be in our loving, respectful resistance. Know the Word, use wisdom, common sense, and do what’s best under God for your family and church.
Paul wrote to believers in one of the early churches (Galatians 1:6):
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
God bless you and keep speaking the truth about things that matter.
