By Callie Mitchell, SAVED News International Correspondent, Jerusalem Israel
Its been a stretching season. The duration of our COVID experience has had my heart fixed on Messiah Yeshua’s return and how to prepare and respond to the days ahead. Living in Israel, I have felt well prepared for the “wars and rumors of wars” as described in Mathew 24. What’s caught me off guard about where we are currently is the intensity of the propaganda. I’ve been surprised by how that has felt spiritually and emotionally, and I haven’t always known how to respond. Have you considered increased propaganda as a marker of the last days?
Being exposed to the media both in Israel and in the United States, seeing how the same phrases and terminology have crossed cultures, continents, and political borders alerted me that we are under the influence of a major global propaganda campaign. Propaganda is an intentional effort to release messages that would shape public opinion in a specific direction. Sometimes the information and catchphrases might be true, and sometimes they might be lies. The factuality behind the information is less important than the fact that the message is used to manipulate YOU to think in a certain way. This is often achieved with repetition of simple phrases paired with censorship, to ensure that the general public is primarily exposed to the message that supports the desired outcome. Its a battle for your mind.
Now consider this in light of Matthew 24. One of the predominant themes in this passage is that false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (See verses 4, 5, 10, 11, and 24). Until this recent “birth pain” of the Coronavirus, I only received this to be speaking about false teachings directly related to sound doctrine and the person of Yeshua. Ultimately, I believe that is what this passage is talking about, but the periphery, we are bombarded by all sorts of messages that counter a biblical worldview and help facilitate us moving in a direction away from the Lord. Presently, a lot of what we are hearing inspires both fear and a false sense of collective purpose. When we are afraid, the emotions can be so strong that they override rational thought and common sense. We will act out in ways and surrender values that we would not otherwise. The use of propaganda to bring about the Holocaust is a prime example.
As believers, we need to be ready to respond to the false prophets that wage war with propaganda. Romans 12:2 gives us practical help: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Daily ask the Lord to renew your mind with His word and His Spirit. Be discerning. If you hear something over and over again, or if the message doesn’t sit well, test it against scripture, truth, and facts. And stay in the word! Knowing the truth of scripture will help us to live in victory during this challenging time!
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