As I write, my snow blower stands ready for the first winter blast. The pipes have been drained, and the chickens are locked into their shed for the winter, for winter is upon us, the bleakest season of the year.
World events also indicate we are entering that bleakest period of earth’s history just before our Savior’s return (Dan. 12:1). In the recent papal encyclical Laudato Si’ (18th June 2015) regarding the environment, Pope Francis promoted Sunday-keeping. He wrote, “On Sunday, our participation in the Eucharist has special importance. Sunday, like the Jewish Sabbath, is meant to be a day which heals our relationships with God, with ourselves, with others and with the world. . . . And so the day of rest, centered on the Eucharist, sheds its light on the whole week, and motivates us to greater concern for nature and the poor.”

The same day, President Obama issued a press release which stated, “I welcome His Holiness Pope Francis’ encyclical, and deeply admire the Pope’s decision to make the case—clearly, powerfully, and with the full moral authority of his position—for action on global climate change . . . I believe the United States must be a leader in this effort . . . And as we prepare for global climate negotiations in Paris this December, it is my hope that all world leaders—and all God’s children—will reflect on Pope Francis’ call to come together to care for our common home.”

From an environmental perspective, the stated objective of the COP21 (Paris) global climate summit taking place in December 2015 is to achieve a legally binding agreement on climate change from all the world’s nations. From a political perspective, the U.S. will play a leading role in these negotiations. From a spiritual perspective, Pope Francis links saving planet earth and gaining eternal salvation with global Sunday keeping. As we put the pieces together, it is very possible a global Sunday law will come into force via a global climate-change treaty.

How then ought we to live in the gathering gloom? First, let us live sacrificially for the lost (John 3:17). Pope Francis is a man in a hurry, for he senses that time is short. His push for a global Sunday law is explicit. The time is here to focus our time, finances and spiritual gifts like never before on sharing the Gospel around the world.

Second, let us live lovingly with our brothers and sisters (Gal. 5:13). It is the practical love among the saints that will draw wavering souls from spiritual Babylon into God’s kingdom (Rev. 18:1).

Third, let us live humbly before God. Jesus is returning soon, and His reward is with Him. It is time to turn afresh to God with confession, repentance and faith in the saving merits of our returning Savior.

At AFM, we see beyond the gathering gloom to the return of the Light of the World! By God’s grace, AFM missionaries around the world are leading precious souls from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light! Souls are being saved around the world. Churches are being planted. Praise God! Thank you so much for your sacrificial support for AFM during this past year. Please continue to partner with us in defying the gloom and lighting candles among the unreached.

So let the darkness of winter descend, the temperatures drop, the ice form, the snow drift, and the blizzards howl. Just beyond the doom and gloom is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

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