Jennifer LeClaire Exclusives
Rodney Howard-Browne Arrested: Prophetically Speaking, What’s Next?
Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested on Monday and is facing misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and violation of public health rules.
The megachurch pastor had several hundred in attendance at The River at Tampa Bay church on Sunday—and held two services.
“His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk, and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week, in danger,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said at the press conference.
Howard-Browne has been outspoken about churches that close their doors. Will his church now be shuttered in the wake of the arrest until the coronavirus falls flat? He has vowed his church will “never close.”
Howard-Browne considers church an essential service that is therefore exempt from the coronavirus orders.
“In a time of crisis, people are fearful and in need of comfort and community, more than ever before, a Facebook post on the church’s page said. “Even people who do not attend church regularly, or perhaps never go to church, need to know that there is somewhere for them to go when they need help.”
Prophetically speaking, what is going on here?
Prophets have been prophesying about a “new era.” More churches are going digital in the face of this plague. But is this the beginning of a new era that will see the church persecuted in the United States?
Never mind trend toward saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” that President Trump helped reestablish when he took up residence in the Oval Office.
Never mind the influence of Paula White, Jentezen Franklin and other megachurch pastors on the president’s policy.
Never mind the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
Never mind moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Christians have been celebrating all the Christ-centric moves, and they should be celebrated. But will Howard-Browne—who is one of many pastors who prayed and laid hands on the president in 2017—be the first of many pastors to go to jail for his beliefs?
Prophetically speaking, this is just the beginning. This goes beyond the debate over stopping a virus to a larger end-times issue. This new era is not what some thought it was, or at least they weren’t expecting this hard left turn. It’s time to prepare for persecution, not from the perspective of fear but from the perspective of endurance.
You may not consider Howard-Browne’s arrest persecution. You may agree with the need to stop this man at any cost. But that’s not the point. The larger point is a door has been opened wide to force churches to shut down, and even arrest the pastor.
Persecution is coming. Paul wrote these words to his spiritual son Timothy: “For all who choose to live passionately and faithfully as worshipers of Jesus, the Anointed One, will also experience persecution.”
You might say, “Well, Pastor Rodney should have known better. This is not persecution. He was warned.”
We don’t need to debate over one man’s decision. Rather, we need to look at this arrest from a prophetic perspective. Again, see the big picture here. What is happening is beyond a brazen pastor’s apparent defiance.
By the way, Howard-Browne is not the first to be arrested. A Greek priest was arrested for holding Mass amid coronavirus restrictions. But this is America. You might expect the police to shut down a building, but to arrest a pastor? A pastor in Nepal was arrested for praying against the COVID-19 virus, but this is America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.
You may think Howard-Browne is stupid rather than brave. But step back from the emotions for a minute and consider the bigger picture.
Yes, this is a new era in America. This is a flash point. Get used to it. And get ready. Don’t be the slowly boiled frog.
This will lead to a Great Awakening and a great harvest.
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Mattie
maart 30, 2020 at 4:56 pm
Years ago i saw thar this time woulld come about and that we woul have church in the house and that MARSHAL LAW WAS INFORCE BUT GOD BUT GOD I AM NOT SURPRIS GOD NOT PLEASE WITH THE KILLING OF BABIES MARRIAGE BETWEEN TWO OF THE SAME SEX REMEMBER THE EARLEY CHURCH SUFFERED PERSECUTION WHAT IS GOD SAYING HE WILL USE WHAT EVET IT TAKES TO GET TRUE WORSHIP
Michael
maart 30, 2020 at 7:13 pm
I cannot amen enough
Kitty
maart 30, 2020 at 7:22 pm
Hi Jennifer, Pastor Rodney, in my opinion, has always been real and straight forward. Not afraid to take the lead or the hit involved.
One thing has been rolling around in me and that is obeying the law of the land. Romans 13 obey governing authorities and the law of the land. As long as the law of the land does not contradict the law of God. The apostles (Acts) said to the Sanhedrin that they must obey God rather than man. Nonetheless they submitted to the govt authority over them and were flogged. Can you bring a lttle more clarity please? Thank you
Carolynne Madore
maart 30, 2020 at 9:28 pm
Any one who does celebrate this Pastor for his ‘faith’ – will probably be mae an example of through this media…anyway I HAVE NEVER FELT SO PROUD OF A PASTOR IN ALL MY LIFE. He lives what he believes and takes the penalties that may inferred. We need to support this man and hold him up before the Lord in prayer. May he be strong and faithful to His beliefs forever. Courage, boldness and supernatural outcomes PRAYED for you RODNEY.
Sherri Martin
maart 31, 2020 at 2:12 am
Wake up America, Wake up Church. Thank you Jennifer for being a voice to speak truth and to shed light on where things are going. Shields up!
olu martins
maart 31, 2020 at 2:41 pm
The awakening has already started! Check out my video on youtube: Wake up and smell the corona by Olu Martins.
Steve Ekberg
maart 31, 2020 at 6:09 pm
I disagree with your opinion about the arrest of the Pastor. Churches all over the US have been going to digital services to help stop the spread of this virus. Unless the govt tells us to obey a law that goes directly against the Word, then we as citizens need to comply.
Not only are Churches being asked to temporarily suspend services, but all types of businesses are being asked to shut down to stop the spread of the virus, and if they don’t comply, they can be arrested and fined. Is this the start of a government takeover of business. I don’t believe so.
If this virus isn’t stopped and more and more people die, we won’t have to worry about even having Church anymore…there won’t be anyone to attend.
We ask Christians need to obey the laws of the land, and pray the God stops this virus and heals and comforts those who are sick.
Betty McGee, Pastor
maart 31, 2020 at 7:42 pm
Persecution? Really? Weak American church people. Guess what, there are Christian losing their lives literally moment by moment.Give it a rest!!!!
ShealTiel
april 6, 2020 at 11:04 pm
ROMANS 13:1-7 – “Duties toward State Authorities”?!
Kenneth Gordon
april 7, 2020 at 2:49 am
I totally agree with Pastor Howard Brown.The church is supposed to deal with the Coronavirus issue in a Spiritual and Biblical way not the same way as how the world is dealing with it.The world looks to they scientist for a cure we as Christians already have the cure through Jesus Christ death and resurrection over two thousand years ago.
By shutting down our places of worship we are actually bowing down to this disease and showing weakness.Its as if we are saying that this virus is above God’s power to heal.
Now is the time for those who worship God in Spirit and in Truth to rise up
I believe God in this crisis is separating the wolves from the sheep the tare from the wheat