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President Obama’s bipartisan Debt Commission: America will go broke under status quo

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

(July 14, 2010) Earlier this year President Obama created a bipartisan Debt Commission to analyze America’s fiscal status and future financial outlook. The co-chairmen of this commission are former Republican senator Alan Simpson from Wyoming and President Clinton’s former chief of staff Erskine Bowles. These two men spoke at the National Governors Association this past Sunday.

A Washington Post article (Obama’s debt commission warns of fiscal ‘cancer’) states,

“Bowles said that unlike the current economic crisis, which was largely unforeseen before it hit in fall 2008, the coming fiscal calamity is staring the country in the face. ‘This one is as clear as a bell,’ he said. ‘This debt is like a cancer.’

The commission leaders said that, at present, federal revenue is fully consumed by three programs: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. ‘The rest of the federal government, including fighting two wars, homeland security, education, art, culture, you name it, veterans — the whole rest of the discretionary budget is being financed by China and other countries,’ Simpson said.

‘We can’t grow our way out of this,’ Bowles said. ‘We could have decades of double-digit growth and not grow our way out of this enormous debt problem. We can’t tax our way out. . . . The reality is we’ve got to do exactly what you all do every day as governors. We’ve got to cut spending or increase revenues or do some combination of that.’”

In February of this year Richard Fisher, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, spoke before the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth (Roadblocks to Recovery). In that speech he said,

“Pundits and analysts like to focus on the year in which Social Security will go permanently into the red on an annual cash flow basis—which recently was projected to occur in 2019 but could occur as early as 2016. But they largely ignore the severity of the broader problem: accumulated entitlement debt over the infinite horizon. According to our calculations at the Dallas Fed, that unfunded debt of Social Security and Medicare combined has now reached $104 trillion—trillion with a ‘T’—in discounted present value. And while much attention in recent years has been devoted to Social Security, the lion’s share of the total entitlement shortfall (nearly $90 trillion) actually comes from Medicare. This is a prodigious number. Others—like Pete Peterson’s foundation, which uses a different time horizon in its methodology—calculate the unfunded liability at north of $40 trillion, growing by a sum of $2 trillion to $3 trillion per year. No matter. The problem is frightful, whether you take his numbers or ours.”

The picture these governmental and financial experts paint for America’s future seems to be one of apocalyptic economic devastation. What is the prophetic significance of such an outcome? In September of 2007 I wrote an article titled “The Decline and Fall of America“. In that article (before the 2008 meltdown of America’s economy) I wrote,

“If you read the article “The Coming Invasion of Israel” on this web site, you know that Bible prophecy reveals that a conglomeration of countries will invade Israel in the future. In the last sixty years no non-Arabic nation has dared attack it. There is one very simple reason for this. Any country outside the Middle East knows that America would defend Israel militarily if they initiated a war with them. During the 1967 Six Day War, Russia saw that Israel was decimating its Arab allies. They considered intervening in the conflict but knew that America would have to respond. Thus, a major conflict between the superpowers was averted. Such is the case to this day. However, because of the prophecy God gave to Ezekiel, I believe that America has to lose its superpower status. With a weakened America the invasion of Israel can take place.

Is this another Christian fanatic declaring the sky is falling? Not if you listen to what the U.S. Comptroller General (who heads the United States Government Accounting Office) stated recently in an interview. He is very pessimistic about America’s future as these excerpts from the Financial Times article will reveal:

David Walker, comptroller general of the US, issued the unusually downbeat assessment of his country’s future in a report that lays out what he called “chilling long-term simulations”. Drawing parallels with the end of the Roman empire, Mr Walker warned there were “striking similarities” between America’s current situation and the factors that brought down Rome, including “declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government”.

Inspector General Walker lays out a pretty dismal scenario for America’s future. I agree with him. In the 1960s, Ruth Graham, wife of Billy Graham, read a chapter out of her husband’s new book. After handing the book back to him she said, “Billy, if God doesn’t come soon and bring judgment upon the United States, He’s going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!” We as a nation continue to live our lives as if God doesn’t exist. Our political leaders’ only goal is to maintain their power at whatever the cost to America’s security. The Judicial system releases child predators, rapists, murderers on a frequent basis. A segment of America wants to ignore the laws of America by allowing anyone to violate the Immigration Laws of the United States. There is a mindset in our culture that declares the criminal is the victim, a victim of bad upbringing or bad circumstances. Pornography, homosexuality, adultery are prevalent throughout our entertainment and in our lifestyles. The legalization of abortion has resulted in the deaths of nearly 50 million unborn babies. The difference now is that society accepts these behaviors as alternative lifestyles. Liberal Churches deny the miracles of the Bible. They deny the Bible’s authority to guide human beings. The lists of America’s ills goes on and on. The rest of the world is no better. Although God’s judgment is coming upon the world, I believe He will start with America…

The downfall of America may come as a result of a financial collapse. It could come from a military defeat. The War on Terror is not going to go away. Just ask the Israelis after six decades of fighting it. The moral climate which declares there is no right or wrong will also play a part. Whatever it takes for the rest of the world to see that America is weak will happen. Once this occurs, the other powers in the world will have a free hand to wreak havoc wherever they please. This will lead to the invasion of Israel and the End-Times.” [end of my 2007 article]

Another factor in the downfall of America could be political in nature. Even if we are economically or militarily capable of continuing our protection of Israel we may be politically unwilling to support it. President Obama’s administration, unlike all the previous administrations since 1947, seems to be turning away from Israel in favor of the Arab nations of the Middle East (see my blog article from March 18th of this year The Decline and Fall of America Redux and Ezekiel 38-39.

I personally do not want to see America decline in any fashion. However, if it is God’s will for this to happen then I want to keep my eyes on Him and be in His will for my life.

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America: “Curiouser and curiouser”

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

(April 10, 2010) A friend of mine recently forwarded an email to me titled “Budget in Wonderland” written by Bill Miller who is the Senior Vice President and National Political Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The email stated, “‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ Alice exclaimed after falling into Wonderland and suddenly growing to nine feet tall. Forgive us if we feel the same way about President Obama’s latest budget proposal. Because only in Wonderland would record spending increases equal a smaller deficit. Yet that’s what the White House would have us believe. Back up the rabbit hole we go to find the truth about the budget: tax hikes and deficits as far as the eye can see.”

American Economic Policy

I know of no Federal agency that has ever decreased government spending. I believe the Healthcare legislation will severely hurt the U.S. economy over the next few years. Taxes will have to increase in order to pay for millions of uninsured citizens and non-citizens. The problem is that Healthcare is not the end of President Obama’s political agenda. He wants Congress to pass environmental legislation which will impose new financial burdens on American companies and thereby the American people (Who Pays for Cap and Trade?). He wants to follow that with Immigration reform which will further burden the average American taxpayer. I cannot see a positive economic result from any of these legislative acts. To the contrary I believe that America will dissolve into economic ruin. The Washington Post had an article on its website titled Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sounds a warning on growing deficit which said,

“Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke warned Wednesday that Americans may have to accept higher taxes or changes in cherished entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security if the nation is to avoid staggering budget deficits that threaten to choke off economic growth. ‘These choices are difficult, and it always seems easier to put them off — until the day they cannot be put off anymore,’ Bernanke said in a speech. ‘But unless we as a nation demonstrate a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, in the longer run we will have neither financial stability nor healthy economic growth.’”

American Defense Policy

President Obama announced a change in America’s nuclear strategic policy and signed a nuclear weapon reduction agreement with Russia. A New York Times article (Obama Limits When U.S. Would Use Nuclear Arms) states, “Discussing his approach to nuclear security the day before formally releasing his new strategy, Mr. Obama described his policy as part of a broader effort to edge the world toward making nuclear weapons obsolete, and to create incentives for countries to give up any nuclear ambitions. To set an example, the new strategy renounces the development of any new nuclear weapons, overruling the initial position of his own defense secretary. Mr. Obama’s strategy is a sharp shift from those of his predecessors and seeks to revamp the nation’s nuclear posture for a new age in which rogue states and terrorist organizations are greater threats than traditional powers like Russia and China. It eliminates much of the ambiguity that has deliberately existed in American nuclear policy since the opening days of the cold war. For the first time, the United States is explicitly committing not to use nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states that are in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, even if they attacked the United States with biological or chemical weapons or launched a crippling cyberattack.” [Bold type mine]

It would be great if we could live in a world without wars and human tragedy but we don’t. We live in a sinful, fallen world where evil has designs on those who would seek peace. From a biblical point of view governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens from evil, “3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Romans 13:3-4) With evil on the rise in the world any reduction in America’s deterrent capabilities may not be the wisest course of action and could invite attacks by rogue nations as the N.Y.Times article points out.

American Foreign Policy Towards Israel

Our relationship with Israel continues in a downward spiral. I noted this fact in a recent article on this blog (The Decline and Fall of America Redux and Ezekiel 38-39):

U.S.-Israeli Ties in ‘Historic’ Crisis – “Top U.S. officials have lined up in recent days to condemn the Israeli plan to build 1,600 apartments in east Jerusalem, the sector of the holy city that the Palestinians claim for their future capital. The project caused a storm in Washington because it was announced during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the region last week, badly embarrassing the U.S. and complicating its efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. The Palestinians immediately threatened not to join upcoming U.S.-brokered talks meant to jumpstart negotiations after a 14-month breakdown…”

US envoy cancels Mideast trip, Israel feud deepens – “A U.S. envoy’s postponement of his Mideast trip appeared Tuesday to deepen one of the worst U.S.-Israeli feuds in memory – even as Israel’s foreign minister signaled his government had no intention of curtailing the contentious construction at the heart of the row…”

It appears as though America is in a transitional period in our policy towards Israel and our historical alliance with them. We seem to be turning our backs on our friends in Israel in favor of the Arab world who has tried to do damage to our nation over the last few decades through terrorism and oil manipulation.

Curiouser and curiouser

I cannot see any logic behind America’s current economic policies, defense policies, or foreign policies. It’s as though no matter how obvious the right course of action may be it seems as though America is on an express train to global and national impotence. Liz Cheney echoed my beliefs at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference last Thursday. A CBS News website article reports, “Cheney told the roughly 3,500 conservative activists and donors gathered for the conference that there are three prongs to the president’s foreign policy: ‘apologize for America, abandon our allies and appease our enemies.’ ‘The Obama administration is putting us on the path to decline,’ added Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. She criticized the administration for the “shabby reception” given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visited Washington recently, which she deemed “disgraceful.” ‘President Obama is playing a reckless game if he continues down the path of diminishing the United States’ ties to Israel,’ she said, deeming the world safer when there is “no daylight” between the two countries.” (Liz Cheney: Obama Putting America on Path to Decline) [Bold type mine]

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh said on his show last Thursday “We have his budgets. We have seen the deficit. We know the underemployment and employment numbers. We know tax increases are coming. It’s clear Obama is not serious about developing domestic energy supplies. We know that the public sector is expanding at the expense of the private sector. We know that our relationships with allies very deteriorated. We know we aren’t safer. We know the country is more divided. We know the State-Controlled Media has no intention of practicing journalism ever again. We have enough hard evidence to make sound judgments about Obama, his czars, and the regime. Either Obama hopes we fail or is unintentionally causing failure. This is not speculation. That’s fact. What isn’t known is the extent of the damage. But I’m going to make some predictions about that which are not pretty coming up soon on this program. We don’t know the exact date of our country’s future bankruptcy, but we just know that it is a certainty under Obama’s direction and the help of Democrats in Congress and the government-run media. America is being administered statist-assisted suicide.” (Obama Performs Statist-Assisted Suicide on the American Economy)

According to a recent Fox News poll the majority of Americans also think the future is bleak for the United States, “A majority of voters think life for the next generation of Americans will be worse than life today…The poll also finds that three-quarters of voters think the United States is weaker today than it was 10 years ago. Moreover, almost all consider the current economic and unemployment conditions a “crisis.” The 74 percent that thinks the country is weaker today includes sizable majorities of Democrats (61 percent), Republicans (87 percent) and independents (78 percent). Overall, far fewer voters — about one in five — believes America is stronger than a decade ago (19 percent). Democrats (31 percent) are three times more likely than Republicans and independents to feel that way.” (Fox News Poll: 57% Think Next Generation Will Be Worse Off)

It makes one wonder “Why is this happening? Curiouser and curiouser.”

I believe the answer lies in End-Times prophecy. As I stated above, Romans ch. 13 declares that God ordains governments to exist. It may be His will that America declines in order to fulfill the prophetic invasion of Israel declared by the prophet Ezekiel. Although it seems national and world events sometimes randomly spiral out of control this may not be the case with what is happening in America under the present Administration.

No matter how illogical and “curious” the decisions which America is making at this time I believe it is very possible that God’s unseen hand is ordering current events. His unseen hand caused the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar to decree a census in order to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The world one day will be in a position to fulfill all of God’s End-Times prophecies. How soon that occurs is also in God’s hands. As I’ve told my wife many times, “I would rather be in God’s hands than anywhere else in the universe.”

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Posted in America, Archives 2010, Economic watch, Israel and Ezekiel | 1 Comment »

“Christian” Militia vs. the Antichrist and Christianity

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

(March 30, 2010) Over the last few days the FBI has conducted raids against a Michigan-based militia group over a three-state area. The headline on the London Daily Mail website read, FBI launches raids on Christian militia group which is ‘preparing for battle against an Anti-Christ’ The article reports, “FBI agents arrested at least three suspected members of a Christian militia group during raids across three states over the weekend. The raids took place in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio and were targeted at the Hutaree group which claims to be preparing for a battle against ‘an Anti-Christ’. A law enforcement official said the people arrested, believed to include the leader of the militia, face gun charges.” It goes on to quote the militia’s website, “We believe that one day, as prophecy says, there will be an Anti-Christ. Jesus wanted us to be ready to defend ourselves using the sword and stay alive using equipment.”

The leader of this militia group called the Hutaree was David Brian Stone. According to a different article (Christian militia accused of plotting to kill cops) his ex-wife said, “It started out as a Christian thing. You go to church. You pray. You take care of your family. I think David started to take it a little too far.” The article goes on to report, “Prosecutors said Stone had identified certain law enforcement officers near his home as potential targets. He and other members discussed setting off bombs at a police funeral, using a fake 911 call to lure an officer to his death, killing an officer after a traffic stop, or attacking the family of an officer, according to the indictment. After such attacks, the group allegedly planned to retreat to “rally points” protected by trip-wired explosives for a violent standoff with the law. ‘It is believed by the Hutaree that this engagement would then serve as a catalyst for a more widespread uprising against the government,’ the indictment said.”

vs. Christianity

I have a problem with this story on several levels. The first is with the term Christian Militia.The online Random House Dictionary gives the following definitions for the word militia:

1. a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.

2. a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.

3. all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.

4. a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the government

The militia in question would fall under the fourth definition. From a biblical point of view (and the only one that ultimately matters) Christians are called to obey governments and their ruling leaders as long as their laws don’t contradict the laws of God:

“1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” (Romans 13:1-7)

The exception to obeying governing authorities is when rulers tell you to do something that is contrary to God’s word:

“26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought [the disciples], but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:26-29)

For example, I believe abortion does contradict God’s law but unlike China, America does not force its citizens to have abortions. I do believe Christians should use all the spiritual, political, legal, and civil means at our disposal to overturn the abortion laws in America. But God is the One who declares, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Concerning the issue at hand, this militia group is not Christian by its actions nor their belief system when it comes to fighting and disobeying the government. Pastor John McArthur of Grace Communnity Church gives the following definition of a Christian:

  • You have been delivered from error into truth – That is you believe and understand the full truth of the Gospel and what it declares about Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13)
  • You have been delivered from sin into the righteousness of Jesus Christ and the good fruit that bears (Romans 3:21-26)
  • You have been delivered from this present age into the eternal kingdom (Galatians 1:4)

    • Conversely then a non-Christian would reject the truth of God’s word. I know that God says we should not sin yet I do sin. However, I acknowledge that God’s truth declares sin is wrong even though I struggle with it. If I say that sin is okay then I would be rejecting the truth of God’s word and would not be a Christian. To say that everyone who calls themselves a Christian is in fact a Christian is not true. Jesus Himself declared:

    “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”  (Matthew 7:15-27)

    vs. Antichrist

    Another problem I have with this story is the belief of this militia that they will fight militarily against the Antichrist. When the Antichrist arises to power and enters into the Third Temple in Jerusalem he will lead an army against God’s people:

    “1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems upon its horns and a blasphemous name upon its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth followed the beast with wonder. 4 Men worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months; 6 it opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, every one whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain. 9 If any one has an ear, let him hear: 10 If any one is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if any one slays with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” (Revelation 13:1-10)

    Whether this is an Islamic army or European army is open to prophetic interpretation. The Antichrist will use these armies “to make war on the saints and to conquer them”. However, the Lord Jesus Christ will lead His glorified army and defeat the Antichrist and his forces:

    “3 I have commanded My sanctified ones, I have also called My mighty ones for Mine anger, even them that rejoice in My highness. 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. 5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of His indignation, to destroy the whole land. 6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: 8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. 9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” (Isaiah 13:3-11)

    “1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. 4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. 9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11 And the LORD shall utter His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for He is strong that executeth His word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:1-11)

    “11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name inscribed which no one knows but Himself. 13 He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; He will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On His robe and on His thigh He has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord of lords. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, ‘Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.’ 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who sits upon the horse and against His army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword of Him who sits upon the horse, the sword that issues from His mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:11-21)

    “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (II Thessalonians 2:3-10)

    These passages speak of the Lord leading His army in the last days. It is not the militias who will defeat the Antichrist and his armies but rather the Lord Jesus Christ who will destroy them.

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    CNBC article agrees that America will decline

    Thursday, March 25th, 2010

    (March 25, 2010) Yesterday the CNBC website ran a news story titled Health Care Law Signals US Empire Decline? The opening paragraph of this article states, “The passage of the health care law shows that the US empire is declining because it illustrates the fact that people expect the state to take care of them, David Murrin, the co-founder of Emergent Asset Management hedge fund manager, told CNBC.” The article goes on to say, “In their expansionary phase, empires force people to go out, seek risks and fend for themselves, Murrin said, reminding of the dismantling of the British empire after the war, when the National Health Service, which ensures universal health coverage in Britain, was created. This (empire decline) is actually a dead-set course that societies get into and it will happen very quickly I’m afraid, he told ‘Squawk Box Europe.’ ‘As you start to build a system it becomes cohesive because of its success… the fractures in the American system I think are more apparent than ever,’ Murrin added.” The article points out that while America is declining China will be ascending in global influence.

    At the same time as the headline above was appearing on the Drudge Report he linked to another story which I consider to have a related import in regards to End-Times prophecy: Israel-US relations hit historic low amid White House blackout … This article reports, “Two separate meetings between President Obama and Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, failed to produce so much as an official photograph as a chill settled over US-Israeli relations and secrecy shrouded any efforts to repair them. The Israeli Prime Minister was due to fly home from Washington after three days marked by Israeli defiance on the issue of settlements and an extraordinary silence maintained by both sides after his three-and-a-half-hour visit to the White House. The meeting was overshadowed by Israeli approval for 20 homes built for Jews in Arab east Jerusalem — a move denounced by one senior US official as ‘exactly what we expect Prime Minister Netanyahu to get control of’. White House staff denied Mr Netanyahu the usual photo opportunities afforded to a visiting leader, issued only the vaguest summary of their talks — let alone a joint statement — and reversed a decision to release an official photo of their meetings.”

    These two news stories, one about the decline of America and the other about the deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Israel, appeared on the Drudge Report six days after I wrote the post immediately below this one. (The Decline and Fall of America Redux and Ezekiel 38-39) In that post I pointed out how for years I have believed that something has to happen to disrupt the relationship between Israel and America in order for Ezekiel’s War of Gog and Magog prophecy to come to pass. I believe that America will abandon Israel for either political or economical reasons. With Israel no longer under U.S. military protection the alliance of nations mentioned in Ezekiel would feel unrestrained in attacking Israel. Recent secular news stories seem to indicate that America is headed in that direction.

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    The Decline and Fall of America Redux and Ezekiel 38-39

    Thursday, March 18th, 2010

    (March 18, 2010) In September of 2007 I wrote an article for my website titled The Decline and Fall of America. The point of this article was to say that America had to decline in power in order for a prophecy in Ezekiel ch. 38-39 to come to pass. Another article I wrote, The Coming Invasion of Israel, describes the Ezekiel prophecy (usually referred to as the War of Gog and Magog) which declares that an alliance of nations surrounding Israel will attack it yet be supernaturally defeated by God. Scholars are uncertain as to the timing of this war and only agree on the fact that it occurs during the End-Times. In November of 2008 I wrote a post for my blog titled World economic fears and the decline of the United States where I quote an intelligence report that said:

    “U.S. economic and political clout will decline over the next two decades and the world will be more dangerous, with food and water scarce and advanced weapons plentiful, U.S. spy agencies projected on Thursday.”

    In that post I wrote, “I believe that America has to become either economically or militarily impotent or both and therefore become unwilling or unable to protect Israel. The Bible prophesies of a war where countries surrounding Israel invade it to their own peril in the last days. No non-Arabic country in the world would take on Israel as long as the powerful United States is protecting it. If the U.S. becomes impotent militarily then there is no more deterrent to those who would destroy Israel.”

    Recent events have led me to believe that America may not only be on the decline economically but is also becoming politically unwilling to protect Israel. Our current government seems intent on increasing deficit spending which will lead our nation to economic impotence both nationally and globally. The unrelenting obsession with passing healthcare legislation regardless of its deleterious impact on the economy and future of America is perplexing. Environmental and Immigration policies of this government will further weaken the U.S. economy and is equally disconcerting. I can find no logical answers as to why our govenment is disregarding public opinion on these economic issues and pressing ahead even if it means political suicide for many members of the ruling party. It may be that President Obama thinks America’s sins against minorities throughout its history need to be atoned for and one way to do this is to weaken its free market system so that a socialist system might replace it. He did choose to sit under a pastor for twenty years who spoke against America’s faults. Michele Obama made the statement “for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.” in regards to the acceptance and support of her husband’s presidential quest by the American people. However, there may be a much deeper reason why America is pursuing what appears to be economic ruin.

    It may be God’s unseen hand that is leading America down this path in order to fulfill His prophetic will concerning the nation of Israel. He used Egypt to fulfill His promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:13). He used the ungodly Chaldeans/Babylonians to perform His judgment: “For, lo, I RAISE up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their’s.” (Habakkuk 1:6) I would think that Mary and Joseph had to consider their mandated trip to Bethlehem a tremendous inconvenience and probably didn’t understand what God was doing at the time. But for His prophetic purposes He used the emperor of Rome to fulfill the prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2/Luke 2:1). Thus, God could be using America’s current administration to fulfill His prophetic purpose for Israel.

    America and Israel

    There are several news stories reporting President Obama’s Administration’s anger with Israel over plans to build 1600 apartments in East Jerusalem. The following headlines link to these stories:

    U.S.-Israeli Ties in ‘Historic’ Crisis – “Top U.S. officials have lined up in recent days to condemn the Israeli plan to build 1,600 apartments in east Jerusalem, the sector of the holy city that the Palestinians claim for their future capital. The project caused a storm in Washington because it was announced during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the region last week, badly embarrassing the U.S. and complicating its efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. The Palestinians immediately threatened not to join upcoming U.S.-brokered talks meant to jumpstart negotiations after a 14-month breakdown…”

    US envoy cancels Mideast trip, Israel feud deepens – “A U.S. envoy’s postponement of his Mideast trip appeared Tuesday to deepen one of the worst U.S.-Israeli feuds in memory – even as Israel’s foreign minister signaled his government had no intention of curtailing the contentious construction at the heart of the row…”

    Obama runs out of patience with Israel – “The US is now said to be demanding substantive concessions from Israel after a warning by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he would not take part in talks if the plan to expand the mainly ultra-orthodox Ramat Shlomo settlement went ahead. The row has appeared finally to bring to a head the year-long tensions between the two governments since Barack Obama tried in vain to persuade the Israeli Prime Minister to agree to a total settlement freeze. He was thwarted by Mr Netanyahu who agreed only to a partial 10-month freeze, which did not include East Jerusalem…”

    US may be seeking Israel ‘regime change’ – “The Obama administration’s row with Israel over settlements has prompted some analysts to wonder whether it seeks “regime change,” a new government that can make peace with the Palestinians…”

    The Obama Intifada? – “Are we seeing the beginning (heaven forbid) of the Obama intifada? The escalating Arab rioting today in Jerusalem and the West Bank is undoubtedly being stoked up by the fact that the Obama administration has turned so viciously against Israel. Doubtless as a result the Arabs now smell victory within their grasp and may now unleash another wave of violence against Israelis…”

    If President Obama turns from Israel in favor of the Muslims it may lead to a policy to where we would no longer protect Israel at any cost. A more likely scenario is that America will become economically unable to protect Israel. Either way the War of Gog and Magog will take place. How soon may be determined by the fate of the United States of America.

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    Posted in America, Archives 2010, Biblical prophecies, Economic watch, Israel | 2 Comments »

    “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” – Luke 18:8

    Saturday, March 14th, 2009

    (March 11, 2009)  The Christian Science Monitor website had the following article: “The coming evangelical collapse”  written by Michael Spencer, a well known Christian blogger and former pastor of the Southern Baptist denomination. He writes “We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West.”  He lists seven reasons as to why this collapse will take place. I will highlight a few:

    “1. Evangelicals have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism. This will prove to be a very costly mistake. Evangelicals will increasingly be seen as a threat to cultural progress. Public leaders will consider us bad for America, bad for education, bad for children, and bad for society.”

    “4. Despite some very successful developments in the past 25 years, Christian education has not produced a product that can withstand the rising tide of secularism.”

    “6. Even in areas where Evangelicals imagine themselves strong (like the Bible Belt), we will find a great inability to pass on to our children a vital evangelical confidence in the Bible and the importance of the faith.”

    Part of Mr. Spencer’s conclusion states the following: “The loss of their political clout may impel many Evangelicals to reconsider the wisdom of trying to create a “godly society.” That doesn’t mean they’ll focus solely on saving souls, but the increasing concern will be how to keep secularism out of church, not stop it altogether. The integrity of the church as a countercultural movement with a message of “empire subversion” will increasingly replace a message of cultural and political entitlement.”

    Lastly, he adds a disclaimer: “I’m not a prophet. My view of evangelicalism is not authoritative or infallible. I am certainly wrong in some of these predictions. But is there anyone who is observing evangelicalism in these times who does not sense that the future of our movement holds many dangers and much potential?”

    His overiding premise is based on the fact that “[Evangelical Christians] will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century.” I concur with his assessment. In September of 2004 I wrote an article on my crudely created first website at iesouschristos.com (In early 2006 I changed the look of this website to its current appearance www.iesouschristos.com; I no longer contribute to this website as I believe the Culture War is over) You can read the original article at:

     archive.org or on the current website at iesouschristos.com   

    The following is that article in its entirety as written on September 4, 2004:

    Will America persecute Christians in the future?

    Recent events in America’s history have led me to wonder if it’s possible that Christians will be persecuted in the United States of America in the future.

    Persecution of Christians started at the very beginning of Christianity with the stoning of the follower of Jesus Christ, Stephen. Shortly thereafter the Roman Empire tortured and killed many Christians because of their beliefs. Persecution of Christians has continued to our present day by Fascist, Communist, and Islamic countries. More Christians were killed in the 20th century than all the other centuries combined (carm.org). Jesus prophesied that persecution of His followers would take place when He said: “You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake” (Mark 13:13).

    American Christians have been spared persecution during the first few hundred years of the United States existence. That is because America was founded, not upon the principle of “freedom from religion, but rather upon “freedom forreligion”! Since the middle of the 20th century however our society has moved towards becoming a secular state. Various judicial rulings have undermined the Judeo-Christian system of beliefs that America was founded on. The phrase “separation of Church and State” has become the mantra of those people who would like to see America become a completely secularized state. It is clear that the American judicial system has become increasingly antagonistic toward those who hold to the Christian faith.

    There are a few examples that I will point out of recent rulings against Christianity and those who hold similar viewpoints of faith. It started with the banning of prayer in our school system in 1962 by the Supreme Court of the United States. I believe this was the beginning of an attack on our country’s youth. Instead of giving young people a reassurance that their lives were not a random act of evolution, it led them to a belief that they were ultimately accountable to no one. In the late 1960′s America experienced a “sexual revolution” which had as it foundational principle: “If it feels good, do it!” This led young Americans to engage in sexual “freedom” which resulted in sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. The next logical step in this progression led to another Supreme Court ruling in 1973 which allowed women to have a “legal” abortion. So if your sexual freedom led to a pregnancy then all you had to do to solve the problem was to abort your unborn baby. Then in the 1980′s this sexual revolution allowed the homosexual community to openly announce that they intended to promote their lifestyle in the American culture. They did suffer a setback with the discovery of the HIV virus known as AIDS. Rather than reassess the choices they were making with their lives they demanded that America find a cure for this disease so that they could continue to flaunt their homosexuality. Indeed, a cure should be found for this and all the other diseases that humans suffer but they turned that suffering into a political movement. The entertainment industry helped to promote their agenda through television shows and movies that had homosexual characters in them. The media also tried to change American’s view on homosexuality by presenting it as an “alternative lifestyle”. This acceptance of homosexuality was implemented in our school system’s curricula through books and courses designed to influence future generations of Americans to accept it as part of our society. Those people who have supported and implemented the secularization of America have been very successful in their efforts. Since 1973 the equivalent of 1/7 (43,000,000) of our current population has been exterminated through abortion. Also sexual “freedom” is permeating every area of our society so that teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are an accepted part of our culture. However, for the secularists to have total reign over our culture there is one obstacle they have to overcome.

    That obstacle is Christians who continue to believe in a God who will hold His creations, human beings, accountable one day. That the Church has played a role in the decline of our culture has some validity. We Christians have also engaged in sinful behavior. As such we need to repent of our sins and of our participation in this process. Jesus said Christians are to be the “light of the world” yet we have failed in many aspects of this calling. I believe that we are moving in this direction but obviously still have a ways to go. One way that we are trying to change is through the political process upon which our democracy is based. Up until recent years Christians have not been engaged in the stopping of the deterioration of our culture. I believe that participation in the democratic process by Christians is a legitimate means of trying to stem the tide of cultural demise. But that does not alleviate us from our responsibility to change people’s hearts through words, behaviors, and prayer. I’ve heard people say you can’t legislate morality. This is a fallacy because most legislation is based on morality. Otherwise, why is it wrong to murder and steal? The animal kingdom kills one another for food or territory yet we do not assign a standard of morality to their behavior. Humans, on the other hand, do understand right and wrong because God has written His laws upon our hearts (Romans 2:11-15). So the electoral process is one responsible way for Christians to overcome the threat to our American culture. However, recent events have led me to the conclusion that Christians in America will one day be persecuted as Jesus Christ said we would.

    Early in 2004 a movie based on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ made a tremendous impact on our culture. This movie, called “The Passion of the Christ” was seen by millions of people around the world. However, it received a tremendous amount of opposition from secularists and the media. There were predictions of anti-Semitism running rampant in the streets of America (none of which ever materialized). Christianity was referred to as an intolerant religion and a religion of torture and death. Yet in spite of this hysteria many people were positively impacted by the message of this movie. But the concern is that large segments of our society revealed a deep hatred of Christians and their beliefs.

    Another, and even more revealing, event took place later in the year. The Presidential election campaign of 2004 illustrated clearly the cultural divide that has been growing in America between secularist liberals and Christian conservatives. I have never seen an election process that was even close to exhibiting the vitriolic language and animosity towards those who supported the Christian values held by our President than this one did. The apostle Paul wrote that humans do not ultimately wrestle against flesh and blood but against spiritual entities who are opposed to the ways of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). There is not one doubt in my mind that the battle for our culture is being fought in the spiritual realm. The behavior by those opposed to traditional Christian values was evidence enough that this is in fact the case. After the President was re-elected, it was determined that a large part of his support came from those people who did hold traditional beliefs. The opposition immediately started denigrating people of faith through the media and the Internet. The hostility intensified to an even greater level towards Christians than before the election. The fact that several states passed amendments to their constitutions which prohibited same-sex marriage gave more impetus to this hatred. The results of this election, which appear to be a repudiation of liberal values, do seem to give a reprieve to our cultural decline but I believe it will only be a momentary one.

    The problem is that liberals have found that since they are unable to control the executive and legislative branches at all levels of our government they will push their secularist agenda through the judicial branch. As noted above, the judiciary of America has ruled very often in their favor and very often against values of faith. That the secularists will continue down this path of using judicial activists to further their cause is a fact of history. I believe that ultimately there will be laws legislated by these activist judges in our country that will result in an attempt to silence Christians from preaching their beliefs.

    As mentioned earlier, persecution of Christians is occurring in countries that have closed societies. But recently there has been an alarming development in Western-style or democratic-type countries. The country of Sweden has passed “hate-crimes” legislation which prohibit speech that is considered hateful towards others. In a well known case a pastor in Sweden was sentenced to one month in prison for preaching against homosexuality during a sermon in 2003. Canada has also passed similar “hate-crimes” legislation recently. In 2004 a effort was made to expand current federal “hate-crimes” laws in America to include crimes based on gender, sexual-orientation, and disability. This legislation would have made it easier for local law enforcement agencies and courts to prosecute those accused of “hate crimes”. This amendment was approved by the Senate as a part of a Defense authorization bill. But because House Republicans opposed this provisional amendment it was removed from this bill. The issue of adding sexual-orientation to the Federal “hate crimes” law will be raised again in 2005 according to the bill’s sponsors. If and when this law is passed it may lead eventually to the same scenario that has already occurred in Sweden. Ministers who speak against homosexuality because of their belief in the Bible and what is has to say on this issue may one day be arrested in America for espousing their views. Some would say that this could never happen in America where the First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees free speech. There was an incident during the 2004 Presidential campaign which may cause some to reconsider the impossibility of America clamping down on free speech. It was glossed over by the media rather quickly.

    There was a film that was going to be shown by a television broadcasting company that was going to be detrimental to the Democratic candidate, John Kerry. Eventually an uproar in the media and other liberal circles prevailed and this company edited out parts of the film that were the cause of such consternation. But there was one specific incident that occurred during this controversy that I want to point out. It pertains to statement made by a Kerry campaign aide: “Listen, they better look out there at Sinclair Broadcasting. I’m not a lawyer, but they’ve stirred up a lot of hatred. We’ve got thousands of people now very mad, jackballed up – calling these [Sinclair] stations, protesting, threatening boycotts of their sponsors. I think they’re going to regret doing this. They better hope we don’t win.” The chilling implication of this statement was that if the liberals were elected to office they would use their power to stifle the speech of a national media outlet. That they were willing to admit that they would commit such an egregious violation of what many consider to be the greatest of our rights listed in the Constitution is almost beyond belief. But as I’ve noted in this article, secularists and liberals have not been reticent to change the culture we have had in America for 200 years by using whatever means necessary to achieve their goals.

    Though the sweep by conservatives in the recent national and state elections may stem the progression of the liberal agenda in America, I believe that eventually liberal activist judges will find ways to continue their implementation of this agenda such as that exhibited by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. When they do come to power I believe that eventually Christians in America will be persecuted by our government. I believe that this persecution will occur within a decade of this time. I do not believe for one moment that my position is overly dramatic. As I pointed out earlier the courts have ruled consistently against religion in the public arena. That persecution could happen here as hatred in America continues to build against those who hold to the values as espoused by the Bible is not only possible but probable. Why should Christians not believe Jesus Christ when He said: “You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake”?!

    [end of 2004 article]

    I still believe that Christians will be persecuted in America as they continue to be around the world. The U.S. Constitution has replaced the Bible as the authoritative voice in America. Though the media has declined recently in numbers they have not lost their power to influence Americans. They played a large part in the election of the very liberal Barack Obama for president. Bible-believing Christianity is not politically correct. To say that abortion and homosexual marriage is wrong is an affront to the secularists’ sensibilities. I don’t see how Biblical Christianity can exist as a significant part of American society with the assault that secularist judges, politicians, and media outlets are continuing to exert against it.

    Jesus made an intriguing statement during His ministry which I’m not sure exactly was He was referring to when He said it: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) One possible meaning could refer to His second coming which takes place at the end of the seven year Tribulation Period (a terrible time of devastation that the whole world will go through). It is possible that since a large part of the world’s population will be destroyed during that time, the majority of those who remain will be followers of the Antichrist and will have killed the many of the followers of God. In discussing the signs of the End-Times with His disciples on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:8-12) Whether or not this is what Jesus meant when He questioned whether He would find faith on earth at His return I cannot say. I do believe that America will further decline in Christian truth and will be open to all kinds of deception that will lead to its downfall.

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    Posted in America, Archives 2009 | 2 Comments »

    Is God judging America?

    Saturday, March 7th, 2009

    americaeatenaway(March 6, 2009)  Recently I read the following headlines on the same day:

    On The Road To Socialism? We’ve Arrived!

    Bair Says Insurance Fund Could Be Insolvent This Year 

    What Are the Odds of a Depression?

    Everyday you can read headlines as bad as this or worse. My immediate thought was, Is God judging America? 

    Ascribing God’s judgment to a person, event, or country can be a precarious endeavor. We live in a fallen world and therefore bad things sometimes happen just because of sinful human nature. However, nothing happens unless God allows it or He causes it to occur.

    In biblical times a prophet made it clear that God’s judgment was coming. He gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent (they didn’t). He gave the city of Nineveh 40 days to repent (they did). He told Abraham that if He could find just ten tighteous men in Sodom and Gomorrah He wouldn’t destroy it (He couldn’t). He used the Babylonian Empire to carry out His judgment against a rebellious Israel who wasn’t obeying His land Sabbath laws (Leviticus 25:1-8; Jeremiah 25:8-9,11,29:10; II Chronicles 36:20-21). This judgment resulted in the destruction of the Jews’ first temple and led to their seventy-year captivity by the Babylonians. Of course the biggest judgment (aside from judging His Son Jesus Christ for our sins) God wrought was when He destroyed the earth with a flood.

    Are there biblical principles we can use to discern as to when events may be a judgment of God?

    Sodom and Gomorrah

    Why was Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? The prophet Ezekiel gives us some reasons:

    “49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

    According to this passage those cities were proud, gluttonous, lazy, and uncaring towards the poor. The other reason God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was because of the abomination of their homosexual activity:

    “22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. 24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.” (Leviticus 18:22-25)

    The Book of Jude confirms their sexual immorality by going after “strange flesh”:

    “7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.” (Jude vss.7-8)

    In the Leviticus passage God declared that these sins defiled the land the people were living on and thus removed them through His judgment from heaven. Therefore we could say that if a country is committing these types of behavior God will one day judge it.

    Nineveh

    The Bible doesn’t specify why God was going to judge the city of Nineveh except to say they had committed wickedness:

    “1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” (Jonah 1:1-2)

    God was going to judge the Ninevites because of their wicked behavior but withheld it when they repented.

    Canaanites

    In the case of the Canaanites mentioned above, God told Abraham that his descendants would be captives in the land of Egypt until the Canaanites’ sins had crossed the line of His judgment:

    “13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their’s, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” (Genesis 15:13-16)

    This passage illustrates another principle of God’s timing when it comes to judging a nation. He allowed the Canaanites to commit a certain amount of sins before He judged them. It would take another four hundred years before the people met that requirement. 

    Israel’s Captivity

    Israel had disregarded God’s laws concerning the physical land of Israel. He had instructed the Jews to plant and harvest their crops for six straight years on the land but on the seventh year they were not to plant or harvest anything. They were to give the land a rest. The Jews did not obey this law for 490 years which meant that seventy land Sabbaths occurred without the land getting a rest. He told the Israelites that because they did not obey His laws they would be taken captive for seventy years as punishment for the seventy land Sabbaths they had ignored:

    “7 Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. 8 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, 9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. 10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” (Jeremiah 25:7-11)

     The Babylonians destroyed their first temple and took the Jews as captive for seventy years. This story reveals at least two principles of God’s judgment upon a nation: The first is that if a country ignores His laws then they will be judged at some point. The second is that sometimes God’s judgments have a time frame. In this case His judgment lasted seventy years after which He brought the Jews back to their land.

    The Flood

    Lastly, God judged the world:

    “5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:5-7)

    Again, God’s judgment will come when the wickedness of a nation’s behavior (or the world’s behavior in this case) and the evilness of its reasoning crosses the line of God’s tolerance.

    Flaunting Sin

    I want to mention one last biblical principle concerning the judgment of God. This has to do with flaunted or public sin. There are different attitudes people can have when they sin. Some are ashamed of their sins and try to hide them. Others flaunt their sins before man and God because they have no shame in committing them. All sin is destructive but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). There are some examples of people who committed public, flaunted sins. One is found in the Book of Numbers:

    “28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. 29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them. 30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. 32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 15:28-36)

    God had just given His laws to the children of Israel. In verse 31 of this passage God stated that those who despise His word are to be cut off from the land. One of the main laws He commanded them to observe was that they rest on the Sabbath and do no work. Here a man was out picking up firewood on the Sabbath in front of the whole camp of Israel. He was despising the word and laws of God in a very public manner. To stop this type of rebellious attitude God had the Israelites judge him immediately.

    Another example of public sin occurred very early in the Church’s history. The first Christians were eagerly bringing their donations to the disciples to help finance their ministry. However, one couple decided they were going to try to deceive their fellow Christians:

    “33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need…1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 4:33-35; 5:1-11)

    This couple wanted to look righteous in the eyes of their fellow believers so they lied to God and the Holy Spirit. God judged them and they both died. They had publicly flaunted their sin before their fellow Christians with a complete disregard for the truths of God.

    I believe the principle that judgment will result if we despise God’s word and thereby flaunt our sins before Him can be applied to nations as well. America has legalized the killing of unborn babies and is in the process of legally sanctioning homosexual marriages. Sexual immorality and divorce are quite pervasive in our culture. Shame is no longer part of the fabric of our society. We are flaunting our sins before the face of God and have been doing so for some time. How much longer will it be before God judges our public sins?

    Is God Judging America?

    Has America met any of the criteria for receiving God’s judgment that is mentioned above? It has been four hundred years since the first English settlement was established at Jamestown Virginia in 1607. From that time God has prospered America immensely. However, America’s behavior throughout its “young” history has not always been godly. American Indians were massacred and their lands confiscated. Blacks were treated inhumanely during slavery. One could make the case that the Civil War was God’s judgment upon America because more than 600,000 Americans died. The population at that time was 31 million Americans so nearly one out of every fifty Americans died. The result of this war was the abolition of slavery although not racism. At the same time America became a leading propagator of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian hospitals, colleges, and missions were built to help people in need. Americans fought in foreign wars to defeat governments bent on spreading evil in the world. Something changed in the 1960s. Authority was being challenged and rebellion in the areas of sexuality and gender roles began taking place. In 1962 the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in schools was unconstitutional. In 1969 a homosexual uprising took place in New York and began an era of normalizing homosexual relationships in the American culture. In 1973 the Supreme Court legalized abortion in America. It is estimated that more than 40 million unborn babies have been aborted since that ruling. That is equivalent to nearly one-seventh of the current American population. The courts have consistently protected pornography as a freedom of speech issue while at the same time removing religion from the sphere of public discourse. Mainline churches have quit teaching the literalness of the Bible in favor of a watered-down social gospel. Although churches are still reaching out to the poor and needy, people are starting to look to the government to feed and clothe them rather than God. All these things would give God the justification He needed to judge America. In the 1960s Ruth Graham, wife of Billy Graham, commented to her husband that if God didn’t judge America soon He was going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. How much worse has America grown since she spoke these words. I believe there is one factor that has stayed God’s hand from judging America until now.

    Israel

    Israel became a nation again in 1948. The United States of America became the first nation in the world to recognize the legitimacy of Israel and its right to exist. Since then we have been its friend and protector. I believe the rebirth of Israel was the beginning of the fulfillment of a prophecy God gave to His prophet Amos:

    “13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.” (Amos 9:13-15)

    God made a covenant with the patriarch Abraham:

    “1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

    God promised to give the land of Israel to Abraham and his descendants. He also declared that those who bless or help Abraham’s nation of Israel will be blessed. Conversely, those who curse or oppose the nation of Israel will be cursed. As long as America protects Israel I believe God will allow America to escape His judgments. The day we turn our backs on Israel will be the day God will remove His protection from America. Are we at that point now? Just recently our new secretary of State has made disturbing proclamations towards the state of Israel:

    Clinton condemns Israel’s demolition of Arab East Jerusalem homes

    Jewish Leaders Blast Clinton Over Israel Criticism

    I wrote an article on my website explaining why I think America does have to turn away from Israel at some point:  The Decline and Fall of America. Only time will tell if America stands by Israel or if we turn our backs on it because of military, economic, or policy reasons.

    The Great Depression

    Although we are currently going through tough financial times, economic crises are not unprecedented in our history. In the 1930s the Great Depression occurred after a decade of greed, crime, and prosperity led to financial collapse. Whether or not this was a judgment of God is not clear. It took the rise of an evil dictator and a world war to solve the Depression. I do believe that as a result of World War II the modern state of Israel came into existence. This was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and therefore God was involved in some way with the events of the mid-twentieth century. It may be that the current economic collapse going on in the world could result in more biblical prophecy being fulfilled. This of course is God’s domain and only He knows the exact timing when His End-Times plans will be fulfilled.

    Dangers of declaring God’s judgment

    At the beginning of this article I stated that ascribing God’s judgment can be a precarious endeavor. One example of this occurred after 9/11. Some prominent Christian leaders proclaimed that the terrorist attack on New York City was God’s judgment on America because of its tolerance for homosexuality. They were predictably criticized in the media for these statements. You have just read that God will judge a nation because of its sins sexual or otherwise.  However, these Christian leaders had no proof that this is why God allowed terrorists to attack America. Therein lies the danger. We have no prophets today that are authorized by God to declare judgment on America. We do have His word which as we have seen declares why He does judge countries. America has met the criteria God requires to bring down His judgment on it and so it may very well be that we are at the start of the downfall of America. Only time will tell whether He is still restraining His judgment or just beginning it.

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    World economic fears and the decline of the United States

    Thursday, November 20th, 2008

    (November 20, 2008)  The economies of the world seem to be on the verge of collapse and it is causing fear around the world. (Fear stalks the world’s economies) According to this article, “Market analysts said panic had set in among traders. ‘Markets are utterly unhinged,’ said Bill O’Donnell, a strategist at UBS. ‘One problem is that financial institutions are powerless to take the other side of panic trades.’” As I pointed out in other news items in this section, the Bible declares that in the last days there will be worldwide chaos leading to famines, pestilences, and worthless economies. The use of the word fear has a prophetic air, “25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:25-28) Jesus said in the last days men’s hearts will fail them for fear and on earth there will be distress of nations.
    The Book of Revelation speaks of an earth-shaking economic collapse, “1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” (Revelation 18:1-24) The historical Babylon is located in Iraq however John may be speaking of a metaphorical Babylon representing the evil in this world. In this instance it is the evil economic systems that have turned people from God and oppressed the people of the world. John is describing what he sees in at least the 21st century since this hasn’t taken place yet. He says that he sees this collapse occur in one day and the world is devastated by it. They had put their trust in riches and now those riches are gone. Fear and distress will indeed be the appropriate responses.

    More predictions of the decline and fall of America

    Reuters reports that the National Intelligence Council foresees a decline in American power and influence. (UPDATE 2-US clout down, risks up by 2025 -intel outlook) The article states, “U.S. economic and political clout will decline over the next two decades and the world will be more dangerous, with food and water scarce and advanced weapons plentiful, U.S. spy agencies projected on Thursday.” I believe that America has to become either economically or militarily impotent or both and therefore become unwilling or unable to protect Israel. (The Decline & Fall of America) The Bible prophesies of a war where countries surrounding Israel invade it to their own peril in the last days. (Coming Invasion of Israel) No non-Arabic country in the world would take on Israel as long as the powerful United States is protecting it. If the U.S. becomes impotent militarily then there is no more deterrent to those who would destroy Israel. The article further states, “‘A world with multiple power centers has been less stable than one with a single or two rival superpowers, and there was a growing potential for conflict…Strategic rivalries are most likely to revolve around trade, investments and technological innovation and acquisition, but we cannot rule out a 19th century-like scenario of arms races, territorial expansion and military rivalries,’ the report said.” According to this assessment, a weakened America will lead to a more unstable world in which military alliances (like the one mentioned in Ezekiel) will be able to act upon their territorial expansion designs.

    Professor Igor Panarin, a leading Russian political analyst, stated that the United States is headed for an economic collapse, confirming a prediction he made in 1998 when America’s economy was strong. (RUSSIAN ANALYST PREDICTS DECLINE AND BREAKUP OF USA) The article reports him saying that the U.S. will break up into six sections: “Asked why he expected the U.S. to break up into separate parts, he said: ‘A whole range of reasons. Firstly, the financial problems in the U.S. will get worse. Millions of citizens there have lost their savings. Prices and unemployment are on the rise. General Motors and Ford are on the verge of collapse, and this means that whole cities will be left without work. Governors are already insistently demanding money from the federal center. Dissatisfaction is growing, and at the moment it is only being held back by the elections and the hope that Obama can work miracles. But by spring, it will be clear that there are no miracles.’” When asked who would replace the U.S. as the economic power of the world he said, “Two countries could assume this role: China, with its vast reserves, and Russia, which could play the role of a regulator in Eurasia.” According to biblical prophecy Russia is going to lead a coalition of countries against Israel (click on the link above “Coming Invasion of Israel”). China too may be the prophetic fulfillment of two passages in Revelation that describes a coalition of countries that invade the Middle East: “13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand [i.e. 200 million men]: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.” (Revelation 9:13-19) “12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Revelation 16:12-14)

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    Leaders want to restructure world’s economic system

    Saturday, November 15th, 2008

    (November 15, 2008)  According to the Washington Post the Group of 20 nations (G20) agreed today to restructure the economic systems of the world over the next year. (World Leaders Agree to Sweeping Economic Plan) This agreement “would reshape international financial institutions and overhaul worldwide regulatory and accounting rules.” The article goes on to state,“The communique said that over time the International Monetary Fund and other global institutions ‘must be comprehensively reformed so that they can more adequately reflect changing economic weights in the world economy.’” The German chancellor Angela Merkel wants to establish a “world risk map” that would allow “global financial institutions to allow financial authorities to quickly identify future trouble spots.” (Germany to advocate ‘world risk map’)

    The Book of Revelation indicates that in the last days a unified world economic system will be in place under the reign of the Antichrist: “16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation 13:16-18) The beast or Antichrist will control this system and will allow only those who swear allegiance to him to participate in the buying and selling of commodities and services. With the digital age such a program is possible. It could be that this current financial agreement will consolidate the economies of the world and lay the groundwork for such a global financial system declared in Revelation 13. It is noteworthy that Adolph Hitler rose to power out of the horrible postwar economic chaos of the 1920s. He was a great orator and he used the Jews as a scapegoat for all of Germany’s problems. The Germans readily accepted him as their leader and some treated him as a messianic figure.

    Along a similar vein the Washington Post had an article on the Great Depression. (The Great Depression, Not So Far Away) This article explores the possibility of parallels between that time and the current economic crisis of the world. The Bible indicates that in the last days there will be severe economic times that leads to widespread famines. Jesus said “6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:6-8) Economic hard times are also indicated in the Book of Revelation when it costs a day’s wages to buy food: “5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)

    If nothing else the speed with which the world’s financial crisis suggests that even if the End-Times are still a ways off it would take no time at all to repeat this scenario.

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    The Election of Barack Obama as President

    Sunday, November 9th, 2008
    President Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama

    (November 9, 2008)  Someone recently asked me if Barack Obama would become a player in End-Times events. My overriding concern for whoever becomes President of the United States is what is God’s will for this country. The Bible makes it clear that it is God who raises up rulers and causes them to fall: “20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” (Daniel 2:20-21) With this in mind there are two things that stand out to me about 2008 election.

    The first is the fact that people worldwide were so taken with an unknown quantity illustrates that people are looking for someone to solve their problems. This is indicative to me that one day the world will also be taken with a charismatic leader who will speak of peace and tell the people what they want to hear. With global communications through the Internet, Satellite TV, etc it will take no time at all for the Antichrist to come on the scene and rise to prominence.

    The other issue concerns the future of America. The prophet Ezekiel declared that in the latter days there will be a war between the countries surrounding Israel (Russia, Iran formerly Persia etc) and Israel itself. I don’t believe this war can occur as long as the United States is the protector of Israel. On my web site I wrote an article in 2007 about the fall of America. (The Decline & Fall of America) In this article I point out that I believe America has to become either economically or militarily impotent or both. As a result of this decline the U.S. will become either unwilling or unable to protect Israel. When this occurs the countries will feel that they have a free hand to attack Israel. Obama’s intentions towards the state of Israel are unclear. He made conflicting statements concerning Jerusalem. It could be that his economic policies might further erode the economic power of America. If that does happen on his watch then I believe it would only be a matter of time before this prophetic war would take place. Russia has become more aggressive recently and of course Iran is trying to increase it military strength and making threatening statements towards Israel. It seems events were already set in motion before Barack Obama becomes President. The economy of America is in jeopardy and the military has been stretched numerically. Even if the issues recover to some extent it illustrates that a future fall of America’s economy and possibly military can happen in a very short time. Only time will tell and it will only occur in God’s timing.

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