Once upon a time it mattered what a person said or didn't say. But apparently this is no longer the case in our postmodern era where the perception is that words don't always mean what they say and are thus subject to interpretation. Politicians have learned to take advantage of the postmodern perspective by saying things that the public wants to hear while secretely intending to remain faithful to their ideology as revealed in their past actions and associations. The public just accepts such cognitive dissonance and embraces the politically correct false image portrayed by the mainstream media. This is why the Big Lie has worked so well and will grow in use as a tool of governmental leaders to force their will on people.
We saw this process in the election of President Obama and also now in the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. The Senate hearings haven't been able to get Kagan to describe her judicial philosophy since she has been deflecting questions using one rationale or another. Public officials with Leftist ideologies need to portray themselves as being more conservative than they are or they will not be accepted by their constituents.
The incidence of governmental leaders deceiving the public is growing worse in our day and this reveals the spirit of Antichrist. It is one more trend that contributes to the birth pangs of the Tribulation where such deception will be rampant. Jesus said, "for false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24, NKJ). Governmental officials have not used "signs and wonders" yet but that day is coming. The Antichrist will also use deception to "come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue" (Daniel 11:21). Once in power, the Antichrist will certainly not rule conservatively since he "shall intend to change times and law" (Daniel 7:25).
The growing deception in our day is just one more thing that shows how sorely this world needs Jesus Christ to return. "It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Inflation or Deflation?
Pundits are expecting a second-dip recession for the world economy but they are divided as to what will cause it. European leaders are anticipating the risk to be inflation and U.S. leaders think it will be deflation. Thus Europe is cutting back on governmental spending and taxes while the U.S. leaders want to do just the opposite.
The economic crash that happens during the Tribulation will certainly start out being an inflationary problem… “a quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius” (Revelation 6:6, NKJ). A denarius was a day’s wage in biblical times. Thus at the beginning of the Tribulation demand for what people need like food will exceed supply. But there is also Revelation 18:11, “the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.” This certainly sounds like a deflationary problem where supply outstrips demand.
The Bible does tell us that the Roman Empire will revive in the time leading up to the Tribulation so this would tend to indicate that the European response to cut spending is the more correct one. If we are close to the Tribulation then their inflationary expectation is the correct view of the world economy. The fact that the U.S. must wane as an economic superpower is reinforced by our government having exactly the wrong view of how to deal with the coming second-dip recession.
The Bible also tells us that God will reward those who make the effort to avoid inflation over those who think indebtedness is the solution to looming deflation. Proverbs 22:7 says, “the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Collectively this tells me that the Europeans have a more correct read on the world economy and the U.S. is wrong. Europe's star is rising while America's is fading making way for the Revived Roman Empire and the coming global government. Also, what the pundits are pretty much agreed on is that the world economy is headed for a second-dip recession and the best we can do is avoid making it worse.
The only consolation to suffering through these birth pangs is that followers of Jesus will be with the Lord during the Tribulation. I can’t help but look forward to that Day.
The economic crash that happens during the Tribulation will certainly start out being an inflationary problem… “a quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius” (Revelation 6:6, NKJ). A denarius was a day’s wage in biblical times. Thus at the beginning of the Tribulation demand for what people need like food will exceed supply. But there is also Revelation 18:11, “the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore.” This certainly sounds like a deflationary problem where supply outstrips demand.
The Bible does tell us that the Roman Empire will revive in the time leading up to the Tribulation so this would tend to indicate that the European response to cut spending is the more correct one. If we are close to the Tribulation then their inflationary expectation is the correct view of the world economy. The fact that the U.S. must wane as an economic superpower is reinforced by our government having exactly the wrong view of how to deal with the coming second-dip recession.
The Bible also tells us that God will reward those who make the effort to avoid inflation over those who think indebtedness is the solution to looming deflation. Proverbs 22:7 says, “the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Collectively this tells me that the Europeans have a more correct read on the world economy and the U.S. is wrong. Europe's star is rising while America's is fading making way for the Revived Roman Empire and the coming global government. Also, what the pundits are pretty much agreed on is that the world economy is headed for a second-dip recession and the best we can do is avoid making it worse.
The only consolation to suffering through these birth pangs is that followers of Jesus will be with the Lord during the Tribulation. I can’t help but look forward to that Day.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Hidden Agenda
It is well known that those who neglect the lessons of history are destined to repeat it. It seems the United States is determined to duplicate the high unemployment and stagnant economy of Europe. At the recent G-20 meeting in Toronto, President Obama was the lone voice advocating more government spending.
It seems that most of Europe has already figured out that government indebtedness is no path to prosperity and is trying to reverse their big-government spending practices. Of course once big-government social practices are in place, it is next to impossible to reverse them. Since history has shown what happens when big-government social policies are embraced, our governmental leaders must be seeking these same low-employment, stagnant economic outcomes for the United States despite their rhetoric.
President Obama’s not-so-hidden agenda is that he wants to make the United States more of a team player with the rest of the world. This was in fact one of his campaign promises. People wouldn’t have supported him so enthusiastically if they knew how he intended to accomplish his vision of a level playing field between nations.
President Obama reinforced his vision for a level playing field between nations at the G-20 meeting indicating that he sought to end the “undue advantage” some countries have over others in the global marketplace. Of course the context of this statement was that he wanted to create jobs and boost U.S. exports. I am not convinced that he really means it. If he did, he would stop pursuing a government tax and spend strategy which has never worked to grow jobs anywhere it has been tried.
Actions speak louder than words. Our President has been perpetrating the Big Lie that he wants to grow jobs, but what he does has actually had the opposite effect. These actions reinforce our President’s priority is to make the U.S. more of a team player in the world community of nations. To do that, he must shrink our economy. Adding taxes and regulations to businesses, growing our debt which causes inflation, and pursuing strategies designed to increase the price of oil all have a chilling effect on the economy.
The prophetic implication of President Obama’s strategy to shrink the economy of the United States is that this action helps set the stage for the worldwide government of the Antichrist. There can be no worldwide government if there is an economic superpower around to force its will on others. A level playing field of nations is necessary to make it easier for the coming G-10 to be, “of one mind, and… give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13, NKJ).
If we are as close to the Rapture as the collective Tribulation stage-setting developments tend to indicate; I think it highly likely that there will be a second-dip recession. This will be necessary in the interests of not letting a good crisis go to waste for the government to take radical actions to crash our economy beyond repair. Of course, ultimately God is in control of our economy so when the U.S. suffers economic Armageddon, it’s purpose will be to shake us up from our materialistic ways. And it will also indicate the likelihood that the Tribulation preceded by the Rapture is coming soon. In fact, the Rapture would itself contribute to the severity of a serious economic crash.
The best way to be prepared for what is coming is to have an eternal perspective of what is going on in this world… “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
It seems that most of Europe has already figured out that government indebtedness is no path to prosperity and is trying to reverse their big-government spending practices. Of course once big-government social practices are in place, it is next to impossible to reverse them. Since history has shown what happens when big-government social policies are embraced, our governmental leaders must be seeking these same low-employment, stagnant economic outcomes for the United States despite their rhetoric.
President Obama’s not-so-hidden agenda is that he wants to make the United States more of a team player with the rest of the world. This was in fact one of his campaign promises. People wouldn’t have supported him so enthusiastically if they knew how he intended to accomplish his vision of a level playing field between nations.
President Obama reinforced his vision for a level playing field between nations at the G-20 meeting indicating that he sought to end the “undue advantage” some countries have over others in the global marketplace. Of course the context of this statement was that he wanted to create jobs and boost U.S. exports. I am not convinced that he really means it. If he did, he would stop pursuing a government tax and spend strategy which has never worked to grow jobs anywhere it has been tried.
Actions speak louder than words. Our President has been perpetrating the Big Lie that he wants to grow jobs, but what he does has actually had the opposite effect. These actions reinforce our President’s priority is to make the U.S. more of a team player in the world community of nations. To do that, he must shrink our economy. Adding taxes and regulations to businesses, growing our debt which causes inflation, and pursuing strategies designed to increase the price of oil all have a chilling effect on the economy.
The prophetic implication of President Obama’s strategy to shrink the economy of the United States is that this action helps set the stage for the worldwide government of the Antichrist. There can be no worldwide government if there is an economic superpower around to force its will on others. A level playing field of nations is necessary to make it easier for the coming G-10 to be, “of one mind, and… give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13, NKJ).
If we are as close to the Rapture as the collective Tribulation stage-setting developments tend to indicate; I think it highly likely that there will be a second-dip recession. This will be necessary in the interests of not letting a good crisis go to waste for the government to take radical actions to crash our economy beyond repair. Of course, ultimately God is in control of our economy so when the U.S. suffers economic Armageddon, it’s purpose will be to shake us up from our materialistic ways. And it will also indicate the likelihood that the Tribulation preceded by the Rapture is coming soon. In fact, the Rapture would itself contribute to the severity of a serious economic crash.
The best way to be prepared for what is coming is to have an eternal perspective of what is going on in this world… “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Friday, June 25, 2010
Afghanistan Failure
The situation in Afghanistan is under increasing scrutiny these days since the commanding general of U.S. forces there resigned due to a scandal over revealing too much about what his staff really thought of their mission. If anyone can put things back on a better course, the new commander, General Petraeus can.
But then you hear news about how an Afghani government minister has made a recent call to execute Christians living there because of their beliefs. It makes you wonder what we are doing in that country. It doesn’t look like they are making any progress toward becoming a place of freedom which I thought was our goal in that national building exercise. Of course we will not hear stories about Christian persecution in the mainstream media because failing there is not politically correct. And besides, Christians are used to being persecuted, why should the media make a big deal about it?
One thing our being in Afghanistan does do is tie up our ability to project military power in other places. And that makes it more likely for a war to break out in any of the various hotspots where tensions are building.
The report on Christian persecution in Afghanistan also makes it look like there is nothing we could do to reverse the growth of radical Islam. This is more evidence that Islam will be the religion of the Antichrist. Certainly the form of execution Muslims prefer is the same that will be used by the Antichrist and his minions during the Tribulation… “Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image” (Revelation 20:4, NKJ).
I regularly pray for my brothers and sisters in Islamic countries; they are already experiencing Tribulation conditions. The growing assembly of martyrs in heaven is already crying out to God, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)
The accelerating pace of Tribulational birth pangs indicates that it will not be long before the Rapture of the Church. Stay ready!
But then you hear news about how an Afghani government minister has made a recent call to execute Christians living there because of their beliefs. It makes you wonder what we are doing in that country. It doesn’t look like they are making any progress toward becoming a place of freedom which I thought was our goal in that national building exercise. Of course we will not hear stories about Christian persecution in the mainstream media because failing there is not politically correct. And besides, Christians are used to being persecuted, why should the media make a big deal about it?
One thing our being in Afghanistan does do is tie up our ability to project military power in other places. And that makes it more likely for a war to break out in any of the various hotspots where tensions are building.
The report on Christian persecution in Afghanistan also makes it look like there is nothing we could do to reverse the growth of radical Islam. This is more evidence that Islam will be the religion of the Antichrist. Certainly the form of execution Muslims prefer is the same that will be used by the Antichrist and his minions during the Tribulation… “Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image” (Revelation 20:4, NKJ).
I regularly pray for my brothers and sisters in Islamic countries; they are already experiencing Tribulation conditions. The growing assembly of martyrs in heaven is already crying out to God, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)
The accelerating pace of Tribulational birth pangs indicates that it will not be long before the Rapture of the Church. Stay ready!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Looming War
Every day there are more reports indicating that war in the Mideast is imminent. Herbert London wrote a good article summarizing all the factors that are combining to build the tensions between Israel and her Islamic enemies.
There is also an unsubstantiated report that Israel is prepositioning supplies in Saudi Arabia to support an air attack on Iran.
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6, NKJ). However, this particular wars is very likely to bring dramatic geopolitical changes that will fulfill prophecies the Bible tells us will happen in the time-frame of the Tribulation… and the Rapture has to happen before that because there are no prophecies that must be fulfilled preceding it!
People will scoff at this thinking Israel has had wars before and nothing much has changed. But with the accelerating pace of other prophetic developments, it is hard to shake the sense that this time things will be different.
So it behooves us to be ready… “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33).
There is also an unsubstantiated report that Israel is prepositioning supplies in Saudi Arabia to support an air attack on Iran.
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6, NKJ). However, this particular wars is very likely to bring dramatic geopolitical changes that will fulfill prophecies the Bible tells us will happen in the time-frame of the Tribulation… and the Rapture has to happen before that because there are no prophecies that must be fulfilled preceding it!
People will scoff at this thinking Israel has had wars before and nothing much has changed. But with the accelerating pace of other prophetic developments, it is hard to shake the sense that this time things will be different.
So it behooves us to be ready… “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33).
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Class Wars
We are used to seeing good win out over evil but indications are that we are on the cusp of an era where evil will have its day. A prime example of this is seen in emergence of the Orwellian term “social justice.” This term sounds righteous but it is code for transferring wealth and privilege from the producing class to those who are non-productive. Social justice rewards mediocrity and punishes the successful.
I have often thought that it would be fairer if only active tax-paying citizens were allowed to vote. Now that almost half of all U.S. citizens pay no taxes, we are rapidly reaching a tipping point where entitlement seekers will outweigh benefit providers.
Gregory R. Copley, Editor, Global Information System has published an interesting analysis of the impact of the growing class warfare that threatens the integrity of all Western nations:
The impact of our current class warfare is that it sets the stage for western nations to embrace a strong central ruler with a plan to fix all our problems. Speaking of the Antichrist, Daniel 11:21 says, “he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue” (NKJ). The Antichrist will certainly not let a good crisis go to waste.
Copley believes the two years of anti-business economic policies of our Leftist government has done so much damage to the U.S. economy that it will take more than a decade to recover. With the United States being so focused on our domestic problems, we will be hand’s off in throttling evil as it grows in the world. This too sets the stage for the major geopolitical changes that are looming on the horizon.
The only consolation to all this I see is that with the rapid pace of change on so many fronts, it can’t be long before the Lord concludes this Age of Grace in the Rapture of the Church. Thus, we should double our efforts to, “live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13).
I have often thought that it would be fairer if only active tax-paying citizens were allowed to vote. Now that almost half of all U.S. citizens pay no taxes, we are rapidly reaching a tipping point where entitlement seekers will outweigh benefit providers.
Gregory R. Copley, Editor, Global Information System has published an interesting analysis of the impact of the growing class warfare that threatens the integrity of all Western nations:
“By deifying "democracy" above justice, the enfranchised non-producers could always outvote the producers. We are at this point. The result can only be collapse, or restructuring around a Caesar or a Bonaparte until, eventually, a productive hierarchy reappears, usually after considerable pain.”The “justice” Copley refers to is true justice, not the convoluted “social justice” which is the result of a debased mind.
The impact of our current class warfare is that it sets the stage for western nations to embrace a strong central ruler with a plan to fix all our problems. Speaking of the Antichrist, Daniel 11:21 says, “he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue” (NKJ). The Antichrist will certainly not let a good crisis go to waste.
Copley believes the two years of anti-business economic policies of our Leftist government has done so much damage to the U.S. economy that it will take more than a decade to recover. With the United States being so focused on our domestic problems, we will be hand’s off in throttling evil as it grows in the world. This too sets the stage for the major geopolitical changes that are looming on the horizon.
The only consolation to all this I see is that with the rapid pace of change on so many fronts, it can’t be long before the Lord concludes this Age of Grace in the Rapture of the Church. Thus, we should double our efforts to, “live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13).
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Blasphemies
It is hard to not have noticed the increasing rate of secularization of our nation. The United States was founded on biblical principles but our leaders and the media are doing their best to deny what is obvious to anyone who considers more than a superficial look at our history.
The secularization of America is following the path of Europe which has a lot of classic church buildings but few active Christian congregations who recognize the authority of God’s Word. This trend is a sign of the times and evidence of the growing spirit of Antichrist. As we get closer to the person of the Antichrist coming to power, we can expect to see more of his spirit being embraced in preparation.
Among the characteristics of the Antichrist is that he will blaspheme God and things of God. Revelation 13:5 says, “he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies” (NKJ). And Daniel 7:25 says, “he shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law.”
Today we are seeing a purging of all references to God and His Word in the public discourse due to the vision to separate Church and State. We have convoluted the vision of our nation’s founders who did not want the government to endorse any denomination to mean that we should not even acknowledge God. Politicians often invoke “god-talk” to entice religious people to vote for them because it helps them stand out and appears as though they will be different from the worthless shepherds we’ve been getting. But true Christians can tell the difference; actions do speak louder than words.
We are seeing more and more instances where there is a battle to recognize the Ten Commandments as the basis for our laws. This is not just a front in the culture war; it is a symptom of the growing spirit of Antichrist and people resisting it. The day is rapidly approaching when the Secular Humanists will have their way and the world will experience the consequences of their collective blasphemy.
The media usually depicts Bible-believing Christians as ignorant undesirables holding society back. This aspect of the spirit of Antichrist sets the stage for the Tribulation when people who become followers of Jesus will not be hunted down and killed. People who scoff at this only need to look at Islamic countries like Somalia and Sudan where that is happening today. And you have to ask yourself why linking Islam with terrorism is not politically correct.
Attacking traditional Christian values as antiquated and oppressive is a symptom of blasphemy. As the Antichrist “shall intend to change times and law,” we are seeing the biblical concepts of marriage being distorted in our day. Children are suffering as a result and this manifests itself in increasing crime rates and further degeneration of society.
Exclusively promoting a materialistic world view of our origins in the public schools is also blasphemy against God. The result of this is God giving people over to irrational thinking… “and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind” (Romans 1:28). Our public schools are churning out indoctrinated children that have not been taught critical thinking and so are easily deceived by the media. All this sets the stage for the Tribulation when “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).
It is a great blessing knowing that Jesus is coming for His followers before His turns the world over completely to depraved minds. That Day is rapidly approaching.
The secularization of America is following the path of Europe which has a lot of classic church buildings but few active Christian congregations who recognize the authority of God’s Word. This trend is a sign of the times and evidence of the growing spirit of Antichrist. As we get closer to the person of the Antichrist coming to power, we can expect to see more of his spirit being embraced in preparation.
Among the characteristics of the Antichrist is that he will blaspheme God and things of God. Revelation 13:5 says, “he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies” (NKJ). And Daniel 7:25 says, “he shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law.”
Today we are seeing a purging of all references to God and His Word in the public discourse due to the vision to separate Church and State. We have convoluted the vision of our nation’s founders who did not want the government to endorse any denomination to mean that we should not even acknowledge God. Politicians often invoke “god-talk” to entice religious people to vote for them because it helps them stand out and appears as though they will be different from the worthless shepherds we’ve been getting. But true Christians can tell the difference; actions do speak louder than words.
We are seeing more and more instances where there is a battle to recognize the Ten Commandments as the basis for our laws. This is not just a front in the culture war; it is a symptom of the growing spirit of Antichrist and people resisting it. The day is rapidly approaching when the Secular Humanists will have their way and the world will experience the consequences of their collective blasphemy.
The media usually depicts Bible-believing Christians as ignorant undesirables holding society back. This aspect of the spirit of Antichrist sets the stage for the Tribulation when people who become followers of Jesus will not be hunted down and killed. People who scoff at this only need to look at Islamic countries like Somalia and Sudan where that is happening today. And you have to ask yourself why linking Islam with terrorism is not politically correct.
Attacking traditional Christian values as antiquated and oppressive is a symptom of blasphemy. As the Antichrist “shall intend to change times and law,” we are seeing the biblical concepts of marriage being distorted in our day. Children are suffering as a result and this manifests itself in increasing crime rates and further degeneration of society.
Exclusively promoting a materialistic world view of our origins in the public schools is also blasphemy against God. The result of this is God giving people over to irrational thinking… “and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind” (Romans 1:28). Our public schools are churning out indoctrinated children that have not been taught critical thinking and so are easily deceived by the media. All this sets the stage for the Tribulation when “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).
It is a great blessing knowing that Jesus is coming for His followers before His turns the world over completely to depraved minds. That Day is rapidly approaching.
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