It is unlikely that the United States will emerge from the current recession with the super power economic clout we once had. Our government's bail-out of troubled financial companies and other businesses have weakened the dollar and inflation will be the likely result. Most other governments took a more conservative approach to dealing with the recession letting insolvent companies fail. We'd be much better off if our government would stop rewarding failure. The net result of all this is that the dollar is eroding as the world's reserve currency.
The faltering dollar is a painful pill for Americans to swallow since the financial impact will affect us all. But certainly good can come from these difficulties; hopefully it will wake us up from the materialism that is so rampant in this country. And we can be encouraged by realizing that the dollar's demise makes it easier for a new global government to emerge. Having a world government is necessary for the coming world ruler to be given authority "over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Revelation 13:77, NKJ).
As rapidly as we see the new world government coming at us, we know that the return of Jesus is even nearer because Christ will remove His followers from the planet before the coming world ruler will be given his power. I know this sounds incredible but it is what the most literal reading of Scripture tells us (2 Thessalonians 2 and other places). God intends for us to take His Word literally because that is necessary for us to have a personal relationship with Him. We don't need some scholarly intermediary to help us understand the main and plain things God has told us. "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16:13, NKJ).
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Iran's Nuclear Aspirations
Iran has recently disclosed a second nuclear reactor which gives them more capacity to develop nuclear material than originally thought. Meanwhile, the leaders of Western Civilization seem to be resigned to just living with a nuclear-armed Iran.
The danger in that is they do not recognize the evil this represents. Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has made it clear that he believes that his role in history is to usher in the 12th Imam. This is the Islamic Messiah who will bring all nation under Islam. According to the sect of Shiite Muslims that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad represents, the 12th Imam will only come on the scene following a time of turmoil between nations. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad believes he is the one to instigate the needed international turmoil that will cause the 12th Imam to emerge.
The news of Iran's nuclear capacity makes it more likely that Israel will take military action against them because Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is also on the record wanting to "wipe Israel off the map." It does not matter to Ahmadinejad whether Iran nukes Israel or Israel attacks Iran to prevent a nuclear attack; either way his objective to instigate international turmoil is achieved. An Israeli attack on Iran will most certainly initiate an attack by Hezbollah, Iran's surrogates based in Syria which will necessitate an Israeli response... "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap" (Isaiah 17:11, NKJ). At some point, Russia will take advantage of the situation and get involved as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 & 39. All this seems very close to coming to pass in our day.
We can see God removing His restraining hand from evil in this world today. "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:77, NKJ). This means that we are very close to the end of the Age of Grace. This realization will encourage all who are secure in Christ. For all who find no comfort in the soon return of Christ, there is no time like the present to repent and follow Jesus.
The danger in that is they do not recognize the evil this represents. Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has made it clear that he believes that his role in history is to usher in the 12th Imam. This is the Islamic Messiah who will bring all nation under Islam. According to the sect of Shiite Muslims that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad represents, the 12th Imam will only come on the scene following a time of turmoil between nations. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad believes he is the one to instigate the needed international turmoil that will cause the 12th Imam to emerge.
The news of Iran's nuclear capacity makes it more likely that Israel will take military action against them because Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is also on the record wanting to "wipe Israel off the map." It does not matter to Ahmadinejad whether Iran nukes Israel or Israel attacks Iran to prevent a nuclear attack; either way his objective to instigate international turmoil is achieved. An Israeli attack on Iran will most certainly initiate an attack by Hezbollah, Iran's surrogates based in Syria which will necessitate an Israeli response... "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap" (Isaiah 17:11, NKJ). At some point, Russia will take advantage of the situation and get involved as prophesied in Ezekiel 38 & 39. All this seems very close to coming to pass in our day.
We can see God removing His restraining hand from evil in this world today. "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:77, NKJ). This means that we are very close to the end of the Age of Grace. This realization will encourage all who are secure in Christ. For all who find no comfort in the soon return of Christ, there is no time like the present to repent and follow Jesus.
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