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.
Monday, June 21, 2010
No Discernment
A news item that caught my eye today was regarding Mosab Hassan Yousef, a Christian and the disowned son of a Hamas co-founder who is facing a deportation hearing in San Diego on June 30. Yousef’s recently released book, “Son of Hamas” should make it perfectly clear that he is now an asset of the United States, not a threat.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security only knows about Yousef because he told them who he was in 2007, seven months after he had been admitted to the U.S. on a tourist visa. He told them to expose gaps in their security. Instead, it looks like Homeland Security cannot tell the difference between a terrorist and a man who spent his life fighting terrorism. This certainly does not make me feel very secure.
Of course ultimately it is the Lord who provides our security… Psalm 127:1 says, “unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (NKJ). The gaps that we see in our security are symptoms of a bigger problem and a warning of things to come. I am not convinced that the top officials in the U.S. government really know who the threat is in the “war on terrorism.” They certainly go to great pains to avoid people making a connection between Islam and terrorism.
It also seems like Homeland Security is hyper-focused on dealing with the “home-grown” terrorist threat and don’t seem to care so much about people with real terrorist connections. The exception to this is in their dealing with Yousef who converted to Christianity and proved his anti-terrorist credentials by working for antiterrorism forces in Israel. There will be consequences for confusing our friends and enemies. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
The reason we are seeing so many instances of bad decisions from our governmental authorities is that God is allowing more people to think irrationally. Romans 1:28 says, “even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” As we see this thought process proliferating, we know that the Tribulation can not be far away.
I am praying that Judge Rico J. Bartolomei of the Homeland Security Immigration Court makes a wise decision regarding Mosab Yousef. Our country is better off with Yousef than without him. The sooner our governmental officials start recognizing the difference between the friends and enemies of this country, the better off we will be.
This world will not be a pleasant place to be during the rapidly approaching Tribulation as this issue shows. Whatever happens to Mosab Yousef, I look forward to meeting him in heaven at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb during the Tribulation (Revelation 19:9).
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security only knows about Yousef because he told them who he was in 2007, seven months after he had been admitted to the U.S. on a tourist visa. He told them to expose gaps in their security. Instead, it looks like Homeland Security cannot tell the difference between a terrorist and a man who spent his life fighting terrorism. This certainly does not make me feel very secure.
Of course ultimately it is the Lord who provides our security… Psalm 127:1 says, “unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (NKJ). The gaps that we see in our security are symptoms of a bigger problem and a warning of things to come. I am not convinced that the top officials in the U.S. government really know who the threat is in the “war on terrorism.” They certainly go to great pains to avoid people making a connection between Islam and terrorism.
It also seems like Homeland Security is hyper-focused on dealing with the “home-grown” terrorist threat and don’t seem to care so much about people with real terrorist connections. The exception to this is in their dealing with Yousef who converted to Christianity and proved his anti-terrorist credentials by working for antiterrorism forces in Israel. There will be consequences for confusing our friends and enemies. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
The reason we are seeing so many instances of bad decisions from our governmental authorities is that God is allowing more people to think irrationally. Romans 1:28 says, “even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” As we see this thought process proliferating, we know that the Tribulation can not be far away.
I am praying that Judge Rico J. Bartolomei of the Homeland Security Immigration Court makes a wise decision regarding Mosab Yousef. Our country is better off with Yousef than without him. The sooner our governmental officials start recognizing the difference between the friends and enemies of this country, the better off we will be.
This world will not be a pleasant place to be during the rapidly approaching Tribulation as this issue shows. Whatever happens to Mosab Yousef, I look forward to meeting him in heaven at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb during the Tribulation (Revelation 19:9).
Friday, June 18, 2010
Perils of Moderation
A great bastion of political correctness is that we do not have to fear the Islamic threat to our way of life because the vast majority of Muslims are moderate. But silent consent really puts the moderate in bed with the extremist whether they admit it or not.
Being moderate is a virtue when it refers to self control. But for the purposes of this blog post, I’m using the term "moderate" to refer to the degree to which a person applies their religion. And all people have a religion because all people have some sort of belief system that governs their world view.
The world’s culture war is dominated by the struggle between Secular Humanism, Islam, and Christianity. We are seeing this culture war become more intense as we approach the end of the age. It will be increasingly hard for people to stay independent and embrace the "moderate" label. The day will come when all moderates realize they are really aligned with one side of the culture war or the other. While there are three major contenders, there really are only two sides that count for eternity; with God or against Him. Unfortunately, most are against Him per Matthew 7:13-14.
Being moderate is generally seen as better than the alternative of being extreme. That is certainly the case when the choice is between being moderately wrong versus extremely wrong; then being moderate is the lesser of the evils. But how much error is OK? A lackadaisical moderate approach to politics is what has brought us our current extreme Left Secular Humanist government. We can hope that the consequences from this turn of events will wake up the moderate Christians to vote into office leaders who will embrace the godly values that made this country great. But this is unlikely because Christendom today is in the Laodicean phase of the Church Age…
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are letters Jesus gave the Apostle John to seven churches of his day. These particular churches were chosen to be a prophetic representation of the Church Age. Anyone familiar with Church history can see the parallels between the various general characteristics of the Christian Church since Pentecost and the letters to the seven churches of Revelation, particularly their order. Jesus has a real issue with the apathetic moderate attitude of those professing to follow Him in the current Laodicean era… “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16, NKJ).
Moderate Christianity is dangerous because it appears to the entire world that following Christ is no different than any other religion in the world. And there is a huge difference between true biblical Christianity and every other religion mankind has ever conceived. All the world’s religions are similar in saying that salvation must be earned; Christianity is unique in saying what needs to be done for salvation has already been done by Jesus. Biblical Christianity is so far removed from the salvation-by-works religions; it should not even be considered a religion. Instead, it is more of a relationship with our Creator-God than a religion. All who think they are going to heaven on the basis of being a good person and participating in Church are destined for a rude awakening; see Matthew 7:21-23.
The world embraces moderates because all religious extremism has proven to be evil. The conventional wisdom is that Secular Humanism is by nature moderate. But it is no benign religion. Indeed the Secular Humanism of Stalinist Russia, Nazi Germany, and Pol Pot of Cambodia are classic examples. Everyone knows the true nature of Islam; it is demonstrated every day in the terrorism that plagues the world. The ugliness of professing Christendom has also been revealed in history that proponents of Islam and Secular Humanism are always quick to point out: the Inquisition and Crusades. Jesus warned us about wolves in sheep’s clothing in Matthew 7:15.
The Bible tells us how the world culture war will play out. I expect the Secular Humanists of the Revived Roman Empire to unite with the Muslims of the Revived Ottoman Empire under the Antichrist. The other world religions including the “moderate” professing Christians will be integrated into both empires. Those who become true Christians during this time will be pretty much on the lam until Jesus returns to bring an end to the Tribulation; see Daniel 7:25.
Everyone can benefit from considering the implications of the culture war and where it is headed. It is still not too late to break ranks with the vast majority on the broad road to perdition. And forget the way of the moderate; there is no fence sitting with God. Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, “he who is not with Me is against Me.” It is to our great benefit to heed His command to the Laodiceans: “Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
Being moderate is a virtue when it refers to self control. But for the purposes of this blog post, I’m using the term "moderate" to refer to the degree to which a person applies their religion. And all people have a religion because all people have some sort of belief system that governs their world view.
The world’s culture war is dominated by the struggle between Secular Humanism, Islam, and Christianity. We are seeing this culture war become more intense as we approach the end of the age. It will be increasingly hard for people to stay independent and embrace the "moderate" label. The day will come when all moderates realize they are really aligned with one side of the culture war or the other. While there are three major contenders, there really are only two sides that count for eternity; with God or against Him. Unfortunately, most are against Him per Matthew 7:13-14.
Being moderate is generally seen as better than the alternative of being extreme. That is certainly the case when the choice is between being moderately wrong versus extremely wrong; then being moderate is the lesser of the evils. But how much error is OK? A lackadaisical moderate approach to politics is what has brought us our current extreme Left Secular Humanist government. We can hope that the consequences from this turn of events will wake up the moderate Christians to vote into office leaders who will embrace the godly values that made this country great. But this is unlikely because Christendom today is in the Laodicean phase of the Church Age…
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are letters Jesus gave the Apostle John to seven churches of his day. These particular churches were chosen to be a prophetic representation of the Church Age. Anyone familiar with Church history can see the parallels between the various general characteristics of the Christian Church since Pentecost and the letters to the seven churches of Revelation, particularly their order. Jesus has a real issue with the apathetic moderate attitude of those professing to follow Him in the current Laodicean era… “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16, NKJ).
Moderate Christianity is dangerous because it appears to the entire world that following Christ is no different than any other religion in the world. And there is a huge difference between true biblical Christianity and every other religion mankind has ever conceived. All the world’s religions are similar in saying that salvation must be earned; Christianity is unique in saying what needs to be done for salvation has already been done by Jesus. Biblical Christianity is so far removed from the salvation-by-works religions; it should not even be considered a religion. Instead, it is more of a relationship with our Creator-God than a religion. All who think they are going to heaven on the basis of being a good person and participating in Church are destined for a rude awakening; see Matthew 7:21-23.
The world embraces moderates because all religious extremism has proven to be evil. The conventional wisdom is that Secular Humanism is by nature moderate. But it is no benign religion. Indeed the Secular Humanism of Stalinist Russia, Nazi Germany, and Pol Pot of Cambodia are classic examples. Everyone knows the true nature of Islam; it is demonstrated every day in the terrorism that plagues the world. The ugliness of professing Christendom has also been revealed in history that proponents of Islam and Secular Humanism are always quick to point out: the Inquisition and Crusades. Jesus warned us about wolves in sheep’s clothing in Matthew 7:15.
The Bible tells us how the world culture war will play out. I expect the Secular Humanists of the Revived Roman Empire to unite with the Muslims of the Revived Ottoman Empire under the Antichrist. The other world religions including the “moderate” professing Christians will be integrated into both empires. Those who become true Christians during this time will be pretty much on the lam until Jesus returns to bring an end to the Tribulation; see Daniel 7:25.
Everyone can benefit from considering the implications of the culture war and where it is headed. It is still not too late to break ranks with the vast majority on the broad road to perdition. And forget the way of the moderate; there is no fence sitting with God. Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, “he who is not with Me is against Me.” It is to our great benefit to heed His command to the Laodiceans: “Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
Thursday, June 17, 2010
An Hour You Do Not Expect
The Stratfor analyses are generally very insightful. But a recent one discussing the potential for war in the Mideast in the aftermath of the Gaza Flotilla Fracas could have been much improved with a biblical world view. A good understanding of Bible prophecy helps us make more accurate projections of what is likely to happen.
Stratfor does not think that all the caustic rhetoric directed against Israel makes it any more likely that war is imminent. They see Israel as a regional superpower that will maintain the status quo. They do recognize the potential for Iranian nuclear weapons to disrupt that balance but do not believe this is an immediate threat to Israel. They also said, “the threat posed by intifada, suicide bombers, rockets from Lebanon and Gaza, and Hezbollah fighters is real, but it does not threaten the survival of Israel.”
Stratfor reinforces their theory of an ongoing Mideast power balance on the basis that Israel’s enemies are so divided amongst themselves that they are incapable of forming even a partial coalition against Israel. This appearance is actually a fulfillment of the prophecy that the descendants of Ishmael, “shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him” (Genesis 16:12, NKJ).
While Israel’s neighbors are divided on many things, they are united in their hatred of Israel. An old Arab proverb says, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” And the Bible makes it clear that Israel’s neighbors will indeed mount enough of a coalition that Israel needs to deal with them… “They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You” (Psalm 83:4-5).
A couple factors I was surprised that Stratfor did not even bring up was Syria’s improved ballistic missile technology from North Korea coupled with their own chemical weapons. The fact that Stratfor does not address Syria’s weapons of mass destruction reveals their wishful thinking that the status quo will be maintained in the Mideast. Effectively Stratfor is saying, “where is the promise of His coming? …all things continue as they were from the beginning” (2 Peter 3:4).
The Stratfor article seemed to be an apologetic that war was not inevitable in the Mideast. While everyone likes an optimist, it is pretty obvious to even the casual observer that it wouldn’t take much to spark a major conflagration there. Egypt and Syria certainly think war is imminent. It struck me as I read the Stratfor article that the author had no sense that the events associated with the Lord’s return are to be expected. This in itself is a sign that His return is near since He told us in Luke 12:40, “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
The Apostle Paul tells us that at the time of the Rapture many will be lured into complacency by a false peace… 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, “for when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” The good news for followers of Jesus during this age is in the verses that follow…
Stratfor does not think that all the caustic rhetoric directed against Israel makes it any more likely that war is imminent. They see Israel as a regional superpower that will maintain the status quo. They do recognize the potential for Iranian nuclear weapons to disrupt that balance but do not believe this is an immediate threat to Israel. They also said, “the threat posed by intifada, suicide bombers, rockets from Lebanon and Gaza, and Hezbollah fighters is real, but it does not threaten the survival of Israel.”
Stratfor reinforces their theory of an ongoing Mideast power balance on the basis that Israel’s enemies are so divided amongst themselves that they are incapable of forming even a partial coalition against Israel. This appearance is actually a fulfillment of the prophecy that the descendants of Ishmael, “shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him” (Genesis 16:12, NKJ).
While Israel’s neighbors are divided on many things, they are united in their hatred of Israel. An old Arab proverb says, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” And the Bible makes it clear that Israel’s neighbors will indeed mount enough of a coalition that Israel needs to deal with them… “They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You” (Psalm 83:4-5).
A couple factors I was surprised that Stratfor did not even bring up was Syria’s improved ballistic missile technology from North Korea coupled with their own chemical weapons. The fact that Stratfor does not address Syria’s weapons of mass destruction reveals their wishful thinking that the status quo will be maintained in the Mideast. Effectively Stratfor is saying, “where is the promise of His coming? …all things continue as they were from the beginning” (2 Peter 3:4).
The Stratfor article seemed to be an apologetic that war was not inevitable in the Mideast. While everyone likes an optimist, it is pretty obvious to even the casual observer that it wouldn’t take much to spark a major conflagration there. Egypt and Syria certainly think war is imminent. It struck me as I read the Stratfor article that the author had no sense that the events associated with the Lord’s return are to be expected. This in itself is a sign that His return is near since He told us in Luke 12:40, “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
The Apostle Paul tells us that at the time of the Rapture many will be lured into complacency by a false peace… 1 Thessalonians 5:3 says, “for when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” The good news for followers of Jesus during this age is in the verses that follow…
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Big Lie
Adolf Hitler discussed his favorite propaganda technique called “The Big Lie” when he dictated his 1925 book Mein Kampf. The expression refers to a lie by authorities so colossal that no one would believe that their leaders “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.” We saw this technique in practice last night during President Obama’s speech about the BP Horizon disaster.
There were no solutions offered but a promise to hold British Petroleum to account. What also stood out was the unabashed sales pitch for legislation guaranteed to increase the price of fuel for every American. The justification of this policy is to curb global warming which is The Big Lie. The hidden agenda of the global warming Big Lie is to transfer wealth from successful nations with strong economies to emerging nations. The vision is to bring about more of a level playing field so that countries like the United States would yield sovereignty to the world community of nations.
Most people in this country don’t want us to yield sovereignty to world authorities. But our leaders are ideologues who ignore popular opinion. The fact that the last superpower on earth can’t avoid the set-up for yielding sovereignty to the world shows how close we are to the Tribulation. Alas, this is inevitable… “These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13, NKJ).
The problem with the government’s Cap and Trade legislation is that it establishes an infrastructure for a new hidden tax. It is hidden because the consumer will not know how much they are actually paying… they will blame the greedy oil companies for the high prices rather than their benevolent government. This legislation is being sold on the idea that it will only impact the average American by less than a dollar a day. It is the classic nose of the camel in the tent problem because once this mechanism for extracting more taxes from working people is established; the government is free to raise the tax rate at any time.
I have commented on how the looming 2011 tax increases, European debt crisis, and oil supply disruptions from a Mideast war all threaten to plunge the world into a second dip recession. The Obama administration’s pledge to raise our oil prices will make worse the impact of the recession in the United States. We saw that dynamic at the end of 2008 when we entered the last recession. The lack of faith in the government response to grow our debt through wasteful stimulus spending and take over of companies “too big to fail” caused more people to be laid off than was necessary.
Some conservative commentators have said that Obama’s bad decisions are a result of his inexperience. I’d like to think this was the case because that means he could learn and change. We saw that with President Clinton who was the consummate politician. Bill Clinton was very aware of which way the political winds were blowing and made popular mid-course corrections. Barrack Obama is no Bill Clinton. It remains to be seen if this country will be able to recover from the damage already done by our Leftist government. It is the potential scope of the changes our Leftist government envisions for us coupled with the timing of other developments in Europe and the Mideast that tells me the Tribulation is close.
As we get closer to the Lord’s return we can expect to see more Big Lies… “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). This is a dangerous time not to be well grounded in God’s Word.
There were no solutions offered but a promise to hold British Petroleum to account. What also stood out was the unabashed sales pitch for legislation guaranteed to increase the price of fuel for every American. The justification of this policy is to curb global warming which is The Big Lie. The hidden agenda of the global warming Big Lie is to transfer wealth from successful nations with strong economies to emerging nations. The vision is to bring about more of a level playing field so that countries like the United States would yield sovereignty to the world community of nations.
Most people in this country don’t want us to yield sovereignty to world authorities. But our leaders are ideologues who ignore popular opinion. The fact that the last superpower on earth can’t avoid the set-up for yielding sovereignty to the world shows how close we are to the Tribulation. Alas, this is inevitable… “These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:13, NKJ).
The problem with the government’s Cap and Trade legislation is that it establishes an infrastructure for a new hidden tax. It is hidden because the consumer will not know how much they are actually paying… they will blame the greedy oil companies for the high prices rather than their benevolent government. This legislation is being sold on the idea that it will only impact the average American by less than a dollar a day. It is the classic nose of the camel in the tent problem because once this mechanism for extracting more taxes from working people is established; the government is free to raise the tax rate at any time.
I have commented on how the looming 2011 tax increases, European debt crisis, and oil supply disruptions from a Mideast war all threaten to plunge the world into a second dip recession. The Obama administration’s pledge to raise our oil prices will make worse the impact of the recession in the United States. We saw that dynamic at the end of 2008 when we entered the last recession. The lack of faith in the government response to grow our debt through wasteful stimulus spending and take over of companies “too big to fail” caused more people to be laid off than was necessary.
Some conservative commentators have said that Obama’s bad decisions are a result of his inexperience. I’d like to think this was the case because that means he could learn and change. We saw that with President Clinton who was the consummate politician. Bill Clinton was very aware of which way the political winds were blowing and made popular mid-course corrections. Barrack Obama is no Bill Clinton. It remains to be seen if this country will be able to recover from the damage already done by our Leftist government. It is the potential scope of the changes our Leftist government envisions for us coupled with the timing of other developments in Europe and the Mideast that tells me the Tribulation is close.
As we get closer to the Lord’s return we can expect to see more Big Lies… “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). This is a dangerous time not to be well grounded in God’s Word.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Treasures of the Deep
The BP Horizon disaster continues to get worse. It seems no one knows how to contain an oil well blow-out in 5,000 feet of water where the extreme pressures severely limit what can be done. I am beginning to wonder if this will not continue to be a seeping environmental wound until the Lord returns.
Many have said that we know more about space than deep ocean depths. This idea was reinforced in a 60 Minutes segment on Bob Ballard, the deep-sea explorer who found the Titanic. The story included video of a great tube worm garden Ballard found 8,000 feet deep living in total darkness, thriving off the energy of the Earth. The discovery flies in the face of the idea that “all life on the planet owed its existence to the sun, that it was sun that was the driving energy of life.” Ballard went on to say, “this is showing us that life can exist at far greater extremes than we ever expected, which again increases the probability of finding it elsewhere not only in the universe but elsewhere within our own solar system.”
The 60 Minutes story did not address any origin of life conclusions that could be made from Ballard’s tube worm discovery but the conventional wisdom is that it reinforces evolution. Actually I think it does just the opposite. As unlikely that the right conditions could exist to cause a living cell to spontaneously spring to life; it is at least twice as unlikely for that process to happen simultaneously in such extreme conditions. It shows the depravity of mankind that people refuse to recognize the hand of God in the face of such evidence… “for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NKJ).
I expect one of the amazing things mankind will eventually discover about God is that the universe is actually teeming with life. I believe he will enable those who love Him to learn more about Him by studying what He has created in even the far reaches of the universe. The “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Knowing that God has created such amazing things begs the question: Why would He allow so much of His creation to be destroyed by the BP Horizon environmental disaster? I believe it is a warning to us that an even greater environmental disaster is coming soon during the Tribulation. Revelation 16:3says, “the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.” The BP Horizon disaster foreshadows this unbelievably worse environmental disaster.
The good news is that Jesus returns to earth at the end of the 7-year Tribulation to restore His creation and establish His physical Kingdom. His spiritual Kingdom was established during His first advent. For those in His spiritual Kingdom today, we will not even be here on earth during the 7-year Tribulation. With the rapidly increasing incidence of birth pangs foreshadowing the Tribulation, we don’t have long to persevere in this fallen world.
Luke 21:28 says, “when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” The Lord added the words “begin to happen” to reinforce the idea that His followers are out of here ahead of the Tribulation! These are exciting times for those of us who take the Bible literally.
Many have said that we know more about space than deep ocean depths. This idea was reinforced in a 60 Minutes segment on Bob Ballard, the deep-sea explorer who found the Titanic. The story included video of a great tube worm garden Ballard found 8,000 feet deep living in total darkness, thriving off the energy of the Earth. The discovery flies in the face of the idea that “all life on the planet owed its existence to the sun, that it was sun that was the driving energy of life.” Ballard went on to say, “this is showing us that life can exist at far greater extremes than we ever expected, which again increases the probability of finding it elsewhere not only in the universe but elsewhere within our own solar system.”
The 60 Minutes story did not address any origin of life conclusions that could be made from Ballard’s tube worm discovery but the conventional wisdom is that it reinforces evolution. Actually I think it does just the opposite. As unlikely that the right conditions could exist to cause a living cell to spontaneously spring to life; it is at least twice as unlikely for that process to happen simultaneously in such extreme conditions. It shows the depravity of mankind that people refuse to recognize the hand of God in the face of such evidence… “for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NKJ).
I expect one of the amazing things mankind will eventually discover about God is that the universe is actually teeming with life. I believe he will enable those who love Him to learn more about Him by studying what He has created in even the far reaches of the universe. The “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Knowing that God has created such amazing things begs the question: Why would He allow so much of His creation to be destroyed by the BP Horizon environmental disaster? I believe it is a warning to us that an even greater environmental disaster is coming soon during the Tribulation. Revelation 16:3says, “the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.” The BP Horizon disaster foreshadows this unbelievably worse environmental disaster.
The good news is that Jesus returns to earth at the end of the 7-year Tribulation to restore His creation and establish His physical Kingdom. His spiritual Kingdom was established during His first advent. For those in His spiritual Kingdom today, we will not even be here on earth during the 7-year Tribulation. With the rapidly increasing incidence of birth pangs foreshadowing the Tribulation, we don’t have long to persevere in this fallen world.
Luke 21:28 says, “when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” The Lord added the words “begin to happen” to reinforce the idea that His followers are out of here ahead of the Tribulation! These are exciting times for those of us who take the Bible literally.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Rising Authoritarianism
Besides the U.S. tax increase that is coming in 2011, another factor that could plunge the world into a second-dip recession is the debt crisis in Europe. Significant austerity measures have been proposed to qualify the most indebted nations for bail-outs. People in Greece rioted over cut-backs to their entitlements but many believe that these austerity measures are necessary because democracy itself is at stake.
It is interesting to note that both those in favor of the EU bail-out austerity measures and those opposed to them think that Europe is on the path to 1930s style dictatorship. There are many who think that since government spending is such a big part of the economy, the austerity measures themselves will trigger a second-dip recession. It is generally recognized that the Great Depression of the 1930s significantly contributed to the rise of Hitler, Mussolini and Franco in Europe. A second dip recession could bring about the same economic environment that is conducive for military dictatorships to emerge.
Stratfor published an interesting analysis on how severe recessions can disrupt the balance of political, economic and military systems of countries. Stratfor believes that the economic problems in the United States will likely be managed by more political control of economic systems. The situation is different in Europe however where the legitimacy of the EU as a political entity is being questioned. They say that if the EU is de-legitimized, then we are really in uncharted territory. I don’t think it is uncharted at all; there is a pattern of military leaders stepping up in the face of economic and political turmoil.
The geopolitical changes that are developing in Europe are prophetically significant. Indeed, Europe is the Western leg of the Revived Roman Empire (Daniel 2). At the beginning of the Tribulation, about half of the world will follow the kings of the Revived Roman Empire which is emerging from the Western leg of the original Roman Empire. The other half of the world will follow the kings of the Revived Ottoman Empire which is emerging from the Eastern leg of the original Roman Empire.
During the 1930s many thought Hitler could have been the Antichrist. But the stage was not set then nearly as well as it is now with Israel being established in the land. Certainly Hitler foreshadowed the Antichrist. The pattern of severe economic distress causing a strong dictator to emerge is one that may well be among the dynamics that brings the Antichrist to power. If we are close to the end of the Age of Grace, it may come in conjunction with an economic depression.
There is no doubt that painful times are in the offing. But these birth pangs will not be nearly as bad as what will happen during the Tribulation. The storm is coming so now is not a good time to be without Christ in your life; as Jesus said…
It is interesting to note that both those in favor of the EU bail-out austerity measures and those opposed to them think that Europe is on the path to 1930s style dictatorship. There are many who think that since government spending is such a big part of the economy, the austerity measures themselves will trigger a second-dip recession. It is generally recognized that the Great Depression of the 1930s significantly contributed to the rise of Hitler, Mussolini and Franco in Europe. A second dip recession could bring about the same economic environment that is conducive for military dictatorships to emerge.
Stratfor published an interesting analysis on how severe recessions can disrupt the balance of political, economic and military systems of countries. Stratfor believes that the economic problems in the United States will likely be managed by more political control of economic systems. The situation is different in Europe however where the legitimacy of the EU as a political entity is being questioned. They say that if the EU is de-legitimized, then we are really in uncharted territory. I don’t think it is uncharted at all; there is a pattern of military leaders stepping up in the face of economic and political turmoil.
The geopolitical changes that are developing in Europe are prophetically significant. Indeed, Europe is the Western leg of the Revived Roman Empire (Daniel 2). At the beginning of the Tribulation, about half of the world will follow the kings of the Revived Roman Empire which is emerging from the Western leg of the original Roman Empire. The other half of the world will follow the kings of the Revived Ottoman Empire which is emerging from the Eastern leg of the original Roman Empire.
During the 1930s many thought Hitler could have been the Antichrist. But the stage was not set then nearly as well as it is now with Israel being established in the land. Certainly Hitler foreshadowed the Antichrist. The pattern of severe economic distress causing a strong dictator to emerge is one that may well be among the dynamics that brings the Antichrist to power. If we are close to the end of the Age of Grace, it may come in conjunction with an economic depression.
There is no doubt that painful times are in the offing. But these birth pangs will not be nearly as bad as what will happen during the Tribulation. The storm is coming so now is not a good time to be without Christ in your life; as Jesus said…
“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25, NKJ)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Recession 2.0
A second dip recession is coming in 2011 and it will likely be worse than the previous one in 2008-2009. That is Arthur Laffer’s conclusion in an excellent Wall Street Journal article analyzing the impact of the tax increases that will take effect January 1, 2011.
Laffer also says that the apparent economic strength we are seeing in 2010 is a result of business managers anticipating the 2011 tax hikes. Actions are being taken to pull as much revenue into 2010 as possible before cut backs are necessary in 2011. I have certainly seen this phenomenon at Texas Instruments where lead times for our products are longer than we would like because of exceptionally robust demand.
Laffer’s succinct summary of the dynamics that will bring about the 2011 economic collapse is compelling. It is interesting to note that few people are talking about this. It’s like the elephant in the room; investors are nervous about a second dip recession but people are afraid to talk about what will cause it as if such talk might become a self fulfilling prophecy.
You'd think Republicans would be beating the drum about the coming tax hikes since they will make a second-dip recession all but certain. It struck me that maybe they’re waiting until it is too late for Congress to address the issue before the November elections. Apparently politicians only dust off conservative principles when they can be used to get elected. Power does indeed corrupt… Satan controls all the governments of the world; see Luke 4:5-6 and Jesus calling him the “the ruler of this world” in John 12:31, 14:30 and 16:11.
Our increasingly excessive taxes are due to the social engineering that Barack Obama promised when he ran for president. Everyone likes to think they are on the receiving end of the hand-outs. But moving the wealth around involves taxing the productive component of society to be able to reward non productivity. It is well known that the top 50% of wage earners already pay over 96% of all income tax revenue. And incredibly over 47% of the people in this country pay no federal income taxes at all. This is non-sustainable and yet the vision of our liberal governmental officials is to spread even more of the wealth around.
The Bible tells us that the end of the age would be characterized by authorities robbing wealth from the wage earners… “Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord” (James 5:4, NKJ).
We have had a series of economic bubbles burst foreshadowing the Financial Armageddon that will occur during the Tribulation per Revelation 18. The 2011 recession will be the next one and, given the status of other geopolitical developments, it may be the last one prior to the Tribulation…
Laffer also says that the apparent economic strength we are seeing in 2010 is a result of business managers anticipating the 2011 tax hikes. Actions are being taken to pull as much revenue into 2010 as possible before cut backs are necessary in 2011. I have certainly seen this phenomenon at Texas Instruments where lead times for our products are longer than we would like because of exceptionally robust demand.
Laffer’s succinct summary of the dynamics that will bring about the 2011 economic collapse is compelling. It is interesting to note that few people are talking about this. It’s like the elephant in the room; investors are nervous about a second dip recession but people are afraid to talk about what will cause it as if such talk might become a self fulfilling prophecy.
You'd think Republicans would be beating the drum about the coming tax hikes since they will make a second-dip recession all but certain. It struck me that maybe they’re waiting until it is too late for Congress to address the issue before the November elections. Apparently politicians only dust off conservative principles when they can be used to get elected. Power does indeed corrupt… Satan controls all the governments of the world; see Luke 4:5-6 and Jesus calling him the “the ruler of this world” in John 12:31, 14:30 and 16:11.
Our increasingly excessive taxes are due to the social engineering that Barack Obama promised when he ran for president. Everyone likes to think they are on the receiving end of the hand-outs. But moving the wealth around involves taxing the productive component of society to be able to reward non productivity. It is well known that the top 50% of wage earners already pay over 96% of all income tax revenue. And incredibly over 47% of the people in this country pay no federal income taxes at all. This is non-sustainable and yet the vision of our liberal governmental officials is to spread even more of the wealth around.
The Bible tells us that the end of the age would be characterized by authorities robbing wealth from the wage earners… “Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord” (James 5:4, NKJ).
We have had a series of economic bubbles burst foreshadowing the Financial Armageddon that will occur during the Tribulation per Revelation 18. The 2011 recession will be the next one and, given the status of other geopolitical developments, it may be the last one prior to the Tribulation…
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:7-8)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Immortal Jews
Fulfilled prophecy is the greatest evidence we have that the Bible is God’s Word. Everyone can see first hand what God is doing in the world today through Israel. This tiny country has the world’s focus and will likely be the flashpoint of the next great war the world will see.
The uniqueness of Israel is even apparent to people who do not profess to have a relationship with the Lord. Mark Twain, an agnostic and self-acknowledged skeptic, penned this for Harper’s Magazine in 1899:
The Bible has the answer to Mark Twain’s question… Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (NKJ). Despite the dispersion of the Jews throughout the nations, they have preserved their uniqueness. The Jews have not been assimilated into the cultures of the nations where they have lived. This is unprecedented in history.
If the immortality of the Jews is not obvious enough, scientists have analyzed genetic samples from communities across the world and compared them with non-Jewish populations. Their study, published in Nature, revealed that most Jewish populations were "genetically closer" to each other than to their non-Jewish neighbors.
God is Almighty and in control of the world He created; thus His promises can be trusted. And He ordained that the Jews would be a special people, unique in all the world; Deuteronomy 26:18 says, “the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He has promised you, that you should keep all His commandments.”
God promised Israel through Abraham that, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). That has certainly been the case. God used the Jews to bring us His Word and the Messiah came as a Jew. The fact that anti-Semitism cloaked in animosity toward Israel is growing in the world today should tell us a lot about the age we are living in. And it reveals how much of the world does not know God or His Word.
Spiritual warfare is affecting our physical world. It is quite disconcerting to see the irrational hatred of the Jews knowing it is really hatred of God. We live in the perilous times 2 Timothy 3:1 says would characterize the last days when the Lord returns. As God said before He poured out His wrath on earth in the flood of Noah’s day, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” (Genesis 6:3).
The only reason Jesus delays His coming is out of mercy for those who haven’t yet turned to Him (2 Peter 3:9). So we should make good use of the time we have in being His representative… “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).
The uniqueness of Israel is even apparent to people who do not profess to have a relationship with the Lord. Mark Twain, an agnostic and self-acknowledged skeptic, penned this for Harper’s Magazine in 1899:
The Egyptian, Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away. The Greek and Roman followed, made a vast noise and they are gone. Other peoples have sprung up, and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out and they sit in twilight now or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal, but the Jew. All other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?I don’t know if Mark Twain ever turned to Jesus but given his awareness of the uniqueness of the Jews, it is clear that the Holy Spirit was working on him. The amazing thing is that Mark Twain made this observation long before Israel came back together as a nation; the uniqueness of the Jew is even more apparent today.
The Bible has the answer to Mark Twain’s question… Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (NKJ). Despite the dispersion of the Jews throughout the nations, they have preserved their uniqueness. The Jews have not been assimilated into the cultures of the nations where they have lived. This is unprecedented in history.
If the immortality of the Jews is not obvious enough, scientists have analyzed genetic samples from communities across the world and compared them with non-Jewish populations. Their study, published in Nature, revealed that most Jewish populations were "genetically closer" to each other than to their non-Jewish neighbors.
God is Almighty and in control of the world He created; thus His promises can be trusted. And He ordained that the Jews would be a special people, unique in all the world; Deuteronomy 26:18 says, “the LORD has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He has promised you, that you should keep all His commandments.”
God promised Israel through Abraham that, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). That has certainly been the case. God used the Jews to bring us His Word and the Messiah came as a Jew. The fact that anti-Semitism cloaked in animosity toward Israel is growing in the world today should tell us a lot about the age we are living in. And it reveals how much of the world does not know God or His Word.
Spiritual warfare is affecting our physical world. It is quite disconcerting to see the irrational hatred of the Jews knowing it is really hatred of God. We live in the perilous times 2 Timothy 3:1 says would characterize the last days when the Lord returns. As God said before He poured out His wrath on earth in the flood of Noah’s day, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” (Genesis 6:3).
The only reason Jesus delays His coming is out of mercy for those who haven’t yet turned to Him (2 Peter 3:9). So we should make good use of the time we have in being His representative… “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
World in Big Trouble
The most striking thing demonstrating the growing Spirit of Antichrist in the world today is the growing opposition to Israel. No one is surprised by columnist Helen Thomas effectively stating publicly that we should, “cut [Israel] off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more” (Psalm 83:4, NKJ). Given the mainstream media bias against Israel, there are many who secretly agree with Ms. Thomas, she only spoke her mind because of the prerogatives of her advanced age.
One of my favorite conservative commentators, Dennis Prager, published an excellent article on what the world’s cultural elites think of Israel’s dealing with the recent attempt to break the naval blockade of Gaza. Dennis’ article titled, “If Israel Is Not Evil, the World Is in Big Trouble” is right on the mark. Here is his conclusion:
The cultural elites of this world do not believe God’s Word. If they did, they would know about Zechariah 12:3-6…
Now is not a time to put off following Jesus… “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
One of my favorite conservative commentators, Dennis Prager, published an excellent article on what the world’s cultural elites think of Israel’s dealing with the recent attempt to break the naval blockade of Gaza. Dennis’ article titled, “If Israel Is Not Evil, the World Is in Big Trouble” is right on the mark. Here is his conclusion:
The reason mankind has to hope that the world, its leaders, its newspapers, its so-called human rights organizations and the United Nations are right about Israel is quite simple: If Israel is the decent party in its war with the Palestinian Authority and Hamas -- and nearly all the world's countries, nearly all the world's media and the United Nations are morally wrong -- what hope is there for humanity? If the world's moral compass is that broken, are we not sailing into a dark age?The world’s moral compass is in fact broken and we are indeed sailing into a dark age the Bible calls the Tribulation. The world’s moral compass is broken because, “the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us” (Psalm 2:2-3).
The cultural elites of this world do not believe God’s Word. If they did, they would know about Zechariah 12:3-6…
It shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. In that day," says the LORD, "I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, 'The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the LORD of hosts, their God.' In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place-- Jerusalem. (NKJ)We are on the cusp of this prophecy being fulfilled. All the nations of the world are gathering against Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. A dark time is coming that will be accompanied by big geopolitical changes. God said in Habakkuk 1:5, “Look among the nations and watch-- be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” That was true in the day God raised up the Chaldeans to discipline Israel, and it prophetically applies today as He prepares to restore the prominence of Israel.
Now is not a time to put off following Jesus… “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Preparing for War
The threatening rhetoric of Israel’s enemies is intensifying in the wake of the world’s condemnation of Israel enforcing the Naval blockade of Gaza. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said Israel must be me held to account for its action during a press conference with Syrian President Assad. Iranian President Ahmadinejad told an Istanbul crowd that the Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound flotilla sounded “the death knell of the Zionist regime.”
These inflammatory statements are being made in an environment where the United States government is signaling weakness in standing with Israel as an ally. John Bolton’s assessment is that this will cause our allies to distance themselves from us resulting in the U.S. government being even more deliberative rather than taking decisive action. And this makes war more likely when rogue nations like North Korea and Iran realize that the United States is not going to stand by our allies when the going gets tough.
Israel knows how destabilizing it is for the U.S. to back away from supporting them and has been preparing for the inevitable war with their neighbors. The Israelis have been conducting readiness exercises and have requested from the U.S. more JDAM smart bombs along with a 50% increase in American army gear held in their emergency stores. It will be interesting to see if the U.S. complies with this request given the trend in our official support for Israel. Dragging our feet on this support request will do two things: (1) encourage Israel’s enemies to go to war with them before the U.S. policy changes and (2) make it more likely that Israel will have to use a nuclear weapon when there is a war.
Indications are that it is just a matter of time before war breaks out in the Mideast. Such a war could be initiated by Israel doing something preemptively against Iran’s nuclear weapon potential when it becomes clear that sanctions will not work. Our, even more likely, it could be initiated by Iran’s proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria when they decide they have enough missiles massed to destroy Israel. It is hard to imagine either side waiting until next year when delay could put them at a disadvantage.
Jesus said that prior to His return, “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). He went on explain that wars are a sign of His coming when it becomes apparent, “these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). The original Greek word translated “sorrows” in the New King James version of the Bible means “birth pangs.” So a sign the Tribulation is near is when wars are increasing in frequency and intensity.
Israel has been involved in six wars since their inception in 1948 for an average of about one war every 10 years. Their most recent wars have happened more frequently, the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and the Gaza War in 2008. Given this trend, it will not be long before Israel sees another war. And given the preparedness of both sides, this next war is likely to be more intense and thus more decisive.
I also see significance in Israel’s next war being the seventh. The number seven represents “completion” in the Bible. Jesus said in Luke 21:24 that “Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” I would expect the “times of the Gentiles” to culminate in the Rapture of the Church because after this God resumes working through Israel again during the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27).
The next war in Israel will likely involve nuclear weapons. I’ve often thought that a great time for the Rapture would be when nuclear weapons are being used. People will be so distracted by the major geopolitical developments; they will not give a lot of thought to a few million Christians disappearing (consider 2 Thessalonians 2:11). If ever there is a silver lining to a nuclear war, that would be it.
These inflammatory statements are being made in an environment where the United States government is signaling weakness in standing with Israel as an ally. John Bolton’s assessment is that this will cause our allies to distance themselves from us resulting in the U.S. government being even more deliberative rather than taking decisive action. And this makes war more likely when rogue nations like North Korea and Iran realize that the United States is not going to stand by our allies when the going gets tough.
Israel knows how destabilizing it is for the U.S. to back away from supporting them and has been preparing for the inevitable war with their neighbors. The Israelis have been conducting readiness exercises and have requested from the U.S. more JDAM smart bombs along with a 50% increase in American army gear held in their emergency stores. It will be interesting to see if the U.S. complies with this request given the trend in our official support for Israel. Dragging our feet on this support request will do two things: (1) encourage Israel’s enemies to go to war with them before the U.S. policy changes and (2) make it more likely that Israel will have to use a nuclear weapon when there is a war.
Indications are that it is just a matter of time before war breaks out in the Mideast. Such a war could be initiated by Israel doing something preemptively against Iran’s nuclear weapon potential when it becomes clear that sanctions will not work. Our, even more likely, it could be initiated by Iran’s proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria when they decide they have enough missiles massed to destroy Israel. It is hard to imagine either side waiting until next year when delay could put them at a disadvantage.
Jesus said that prior to His return, “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). He went on explain that wars are a sign of His coming when it becomes apparent, “these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). The original Greek word translated “sorrows” in the New King James version of the Bible means “birth pangs.” So a sign the Tribulation is near is when wars are increasing in frequency and intensity.
Israel has been involved in six wars since their inception in 1948 for an average of about one war every 10 years. Their most recent wars have happened more frequently, the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and the Gaza War in 2008. Given this trend, it will not be long before Israel sees another war. And given the preparedness of both sides, this next war is likely to be more intense and thus more decisive.
I also see significance in Israel’s next war being the seventh. The number seven represents “completion” in the Bible. Jesus said in Luke 21:24 that “Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” I would expect the “times of the Gentiles” to culminate in the Rapture of the Church because after this God resumes working through Israel again during the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27).
The next war in Israel will likely involve nuclear weapons. I’ve often thought that a great time for the Rapture would be when nuclear weapons are being used. People will be so distracted by the major geopolitical developments; they will not give a lot of thought to a few million Christians disappearing (consider 2 Thessalonians 2:11). If ever there is a silver lining to a nuclear war, that would be it.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Signs in the Heavens
It looks like among the missions NASA will have in the post-Shuttle era will be to provide solar weather reports. Authorities in Washington DC are conducting a meeting June 8th to discuss the vulnerabilities of our technological society to the anticipated solar storms that are expected to increase in intensity. NOAA and NASA's Heliophysics Division are the two federal agencies primarily involved.
Solar storm activity has be cyclical in nature but we are now particularly more dependant on satellite communications than in past solar storm peaks. What ever happens, this will certainly make for more awareness of how solar activity affects life here on earth. I’d like to think this will cause more people to reevaluate the idea that human-generated carbon dioxide is what is causing the earth to heat up but the global warming dogma is a strong religion.
The Bible tells us that global warming is in fact coming and it will be so bad that people will be forced to admit that it is not due to carbon emissions. In fact, the only explanation will be that God is allowing it to happen; not that this acknowledgement will cause them to obey Him… Revelation 16:9 says, “men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory” (NKJ). Men’s hearts will become hardened against God as what happened to Pharaoh during Moses’ day so that the full consequences of living apart from God would become known.
In other recent news from space, a huge fireball has been spotted on Jupiter in yet another collision from space caught on camera and video by amateur astronomers.
The increasing incidents of big objects being observed slamming into Jupiter are bound to make people concerned about that happening on earth. Granted, Jupiter is a bigger target with a stronger gravitational field than earth but it does demonstrate the potential for a similar such disaster here. Indeed the Bible tells us that something like this will happen during the Tribulation… “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood” (Revelation 8:8).
The Tribulation will be a fearful time due in part to what people will observe going on in the heavens. “There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).
We are not yet in the Tribulation but Jesus told us that the signs of the Tribulation would be like birth pangs, increasing in frequency and intensity (Matthew 24:8). It is no coincidence that we are starting to become concerned about what is happening in space.
By themselves, individual indications like this that we are getting closer to the Tribulation could easily be dismissed. But taken together with other natural events on earth, signs associated with Israel, and the geopolitical stage setting, it is hard to deny that the current Age of Grace is about to conclude. And since the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation, we don’t have long to persevere in this world.
Solar storm activity has be cyclical in nature but we are now particularly more dependant on satellite communications than in past solar storm peaks. What ever happens, this will certainly make for more awareness of how solar activity affects life here on earth. I’d like to think this will cause more people to reevaluate the idea that human-generated carbon dioxide is what is causing the earth to heat up but the global warming dogma is a strong religion.
The Bible tells us that global warming is in fact coming and it will be so bad that people will be forced to admit that it is not due to carbon emissions. In fact, the only explanation will be that God is allowing it to happen; not that this acknowledgement will cause them to obey Him… Revelation 16:9 says, “men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory” (NKJ). Men’s hearts will become hardened against God as what happened to Pharaoh during Moses’ day so that the full consequences of living apart from God would become known.
In other recent news from space, a huge fireball has been spotted on Jupiter in yet another collision from space caught on camera and video by amateur astronomers.
The increasing incidents of big objects being observed slamming into Jupiter are bound to make people concerned about that happening on earth. Granted, Jupiter is a bigger target with a stronger gravitational field than earth but it does demonstrate the potential for a similar such disaster here. Indeed the Bible tells us that something like this will happen during the Tribulation… “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood” (Revelation 8:8).
The Tribulation will be a fearful time due in part to what people will observe going on in the heavens. “There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).
We are not yet in the Tribulation but Jesus told us that the signs of the Tribulation would be like birth pangs, increasing in frequency and intensity (Matthew 24:8). It is no coincidence that we are starting to become concerned about what is happening in space.
By themselves, individual indications like this that we are getting closer to the Tribulation could easily be dismissed. But taken together with other natural events on earth, signs associated with Israel, and the geopolitical stage setting, it is hard to deny that the current Age of Grace is about to conclude. And since the Rapture occurs before the Tribulation, we don’t have long to persevere in this world.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Islam and the Left
The United States government embracing Leftist ideals sets the stage for the one-world government the Bible says will culminate in Armageddon. Not only will our government's Leftist policies force the U.S. to be more of a team player among the world community of nations, it represents a mindset that is compatible with the spirit of Antichrist.
It is striking how much Leftists agree with Islamists in the cultural struggle going on today. I just read an editorial by Diana West who interviewed Andrew C. McCarthy, the author of, "The Grand Jihad: How Islam and the Left Sabotage America." This quote from McCarthy is a good summary of what Leftists and Islamist agree on:
Given that Islam is the most likely candidate for the religion of the Antichrist, we can expect to see more collaboration between Leftists and Islamists. The European Union governments making up the Revived Roman Empire have embraced Leftist social policies for some time. Despite the shaky economy, I don't see this changing any time soon because it is very difficult to reverse socialist policies once people come to depend on the hand-outs. The idea that Islam and the Left are not that far apart helps us understand how the Revived Roman Empire will be able to agree well enough with the Revived Ottoman Empire to bring the world together under the Antichrist. Though iron and clay do not mix well, they will in fact work together.
I'd like to think that we can reverse the trend toward a Leftist government in this country. But with the increasing frequency and intensity of Tribulation birth pangs, there will be many opportunities for our Leftist government to take actions that secures and grows their power over the people. Even if we are able to vote out the current batch of Leftists and God blesses this country with godly leadership, it will take time to turn this ship around. Also, there is no guarantee that those who replace our current Leftists will be much better. We have seen over and over how power corrupts those we vote into office. And per Revelation 17:17, it is God who causes the world leaders to collaborate with each other to fulfil His purpose in the Tribulation.
The only consolation in the path we are on is that the rapid pace of prophetic developments shows we can't be far from the Rapture of the Church. Indeed, the Rapture of the Church will insure that the Leftists stay in power since the huge block of Christians that would vote against them will be gone. I can think of no more effective ideological mix for the Tribulation government; Islamists and Secular Humanist Leftists working together.
As we consider these trends, we shouldn't despair... it helps to remember that God really is in control and thus, "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 is striking how much Leftists agree with Islamists in the cultural struggle going on today. I just read an editorial by Diana West who interviewed Andrew C. McCarthy, the author of, "The Grand Jihad: How Islam and the Left Sabotage America." This quote from McCarthy is a good summary of what Leftists and Islamist agree on:
"For all their disagreements on matters like women's rights, gay rights and abortion, Islam and the Left are in harmony on big-picture matters: They are authoritarian, totalitarian in the sense of wanting to control all aspects of human existence, virulently anti-capitalist, and regard the individual as existing merely to serve the collective. Consequently, they have the same obstacle in common: our freedom culture - i.e., Western liberalism, U.S. constitutional republicanism, and their foundation, individual liberty. Historically, Islam and the Left ally when there is a common enemy. But I'd stress that what I am talking about here is an alliance, not a merger. I am not claiming, as someone ridiculously suggested to me the day the book came out, that Barack Obama wants to impose Sharia."The shared values between Islam and the Left helps us see how world leaders with seemingly divergent ideologies will be able to come together to accommodate a world government that forms the power base of the Antichrist. "For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast" (Revelation 17:17, NKJ).
Given that Islam is the most likely candidate for the religion of the Antichrist, we can expect to see more collaboration between Leftists and Islamists. The European Union governments making up the Revived Roman Empire have embraced Leftist social policies for some time. Despite the shaky economy, I don't see this changing any time soon because it is very difficult to reverse socialist policies once people come to depend on the hand-outs. The idea that Islam and the Left are not that far apart helps us understand how the Revived Roman Empire will be able to agree well enough with the Revived Ottoman Empire to bring the world together under the Antichrist. Though iron and clay do not mix well, they will in fact work together.
I'd like to think that we can reverse the trend toward a Leftist government in this country. But with the increasing frequency and intensity of Tribulation birth pangs, there will be many opportunities for our Leftist government to take actions that secures and grows their power over the people. Even if we are able to vote out the current batch of Leftists and God blesses this country with godly leadership, it will take time to turn this ship around. Also, there is no guarantee that those who replace our current Leftists will be much better. We have seen over and over how power corrupts those we vote into office. And per Revelation 17:17, it is God who causes the world leaders to collaborate with each other to fulfil His purpose in the Tribulation.
The only consolation in the path we are on is that the rapid pace of prophetic developments shows we can't be far from the Rapture of the Church. Indeed, the Rapture of the Church will insure that the Leftists stay in power since the huge block of Christians that would vote against them will be gone. I can think of no more effective ideological mix for the Tribulation government; Islamists and Secular Humanist Leftists working together.
As we consider these trends, we shouldn't despair... it helps to remember that God really is in control and thus, "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Thursday, June 3, 2010
End of Free Speech
Among the freedoms that totalitarian regimes can not tolerate is free speech. Thus we should expect to see an assault on free speech as the stage is set for the totalitarian world government the Bible says we'll have prior to the return of Jesus. Indeed there are rumblings of this very thing in the United States where free speech has been sacrosanct for so long...
The Federal Government has been talking about regulating Internet journalists and bloggers. President Obama’s man at the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Cass Sunstein, has been advocating holding blogs and alternative Internet news media “responsible” for the information they publish. Sunstein's book titled “On Rumors: How Falsehoods Spread, Why We Believe Them, What Can Be Done” discusses plans for imposing online censorship.
It seems that the Federal Government prefers the big corporate news outlets that they can depend on to promote their agendas. The blogosphere limits the effectiveness of the mainstream news networks which is effectively a check on the power of government thus the government is compelled to regulate it. And the day will come when it will be. This will be the role of the Antichrist's right hand man called the False Prophet in the Bible. Revelation 13:15 says, "He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed" (NKJ).
The world-wide government that is coming will not tolerate disagreement with the Great Leader. Many will scoff at this thinking that day is far enough off that we have time to make the necessary mid-course corrections. But a crisis can cause governments to seize power very quickly and since we are already seeing the birth pangs of the Tribulation, we can expect a series of ever more serious crises that governmental authorities will not let "go to waste."
Technology is a double-edged sword. While it can be used as a check on the government propaganda, governments can also use it to squelch dissidents. For example, Nokia-Siemens Networks just admitted accommodating Iran's brutal crack-down on anti-government demonstrators last year by selling mobile phone surveillance equipment to the authoritarian regime. Governments have access to technology that they can use to squelch free speech and they will not hesitate to use it when their power is threatened.
Free speech is a blessing from God. Jesus promised His followers that, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). It is a wonderful freedom to be able to speak of the great truths God has revealed to us in His Word. There is no greater privilege than to be a purveyor of His truth. This is something we should all take full advantage of before the window of opportunity closes. As Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).
Truth has an amazing way of becoming manifest despite the best efforts of those who seek to suppress it. Even if the Antichrist totally controls the Internet during the Tribulation, God will make it possible for people to learn the truth about Him. But this will be a much harder time to be a follower of Christ because the government will hunt down believers and kill them, see Revelation 13:7.
If you have not yielded your life to Jesus, don't delay; all indications are that this present Age of Grace is rapidly coming to a close. Start following Jesus today and you will join us in the Rapture. The longer you delay, the greater your eternal soul is at risk.
The Federal Government has been talking about regulating Internet journalists and bloggers. President Obama’s man at the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Cass Sunstein, has been advocating holding blogs and alternative Internet news media “responsible” for the information they publish. Sunstein's book titled “On Rumors: How Falsehoods Spread, Why We Believe Them, What Can Be Done” discusses plans for imposing online censorship.
It seems that the Federal Government prefers the big corporate news outlets that they can depend on to promote their agendas. The blogosphere limits the effectiveness of the mainstream news networks which is effectively a check on the power of government thus the government is compelled to regulate it. And the day will come when it will be. This will be the role of the Antichrist's right hand man called the False Prophet in the Bible. Revelation 13:15 says, "He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed" (NKJ).
The world-wide government that is coming will not tolerate disagreement with the Great Leader. Many will scoff at this thinking that day is far enough off that we have time to make the necessary mid-course corrections. But a crisis can cause governments to seize power very quickly and since we are already seeing the birth pangs of the Tribulation, we can expect a series of ever more serious crises that governmental authorities will not let "go to waste."
Technology is a double-edged sword. While it can be used as a check on the government propaganda, governments can also use it to squelch dissidents. For example, Nokia-Siemens Networks just admitted accommodating Iran's brutal crack-down on anti-government demonstrators last year by selling mobile phone surveillance equipment to the authoritarian regime. Governments have access to technology that they can use to squelch free speech and they will not hesitate to use it when their power is threatened.
Free speech is a blessing from God. Jesus promised His followers that, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). It is a wonderful freedom to be able to speak of the great truths God has revealed to us in His Word. There is no greater privilege than to be a purveyor of His truth. This is something we should all take full advantage of before the window of opportunity closes. As Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).
Truth has an amazing way of becoming manifest despite the best efforts of those who seek to suppress it. Even if the Antichrist totally controls the Internet during the Tribulation, God will make it possible for people to learn the truth about Him. But this will be a much harder time to be a follower of Christ because the government will hunt down believers and kill them, see Revelation 13:7.
If you have not yielded your life to Jesus, don't delay; all indications are that this present Age of Grace is rapidly coming to a close. Start following Jesus today and you will join us in the Rapture. The longer you delay, the greater your eternal soul is at risk.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Iran's Nuclear Material
In the midst of all the concern about Israel's dealing with the Turkey-sponsored Gaza relief flotilla, the news that Iran now has enough fissionable material for two nuclear weapons has been lost in the fray. The timing of the flotilla fracas makes you wonder if part of the objective was to mask the news about Iran's progress toward nuclear arms.
Certainly the flotilla flap has served to give Turkey reason to change their position on sanctions against Iran. Without Turkey's cooperation, there will be no sanctions against Iran. These developments have made it clear to Israel that the world will do nothing to stop Iran from making good on their existential threat to Israel and so is planning to permanently station a submarine carrying nuclear cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf.
When is Israel likely to do something about Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities? They can not wait until they have one because it's use on Israel would mean the end of Israel. They could wait until the world is more sympathetic toward Israel but that will not make any difference since they will be condemned by the world when they take action against Iran anyway.
What is Israel going to do about Iran? It is questionable that conventional bunker-busters will do the job and their effective use will require the kind of multiple-sortie logistics that only the United States could muster. The Israelis know that the Obama Administration will not offer this up; they are on their own. So what ever Israel does, it will have to be quick and decisive. Thus using nuclear weapons is their only option. It is as if the world is pushing them to use them; daring them to draw first.
It seems like unseen forces are orchestrating events to destabilize the situation in the Middle East. It is easy to dismiss all this thinking that we have lived for 60+ years with nuclear weapons and they have not been used because this is too terrible to comprehend. But that was before such weapons have fallen in the hands of people who advocate suicide bombing and think that it is their religious duty to kill as many infidels as they can.
Of course any strike on Iran will cause Syria and Hezbollah to rain down missiles on Israel so dealing with that has to be part of the equation for Israel. With nuclear weapons being used in Iran, Israel couldn't be condemned any more if they used one on Damascus to cut off the head of the snake that is attacking them. Israel needs a "final" solution to their neighbors harassing them over their right to exist; using a nuke on one of the ring-leaders might just do that. The Bible tells us that this will happen, “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1, NKJ).
Developments are happening quickly... Now is not a time to be without Jesus Christ in your life.
Certainly the flotilla flap has served to give Turkey reason to change their position on sanctions against Iran. Without Turkey's cooperation, there will be no sanctions against Iran. These developments have made it clear to Israel that the world will do nothing to stop Iran from making good on their existential threat to Israel and so is planning to permanently station a submarine carrying nuclear cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf.
When is Israel likely to do something about Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities? They can not wait until they have one because it's use on Israel would mean the end of Israel. They could wait until the world is more sympathetic toward Israel but that will not make any difference since they will be condemned by the world when they take action against Iran anyway.
What is Israel going to do about Iran? It is questionable that conventional bunker-busters will do the job and their effective use will require the kind of multiple-sortie logistics that only the United States could muster. The Israelis know that the Obama Administration will not offer this up; they are on their own. So what ever Israel does, it will have to be quick and decisive. Thus using nuclear weapons is their only option. It is as if the world is pushing them to use them; daring them to draw first.
It seems like unseen forces are orchestrating events to destabilize the situation in the Middle East. It is easy to dismiss all this thinking that we have lived for 60+ years with nuclear weapons and they have not been used because this is too terrible to comprehend. But that was before such weapons have fallen in the hands of people who advocate suicide bombing and think that it is their religious duty to kill as many infidels as they can.
Of course any strike on Iran will cause Syria and Hezbollah to rain down missiles on Israel so dealing with that has to be part of the equation for Israel. With nuclear weapons being used in Iran, Israel couldn't be condemned any more if they used one on Damascus to cut off the head of the snake that is attacking them. Israel needs a "final" solution to their neighbors harassing them over their right to exist; using a nuke on one of the ring-leaders might just do that. The Bible tells us that this will happen, “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1, NKJ).
Developments are happening quickly... Now is not a time to be without Jesus Christ in your life.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Israel's Lose-Lose Situation
Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Israel and canceled joint military drills after Israeli commandos killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens aboard a Palestinian aid convoy unofficially sponsored by Turkey.
What ever Israel does to protect themselves from more missiles being delivered to Hamas in Gaza, they are condemned by the world community of nations as over reacting. This Palestinian aid convoy is public relations stunt by those who hate Israel. There are well established channels to get aid to the people of Gaza; this action was designed to provoke Israel. Israel is clearly loosing the public relations battle; if they did not board these ships, the next flotilla would have included weapons to be used against them. Of course a big part of the world thinks that arming Israel's enemies is acceptable. This is because the world really agrees with the Islamic Jihadists who seek to, "cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more" (Psalm 83:4, NKJ).
The fallout from this event must really be causing the people of Israel to be feeling isolated. The U.S. is still "officially" standing by Israel but how long can that last in the face of a public relations campaign that is so skewed against Israel? And especially when President Obama as the architect of our foreign relations policy has made it such a priority for the United States to be a "team player" in the world community of nations. This will make Israel more likely to take action that resolves their security problems once and for all. This of course will only be temporary but something has to happen so that they may have sufficient peace to build a Temple in Jerusalem.
Most people deny that the revival of the nation Israel fulfills Bible prophecy. This looked pretty impossible up until 1948. And that Israel should be preserved and flourish in the midst of so much opposition reinforces the idea that prophecy is being fulfilled. Today it looks pretty impossible today that Israel will be able to build a Temple in Jerusalem. But Scripture is clear that this will happen at the beginning of the Tribulation. Something has to happen to make that possible; indications are that we are on the cusp of some dramatic geopolitical developments.
God is in control and He is using these developments to show the world who He is. Some will get it and come to Christ. Israel as a nation will recognize Jesus as the Messiah during the Tribulation. Knowing the outcome of all these events is a blessing. The prophetic Scriptures have never been more relevant than they are today.
We should not be surprised when we encounter people who have bought into the anti-Israel media propaganda and they fail to listen to reason. This is a spiritual battle and they have made a decision to be aligned against God, His Church, and His people Israel despite what they claim. Pray for their spiritual needs, that they will open their heart to the Lord.
...And "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6); the Day is rapidly approaching when the people of Israel will have the peace they long for. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
What ever Israel does to protect themselves from more missiles being delivered to Hamas in Gaza, they are condemned by the world community of nations as over reacting. This Palestinian aid convoy is public relations stunt by those who hate Israel. There are well established channels to get aid to the people of Gaza; this action was designed to provoke Israel. Israel is clearly loosing the public relations battle; if they did not board these ships, the next flotilla would have included weapons to be used against them. Of course a big part of the world thinks that arming Israel's enemies is acceptable. This is because the world really agrees with the Islamic Jihadists who seek to, "cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more" (Psalm 83:4, NKJ).
The fallout from this event must really be causing the people of Israel to be feeling isolated. The U.S. is still "officially" standing by Israel but how long can that last in the face of a public relations campaign that is so skewed against Israel? And especially when President Obama as the architect of our foreign relations policy has made it such a priority for the United States to be a "team player" in the world community of nations. This will make Israel more likely to take action that resolves their security problems once and for all. This of course will only be temporary but something has to happen so that they may have sufficient peace to build a Temple in Jerusalem.
Most people deny that the revival of the nation Israel fulfills Bible prophecy. This looked pretty impossible up until 1948. And that Israel should be preserved and flourish in the midst of so much opposition reinforces the idea that prophecy is being fulfilled. Today it looks pretty impossible today that Israel will be able to build a Temple in Jerusalem. But Scripture is clear that this will happen at the beginning of the Tribulation. Something has to happen to make that possible; indications are that we are on the cusp of some dramatic geopolitical developments.
God is in control and He is using these developments to show the world who He is. Some will get it and come to Christ. Israel as a nation will recognize Jesus as the Messiah during the Tribulation. Knowing the outcome of all these events is a blessing. The prophetic Scriptures have never been more relevant than they are today.
We should not be surprised when we encounter people who have bought into the anti-Israel media propaganda and they fail to listen to reason. This is a spiritual battle and they have made a decision to be aligned against God, His Church, and His people Israel despite what they claim. Pray for their spiritual needs, that they will open their heart to the Lord.
...And "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6); the Day is rapidly approaching when the people of Israel will have the peace they long for. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
