Mon, 21 May 2012 18:23:18 -0800WeeblyTue, 15 May 2012 11:52:35 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2012/05/let-the-dominoes-begin-to-fall-greece.htmlToday is May 15th - and it is the day that Greece is scheduled to make a payment on its debt to the European Union.  That payment is in excess of $300,000,000.  If the payment is not made - there will be a default (again) on the Greek debt.  Now you may be saying, "What has default on Greek debt have to do with me?"  Well, it has a lot to do with the huge set of dominoes that are set up in the financial world - and the way that they will begin to fall in the very near future.

The European Continent has been living on borrowed time for decades now.  They have consistently elected a series of leaders who hold a political view called, Socialism.  This view says that government can run the business sector of a society better than the private business owners can.  Socialism views a governmental elite as the ones who should be determining who the winners and losers are in the business world.  As a result, these governments set up fiscally confiscatory tax systems that make sure that the rich and the business owners "pay their fair share" of taxes to the government.  This winds up being a tax burden so great that the businesses close or move somewhere they can get out from under the oppressive tax burden placed on them by the current government of the nation where they are seeking to do business.  France, who recently elected a president who is an open Socialist, is getting ready to raise the tax burden on the rich to 75% of their income.  Thus the French government thinks it should rightfully receive 3/4 of every dollar earned by the rich - and that the rich should be thrilled that their "fair share" leaves them only a quarter out of every dollar they earn by their sweat and toil.  As you can imagine - the rich are not happy with having 3/4 of their earnings taken from them and redistributed to the rest of society as government burearocrats see fit.  Thus they either leave - or shut down their business and begin being one of those doled out to - rather than doled out from.  Thus the problem of Europe . . . no one wants to be the dole-er, because it is far more profitable to be the dole-ee.  No businesses and no rich people mean no taxes.  No taxes means no way to pay out to the dole-ees except by going into debt.  Going further and further into debt means insolvency - and that, dear friends, means your government goes belly-up.  Oh, by the way, this also means all the dole-ees don't get their dole any longer.  Oh, and one last thing . . . this means that the dole-ees will begin to riot and burn everything to the ground.

Thus we come to Greece and the deadline they face today.  What is looming is the default of the first European socialist nation in the set up of the national domino set.  Waiting in the background are the following nations who are just a little further up the road from Greece because they are following the same bankrupt Socialist policies that resulted in Greece's national bankruptcy.  That list is as follows:  Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, England, and last but not least - the United States of America.  You see, we've been dipping into the well of Socialism with our current president's multiple stimulus plans, multiple promises to everyone that they will get more unemployment benefits, multiple forays into class warfare by demonizing the rich and business owners, and mountains of debt that are being piled up . . . on the backs of our children and grandchildren.  

What you are seeing in Greece - WILL BE WHAT IS COMING IN OUR FUTURE!  Watch and see the devastation and the chaos that results from these policies.  God blesses HARD WORK!  If we are unwilling to do HARD WORK, God promises that poverty will come in like an armed man - and confiscate all that we have.  There are those who are predicting war in Europe in time - civil war in Greece as factions begin to line up offering the other side as the scapegoat for their problems.  If you think we are beyond such things - think again.  Our president is using class warfare as one of his greatest political strategies as he campaigns for re-election.  If you think that prior shenanigans of the "Occupy Wall-Street" gangs were wild before - get ready for what they will do as the election grows closer.  And those will be child's play compared to what they will do when the Government spicket is turned off when we run out of money.  Riots in the streets will become normal in the larger cities of our nation - because our elected officials have encouraged these Socialist/Communist/Anarchist gatherings.  

So what does all this have to do with the Biblical scenario of the end-times?  I believe it is part of the degeneration of our world as it rejects God and His Word.  This rejection is what gave rise to Socialism.  As I said earlier, God blesses hard work, ingenuity, and self-reliance - not government dependence.  We've rejected God's ways and more and more turn to ones that put one man - or a group of men in charge of all things.  We learn to look to our "government-savior" as the one who will look after us and take care of us from cradle to grave.  We learn to see him as the one we turn to - rather than to God's principles and wise counsel.  We want our government-savior to deliver us - and care for us - and provide for us.  We would even consider making this one "ruler" and "banker" of the world.  We might even consider worshipping him as god one day - as we all gather around his statue and participate in his one world religious system, one world government, and cashless economic system.  

The dominoes are set - and ready to fall.  Most likely Greece will be first - and just like in every massive domino set up we've ever seen - this one will take on a life of its own once they all begin to fall.  ]]>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:47:17 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2012/04/how-not-to-freak-out-about-end-times-stuff.htmlJesus is coming . . . soon.  But, that does not mean we should freak out and not be balanced in how we live each and every day.  I want to write something today to make sure that in all the talk of prophecy and the things that are coming upon the world in our day – and honestly – tomorrow and the next one two if God allows – do not depress and completely wig you out.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Anyone who studies prophecy knows that the scenarios that are coming upon our world are not pleasant ones.  Just a casual reading of the book of Revelation, as well as other prophetic books like Ezekiel, Daniel, and Isaiah, do not yield of view of the future that is rosy and happy for everyone on the earth.  There are very difficult things written in these books – and they paint a future where the coming of Christ is attended by a world that is coming apart at the seams.  It also paints a picture for us of God bringing His judgment upon this world – and that is anything but pleasant.  Having said this – and it is the truth – I also realize there is an extreme that we want to avoid in all this.  That extreme is to live in fear and in a sense of inevitability that freezes us in inactivity.  We figure that since everything is going to burn anyway – why should we do anything?  Man, since all this is coming upon us – why should we even care enough to do much of anything?  One group in Scripture took this view and even quit working to wait for the coming of the Lord.  God rebuked them for this.

SIFTING TRUTH FROM HUMAN PREDICTION

So, what do we do about knowledge of the coming of the Lord?  First of all – we need to draw a distinction between Biblical knowledge about the coming of the Lord – and what we do when we look at current events to see if there is any correlation between those events and the ones we see now.  The biblical account is inerrant – our extrapolations of what is going on now . . . ARE NOT!  When I say this I absolutely include anything I’ve said as well.  What often creates our “freak-out” moments is not the biblical narrative – but the somewhat overconfident assertions of the prophecy groups as to what WILL be next.  That is why I am loathe to make specific predictions – unless they are couched in language that clearly draws a distinction between Scripture and my personal conjecture about it.  Therefore we need to be careful in how we react to anything beyond Scripture – because where we are promised grace to live out what the Word says – grace is not promised about your favorite prophecy guy’s comments – especially if they yield a lot of worry on your part.  Take human words with a grain of salt – divine ones with several thousand salt shakers full of salt.  Therefore before freaking out – determine one thing.  Was this a biblical passage – or one written and spoken by a mere man? 

BIBLICAL ADMONITION

There are biblical admonitions concerning the coming of the Lord.  Since this article is about such things – I thought it would be good to put them in here and comment on them briefly.  So, here we go . . . our first one is from 2 Peter 3:11-14, which does speak of all things being destroyed by fire in the midst of the judgment of the Lord.  Fortunately, Peter also offers us a plan of action, and does so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,   2 Peter 3:11-14

Here is what we learn from Peter.  Let me list them in numerical order so we can see them easier.

1.        Look for and hasten the day of God.  First, we are to want Jesus to return!  That is important.  Focus not on all the destruction – but on the coming of Jesus Himself!  This is a GOOD thing! 

2.       Be at peace!  Wow, there is something you wouldn’t think of seeing here.  But our peace is based upon the fact that we KNOW these things.  Thus our peace is also based upon us NOT living for the same things the world does.  If we do – we won’t have peace.  We will worry about our stuff!  If we live for Christ and for the things of God – we will honestly lose NOTHING even though all this happens.

3.       Spotless and blameless – Peter asks the              question, “What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”  We are to be spotless and blameless – in other words – we are to be holy people – striving to honor and to please God.  If anything, the coming of Christ should drive us to a desire to live for God and for His godly ways with even greater joy and purpose.  Again, this means that we will not freak out (will be at peace) but that this peace is based on living for what is to come – for holiness and godliness – for being spotless and blameless in His sight – not for the ungodly things of this life and the things the world chases after.  If we are sinning and not living for Jesus – we will probably freak out over the coming of Christ – because, let’s face it, WE ARE NOT READY!

NEXT . . . NOT CAUGHT OFF GUARD!

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.   1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Paul writes here about these things as well.  His perspective is that of us KNOWING that Jesus will come like a thief in the night for His church.  So, in light of this, let’s see what his counsel is for us.

1.        Don’t buy the “peace and safety routine.”  Paul warns us that there will be many who give a message like this.  Everything is OK – there is no need to be concerned – there will be peace and safety for all of us.  These prophecy freaks are always talking about the end of the world.  We should NOT buy this peace and safety two-step.  We should know that if we do not know and follow Jesus – we are not at peace or safe!

2.       Be Alert and Sober!  We are warned that many won’t be ready.  They will be completely caught off guard by these things – and they will be drunk on the spirit of this world.  There is a reference here to the way people of the world party at night – get drunk at night – and are spiritually asleep.  We need to be alert to the Word – to God – and to what is happening around us. This is NOT so we can freak out – but so that we can be ready and at peace.  This is also so that we can be filled with the Spirit of God – filled with the Word – and filled with a desire for God and His glory – not the spirit of the world.

3.       We will not see wrath – but salvation!  How incredibly important it is that we get this!  As we live for God and for His kingdom and glory – we are proving by our actions that we are participants in the grace of God.  Therefore . . . we are not here to see the wrath of God – we are here to see salvation!  Too many wonder if they will be swept away by the judgments – and consumed by the wrath of God.  NO THEY WILL NOT!  They will obtain salvation – because God is at work in them.  They are freed by the blood of Jesus – and are never going to see the wrath of God.

4.       Encourage one another – What we need is encouragement to live for Christ in these last days.  The world is going to get worse – going to get more ungodly – going to get more wicked.  Therefore we are going to need each other.  We need encouragement to live for what matters and live our lives for God’s will and God’s purposes.  Don’t freak out . . . find a brother and sister and take time to encourage them – pray for them – build them up – and help them!

BE GODLY!

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.   Titus 2:11-14

Well, here is a shocker.  After hearing these things twice – we come to our third major passage and what do we see . . . the same thing!

1.        Deny Ungodliness and Worldly Desires – The grace of God instructs us to stay away from sin, wickedness, and worldliness.  Not that this shocks any of us – but we need to see that God is calling out a people for Himself.  Want to not freak out about these things – then live for the Lord with everything that is in you! 

2.       Be Godly - The positive of this is to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.  Stay away from wickedness – be godly!  That is how to have hope and excitement and joy over the coming of the Lord – rather than wigging out about it.  The more we live in fellowship with Jesus – the more we will want that to be permanent! 

3.       Look for It – Actually, look for Him! – We are to look for Him!  This is called the “Blessed appearing” and the “coming of the glory of the Lord!”  It would do us well to rename all this.  Yes it is called the “Great Tribulation” – but that is for those who do not know the Lord.  For us it is called a blessed event!  It is called seeing God’s glory!  That is seriously cool!  It is how we ought to view things.  Jesus is coming – whoo-hoo!  That should be our response.  As He draws closer – he is making us a people for His own possession.  He is not looking at this date as the date He will smack us upside the head for our failures!  He is coming for the people He is working to make a people for Himself.  As we grow in Him – to love and know Him better – we will want Him now – and will thrill at the thought that we will be with Him forever!

So how do we live in light of Christ’s coming?  I am going to risk saying a few things in conclusion – but I think they will bless you!

-          First – live for Christ – DAILY.  Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness – and all else will be provided as needed.  Just live for Jesus today.  Take the time to be with Jesus daily.  Then go out each day and live as He directs through His Spirit and His Word!  I don’t know about anyone else reading this article – but this is plenty to keep me busy every day.

-          Second – Live as God Leads.  Someone asked me about planning for the future.  Sure, go ahead and plan – and prepare for a future – just do it at God’s leading and with biblical discretion.  The Word speaks of caring for your family – of leaving an inheritance to your children’s children.  But the Word also warns against being a fool like the rich farmer – who hoarded all that he had for himself – thinking that his life consisted of his riches.  Be wise – be led by God – and be living for the glory of God in all that you plan.

-          Lastly – live joyfully.  In Philippians (which Paul wrote from a Roman jail – with his own possible execution hanging over his head daily) Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice!”  Wow, what a strange thing to say – unless you are living for Jesus daily – and the most exciting thing you could imagine is getting to see Him soon!  If your knowledge of “end times” stuff is leading you to freak out and worry – you don’t know as you should know.  If your knowledge of “end-times” stuff leads you to feel miserable and filled with apprehension – you don’t know as you should know.  These things were not written to depress us and make us feel overwhelmed with anxiety.  They were written – wait for it – for our comfort and encouragement!  If you are not comforted and encouraged by the coming of Christ – you do not know as you ought to know. 

God wants us to be encouraged – blessed – strengthened – build up – always abounding in the work of the Lord.  He desires for us to be convicted of sin so that we will repent and know joy again.  He desires for us to learn to walk with Him and to live for eternal things!  If we are not living this way – and loving His Son with all that is within us – “end-times” stuff will tend to wig us out – worry us – cause us to say, “woe is me” instead of “what a wonderful Savior!”  May God deliver us from the study of the return of Christ which only” freaks us out” – and lead us into a study of such things that will instead enhance our “fellowship with Jesus” and our “fondness of His presence and soon appearance!”

]]>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:22:08 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2012/03/3-possible-visions-of-america-in-the-very-near-future.htmlI want to begin by saying that I do not relish having to write what I am about to write – but feel that we need to be warned and aware of what is possibly lurking around the corner for our nation.  Please read all of this post – because there is a message of hope and encouragement at the end of it. 

In my mind’s eye I am watching a horrific scene – one that terrifies me the more I watch it.  The scene is of a small child who is dancing along with mincing steps along an unguarded precipice that if stepped over will mean certain death for the child.  The child, for his part, is totally unaware of what is going on around him.  He is completely ignorant of what just a few steps can bring about for him and for his safety.  But he is oblivious to any warning because he has chosen to turn a deaf ear to anything that is unpleasant to hear.  Therefore he continues to dance, not grasping the seriousness of his situation – or the growing danger of stepping off the precipice the next time he draws near to it in his dance of joyous ignorance and bliss.

This is a picture of the United States in March of 2012.  We are that child who is dancing on the precipice of disaster – and yet for the most part are ignorant and oblivious of how much danger we are in at the moment.  Let me address this in a number of ways.

Scenario #1 – Israel, Iran, and Nuclear Hide and Go Seek.

For quite a while our leaders (at least in the White House) have pretty much ignored this growing threat.  Iran IS moving toward a weaponized nuclear program – and it is clear from their own press statements that they intend to use these warheads on Israel soon after getting them.

We’ve danced around actually dealing with this situation to the point where Israel is going to have to act.  I fully expect that some kind of response from Israel will happen before the coming election in November.  When that happens – another blind dance of our leaders will be exposed.  We currently have enough natural resources (and yes, I am referring to evil fossil fuels) to become energy independent.  If we were to act NOW – we could stave off much of what is coming our way – but our leaders continue to stick their heads in the ground.  The fact is that WHEN Israel has to defend themselves, the strait of Hormuz will be closed – war will ensue on oil tankers in the Middle Eastern waterways – and gas and oil exportation will be slowed to a bare minimum.  When this happens – we will wish we could have 4-5 dollar gas prices again.  Instead we will have probably 9-12 dollar gas prices for at least several months.  This will send our economy into an immediate tail-spin of “great depression era” statistical proportions.  We will watch inflation hit our economy to the tune of 15-20 percent almost overnight.  Unfortunately, we may even have situations like the Weimar Republic  had in pre-WWII Germany – where you had to pay for a cup of coffee before they made it – because the price would go up by the time they brought it to you later. 

Unfortunately, I also see riots coming if this happens – as gas lines will return to our society.  There will also be an explosion of gas thefts and robbery at stations nationwide.  We may see gas stations become something akin to Fort Knox with the security that will be required to keep them – and their customers safe.

Scenario #2 – Terrorist Attack and Subsequent Cancelation of the November Elections

I can imagine at this point that many of you think I should be put away – or at least relegated to the trash heap of conspiracy theory mongers.  This particular scenario would involve an attack that is “allowed” by some in our government – whose authority and power is threatened by upcoming elections.  I write this with more than a little fear and trembling – because saying such things can get me in a tremendous amount of trouble.  Yet this is what I see in my heart – and tremble over when I know that history will not be made – but repeated if this happens.

Such an attack – especially if it comes in the Fall of this year (2012) will be used to cancel our elections for the near future.  We will be told that we need to establish order before an election can proceed.  If you are thinking an attack of 9/11 proportions – think again.  The Islamic radicals who are planning such things always seek something MORE spectacular than their last attack.  This one will come close to shutting the nation down because of its intensity – and possible multiple locations. 

You might want to be ready for such a thing especially if the election looks like it is radically turning toward those who respect and honor our constitution.  If our current president is looking like he is going to lose power – I fear that this may even be more likely.  Remember that the Reichstag fire  was used as a ploy to shut down government opposition in Hitler’s day – and was quite effective as an impetus for the current government of that day to strike its enemies as they scapegoated them as responsible for the fire in the first place.

As we see the political discourse turning more vitriolic, we need to see that lines are being drawn – enemies are being named – and hatred is being fueled at multiple levels.  What is truly frightening is how the News Networks are becoming more and more clear of who and what they want out of the upcoming elections.  It is also somewhat disconcerting that conservatives and conservative news organizations are also being targeted for destruction – now by attacking their advertisers – and possibly in the future by attacking their very locations with violence and protest. 

If this happens, the possibility of fair and free elections will be out the window.  By the time order and the opportunity of a free election come around again – much of the opposition will have been removed from the equation.  Our elections will pretty much look like those of any other puppet government in the world.

Scenario #3 – Riots Based on Race, Religion,  and Socio-Economic Lines

This scenario has its genesis in the current political climate in our country.  There are things being said and being reported (or said by commentators) that are pouring gas on the fire of already strained relationships between various polarized groups in America.  The rich are being pitted against the poor.  People of Color and different Nationality are being pitted against each other.  Certain religious views are being openly denigrated and lied about on network news shows – as well as in print.  There are very specific lines that are being drawn on the basis of race, religion, sexual preference, socio-economic views and politics.  These things are being exacerbated more and more by the rhetoric being used  in the lead-up to this election. 

As this reaches a fever pitch – we may watch as election day turns into a day of rioting and rage at polling places.  In the previous election – people were openly intimidated in Philadelphia by those who did not want them to vote against their chosen candidate.  This time – with a greater possibility of their person being defeated – we are going to watch these intimidation tactics turn violent. 

Occupy Wall Street and the shenanigans of some of our Unions have already broken new ground in the erection of political, religious, and socio-economic walls that are seriously dividing us in this nation.  We are dancing around the precipice of serious rioting in the streets – and even more serious violence against those who dare vote against our current administration.  This will not be pretty – but it will be violent – and will be used to intimidate people into compliance with politically correct views of our day.

When this happens – I also fear a backlash from those who are more conservative – if out of nothing more than years of pent-up frustration.  The danger is that such reactions to existing violence will most likely be used to “outlaw” certain views as well as certain groups.  The South and the mid-states of our union will be particularly hit by such reactionary anger to the prevailing tyranny.  This will ultimately be to harden the lines that have tried to be drawn for many years.  Again – races, religions, and classes will be turned upon each other – as they are painted as more extreme and reactionary to others.  I fear that literally thousands will die in these clashes.

OK, Let’s Breathe – and Listen for a Moment for Some Hope

Yes . . . I know . . . either I am crazy – too reactionary – or just plain scary in what I’ve just written.  But I want you to know that there is hope.  What I have written, by the way, is really not too terribly different than what Old Testament prophets wrote to Israel and Judah.  Please understand, though, that I do not for one minute claim to be a prophet in any way shape or form.  If you must know – I write these things for a couple of reasons.  First, because I am a historian.  What we are seeing is nothing terribly new – it is simply a repeat of Biblical history – and the history of the past hundred or more years.  Second, I am a Bible nerd.  What we are seeing is not the fault of Democrats or Republicans - of Obama-care or Liberal politics.  What we are experiencing is not the fault of atheists or pornographers or abortionists.  Dear precious saints - these are symptoms only - they are judgments released upon us for what has happened in the church - long before the world manifested these things.  What we are seeing is the inevitable consequences of a nation that once served God – turning from Him to serve other gods.  When this happens – God removes His hand of blessing and begins to oppose that nation – in hope that the nation (or the church within such a nation) will repent and return to Him. Third, I am a pastor – who loves my congregation, my city, and my nation – and wants to see it return to God in nation-shaking revival – so – that these things DON’T happen in our future.  I know that God is angry with our nation for how we have turned away from Him – from His Word – from His gospel – and from His warnings.  I also know that our God is also MERCIFUL – and if we repent, return, pray, humble ourselves, and cry out for Him to restore our land – He has been faithful to do this – not just in Biblical times – but in something called the first and second great awakening – and the prayer revival of the mid 1850’s! 

Is there hope for us?  YES!  Please read such things I have written prior to this point as a warning from a loving – yet holy God who desires for us to repent of our pride, our immoralities, and our sinful rebellion against His Word – and return to a life of fearing and honoring and obeying Him. 

What can we do therefore to avert such things as these?  Well, first off – I cannot guarantee that these things can be averted completely.  You must remember that we’ve murdered over 40 million innocent babies through abortion.  You must remember that we’ve chosen sexual immorality first with the sexual revolution against God in the 60’s with rampant heterosexual immorality – and then in the 80’s to the present with homosexual immorality as well as a host of other perversions that involve pornography, child sexual abuse, and every kind of perversion imaginable as we’ve thrown God’s Word to the side – not only in the world – but far too often even in the church.

Our hope is in falling to our knees – in repentance and restoration to God – and then in heart-felt intercession for God to move first in revival in the church – and then second, in spiritual awakening of the lost to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation from their sin and the wrath of God that rightfully falls upon unrepentant sinners in the day of judgment.   My concern, if there is a primary one, is that too few see the desperation of our days – and are unwilling to give themselves to extra-ordinary prayer.  This is NOT the time for a few words of perfunctory prayer – it is the time for us to don the proverbial sack-cloth and ashes – and cry out to God with weeping between the porch and the altar of God!    If we will not turn to Him this way – I see little or no hope for our situation.  I will vote in primaries and even in the general election if allowed – but these are not the answer for our current situation.  Even if conservatives win in a landslide – that will NOT be the remedy.  We MUST return to God, crying out for mercy – confessing our sins and the sins of our fathers – calling for God to rescue us – and committing to live afresh under His sovereign Lordship.  That is the ONLY ANSWER for where we are and what is coming.  May He have mercy upon us – may He sovereignly pour out His Spirit upon us – and may we be granted the most wonderful gift called “broken-hearted repentance” as we call upon the ONLY ONE  WHO CAN DELIVER US IN THIS HOUR – OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

]]>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:32:23 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2012/02/government-our-new-god-and-savior.htmlGovernment – Our New God and Savior ( A Commentary on the Controversy Between the Government and the Catholic Church over Contraceptives and Abortifacient Drugs)


Recently a huge controversy erupted over a decision by the Obama Administration to command religious organizations like the Catholic church and their sister organizations to provide birth control and some abortifacients  in all their insurance coverage.   Such a decree from on high is completely against the long-held religious doctrine of the Catholic church.  Also it flies in the face of many evangelical churches whose established teaching sees abortifacient drugs as abortion.  This would be little more than a government imposed type of “Abortion on Command.” 

There are two reasons why the recent Obama administration decree to the religious community is so odious.  The first reason is the way that it egregiously disregards the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  The actions of the government trample upon the “free exercise” of religious principle in this case.  What the Obama administration has done is use Obama-care and the unconstitutional powers is gives them to tell the church where it will and will not stand on issues of conscience.  This is just a foretaste of what is coming from the behemoth 2700 page Obama-care bill.  Truly we are slowly learning what Nancy Pelosi meant when she told us we would have to pass the bill in order to find out what is in it.  Now we are learning to our growing horror that it contains multiple violations of the very principles contained in our founding document.  Who would have thought that the very right of freedom of religion would be crushed by a health care bill.  The fact we are slowly beginning to see is that this bill gives government the power to tell the religious community what they will believe and what they will practice.  Thus the new religion of the United States, socialism, will be forced on all of us by the out of control Obama administration.

The second objection is how this decree has unconstitutionally made the government the “lord” of commerce by being able to tell insurance companies that they MUST offer contraception and other birth control and abortifacients to women free of charge.  This action breaches the public trust by allowing unelected officials in the Health and Human Services agency to tell companies to give away services with no recourse for their expenses in doing so.  What else will our government tell us to give away at full charge to us – but no charge to the recipients?  This is nothing more than a “Robin-hood” form of the government taking from one and choosing who it will give it to in the end.  Again the political, and now apparently religious, views of Socialism are being made the official doctrine and law of our country.  This won’t last because any economy based on Socialism will, as Margaret Thatcher so wisely said, eventually run out of other people’s money. 

This was trumpeted as a compromise, but the truth is that it is an end run around their former decision.  Someone will have to pay for these things.  The illusion of free contraceptives and abortifacients will be countered by the higher premiums that these organizations will pay for their policies.  There is no such thing as a free lunch.  Someone will have to pay.  Oh, by the way, that someone is those of us in the church community, who find forced compliance on these matters truly disgusting.

There is no room to compromise on this, especially when the compromise offered is an insult to any thinking person’s intelligence.  I fully support those in the Catholic community, as well as anyone in the religious community, when they call for a full repeal of these degrees of our new “King George” that go against everything our forefathers fought and died for when they broke away from England.  At risk is far more than just an open political battle with our current administration.  Honestly, at risk is the freedom to hold ANY view that goes against our current administration’s enforced public conscience.  How long do you think it will be before other matters of conscience come under fire?  Slowly we are being introduced to the new doctrinal views of our government.  These views do not allow for religious conscientious objectors – only for those who bow at the altar of government as our new god and savior.

]]>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:19:02 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2012/02/not-just-israel-at-risk-from-irans-nuclear-aspirations.htmlIn a somewhat bizarre turn of events, an explosion that is widely considered to be the work of Israeli intelligence has yielded information that makes Iran much more of a threat than we previously thought.

Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister, Moshe Yaalon, disclosed that a large blast about 30 miles outside of Tehran last November was responsible for destroying a missile factory.  This was not news to many, but what was news is that there is credible evidence now that this factory was in the process of making a new missile system with a range of 6000 miles, which is capable of targeting the United States with a Nuclear tipped missile.  Previously, Iran only had missile systems capable of hitting targets 1500 miles away.  This endangered Israel and parts of Europe, but fell far short of reaching the United States. 

There is also other disturbing information about Iran’s nuclear capabilities according to a Debka File report.  Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Major General Aviv Kochavi reported on February 2nd that currently Iran has 100 kilos of 20-pc enriched uranium, which is enough to make four or five nukes.  This information runs counter to U.S. intelligence estimates.  A recent report by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper stated that a nuclear threat from Iran is very unlikely and that they were much farther from having a nuclear weapon.  His concern was from attacks on U.S. soil through terrorist strikes – even as high as at the presidential level.  This was due to the intelligence gained from the foiled attack on the Saudi Arabian ambassador last year. 

Considering the pitiful intelligence that caught us off guard regarding the North Korean nuclear program, we would do better to trust the Israeli reports than many of our own.  But what does all this mean in the prophetic world?

This will not be Armageddon.  But it can be the event that triggers the Gog-Magog war that happens in Ezekiel 37-38.  That battle involves an astounding number of nations that have pledged to support and be in alliance with Iran in case of an Israeli pre-emptive strike.  One scenario that could work out is that after Israel strikes to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, these nations, which are a who’s who of the Gog-Magog coalition, will rise up and take their place in an attack on Israel from the North.  On that we will have to wait and see.  But one thing that is for certain is this . . . no longer is Iran just a threat to the little Satan (their name for Israel).  With this information we clearly see that the big Satan (their name for the United States) is now clearly at risk as well.  

]]>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:23:56 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2012/01/dude-wheres-my-constitution.htmlGod speaks of the blessing of those who live godly lives.  In a contrast He also speaks of the lawless - and never does so in any kind of glowing terms.  Therefore we should realize that there is a blessing to a land that abides by its laws - and a potential disaster looming for those who ignore the rule of law.  What we are facing  more and more is a president who refuses and even flaunts the fact that he is not going to abide by the law of the land.  In the last 3 years President Obama has trampled the Constitution again and again.  He has a blatant disregard for our founding document - acting as if he is a law unto himself.  This does not bode well for our nation - and if he is not confronted soon - for our future freedom.

Whether we are referencing the federal government forcing people to buy health insurance or the most recent appointment of government officials without the consent of the Senate, this president thinks he can do whatever he wants.  So far, because we have a Congress without the backbone to oppose him and bring him to court for his offences - he can.  Our recourse in these matters is to call the president's bluff and force a Constitutional crisis.  That crisis would involve the courts determining if the president has acted outside the laws of our land.  What is sad is that even the most casual perusal of the Constitution should lead to the conclusion that our president is out of control.  But no one has the guts to call his bluff.  They probably fear being called a partisan or even worse a racist - as that is often the way that this administration deals those who oppose it.  But I care little what race a man is or what party he is from - either we have a governing document by which we determine law, or our president can make up whatever laws he chooses.  

Consider that our president began his term in office by appointing a host of so-called czars that were never received the advice and consent of Congress.  Consider that they still rule on matters without any congressional oversight.  Consider that recently the Congress itself violated the Constitution by making it legal for American citizens to be arrested and held without charges indefinitely.  Consider that our government can now use the Armed Forces against its own people.  Consider that there is an FCC law working its way through the system that will allow an unelected official to remove any website from the internet he or she wants.  The attacks against our free speech are staggering - and too often the one recourse we have, the Supreme Court, will either not hear the cases brought up or will completely ignore our Constitution in its rulings.  We are sliding down a slippery slope at a speed that very soon will not be able to be stopped.

You might ask why this matters to someone who is writing a "prophecy/news update."  It is because I believe we are watching Scripture fulfilled with this situation.  My concern is both patriotic as well as spiritual.  As a patriot I find it glaringly arrogant that the Constitution, our governing document is being treated like little more than toilet paper by a man who put his hand on a Bible and swore to uphold and defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic.  If he fulfilled this oath, he would need to resign the presidency immediately - because he, more than any other elected official is denigrating it horrifically each day he continues this unconstitutional path upon which he is currently governing.  I use the word "governing" lightly - because he acts more and more like a dictator than a president every day.  

My concern spiritually has been that God is using this president as a form of discipline and judgement upon our nation.  Jesus said that if the salt has lost its savor - it is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.  The church has departed from God in the United States.  For decades we have been watching the spiritual fervor and evangelistic zeal of God's people and God's shepherds subside.  We have watched as the moral underpinnings of the church have come loose.  We are now a nation that has the unfortunate responsibility of over 40,000,000 deaths by abortion upon us.  The blood of these children, as well as the 4000 plus additional ones put to death each and every day cries out for God's judgment.  We seem to no longer address the issue of heterosexual immorality and drunkenness that run rampant in our land.  Our college campuses turn into drunken orgies on the weekends - and many are so addicted to alcohol that by the time they finish college they are drinking almost every day to cope.  Homosexuality is arguably no longer considered a vice, but is trumpeted as a viable, acceptable alternative lifestyle.  All this continues to grow in our land - while the lethargy of the churches is palpable.  What do we expect God to do in a situation like ours?  Do we expect Him to bless America?  President Barak Obama is an instrument in the hand of God to judge our land - and he is doing his job by ignoring our Constitution and doing whatever he wants.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ . . . I do not write these words out of anger and recrimination against our president, but I write them as a warning to us all.  I could as easily bring charges against 8 years of the presidency of George W. Bush - because he did little or nothing to stand against the tsunami of immorality that has crashed against our shores with ever-increasing ferocity.  We've listened to the lie that this is about the economy - but the truth is that unless we repent and return to the Lord - our economy is the least of our problems.  

Let me finish by answering my own question, "Dude, where's my Constitution?"  Our governing document has gone the way of God's Law in our land.  We have decided that we cannot tolerate the 10 commandments any longer in America.  Long before that decision was codified, our nation was trampling on it by their moral decay.  Yet we would be amiss if we did not lay a certain amount of responsibility at the foot of the church in America.  We've lost our moral fortitude.  We've lost our boldness to speak.  We've tolerated prophetic charlatans in our pulpits who preach, "Peace, Peace!" when there is no peace.  One of our most prolific preachers refuses to speak of sin - and focuses mostly on how we can be rich and healthy and have our best life now.  In a word - we've lost our savor.  We are not salty with the gospel or the truth - and now we are being systematically being thrown out and trampled under the foot of a growing dictatorship.  That is how it has always happened historically - and that is how it is happening today.  Oh, that we would awake out of our slumber and realize that November 3, 2012 is not the day of our potential deliverance.  It will matter little who is elected in November if we do not do much before then to repent, fall to our knees, and cry for God's mercy on our MORAL FAILURE.  The trampling of the Law of God is always followed by the historic trampling of the rule of law in a nation.  That, dear saints, is usually followed by the systematic destruction of the visibility of the true church . . . and then . . . the complete discarding of any governing document and the rise of a dictator who rules by his own tyranny.

[AFTERTHOUGHT . . . May God restore us and make His face to shine upon us!  May God grant us broken repentance and return to Him and to the joy of seeking His face and walking in His ways!  May our greatest concern in the days ahead be His glory rather than our comfort within a decaying political system.  May we act with the same kind of passion in our prayers for revival in the church that we do with the positioning of ourselves to attain political victory this coming Fall.]   ]]>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:30:28 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2011/12/tebow-mania-and-gods-involvement-with-the-broncos-winning-streak.htmlFirst off I would like to say that I love watching Tim Tebow play football.  The reason for this is because of how he plays with all his heart.  I love watching a competitor give his all in what he does.  There is a blessing that will come to anyone who plays a sport like this – with passion and sportsmanship.  I also enjoy watching Tebow represent Jesus Christ as well.  I have not seen every interview he has done recently, but in those I have seen I appreciate a quarterback who is humble about his own accomplishments, and who takes the time to give credit to the rest of his team for their hard work and dedicated play.  And believe me, I appreciate a young man who gives glory to God for the abilities and opportunities God has given him.

The reason why I am writing about Tebow and the Bronco’s winning streak is because there are too many Christians who think God is behind all this.  Some even think God is making the Denver Broncos win games because they have a Christian quarterback who openly voices his faith.  I do not know whether God has involved Himself with who wins or loses in the NFL.  There is no Scripture passage that tells us whether He does this or not.  I just find it a little disconcerting that many are putting so much emphasis on the outcome of a game – and equating it to God’s favor on what appears to be a very godly young man who is the quarterback of that team.  Give me a few moments, if you will to voice my thoughts on this. 

God is sovereign over all things.  This is biblical truth.  Therefore God is sovereign, even over NFL football games.  Some say God is too busy to concern Himself with such things.  The God of the Bible is NEVER too busy.  He is infinite and eternal – knowing every thought, intent, and action of every human being on the planet.  He does this without needing a break – or a vacation so that He can unwind.  Having said this, I do want to say as well that God has given His primary attention in Scripture to the praise of His glory as the gospel changes and transforms those whom He saves.  Much of what we “make much of” is considered trivial and secondary to God.  We place our focus on the final score of the game – while I believe our God places his focus on the character of those who play it.  In this regard I LOVE to watch Tim Tebow because he glorifies God by the character he shows while playing football for the Denver Broncos.  Does this mean that God therefore owes Tim Tebow victories due to his faithfulness and desire to honor God?  That is something we should probably examine further.

When we honor God with our obedience to Him – we are blessed.  When we choose to rely on Him and turn to His Word for how we live and the character we choose in every situation – we are blessed.  When we walk in our chosen field of endeavor in a way that glorifies God – we are blessed.  But to say that such conduct and such choices require God to make us successful and winners in all we do – is inaccurate – and spiritually dangerous. 

The blessing we receive as we live for God and His glory is . . . that God is glorified.  More than anything else this should be our focus.  There are times when God is glorified in giving us overt blessings that are plain for all to see.  The Lord blessed David with great victories in battle.  He blessed Moses by splitting the Red Sea and crushing Pharaoh’s army underneath tons of water as it returned to its natural state.  But there were also times when God was glorified by things that didn’t look so good on the outside.  Job endured tremendous difficulties both physical and emotional as he endured a time of intense testing and trial for God’s glory.  David may have seen great victories – but he was also the recipient of almost 10 years of running for his life while Saul tried to hunt him down and kill him.  It is a dangerous thing to think that if we obey and walk in God’s way, we deserve the best – and only the best to happen to us.  That thinking is what led Job’s three friends to think that because he was facing physical illness and emotional and spiritual upheavals that it was due to sin in his life.  There are times when God is most glorified when we are obedient and blessed – but others when we are obedient and . . . not so blessed.  The key is knowing that God deserves our obedience and the glory from it – no matter what our physical, emotional, or spiritual condition.  No matter what happens in our lives – God is still good – and still worthy of praise, glory, and honor. 

What happens WHEN Tim Tebow loses a game?  Does that mean he is sinful and no longer worthy of blessing?  He must have been a sinner his senior year at Florida because he didn’t win a national championship that year – and on top of that wasn’t awarded the Heisman Trophy.  This is where the “blessed if you do” and “sinful if you’re not blessed” kind of theology takes us.  And let’s step away from Mr. Tebow and consider others – brothers and sisters in persecuted lands like China, East Timor, and a host of Islamic nations.  Is their lack of outward blessing a sign of sin in their midst.  Be careful how you answer – for these are some of God’s most choice saints.  They endure hardship and persecution with the godliest character that brings much glory to their Father in heaven.  Are we in financially blessed America the godliest saints on earth because of our physical blessings?  Oh, be careful how you answer again – for many times a nation that has everything it wants – is far more judged than blessed.  They may be blessed in physical and financial things – but too often they are full of themselves and filled with the sins that excess brings.  They will find that their fall will be hard when God matches their physical state with what they truly are spiritually. 

We can only judge and examine things by wise, discerning, Scriptural judgment.  God is far more interested in what character we manifest in the game – than in the outcome of the final score of the game.  God is far more interested in the quality of our devotion and dedication to Him than He is in our prowess in some sport or other field of endeavor.  God is far more interested in Tim Tebow’s heart before, during, and well after the game – than He is in his stats during it.  And we would do much better to hope that Tim’s witness and walk is worthy of the gospel than whether the Broncos win their division and the Super Bowl. 

From what I can see and hear (which is very little in the scope of things) Tim Tebow is doing a wonderful job representing Jesus Christ on and off the football field.  That is very difficult considering the manner in which this young man is being scrutinized by those cheering for his demise.  My concern for him is that God continues to give him both strength and grace as he seeks to glorify God, not only as a quarterback for the Denver Broncos – but much more importantly as a brother in Christ who desires to please God long after he hangs up his cleats.  
]]>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:39:03 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2011/11/the-coming-european-financial-meltdown-and-its-consequences.htmlThere are a couple of things we should be aware of in our world.  They are not necessarily encouraging things, unless you are looking for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The reason it is an encouraging thing for the return of Christ is because what is happening will help to usher in the kind of world systems that will be around in the time of the antichrist.  This is especially the case when it comes to the financial systems that rule our world.

Remember this acrostic - P.I.I.G.S.  This is an easy way to identify the five nation states that will soon be imploding because of their debt crises.  The letters stand for Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain.  These five countries are all drowning in debt that has been growing due to their penchant for socialism and all that a government can buy before their spending binges come to an end.  Currently, Italy seems to be leading the pack, with an interest payment of over 200 billion dollars due soon - which it cannot pay.  This is causing a panic in the European financial world because either someone bails Italy out of their mess - or they default on their loan and the nation basically goes bankrupt.  The problem grows worse when you learn that all the other nations in this acrostic are in the same boat.  They have accumulated debt to such a level that they cannot pay it back.  Thus when one of these nations falls - the others are not far behind.  It is a house of cards - and when one falls - the others will eventually follow suit.  This brings us to see other problems as well.

The nations who hold the loans for these countries will suffer financial devastation as well.  When Italy, Greece, or Spain (these three seem to be leading the pack for who defaults on their loans first) fails - these nations will be on the hook for their debt.  They will lose billions of dollars.  In Europe - Germany is the fall guy for most of this debt currently.  But, there are also other players - the United States and China.  Both of these countries will pay dearly for the defaults in Europe.  China will fare much better because their economy is solvent.  Our economy will most likely either collapse entirely or, will be pushed into another recession or depression.  

What does this mean for all of us?  I would like a comment on a couple of things.  First - it means that this current financial world is bankrupt and is headed for a worldwide crash.  Currently there is a situation that merits watching on this front.  It is the fact that bank screens are reading 00.000 both for buying and selling all major currencies around the world.  This is costing banks billions as they cannot do international transfers of money.  Some believe that we are on the verge of a currency re-set that may pump potential trillions of dollars into the financial systems of the world.  The problem is that this will not solve the financial problems the world is currently experiencing.  The countries who are in deep debt are continuing on a path of socialism - where all problems are supposedly solved by the government spending their way out of them.  All this had led to is governments spending themselves into financial crisis and ruin.  The problem is spending - and unless socialism is renounced as a way of governing - we will simply spend through this infusion of cash - and wind up in the same situation again in a year or two - possibly even less.  

The second thing I see is that this situation is building for a possible scenario that would fit the end-times.  When there is worldwide financial crisis - it leads to worldwide political crisis as well.  The source of wars according to James 4 is that we want and cannot get - so we fight and kill one another.  It is easy to see that all the things that describe the great Tribulation period can be aided by a worldwide financial collapse.  This will lead to wars, famines, and tumultuous times worldwide.  Thus, we may be being set up for a time unlike any other in history.

The third thing I see is the rise of totalitarianism in the United States.  When a country has financial devastation - it leads to political unrest.  We already see some of this with the Occupy Wall Street movement.  Currently, this group would have ceased unless the Democrat Party and the Mainstream Media had not propped it up and supported it.  Amazing to me is the lack of reporting about rapes, murder, general lawlessness that runs rampant in this movement.  Yet useful idiots are always helpful when a political overthrow is in the making.  Already this current administration has trashed the Constitution as a governing document.  The number of impeachment proceedings that should have already happened surpass all those previously carried out in history - yet they are not even being mentioned.  The reason is because we are no longer a people governed by law - and we are also a people grossly ignorant of our own Constitution.  This lack of knowledge is destroying our government as those who hold office routinely trample the Constitution without rebuke govern our land however they choose.  What this will lead to is an eventual decent into totalitarian rule.  I have begun to seriously wonder if we will vote again in a national election.  All the laws are passed to prevent one from happening this fall.  All that is necessary is an act of terrorism that leads our ruling class to decide that marshal law is needed.  I do believe that if this happens - we will not recognize our nation as what she was previously (a Constitutional Republic) again.

What is a Christian to do in the midst of all this mess?  Let me give you a list of things below that I would suggest in light of the current place we are in history.

1)  Draw near to God - This is always the first thing on any REAL biblical list.  Repent if necessary - return to the Lord with all your heart - and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Scripture reminds us of this in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Matthew 6:33-34.  We are told not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough trouble of its own.  The question is this - have you sought the Lord and walked with Jesus today?  Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?  Are you living for eternity and the glory of God?

2)  Move toward getting out of debt - If you can, be debt free (except the debt of loving one another).  We are about to enter into a time where it will be very difficult to maintain much debt.  

3)  Cultivate relationships in the body of Christ - When push comes to shove - people are going to turn on one another in this world.  That is why we need to have intimate relationships with the rest of the church.  Build these relationships and seek to have them founded on biblical principles.  You will need your brothers and sisters in Christ to make it through this time (geez, you'll need them to make it through ANY time in history).  If you do not meet with a small group of believers in a local setting - START NOW!  We may be facing a world in which movement over long distances will be restricted.  You may need brothers and sisters nearby to fellowship with to maintain fellowship at all with fellow Christians.  

4)  Prepare for a financial collapse - Here is where some may think I've lost my mind.  If a financial collapse of national proportion happens - you will see banks close left and right.  Even though your money is insured by the FDIC - know this - even the FDIC will be bankrupt.  That is why I would encourage you to eventually build up a week or two worth of funds to have on hand in such a situation.  Some even counsel that we get physical gold and silver for this purpose.  Another thing to do is to have a weeks worth of food in some kind of "freeze-dried" or other preserved kind of state.  It also would not be too unwise of a thing to have some kind of tablets where you can purify water as well.   I am not advising hoarding.  This is just an emergency supply.  (In all honesty such a kit is wise for no other reason than we live in a major earthquake zone). 

5)  Build Your Trust in the Lord / Prayer - Ultimately God is the One we will turn to if the world begins to crumble financially.  I had the honor and joy of pastoring a small group of farmers who were in their 70-80's when I started being a pastor.  I would talk with them and hear stories of the Great Depression of the 1930's.  Their stories would focus on extreme need - and how God met their need.  The one common theme in all this was that they knew the Lord - trusted in Him - and prayed for His provision.  Are you living such a life now?  Are you ready to lead your family in this way?  Too many of us (myself included) are living more like the "American dream" than we are the "Bible Reality."  We live a consumer lifestyle where we are living to consume - and do so often beyond our means.  We need to return to a "biblical" lifestyle where our greatest teacher and example is Scripture.  The life we live needs to be based on biblical principles - which will focus us on a life that trusts God - and seeks Him in prayer.  This, more than anything else I've said previously, is what will prepare us to live in ANY TIME in history.  

May God give us wisdom to see the writing on the wall - without Him having to write it in the midst of a party that precedes our downfall.  These things ARE COMING.  The true question therefore is are we ready for them - and ready to take the gospel to our culture in the midst of them?  

]]>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:35:25 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2011/11/primer-for-prophecy-update-2012.htmlIt is once again that time of year . . . when the leaves are falling from the trees . . . when it is getting colder . . . and when I begin in earnest to study for what will be the Prophecy Update message(s) for 2012.  This is going to be a year unlike any I've ever seen before.  The reason for this is because there is more worldwide unrest and upheaval than in any I've known in my lifetime.  Soooo . . . I thought I'd give a little preview of where I'm going in regard to my early studies and reading.

First, there is the financial upheaval that is going on everywhere in the world.  The uncontrolled spending that has dominated the western world is coming to a close.  The experiment with various aspects of Socialism is coming home to roost.  Our governing officials are running out of other people's money to spend - and that is making for some very interesting developments now - and even more fascinating ones that are coming possibly as early as next year.  What I want to explore though, is how these events may be working toward scenarios put forth for us in the prophecy writings of the Bible.

Second, there is the Arab Spring.  We have watched Egypt and Libya go through revolutions that have removed dictators.  We are watching Syria presently on the verge of revolution.  There is rampant unrest throughout the Middle East in the "street."  Who is going to fill the vacuum left by the departure of these leaders and their regimes?  Will it be an Arab Spring that will follow - or - something far more sinister resembling an Arab "dark ages" instead?  

Third, there is the specter of a nuclear Iran - and what Israel is going to do about that development.  This one may happen before January 1st.  There are several reports from intelligence gathering groups that point to an Israeli strike that will take out Iran's nuclear capabilities.  What will this lead to in the future?  Could this event be the "starting line" for a series of events that could lead to the Gog-Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38-39?  Could this even be a convergence of events that could be when the rapture of the church takes place?  

Fourth, there is Israel.  Since the 7 year tribulation period involves God's work with Israel, it is always helpful to see what kind of developments are taking place among God's chosen people.  There is always a great deal that swirls around this little nation.  We will look at recent developments in the peace process - in the threats that continue to surround Israel - and the way that anti-semitism in on the rise in our nation and around the world.

Fifth, there are the Occupy Wall-Street protesters and the unrest that is growing in our own nation.  What is all this protesting about - and where could it lead us?  Along with this area of study I am going to address how these events play into America's role in the last days.  Where is the United States in all that is going to happen?  What can we expect as the day of our Lord's return draws ever nearer?


Finally, I will also be looking into developments concerning hot-button issues like, "Who is the Antichrist?"  "What about the mark of the beast?"  "What is happening that might factor into the various judgments (Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl) that are going to happen?"  All these may have had some kind of development that bears scrutiny as to how they may happen in the future.

I would appreciate your prayers as I dive into the deep-end of these studies.  This usually involves reading 100's of pages of information - various updates in the financial realm, the political realm, the military realm, and the spiritual realm.  I need God's wisdom to discern truth from error - and fact from hype.  As always I want the Scriptures to dominate how I look at things.  Honestly, I'm excited about this year because of all the developments going on in the world.  But I am also concerned that I not get caught up in any false hype or misinterpretation of the events that are happening today.
]]>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:33:02 -0800http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/4/post/2011/11/who-controls-the-airwaves.htmlThere is a test that is happening today that should deeply concern every single citizen of the United States.  The concern should not be because of the stated purpose of the test.  The concern should be the power grab that it represents – and worse – the power that now is in the hands of an unelected official who serves at the behest of the president of the United States. 

The first amendment to the United States Constitution states that there is the freedom of speech and of the press.  That is a right that should not be infringed upon by our government.  But a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on November 9th at 1:00 CST will give federal authorities a power that has never existed before in our country.  On this day there will be the first ever test of the EAS on a national level.  For three minutes this test will allow the Director of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Authority) to effectively shut down all television, radio, cable television, satellite radio and television and wireline video broadcasters.  Why is this viewed as such a serious thing?  This is being done to make sure that in an emergency one message can be sent to people about what the emergency is.  Why all the fuss?

What this means is that the authority to seize control of all television and civilian communication has been taken by the executive branch of the United States government and handed to a government agency.  The problem is that for the first time in history – the government can absolutely control information and speech in our country.  They can do so with a simple flip of a switch.  Today the switch will only be activated for a 3 minute test.  But that power should never be put into the hands of any one branch of government – without serious precautions and limits to their ability to use it.  There should be very serious laws governing the use of this – and even more serious penalties should it ever be misused for ANY purpose outside of a BRIEF alert of the populace. 

What many are concerned about here is the ability of a partisan entity (of any party or group in existence now or in the future) to suddenly CONTROL the flow of information to the American people.  If anyone decided to misuse this power they could have ABSOLUTE CONTROL over all the information the people of the United States received – with no way to rebut false information.  The power it gives the presidency was NEVER meant to be wielded except in the most extreme of circumstances.  Our founders would be terrified to know that a political entity of any kind, party, or distinction could do this.  They would know that such power is what ultimately destroys a nation – not helps it.

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