Recently, we’ve seen a rise of movements in Egypt, Libya, and several other countries in the Middle East where moderate Muslim governments are being overthrown by public protests.  It is interesting to me that whereas our government supported the overthrow of these moderate Muslim leaders – they have said little or nothing about protesters who are seeking to deal with oppression from radical Muslim leaders like Ahmadinajad in Iran or Assad in Syria.  This is because this is not about freedom.  It is about a movement to destabilize the governments of the world – and hopefully bring about revolutions that will put even more radical leaders into power. 

In Egypt and Libya, countries where their revolutionaries are worthy of full support, we are watching as far more radical governments are coming into power.  Even though these two countries were governed by little more than thugs – they were at least the devil we knew.  What is rising up in both of these countries now is the Muslim Brotherhood – a group dedicated to the destruction of Israel.  They also desire Shar’ia law to be put into place – and – desire a worldwide Muslim Caliphate – where a radical Muslim cleric will rise to power.  This will not result in freedom in these countries.  It will result in an even more oppressive regime who will use radical Muslim religious views to bring their people under control.  We will not see women have greater freedom, but rather greater repression and violence used against them if they will not submit to the Shar’ia law that is put into place as the law of the land.  Yet we are seeing all this called, “The Arab Spring” by those in our government who are foolish enough to be taken in by poor understanding (we hope) of what is going on in the Middle East.

Let us now turn to the streets of New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.  Since mid-September there has been a movement to protest against Wall Street and the financial institutions of our country.  Due to pitiful news coverage which looks more like promotion of these events – we do not fully grasp the intent of those who are doing this.  The purpose behind all this is not to have peaceful protests – but to hopefully begin what they want to be a radical revolution in our nation.  Whether we accept it or not – this is part of their stated goals – at least if we believe the words that they are saying at these rallys.  They are hoping that these protests grow in size – as well as grow in disturbance to our financial system.  The leaders of these protests subscribe to writings that encourage them to first cause problems and violence – for the purpose of enabling those in power presently to quell them and seize power in an absolutist fashion.  Their hope is that in the end – just like in Cairo – they will see a rise of protest so great that it will overthrow our current FORM of government.  They are hoping in the end to watch President Obama have to respond by seizing power – and preventing the elections next Fall. 

I know that I am writing some very radical things – but I want to relate this to Biblical prophecy – as this blog seeks to do with everything written here.  As a patriot and a red-blooded American – I hate what is happening to my nation.  In many ways we are reaping what we have sown – having pursued a national course of promiscuity, ungodliness, and anti-life policies (by this I mean abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia toward the elderly and infirmed prior to and at birth).  God is allowing what we see today to bring discipline on His church – and hopefully to get us on our knees praying for revival and spiritual awakening in our land.  But there is also another reason this “may” be happening.

My eschatology (theological view of end times) sees a time where God is going to pour out astounding judgments on this world system.  This is called the “Great Tribulation” and according to passages from Daniel and Revelation will last 7 years.  During that period a ruler will rise up who will bring peace to the Middle East between Israel and her Muslim neighbors.  This ruler will also be able to bring about a one-world governmental, financial, and religious system as well.  He will rule over a 10 nation confederation centered in Europe.  He will also eventually bring about a cashless society where a mark will be given whereby people can buy and sell things economically (which lately looks like it may involve a computer chip implanted in either the hand or the forehead).  Lastly, he will also eventually require the world to worship him as god.  Having read this you may think, “How does all this fit with our current situation?” 

The things I mentioned above have come from a study of the book of Revelation.  But in order for them to happen – the world will have to move from states that embrace their own sovereignty – to a world that cries out for a world leader.  The United States has been a very real problem for this development for years.  We are a freedom loving people – or at least used to be.  We are a people that used to know these things – and would oppose anything that looked like a one-world governmental system.  But now, we are watching our own government turn into a socialist experiment.  We are watching our freedoms disappear left and right (far more by the left – but often the right is too complicit – at least at the congressional and party level).  It seems little can be done to stem the tide.  Please realize that I am going to fight these things personally – because I believe freedom is worth fighting for (although not through violent means).  BUT – as God moves all things toward His ultimate purpose and plan – we are going to watch a growing cancer throughout the world.  This cancer is going to take two forms.

The first cancer we will see growing is that of Radical Islam.  This cancer will grow because it is the most fertile ground for those who hate Israel and want to see her wiped off the face of the earth.  The so-called Arab Spring is more like a moderate winter.  The more we watch the “supported” movements rise – the more we will see radicals who hate Israel come to power.  In the end – the Biblical narrative where Israel stands alone against enemies who surround her – will come to pass through this first cancer – Radical Islam. 

The second cancer we will see grow is that of Western Socialism/Collectivism.  Europe is falling apart financially faster than the United States.  The people of Europe are ready to cede power to anyone who can deliver them from their fast-coming destruction.  Sounds like fertile ground for a one-world ruler doesn’t it?  The United States is unfortunately following in Europe’s footsteps with increasing speed.  If there were to be radical protests and violence that required our current president to rise up and declare marshal law – it would play right into the kind of socialist/collectivist worldview he has put forth for the past 2-3 years.  The United States could then easily join a “United States of the World” group and surrender our sovereignty to one who would rise up and be joyfully embraced as the “new” savior of our world!  What I fear though is that the devastation of the United States will be far worse that some think.  Prophecy does not even recognize a super-power like state in the West.  My prediction is that when such events happen – the result will be a severely weakened state that will fall quickly to second or even third world status. 

The rise of this “new” savior of our world – is synonymous with what the Bible describes as the rise of the Antichrist.  He will rule over all of Europe – and will be heralded as a world-saver!  He will also eventually set up a cashless financial system – and require all to worship him and the image he sets up for all to worship. 

What are we to do in such a situation?  Actually, I would ask that you consider listening to a message entitled, “Prophetic Inevitability and Personal Responsibility.”  This message will help you grasp what to do in light of prophecy that WILL be fulfilled – while not just standing around and allowing evil to prevail in the meantime.  God calls us to seek His face – His kingdom and His righteousness no matter what the political situation under which we live.  He calls us to love others – even those who hate us – and to share the gospel so that they might be saved.  God calls us to pray – to stand in the gap and oppose evil by calling out to Him – and for Him to move upon His people.  Too often what Americans want – is a never-ending American state no matter how vile our morals become.  We would like to maintain our comfort and our current lifestyle – even if we are not humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face, and turning from our wicked ways.  This is happening SO THAT WE WILL REPENT AND RETURN TO GOD!  This is happening SO THAT WE WILL HUMBLE OURSELVES AND PRAY!  This is happening SO THAT WE WILL REALIZE THAT THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME!  This is happening SO THAT WE WILL JOYEOUSLY AWAIT AND EVEN CRY OUT FOR OUR LORD’S RETURN! 

I do not desire – nor want to hasten the demise of my beloved country.  BUT – if push comes to shove Biblically – this is NOT my country.  I am looking for a city whose architect and builder is God Himself.  Therefore as I continue to love this country and seek its peace – I will also live in the reality that apart from a widespread revival and spiritual awakening in our land we are headed for very rough and difficult times.  And one of the benefits of seeing things this way has been a renewed call to prayer – and a renewed passion in looking to the heavens and crying out, “Maranatha!”  Come Lord Jesus!

What do the events in 1 Kings 12 and a scheduled event for September 17th possibly have in common?

Let me begin with what is scheduled for this coming September 17th in several cities in the United States.  On this date there is an event called "The US Day o Rage."  The organizers of this event are stating that it is a non-violent protest against the financial institutions of our nation - most notably Wall Street.  They claim that they are "fighting a war for the soul of our nation, its people."  But there are some very disturbing things about this day and this movement and its luminaries.

First is the name of the event.  They chose to name their event after an event which took place in Chicago in 1969.  The original "Days of Rage" were provoked by a group known as the Weather Underground as they rioted and demonstrated against the "system" for four days.  These protests were anything but peaceful.  It is also disconcerting to know some of the things being said in conjunction with this event.  The purpose for this event is to occupy Wall Street and other areas throughout the entire island of Manhattan.  One of their luminaries is Wade Rathke, ACORN founder, who wrote just months ago of an "anti-banking jihad" that needs to be waged against our financial institutions.  Stephen Lerner, a SEIU operative recently promised to "bring down the stock market" through a campaign of disruption.  Most disturbing is the things that are being said to these protestors about the NYPD.  The US Day of Rage website makes it clear that the NYPD will be viewed as the enemy.  The site says, ". . . the NYPD has become a counter-intel paramilitary force" which they say prevents people from exercising their right of peaceable assembly in New York City.  Considering the recent violent protests that have rocked England, one would not fault leaders in New York for being nervous and for taking proper precautionary measures.  The problem is tthat this protest is scheduled also to hig Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin, Texas.  

Going back to how I started this article, how are these events and the history of 1 Kings 12 possibly related?  Those of you who read these articles regularly know that I believe that God is trying to get our attention due to our rebellion against Him.  As a nation we have left the godly heritage handed down to us by our forefathers.  We have chosen to leave the Lord - and His way in this country.  In many ways we mirror the nation of Israel as it was in 1 Kings 12.  They had left the Lord - preferring their wealth and ungodly lifestyles.  Therefore the Lord made it clear that there would be a problem in their country.  God would not just allow, but would actually engineer a rebellion that would split the country.  God promised that He would only allow Solomon's son to have Judah due to His promises to David.  The rest of the nation would be given to another leader - and unfortunately would never have another godly leader again.  As one can read in this chapter - God said that this revolt "was from the Lord."  

Personally, I am horrified that we may once again have a 1960's style revolt by groups within our nation.  What is even more disturbing to me are the views of those who will participate in these protests.  They support socialist and communist ideologies that will in no way help our country return to the Lord and to a responsible way of living under His Lordship.  If history is any reminder to us - these protests will turn violent and will most likely give rise to more like them.  It also reminds me that there is not going to be a purely political answer to our problems in the United States.  Without a return to moral sanity - without a return to a biblically based morality and godliness - our nation faces very dark, violent, and disturbing days ahead.  Now is the time to pray and repent - to return to the Lord with all our heart and soul and mind and strength.  We need a revival on the scale of their organized protests.  The only difference is where their protests want to destroy - ours are on behalf of our Savior Who desires to give life - and life abundantly.