I 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!

In 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.  

It 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.

What is the world is going on with Iran?  Over the past week we've learned that the Iranian KUDS forces (which is the equivalent of our special forces) were involved in a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States.  Allegedly, the plot involved working with Mexican drug cartels in an effort to hire professional assassins to carry out the plot.  As more and more details of this plot become known, it is clear that the Iranian government was involved in this effort. 

This is a radical move on the part of the Iranian government - even a game-changing event.  It has led to several things that are happening presently in our own government reaction to this attempt on the Saudi Arabian Ambassador.  The first is that the Obama administration is seeking what they call, "crippling" sanctions against the Iranian government.  The problem with this action is that it will require countries like China and Russia to comply as well.  Since we do not do any business with Iran, our ability to directly affect their economy is fairly limited.  The second action, which is not receiving hardly any attention involves Israel and the sale of 55 advanced bunker-busting bombs to their military.  This was something that was allowed by the Obama Administration.  To give a little insight on this action, the Bush Administration was asked to do the same thing - and did not do it.  It was viewed as too controversial a decision, and one that would come back to haunt them if Israel used these weapons to destroy Iran's nuclear program.

What does all this mean for our world.  It actually means a great deal.  One of the things Israel absolutely had to have to deal with Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons was bunker-busting bombs.  Now that they have them - an attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure is far more possible.  This would cause a huge disruption of the delivery of oil throughout the world.  Those who understand the ramifications of this say it might cause the cost of oil to surge to 6-8 dollars a gallon - or more.  This would send an already fragile world economy over the edge into full scale collapse.  Such a collapse would put our world into financial chaos.  It would be a perfect scenario for a world leader to rise to help solve such an issue - not to mention to lead the world toward a one-world currency or system that would be easily be transformed to a cashless economy.

There is also the problem of military reprisals for Israel taking out Iran's nuclear weapons program.  If such an attack were to take place, there is a good possibility that the world would be set on fire.  Russia, Syria, and Turkey all have mutual defense pacts with Iran.  If Israel were to attack Iran - what would these countries do?  It could easily cause the region to erupt with protests - and eventually a military action against Israel from nations throughout the region.  That would fit the view of the Gog-Magog conflict of Ezekiel 37-38 being an event which happens before the rapture of the church and the beginning of the 7 year tribulation period of the book of Revelation. 

The situation with Iran is fluid at the moment.  Much of what I've written today has yet to happen.  We do not know what sanctions will be put on Iran.  We do not know how effective they will be.  We do not know how Iran is going to react to such things.  We do not know how the rest of the Middle East will react to Iran's actions.  But the one thing we do know is that Israel now has the ability to penetrate the bunkers which hide much of Iran's nuclear facilities.  The question will be what Israel will do with them?  The other thing we also know is that these events have done nothing to lessen the political pressures that are rising in the Middle East.  We will need to stay tuned to learn what will happen.  But in the mean time we also need to stay on our knees and continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, because these events have made that peace that much more difficult.

Now this will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth.  It will come about in that day that a great panic from the LORD will fall on them; and they will seize one another's hand, and the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another.  Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance.  So also like this plague will be the plague on the horse, the mule, the camel, the donkey and all the cattle that will be in those camps. Zechariah 14:12-15

While reading through the Bible this year, I recently came upon this passage in Zechariah fourteen – a passage that brings to mind images that are horrific – but that also calls to mind a modern weapon that can actually cause the very thing that God speaks of in this passage.

The weapon of which we speak is called the “neutron bomb.”  Neutron bombs act on the part of an atom called the neutron.  A neutron is a basic component of every atom.  In general, for every atom to be a stable element it must have a proton (a positively charged particle) an electron (a negatively charged particle) and a neutron (a neutrally charged element – with no electrical charge whatsoever).  Neutrons are a critical building block of every material thing in our entire universe.  When these neutrons are clinging to protons in the nucleus of an atom, they are vital to the existence of matter itself.  When they are freed from this relationship with a proton, they cause a very deadly form of radiation – in fact it is lethal.

The first atomic bombs involved the splitting apart of “heavy atomic nuclei.”  When this happens there is a tremendous release of power – thus the massive mushroom-clouded type of explosion results.  This was the type of bomb released on Japan at the close of the second world war.  The second generation of nuclear bomb is called the “thermonuclear bomb.”  This involves a process where hydrogen isotopes are fused together to form even heavier atoms – which when split release almost unbelievable amounts of energy.  That is why we are very careful and loathe to release one of these bombs today.  The explosion and effect of a thermonuclear bomb makes the first generation of nuclear bombs look like a mere firecracker.  When we consider the massive destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a firecracker, we tremble at the destruction one of these second generation bombs could cause. 

The Neutron bomb is a third generation nuclear device.  This bomb is similar to the thermonuclear bomb except that a blanket of heavy U-238 isotopes is removed from it.  What this does to the bomb is make it release only a massive number of neutrons combined with gamma radiation at its detonation.  When this bomb blows the release of the neutrons are lethal to humans and any other animal life around it.  If you are within the radius of a neutron bomb you will be killed almost instantly.  If you are within the blast radius what will happen to you is eerily similar to what Zechariah describes in chapter 14 of his prophecy.  Any kind of flesh is destroyed by a kind of melting process as all the atoms are destroyed within it.  Thus Zechariah’s description of something that rots flesh, eyes, and the tongue are often compared to what happens at the detonation of a neutron bomb.

The reason the military would choose one of these bombs is because they are considered to be much “cleaner” than conventional nuclear bombs.  A neutron bomb blast will only kill living things.  This will leave all the weapons and buildings in the area pretty much intact.  If a nation were attacked by a huge army – as Israel will be attacked in the last days – the bomb will kill all the troops, but will leave all their armor and weaponry undamaged.  The other important difference is that a neutron bomb will leave no radioactive fallout behind after its detonation.  Unlike the first two generations of nuclear weapons, a person is safe walking in the area of the bomb blast immediately after the explosion.  Even soldiers who are dug in many feet below the earth will not escape the results of a neutron bomb blast. 

What is fascinating is that currently only the United States, Israel, and possibly China have this kind of weaponry.  That is interesting to the student of prophecy because if attacked by a huge army, Israel may choose to release such a weapon.  It would effectively destroy their enemies without causing a massive ecological event that would poison the region for decades. 

The question though for us is whether God is going to use something like this in the Gog-Magog invasion that is coming – or whether the deliverance in this scenario is simply going to be a plague that comes from the hand of God.  To be honest with you I do not have a clue which it will be, since God has worked in both ways in the past testimony of Scripture.  At times His judgment and wrath fall through an army that is divinely empowered for victory.  At other times He acts apart from any human involvement and brings His power to bear directly on those who oppose Him. 

What I get from all this is that it is foolish to stand against the apple of God’s eye – the nation of Israel.  Scripture very clearly indicates that the nation of Israel will be a major focus in the last days.  It also indicates that in the end, all nations will turn against Him and against His people.  Yet God will use even this to accomplish His ultimate purposes and plans.  Those plans have nothing to do with world domination – and everything to do with bringing salvation to the people of His own choosing.  They may have rejected their Messiah at His first coming – but eventually God is going to bring Israel to Himself with the events of these last days.  As I read Zechariah fourteen and realized that for the first time in history a human weapon has the capability of doing what is said here – I had another sense that we are indeed living in the last days.  May such a realization cause me – and saints, cause all of us to look up, for indeed our redemption is drawing near!