Those who recently heard of the speech the president gave at the United Nations must have been impressed by the ability he has to speak out of both sides of his mouth at once. I am sure that he was seeking to bring peace and calm to a situation that is beginning to get out of control. Yet the utter hypocrisy of stating that we should not slander either the prophet of Islam or desecrate the “image of Jesus Christ,” is really beyond the pale. As we examine the gross hypocrisy of our president’s statement, we should read it first. Here is the statement he made in the United Nations speech on September 25th, 2012. “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. Yet to be credible, those who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see when the image of Jesus Christ is desecrated, churches are destroyed, or the Holocaust is denied.” (emphasis mine) If President Obama is serious about this statement – and I mean by serious that he will stand up for Christianity as well as Islam – I await his forthcoming denunciation of Andres Serrano’s “Piss Christ” that is going back on display in the very city in which he gave these remarks. I wonder when our President will be coming out with strong statements about the return of this federally funded desecration of Jesus Christ? I also wonder when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be joining him to condemn in the strongest words possible this outrage. I look forward to their joint commercial, at the cost of at least $70,000, so that all of the Christians in the United States can hear their strong rebukes, apologies, and calls for this artwork to be removed from the public view? You see, that IS what happened when the recent anti-Muslim film, “The Innocence of Muslims” caused problems in the Muslim world. Geez, I wonder if the Joint Chiefs of Staff has personally called Serrano yet urging him to withdraw his picture from the Art Gallery in Manhattan? All this was done by our current administration to protest the offense to Muslims worldwide for the presence of “The Innocence of Muslims” on YouTube. Yet in 1989 when it came out, what we found when Cerrano decided to plunge the image of Jesus Christ on the cross into a jar of his own urine – was strong defenses by Democrat officials. They would not allow censorship – or even calls for it to be seriously considered. But that was before hope and change. Certainly NOW that there was someone who knew that people should not desecrate the image of Jesus Christ, we’d finally have a rebuke from our administration? But . . . there were no commercials made – no calls – no outrage – no disgust – just deafening silence. But now we have a President who gets it – right! He described such things as hateful actions! Therefore, according to our president, this was an act of hate paid for with your tax dollars! So, based on this speech, we should be hearing his denunciation of it as hate any moment now. What is truly strange is that we find him oddly silent. He feels that the future cannot belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. He also backs up those words with serious actions. We know from what he has DONE that he is serious about protecting Islam as a religion. But when it comes to Christianity once again we find him strangely mute. But now . . . now that our president is on record about the “hate we see when the image of Christ is desecrated,” things are going to be different. We can hold our breath, knowing that strong denunciations – commercials – apologies – will be coming from him, Secretary of State Clinton, and many others. How dare they! NOW we’ll hear President Obama and his administration really give it to them! My advice to you would be to avoid holding your breath waiting for ANY action or statement to come as a result of this speech . . . unless you are a Muslim. Christians don’t riot and burn things - and kill Ambassadors when they are offended. (Actually the death of our Ambassador to Libya wasn’t due to the film – that was a terrorist attack – or at least a Libyan act of workplace violence.) We don’t act this way as Christians because we are told to rejoice when we are persecuted. We are told to love those who do such things to us. So, if you are a Christian, don’t hold your breath awaiting the strong denunciations that are forthcoming concerning the desecration of Jesus Christ that are currently on display in New York City – unless you want to actually meet Jesus in person. My guess is that you’ll die for lack of oxygen waiting for that kind of consistency on religious matters from this current administration.
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What is as small as 21 miles across, has ships from 25 different nations around it, and can cause the entire world economy to nose dive by being shut down for as little as two to three days? Don’t know the answer to that one? The answer for the next 12 days is a little channel of water called the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a small exit at the base of the Persian Gulf. It is one of the most congested waterways in the world, since through it flows 35% of the world’s oil in tankers from countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait. What is making this strait even more congested is all the naval vessels that are congregated there for the largest naval exercise ever in the history of modern warfare. Included in this force are three Nimitz class carrier groups from the United States, four British minesweepers and the HMS Diamond, one of the most powerful destroyers in the entire British Navy. In addition to these ships there are 12 U.S. battleships cruisers, frigates, destroyers, and assault ships. These vessels are joined by additional ships from France and the UAE. Why are all these ships in this region? It is because they are conducting training for what they fully expect to be a war in the gulf region. The war will involve Iran and the reason behind it is a dispute over whether they are seeking to build a nuclear weapon. Iran claims that their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but Britain’s MI-6 disagrees. Their latest intelligence says that Iran could have operational nuclear weapons as soon as early to mid-2013. This has brought about a situation that Israel says cannot exist. That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that if necessary, Israel will go it alone in an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Why has Israel taken such a hard stance? It is because of the way that leaders in Iran have spoken about such things. Iranian President Ahmadinejad has stated many times publically that Iran intends to destroy Israel – and leaders in Israel do not want to give him enough leeway to accomplish this threat by using a nuclear weapon. But what would be the result of such an intervention by Israel? Iran is having an annual test of its own involving all their air defenses. The largest exercise of Iran’s history is coming, according to Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili. This test will involve surface-to-air missiles, unmanned drones and state-of-the-art radar, The Iranian Revolutionary Guard and air force will work together to test their own defenses. These defenses seek to protect over 3,500 sensitive locations throughout the Iran. Among these sites are their oil refineries and uranium enrichment facilities. The Iranian military is seeking to “identify vulnerabilities” as well as practice their tactics, both old and new. But defense is not their only goal. The Iranians have also practiced offensive attacks using mini subs, fast attack boats, mining vessels, and land-based anti-ship missiles from a number of batteries along the gulf. It is predicted that before being destroyed, these ships can cause a great deal of carnage among both military and civilian shipping. Iran has promised an asymmetrical response that will not only strike in the Strait of Hormuz, but also in Israel and in the United States. Iran fully expects cooperation from terrorist groups in Syria and Lebanon who have thousands of missiles that promise to rain down upon Israel. Those in charge of Israel’s missile defense expect between 400-500 deaths in the initial strikes with more coming later if they are unable to destroy all the missile batteries quickly. The Iranian secret service, named Quds, also is believed to have numerous operatives in the United States waiting to strike with multiple terrorist attacks if Israel strikes Iran. Some have stated that such an attack will not happen before the United States elections – but with things heating up in the region – there is no guarantee that the attack won’t happen very soon. With both these war games and the continued escalated rhetoric from both Iran and Israel, it wouldn’t be wise to hold your breath. So how does all this relate to biblical prophecy? First of all, there is no mention of a massive war between Israel and Iran in the Bible. The major prophecy that may come into play is that of a Gog-Magog battle that is prophesied in Ezekiel 37-38. The major players in that event are Israel and a Russian/Islamic Army that comes like a hoard from the north into Israel. I am one who believes that this event will happen just prior to the 7 year Great Tribulation in Revelation. I also personally believe that this also may be an event that happens in connection with the rapture of the church. Since there is a mutual protective alliance between Iran and Russia, this could very well help start a massive response from Russia – joined by the Islamic nations in the Middle East – who would come to punish Israel for their attack on Iran. Such an alliance would be massive and highly motivated since there is a mutual hatred of Israel among all of them. After reading this you might wonder, “What does this have to do with me?” It has much to do with you and me. First of all, there will be a series of things we will have to deal with as Christians. First, the reality that gas prices will likely shoot up to over as much as 8-10 dollars a gallon. This will cripple the economy – not just of the United States – but the entire world. Second, we will have to decide if we will stand with Israel or not. This event, if it happens, will result in calls worldwide to punish Israel. Therefore it will cost us something to stand with Israel. This will be a personal choice – because I fully expect our national leaders, who have decided upon a path far more allied with Islam, than with Israel, to turn on Israel and join with the rest of the UN in calling for punishment of Israel for their pre-emptive strike. Just remember that God promises to bless those who bless Israel – and curse those who curse her. Another question that may arise is this, “What can I do about this?” Well, actually, you can do nothing about this. If God intends to use these events to usher in the events that accompany the second coming of Jesus – you can do nothing to thwart what He allows. But the question you should ask should not be what you can do about all this, but rather what you should be doing in light of it. Let’s answer that one instead. Two things are true if these events are close at hand. First, you do not have “all the time in the world” to share Christ with those around you. It may be a matter of months, weeks, or honestly – even days. Take advantage of every opportunity to share Jesus with those you know who need Him and the salvation He has purchased with His own blood. Now is not the time to become complacent and lazy. Now is the time to redouble our efforts to share Christ with others. The second thing that is very important is to be people of the Word of God. Dear saints – check your doctrine and make sure that you are spiritually ready for what is coming. Scripture tells us that these days are going to be ones where great deception will be loosed upon all mankind. Many will fall for the lies of the evil one – and of the culture and media that does his bidding daily. Are you ready to stand on God’s Word in the midst of a flood of deceptive rhetoric that is about to be unleashed on you? If you haven’t noticed, that flood is rising even now as what were once basic biblical beliefs are being denigrated hourly on network and cable television. It will take strength – and a love of the Word – to be able to stand. Are you ready? We live in the midst of amazing times. The world seems to be aflame with strange doctrines – and religious movements willing to riot and rampage in the streets. The financial world is reeling under the weight of debt that is out of control as socialist government’s promise more and more – but are quickly seeing that they cannot deliver on their promises indefinitely. Nation is warring against nation – and the saber-rattling that often precedes world wars is rampant in the political realms. It is time for us to draw near to God so that our hearts will not be weighed down with sin – but liberated to stand fast on His Word and on the gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just recently I've finished reading through the prophets in the Old Testament. I do this at least once a year as I read through the Bible. This year, however, their voice is reverberating in my mind and heart as I look at our nation and what God is currently doing. Let me share with you what I saw this year - and how it relates to our nation, our coming election, and the difficulties and disasters which I believe are in our future. Please also let me share why God, in His sovereign providence, is allowing them.
First, I need to comment on the state of the church leading up to this coming election. As the saints of God we are to get our marching orders from heaven. Those directives come to us through the Scriptures. I fear that too many in the conservative wing of the evangelical think that their marching orders are coming from the RNC or the Tea Party. There is an errant notion that by electing Governor Romney as president and a Republican majority in the House and Senate - our problems will be on the way to being solved in this nation. Even though I believe in voting in elections and seeking for political action toward things like abortion, homosexual marriage, racism, and matters of justice and righteousness - I do not see the United States government (even if it is the hands of conservatives) doing a whole lot to advance righteousness in America. They may use such things as election issues - but I've been burned to many times over 32 years of voting by their actual ruling looking little like their stump speeches. Also, I seem to notice in Matthew 28:18-19 that Jesus did not call us to go and make Republicans of all the nations. We are called to God's will in conduct, purpose, principle, and action. That won't fly in any political arena in present day politics. And I am not willing to cede the work of the gospel to those who are offended that the Bible presents truths that show that Muslims, Mormans, Hindus, Buddhists, and anyone else who does not repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are lost and destined for God's judgment. Such things are not up for a vote. As I've read the prophets this year I've been somewhat overwhelmed with the reality that God commands us to repent and return to Him. If we do not repent - if we continue to serve other gods - gods acceptable to our culture and acceptable to our flesh - God will begin bringing difficulties upon His people. The prophets thunder with God's unrelenting call to Himself. They do not apologize that God is sovereign. They do not apologize for His moral standards. They do not apologize that God authoritatively calls men to worship and serve Him only. And they certainly do not want to make adjustments so that the Baal worshippers, the Asherah-adherants, and the worshppers of other false gods can feel more comfortable and be a part of a "big-tent." The prophets say things very offensive to a multi-cultural world - not so much to the culture - but to anything driven by a culture's embrace of false deities. But God is not focused on the "lost" in the prophets. He is focused on His people - those who should know better. He is focused on calling His people to much needed repentance. What happens in a society when its Christians refuse to return and to repent? According to the prophets, God begins to remove first His blessing and later His protection from them and from their nation. If you've ever read the prophets you know that over time this can get very rough. God will allow earthquakes, disasters, and military conquest to overtake His people. Israel and Judah experienced horrific consequences for their love of foreign gods and the lifestyles that came with them. Baal and Asherah embraced a lifestyle of sexual immorality. Marriage was denigrated as first men committed heterosexual immoralities - and eventually moved on to homosexuality as well. Those who think the 1960's ushered in free love, know little about how far Israel and Judah fell in their pursuit of these false deities. The worship of Molech led many to sacrifice their babies in a firey death. Those who see such a thing as disgusting should remember the modern day Molech - Planned Parenthood - who promote the sacrifice of babies for the sake of supposed greater sexual freedom. Actually what they are getting is greater sexual bondage in the guise of immorality without consequences. Then there is the immorality that disguises itself as free trade, or socialism, or communism, or any other "ism" that takes precedent over Scriptural principles of business or government. You see, our culture is not all that different from the days of the prophets. We have just named things with a more sophisticated name - hiding the hideousness of what they truly are. We've also got better at lying about the true nature of things while ignoring Scripture - and occasionally insulting God and the way that He needs to improve His own image by becoming far more "hip" and "culturally-sensitive." The truth is, WE are Israel and Judah in the times of the prophets! WE have our modern day worship of Baal, Asherah, and Molech - along with calls for accepting the gods of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and a host of cults embraced even by political candidates of our day (oops, did I say that out loud - nope, just wrote it). But the church is different, some may assert! But my question to you is to take a long look at her and answer the question, "Is it?" Do you see a movement of repentance and return in the church today? Do you see scores of people in broken repentance and prayer meetings where they are crying out for revival? Do you see the church expanding its evangelsitic outreach the point of being persecuted by groups whose numbers are being decimated by the number of people being saved? Do you see complaints by wicked businesses Who sell porn and other ungodly products that the church and her efforts in evangelism is hurting their bottom line? God calls us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to "humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Read of the revivals that took place in the 1700-1800's. Read of what took place on a far wider scale in our country. Imagine what they would look like in our day - a revival driven by repentance, brokenness, and prayer. A revival with the aisles filled with repentant church members - and others being radically saved from sin. What then am I trying to say through all this? After reading the prophets . . . honestly - I'm concerned - no - I'm scared. We are about to be ushered into MORE discipline as a nation - and that discipline is meant to wake-up God's people to repentance, prayer, and brokenness. I don't want to say this - but sense the need to do so for the sake of the saints who read this. We are about to experience events that will make 9-11 look like a picnic in the park. God tried to wake us up by allowing that disaster to come upon us. We didn't wake up though. Therefore - more is coming. Far worse is coming. Do I know what that will be? No, because I am not a prophet. But I can tell you that things like a devastating earthquake come to mind. Military disasters that involve the destruction of entire armies have happened to God's people. Drought and famine are also options for God. He has soereignly allowed the destruction of entire cities - whch is terrifying in our day of bombs that can do that in a matter of moments. With our current arrogance toward money - a complete financial collapse unlike anything we've ever seen is very possible. All these things and a dozen others are possible - even probable considering our currrent lack of response to God's call to pray and seek His face. I read recently where the Mississippi river is at historic lows. If the drought we are in continues, it is possible to see the Mississippi so low that no boat traffic is allowed. That will cut off over 300 million dollars of commerce a day. That is a monthly total of 9 billion dollars of our economy stifled. The prognosticators said that would throw our natin into depression within 2 months. Kind of sobering isn't it? I can hear the comment, "Why are you writing stuff like this, pastor John?" Do you get some kind of sick thrill scaring people to death? NO! A thousand times NO! That is not my intent. My intent is to help wake up Christians to what is looming in our future. Do you really think God is going to continue to bless our nation as it is currently going? Do you really think that the church is not going to be affected by what happens in our nation? Do you really think that by maintaining a positive confession in the midst of such spiritual squallor that we will be delivered? God is going to continue allowing greater and greater disasters and troubles to come upon us until we repent, drop to our knees, and begin to cry out in desperate prayer for revival in the church and spiritual awakening in our land! This is not going to magically get better - neither is it going to be averted by electing a Morman as president and a group of Tea Party conservatives to the Congress - who have NO INTENT on addressing the moral and spiritual rot of the church and our country. We are currently as blind as Israel and Judah during the times of the prophets. The same situations and the same false prophets of health, wealth, prosperity, and "nothing bad is going to happen to us" exist today. The political leaders (kings in those days) who made a difference made it by leading the nation to repentance and a whole-hearted return to God. Such a leader who would start doing this in our day - would most likely be impeached for such actions. There are now at least 24 states which according to the federal government are disaster areas because of a severe drought. As we hear the usual drivel of how this is pointing to the so-called fact of global warming – there is an answer that we seldom turn to in the midst of times like this. Over the past several years we’ve watched officials from Alabama and Texas turn to prayer for rain – but even then no one was willing to say what needs to be said about a drought coming to a nation. It is time that this elephant in the Christian living room be addressed – and we begin seriously considering that not only drought – but very soon even famine are likely headed our way in the United States of America. But before I get ahead of myself, let me give you a little biblical background. First let us read a passage in Jeremiah about such things.
That which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah in regard to the drought: "Judah mourns And her gates languish; They sit on the ground in mourning, And the cry of Jerusalem has ascended. "Their nobles have sent their servants for water; they have come to the cisterns and found no water. They have returned with their vessels empty; They have been put to shame and humiliated, And they cover their heads. "Because the ground is cracked, For there has been no rain on the land; The farmers have been put to shame . . . These opening verses in Jeremiah 14 speak of a drought. This was a devastating drought that hit the land of Judah – and eventually ruined their agriculture. If you want to know what caused this drought – you only need to read further in the passage. "Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for Your name's sake! Truly our apostasies have been many, we have sinned against You. "O Hope of Israel, Its Savior in time of distress, Why are You like a stranger in the land Or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night? "Why are You like a man dismayed, Like a mighty man who cannot save? Yet You are in our midst, O LORD, and we are called by Your name; Do not forsake us!" Thus says the LORD to this people, "Even so they have loved to wander; they have not kept their feet in check. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; now He will remember their iniquity and call their sins to account." Jeremiah 14:1-10 The problem was the sin of Judah and Jerusalem. Note that their iniquities and apostasies were testifying against them. Also see that later we read that they “loved to wander – and did not keep their feet in check from wandering from God’s way. Since 1973 we have killed over 40 million babies, whose blood is spattered across this nation’s land. Currently, we are embracing sexual immorality through pornography, open fornication without apology, entertainment that regularly derides biblical morality, and trashing marriage as an institution of God. We are embracing easy divorce, open marriages, and now homosexual perversion as well as heterosexual. We recently watched a business openly trashed because its founder dared to stand for biblical morality in marriage and sexuality. And a major city boasted that it proudly stood for what God calls an abomination – even stating that it would not longer allow this business to expand into its region. And we wonder why there is drought in our country? Honestly – there should be wholesale famine raging in our land. It is the height of mercy that God has not withheld rain from all 50 states and devastated every crop we seek to grow. Next I want you to read this passage from Haggai on drought. Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! "You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! "Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified," says the LORD. "You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?" declares the LORD of hosts, "Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. "Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce. "I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands." Haggai 1:3-11 Haggai made it clear that Israel had brought a drought upon themselves. God Himself called for the drought on every form of food production. The reason is very interesting. It was because they were all living in bigger and bigger houses – making them more and more ornate – all the while God’s house was desolate. This refers to the temple of Jehovah in Jerusalem at the time – but the parallel is frightening for us today. We are not called to build a physical temple in a city. But the temple today in the New Testament is the believer himself or herself! We are a temple of the Holy Spirit of God according to New Testament doctrine. The church corporately is being built together into a “dwelling of God in the Spirit.” We’ve given ourselves to bigger and better when it comes to our own homes – but have left our spirit’s desolate and without the proper care. The way that God deals with this is to call for a drought according to Haggai. Could it be that the desolate state of the church in the United States of America is the cause for this drought – as well as the immorality and ungodliness that runs rampant in our land? Could it be that it is not only the murder of the innocents and their blood spilt on our ground that cries for drought – but also the morose state of affairs in God’s church – our lack of revival? The ground in over half of the farmland of our nation is baking under intense heat and from what I see on my “Weather Channel” app on my phone – it doesn’t look like any end is in sight – at least for the next 10 days. By then the crops in our area will most likely be baked to death. So – here is my question for us. 2 Chronicles 7:14 in its full context deals exactly with our current state of affairs. But the question for all of us is honestly very simple. Are we ready to get on our knees yet for some very serious importunate prayer? If not – we can wait until the beginnings of the famine which I believe is about to overtake us if we do. It is time to get very serious about praying until the Lord moves in revival in His church as well as restoration in our nation. Neither President Obama nor Governor Romney can do ANYTHING about what is happening now. It is the hand of God – and it is the payment for years of angering God with our sin and our indifference to the innocent blood and rampant immorality that pollute our land daily. Let us pray . . . This past Wednesday everyone held their breath awaiting the Supreme Court decision on the Health Care bill that has been dubbed, "Obamacare." There was a thought among conservatives that the court would strike down part or all of this law. The part most egregious to many was the so-called "mandate" for all Americans to buy health insurance. When the ruling came out there was a sigh of relief for some - and a sense of wide-eyed horror for others. I was among those horrified by the outcome because it forever fundamentally changes the relationship between the government and the citizens of the United States. It was only later, after I had turned to the Lord and sought Him in the midst of my anger and disgust that God showed me something in myself that I found even more disgusting.
Early in the week I was asked by some of the precious people I pastor what my reaction was to this ruling. Again, as stated above, my early reaction was anger and disgust. I was angry and disgusted that the Supreme Court basically allowed the existing administration to lie to the American people to get something passed - and then let the truth of the law come out only when interpreted by the courts. We were told repeatedly during the debate, however limited it was, that this was NOT A TAX! Over and over again this was asserted because, this bill would have gone down in flaming defeat if it was offered as the massive, regressive tax that it was later upheld as being. So we were told this was a "commerce" issue. As a commerce issue this was declared unconstitutional - but as a tax, it was upheld. Therefore one of the things that happened last Wednesday was that one branch of government could pass a law based on their version of the truth - while another could uphold it denying the first truth - and then making up another. Now, the fact that our government lies to us is not shocking. The fact that they have lied on this scale for the creation of a first time right to tax us for all we are worth - a little more shocking. One can only imagine the founders spinning in their graves at the way in which we are being taxed once again without representation - or at least truthful representation. After I worked my way through my initial anger and disgust, I was leveled one day while praying with a couple of brothers for revival in our churches and awakening in our land. What floored me was a verse that I believe the Holy Spirit brought to my mind. Here is the verse: "You are the salt of the earth ; but if the salt has become tasteless , how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything , except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men . (Matthew 5:13 , NASB) As I meditated on this verse, God reminded me that throughout the entire health-care debate we continued to kill 4,000 babies a day through abortion. Nothing was mentioned, even by Christian conservatives, about this issue. Nothing was mentioned about heterosexual immorality in our nation which is rampant. No one made an issue of the flood of pornography that continues unabated on our airwaves and through the internet. (Actually the legal system did make a move in this area. It removed the fines imposed for the intentional wardrobe malfunction that happened during a Superbowl broadcast. Oh, and by the way, our highest court also made it easier to use foul language during prime time television - as if God recognizes times when it is OK to use perverse language - only prohibiting it from 6-9 weeknights!) Nothing was being said about gay marriage - which we were promised would NEVER happen only years ago by our elected liars - oh, sorry - that's supposed to be elected officials (same difference in most cases). We once again bought the lie that it is, "the economy stupid" that is the issue. Let me say in the strongest way I can, "It is not the economy - it is our lack of morals" that is the problem. Let me say even stronger, "It is a tasteless, unsalty church that is the worst of our problems in America." The church has been losing its saltiness since the 1950's - when it became vogue to have an affair outside of marriage - the church did not respond by falling on her knees and crying for revival and repentance. In the 1960's we were introduced to "free love" - which is nothing more than fornication dressed up in groovy clothes - the church did not respond by falling on her knees and begging for restoration and revival. The 1970's and 80's were the me-generations - with live being lived for self and self alone. The immorality increased - and pornography began to explode with the advent of videotape - the church mulled over church growth strategies and spoke of dealing with the un-churched, rather than the ungodly. The 90's gave rise to a growing homosexual movement that became more and more radical. This was inevitable to anyone who has read Romans chapter 1. The rejection of God through heterosexual immorality inevitably leads to rampant homosexuality. Because the church was not cleaning her own house, rocked by one sexual scandal after another, she had little voice in society. One might call that a serious loss of saltiness. In the 2000's and now in the 2010's all these problems are converging as atheists are rising, God is openly mocked, and more and more oppressive laws are being passed limiting the freedom of the church. I don't know if you see it yet - but the Supreme Court ruling should not have been such a shock to us. Neither should further rulings that allow us to be trodden under foot by men. The church has not been what she should be for generations now. The result of this is that freedom has been - and will continue to go away in our land. God is not pleased over the rampant innocent blood that is being shed - the rampant sexual immorality that is being advanced - and the rampant blasphemy and mocking of His name. He is also not pleased that the church is just kind of "treading water" in the midst of this. The church is more concerned with their creature comforts and comfortable living being taken away than they are with any moral decline that is happening in our land. How do I know this? I know it because we have yet to hit our knees in pray that inconveniences us on a daily basis. My prediction is that November 5th, 2012 will make little if any difference in the moral trajectory of our nation. In all that is being argued leading up to this election - almost none of it even concerns the moral failings of our nation evidenced by heterosexual immorality, homosexuality, and abortion. They will barely even be blips on the political radar. The only difference that will happen in the Fall is that we will determine how fast we go down the toilet as a nation. Since none of the real causes are being addressed - I have little hope that they will be after the heat of the election is over. What should we do in light of the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare? Honestly . . . if we do not come to the point where we fall to our knees in repentance and brokenness over sin - nothing we do politically will really matter in the end. The church should repent - over this decision - as well as any other that comes after it. Our problems do not ultimately rest on the greatly undermined Republic in which we live. They rest on the character and godliness of the people voting those who represent it into office. Our hope lies in the mercy of God moving in our hearts to drop us to our knees. Saints of God - we have only one chance - and that is that we see a coast to coast movement of broken-hearted, sin-confessing, God-honoring prayer. Our one chance is that the church will turn from sin and turn to God - then turn to intercessory prayer. Our one hope is that there will be a heaven-sent, world-shaking revival that will so stop sin in its tracks that we will once again see the church making inroads to sin - not the other way around. Oh to see hundreds of thousands - even millions coming to Christ, throwing off their sin and embracing Jesus with all their hearts. Oh to see churches overflowing their parking lots for prayer meetings - and for meetings where seekers hear the gospel of Jesus Christ preached without apology. This is our hope - this and this alone. Bottom line - this ruling by the Supreme Court only shows me that the church continues in her faltering slouch toward saltlessness. It comes as no surprise that God is removing all protection so that the oppression of an ever-expanding government will continue to tread her underfoot. I am not shocked that a president who is acting more and more like a dictator is rising. It would not shock me if we even saw a takeover and martial law declared so that the November elections don't even happen. We are being stepped on, saints of God, and it is actually a biblical thing we are experiencing. The only way to stop the trampling is to repent, return, and fall to our knees in prayer. We have never needed the admonition of 2 Chronicles 7:14 more than we do in the shadows of this most recent decision. "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from heaven , will forgive their sin and will heal their land ." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ) Today 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. 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! OK, I understand that the vast majority of us are pretty much at a point of tuning out anything that has to do with the words, “debt ceiling.” I know that I am. Yet what is happening currently is part of what God is doing in our world. Let me explain a little more by sharing a section of Scripture that I believe will shed a great deal of light on our problems. It is found in the wildly popular book of Habakkuk.
Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man, so that he does not stay at home. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied. He also gathers to himself all nations and collects to himself all peoples. Will not all of these take up a taunt-song against him, even mockery and insinuations against him and say, 'Woe to him who increases what is not his— for how long— and makes himself rich with loans?' Will not your creditors rise up suddenly, and those who collect from you awaken? Indeed, you will become plunder for them. Because you have looted many nations, all the remainder of the peoples will loot you— because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land, to the town and all its inhabitants. Habakkuk 2:4-8 Here we have Habakkuk warning of problems that are coming to Israel because of choices – moral choices that they have made. His first warning is not about budgets or spending bills – rather it is a warning against pride and not being right with God. He warns about those who give themselves to drunkenness – to being out all the time – and to an appetite that never seems to be satisfied, no matter how much he gets. These sins are at work – and lead to a “woe” statement God makes about them. Before I proceed to the “WOE” that is given I must comment on what has just been said. We have those in our government who think our greatest problems are economic. They fear the debt ceiling, the mounting debt, the lack of jobs, the anemic economy – and see these as the problems. But to co-opt a phrase that was used several elections ago – changing it for our current scenario, “It’s our morals stupid!” Now I am not a fan of using the term, “stupid” and have only done so for the point I am about to make. The core of what God says through Habakkuk has to do with the morals of the people of Israel – not their current economic plans and packages. We are going to have to wake up some day (the sooner the better) and grasp that our problems in America are moral ones. The economy is only a symptom of our malaise. The real problems have been moral – and have been building since the 1940’s or earlier. Really our problems have been building since before the turn of the century. But let me get back to the Habakkuk passage. The “WOE” that is given here is part of a song that is sung taunting this nation. The song, believe it or not, is about accumulating too much debt. The reason the debt is incurred is because the people of that nation want to make themselves rich with their loans. The problem that is presented is that one day, their debt will no longer be sustainable. Then their creditors will rise up suddenly and make their nation plunder. Then, on the back end of this song, we also learn that another reason God is bringing this down upon them is because they have filled their own land with violence and bloodshed. You see, our problem is not the debt – the debt is only a glaring symptom that is supposed to point us to the disease. The disease is pride, greed, a lack of self-control, a desire for excess, violence, and bloodshed. There is one thing I’ve not mentioned – even though it was mentioned in the passage. That is that they no longer live by their faith. Their faith is history – and instead their society now lives as a monument to consumption! The lack of any kind of moral fiber in the nation at large has led to this. They learned to live for their wants – their desires – and spent every penny they had and did not have to try to fulfill them. In the end, they were left still wanting – wanting more – and going in debt further to get more. But there were other problems – which were that they were also shedding blood in the process of living for themselves and their lusts. Let me comment very plainly on all this – and how Habakkuk speaks to the United States of America in our current situation. I know that what I am about to say will really upset some Republicans, fiscal conservatives, and Tea Party members. It really does not matter what financial plan is decided upon by our government leaders – because God is going to judge our nation for reasons other than an insufficient number of Republicans or Tea Party members in our government. By its policies and practices the United States of America has embraced grossly immoral positions. That is what God ultimately is dealing with – and it is those kinds of grossly immoral positions that have led us to the precipice today. Early this century, our society began to embrace sexual immorality. The flappers of the 1920’s shocked society – followed by more immorality through the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s – which was mostly hidden from the public. In the 1960’s what was hidden by one generation was openly embraced by the next. Their open immorality led to the growing experimentation with homosexuality in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s this perversion came out of the closet – and began to assert itself so that now – it is pretty much accepted as mainstream – and has even been legislated as normal by a growing number of states. God, sees such things this way – sex outside of marriage is fornication. Sex outside of marriage vows is adultery. Sex with the same sex is an abomination. What is truly sad is that these issues really aren’t even being debated much any more. The mainstream political agenda has left such things behind – and has decided that moral conservatism has run its course – lost – and has been left on the ash-heap of political discourse. God, on the other hand, has not changed His views – and is going to bring us under judgment for such things. In 1973 the infamous Roe v. Wade decision was made – and it became open season on unborn babies. Since that “Hitleresque” decision we’ve killed over 40 million babies. I say Hitleresque, because we’ve actually dwarfed that man’s genocide by over tripling the number of deaths we’re guilty of as a nation. Hitler did not do his genocide openly – but tried to hide it. Ours is done openly – legally – and at quite a profit to those who run the abortion clinics. But God sees it as the spilling of innocent blood. He sees it as violence of the worst order. We cringe at Hitler’s ovens, showers, and mass graves – yet we continue to burn babies alive in their mother’s wombs, chop them to pieces and vacuum them out, or just let them grow to full term and execute them by sucking their brains out of their heads. Yes, I know what I just wrote is shocking – and many in the Christian community may even criticize me for writing it. Problem is – they will not speak with the same passion about stopping it! I will make a prediction for our country. I hate to make it – because I love the United States of America. But unless we turn morally – it matters little what is done about the debt ceiling or the debt. Our problem is that we’ve left God as a nation. We are arrogant and do not grieve over sin. We don’t pray. We don’t weep over the wound of our people – a wound that may be incurable. We debate what GOP Senators and Representatives should be on the “super-congress,” horrified about whether they will support higher taxes or not. What we should debate is how to get the anemic church of God on her knees to avert judgment that is coming because of the millions of gallons of innocent blood that have been spilled on our land. How can we get ourselves first, then the true church in America to repent and fall on her knees? That is the ONLY issue that matters in this hour. God’s discipline for our nation has far more to do with a sinful church, a moral bankruptcy, and a lack of any spiritual urgency than it does any kind of debt or deficit deal. If you want to know the truth – God is far more concerned with a brokenness deficit among his people – than any monetary deficit in Washington. Until we are moved to action and concern about that issue – it matters little what we do about any other. Recently while in Sudan teaching I came across a couple of verses in Habakkuk that arrested my attention. This, along with several things that happened while overseas, has brought me to the place where I want to write about what is soon coming to a nation near you. What is coming soon to the United States is a complete meltdown of our entire financial system.
Habakkuk 2:6-7 "Will not all of these take up a taunt-song against him, Even mockery and insinuations against him and say, 'Woe to him who increases what is not his— For how long— And makes himself rich with loans? Will not your creditors rise up suddenly, and those who collect from you awaken? Indeed, you will become plunder for them.“ These are the two verses I read while in Sudan, and immediately the Lord nudged me in my spirit and gave me a sense that these were going to come upon the United States very soon. Unfortunately I do not have an exact time table for what very soon means – but if history is any indicator – it would be my guess that we have less than 2-3 years until this happens (and I would not be shocked if this happens before the end of this year). Let me explain first biblically, and then with a reference to history. First we turn to Habakkuk and the warning that he offers to where God’s people were then – and honestly, where we are now. God told Habakkuk to stand and watch for the vision He gave him. That vision included a rebuke for their drunkenness – and the lack of self control it brought about in them. They were focused as a consumer culture – and part of that consumer mentality was to become “rich” by the use of loans. God rebuked them for this and told them though a person may look rich by becoming rich with loans, the question one should ask is, “For how long?” The problem with becoming rich through debt is that it is an illusory wealth that you have. The ones who are truly rich are your creditors – the ones to whom you owe the money. These people are collecting interest from you – and what you thought cost only $100 – is costing you far more. In the end, if you cannot pay your debt, your creditors will, “rise up suddenly” and “You will become plunder for them.” You don’t actually own anything – they own you. For God’s people during the time of Habakkuk, this was a huge problem – for they were blind to what was about to happen to them. But whether they were blind or not, this was going to happen. Our country is over 14 trillion dollars in debt. We’ve decided to become rich through loans – but the time is quickly coming upon us where we will have to pay for our illusory wealth – and it is going to cost us dearly. The past two times we’ve heard reports from the FED, they have told us that everything is fine – as they are “monetizing” our debt. What this means is rather than paying the debt and tightening our belts as Americans, our foolish leaders have decided to print money at rates that are alarming. This is destroying the stability of the United States dollar. This has led to a meeting that has never happened before in modern history. Recently, all the major economic players in the world met together – and did NOT invite the United States to the meeting. What they discussed at the meeting is that they are strongly working toward removing the dollar as the world currency of choice. Recently, while in Amsterdam, I experienced what is happening in our world first hand. The businesses in that city were very forthright in telling me that they did not accept U.S. dollars. I had to trade them in for Euros. What was even more shocking to my sensibilities was that there were only two places where you can still do this – the Forex booth at Central Station – and at the Central Post Office in Amsterdam. This did not match what I had been told even as late as March of 2011. But the reason for this is because the monetizing of our debt is destroying the value of the dollar. Now for the history lesson. Prior to WWII, the German Weimar Republic also decided that the way to deal with their debt problems was to print money. This quickly destabilized their paper money – and it led to a devaluation of their money – and to a meteoric rise in interest rates. Before long it almost took an entire wheelbarrow filled with money to buy a loaf of bread. Today, when I share this with people they scoff and think that this was long ago. Such things cannot happen today. In 1967 the Labour Party in Great Britain decided to lead their country in a decided socialist direction. In order to pay their bills (as they gave away everything to everyone) they decided to devalue the British currency by 14% overnight. The result was that everything suddenly became much more expensive. In the late 1970’s this situation led to what had been called the “Winter of Discontent.” During this time things got so bad that there were strikes among numerous workers and at one point hospitals were reduced to accepting emergency patients only. Also they saw inflation explode 26.9% in one year! In 1974 businesses and homes were forced into a “three day week” where electricity was given for only three days, broadcasting on television was shut down at 10:30 p.m. each night – and there were constant shortages of food – and even candles as people struggled to live. This same kind of situation has happened recently in Yugoslavia and most recently in Greece. The truly frightening thing that I see right now is that there are currently 46 states in the United States who are nearing bankruptcy. This has led to Arizona selling most of their public buildings – and California to release almost 11% of their prison population because they cannot afford to keep them in jail any longer. Another interesting development is that in parts of Massachusetts they are no longer accepting U.S. dollars to pay for goods any longer. They are asking for Euros instead. There are reports that in Texas some stores are preferring Mexican Pesos to American dollars for payment. Since the U.S. dollar has devalued 11% in 2010, the world is seeing the writing on the wall – and is planning to abandon the U.S. dollar. Here is the prophecy part of all this. What Habakkuk saw IS going to happen in the United States. Soon we are going to see inflation and the devaluing of our dollar run completely rampant. Commodities are going to skyrocket in price to where we will hardly recognize prices at our grocery stores. The price of gasoline will most likely shoot up to European prices (around 6-7 dollars per gallon). We will watch unemployment reach record levels very soon. All this is happening for two reasons – first we are not following God’s principles when it comes to debt and how we manage the money God has given to us. The second reason is that God in His sovereignty is working through this disobedience toward His eventual end – which I believe Scripturally will involve a financial collapse – and a subsequent one world financial system not involving countries having individual currencies. So what do we do about this? First, we read and follow God’s Word when it comes to our financial dealings and practices. Study the book of Proverbs to understand more about wisely handling the money God gives you. Turn from this world’s view of money, and adopt God’s instead. Second, realize that no matter what you do, that some aspects of the financial meltdown are inevitable. God is moving toward His ultimate goal of bringing down the pride of man and exalting Christ alone in the end. Don’t take a fatalist view of things – do what you can – but also don’t think you will be able to escape what happens in this world unscathed as God moves toward His future works. Today is the day that I begin to study for the prophecy update. It usually takes about a month to prepare for the teaching on the first Sunday of the new year. This year should prove to be very interesting. I find myself not only drawn to thoughts of how prophecy may be coming together with the events of this past year - but also with a question that many have asked over the years. That question is where the United States of America fits into the scenarios of the Bible concerning the return of Christ.
Some have endeavored to "find" scripture passages that would support the United States being a player in the end times scenario - but in all honesty - I do not concur. The passages people pull out of Scripture are just that - passages usually pulled out of context. The fact is that over 18 years of studying and preparing for these prophecy updates - I've yet to see one clear reference to the United States anywhere in the prophetic scenario. What I do see is a focus on Israel, on a revived Roman empire which most likely will involve a European superstate, and on what seems to be references that fit China being a player in the very last day's scenario. These nation-states are not too difficult to discern from the texts we have - but as for any kind of reference to America - that would involve some pretty serious theological and textual gymnastics. I say all this to point out that this year, I want to spend a little time dealing with that very question as to whether the United States is anywhere in the prophetic record. We will also investigate what that may possibly mean to us - and what is happening to our nation under the three most recent administrations that have governed the U.S. - with an emphasis on what has happened over the past 2 years. Once again, I truly look forward to this time of intense study - and the opporutnity that this precious fellowship affords to me to be able to present this material every year. I realize that to some this is the annual "scare the living daylights out of the saints" message. But please know that my heart is never just to freak people out - but rather prepare our hearts for the eventual return of our Lord. He is coming - and part of the reality of that fact is knowing that your hope should not be in this world and the things of this world. Until then, may God bless you . . . and Maranatha! pJ |
What is the Prophecy/News Update?At Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro, we believe that history is moving toward fulfilling God's plans and purposes. In an effort to help us be prepared for His appearing - and also to chronicle news items you just won't see in the national media - this page is devoted to sharing those items and their possible significance to Thank you for visiting our website! Everything on this site is offered for free. If, however, you would like to make a donation to help pay for its continued presence on the internet, you can do that by clicking here. The only thing we ask is that you give first to the local church you attend.
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