This is a disheartening article to write, to be honest. We see darkness rising, yet we are called to be salt and light to a decaying world—even if the world pushes back. Let’s try to counter the enemy wherever we see his presence.

The world is imploding as we trend toward the Tribulation. The devil is trying to strengthen his grip on the world, the church, and on billions of people. Still, to see people literally worshipping the dark side takes one’s breath away.

The Grammys Lead The Way

Some of what I review in this article is not new news to you. This year the Grammys included a literal Satanic performance by Sam Smith and Kim Petras. The song was titled “Unholy”, and included Sam Smith in a red devil costume and hat with horns surrounded by performers—some in cages—wearing red costumes and dancing seductively. Flames surrounded them. The performance was intended to be Satanic. Viewers would think they were peering into hell.

The Super Bowl Lives Up To Its Reputation

The 2023 Super Bowl halftime lived up to its outrageous reputation. It opened with the filth merchant, Rihanna, descending from the sky, surrounded by what could be described as dancing fallen angels! This generated more complaints than the debacle at the Grammys.

Commonwealth Games Infect The World

The Commonwealth Games last July in Birmingham, England, had 72 nations participating. Then Prince Charles was an honorary guest. It included ritualistic Baal worship in plain sight! But before that, dancers placed fingers on their heads to represent Satanic horns as they were announcing the coming of the horned beast!

The ceremony was blatant Luciferian worship. A woman eventually climbed a gigantic bull and the crowd celebrated the woman riding the beast—right out of Revelation 17. I wish I were making this up, but I am not. This was seen by tens of millions of people around the world. Gotthard Base Tunnel Celebrates Goat Man

We can’t leave out the Gotthard Base Tunnel ceremony of 2016. This was attended by Europe’s most powerful leaders. The opening ceremony was a dark, disturbing, and weirdly Satanic ritual.

The Gotthard Tunnel is the world’s longest tunnel project in history. It goes through the Swiss Alps and took 17 years to complete. It is considered the symbol of European unification, but does this require honoring Satan??

During the eight-hour ceremony, eventually a goat man, or Baphomet, appears and is the star of the show! People bow down to him once again. At the end of the long ceremony, the goat man is declared “king of the world.” This, too, was televised to the world.

This Is What They Think Of God

Europe threw God out of their continent decades ago, and they now seem to delight in honoring dark images! By creating overtly dark and occultic ceremonies, the elite tell the world, “This is what we believe in, this is what we think of you, and this is what we think of God.” On the day when they will be held accountable, we may hear their mourning and their regret!

SatanCon 2023

The largest Satanic gathering in history will take place April 28-30 in Boston, MA. Attendees are promised a “weekend of blasphemy and remembrance.” Years ago, maybe a few fringe weirdos would get together for something like that. But this year’s “SatanCon” was completely sold out six weeks in advance. This event reflects the tremendous evil that is rapidly growing all around us. Hundreds, if not thousands, will gather to celebrate darkness and Satan.

The Spirit Of The Antichrist Is Fueling This

This unbelieving element is racing towards the kingdom of the Antichrist. It is the spirit of the Antichrist that inspires these glorifications of darkness. You would not like to be present when they are cast into eternal darkness and the eternal lake of fire. Finally, they will no longer be celebrating. They will no longer be mocking. They will be wailing and begging for a second chance.

I haven’t even described the Fox TV production in 2016 and 2017 titled Lucifer, that painted him as a really good guy! Or, rapper Lil Nas X grossing out some of his closest fans by sliding down a pole to hell to give Satan a lap dance. I haven’t described another cable production titled Little Demon. I haven’t described the after-school Satan clubs designed to counter Child Evangelism Bible classes in the schools! And so much more.

Lift Up A Standard Against This!

But even as the shadow of darkness blankets our landscape, there are an ever-increasing number of embassies of the kingdom of light. We read in the Bible that there will be unspeakable darkness and a great falling away in the last days before Christ returns, but most of us probably never thought we would live to see a day quite like this.

The Bible says that “when darkness comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against it” (Isaiah 59:19). The Lord will cause our lives to impact the rampant evil surrounding us! This may be one of the very reasons God has allowed us to be born for such a time as this.

I’m trusting that you will push back against the darkness with me! Satan gets some glory now, but remember his ultimate destination: An eternal lake of fire for him and all his angels and cohorts, where their diabolical celebrations will come to an ignominious end.

The Lord Jesus has put it in my heart to share this to give people peace in these dark days. We read and listen to every news, story, and video from around the world and see the fabric of society coming undone. In the last few weeks, we have seen the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, the major unrest within Israel, inflation, the fear of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, and the Ukraine-Russia war getting ever worse even as this article is written.

As Terry James has mentioned in his writings, the fear of World War III is present in the minds of believers. Even those who prep with haste for the coming end seem to believe the bank failures are the sign of the impending collapse of the economy. But as this fear grows, the Lord Jesus Christ has reminded me with the slightest of nudges to share something important:

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. (Matthew 24:38)

When you walk or drive and visit parks, malls, stores, and theaters, do you not see how calm people are—the normal life that people continue to project around you? Every day I walk to a park called Magic Island, and I see families and children playing, barbecuing, fishing, marrying, and swimming as if tomorrow will come again. No matter if the news yells “war” or “economic crisis,” people continue on without a thought of it.

Please read Matthew 24:38 one more time:

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.”

It was peaceful until the end—right up until the Flood came and God rescued Noah. I know the events around us weigh heavy on our souls, but have you also seen the hand of Jesus Christ at work? No matter how earth-shaking an event may, be the world continues. Even though Silicon Bank has collapsed, the economy is once more returning to a sense of normalcy. Even though experts say Iran will have nuclear capabilities in days just ahead, and Russia and the West are close to conflict, it’s still peaceful in the minds of many. I was reminded of this Scripture:

And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17)

The Lord Jesus’ hand holds everything together. Peace will still reign—up until the Rapture of the Church. There can be no worldwide, catastrophic chaos before that glorious event. People will still be going about their routine daily life before the trumpet sounds. These are not my thoughts, but the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ telling everyone from His Holy Book, the Bible, about what is to come.

We’re almost there. These signs show us that here, at the tip of this age, normalcy continues…but the foundation that keeps this false sense of normal is almost gone.

In closing:

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:25–27)

Trust in the Lord Jesus that He has everything in hand. He has you in His hands and knows what you’re facing. The end is near, and the most amazing event is about to happen. Just remember:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

God Bless

Zachary

America is in a most precarious position while leaders in government take the nation in a direction directly opposite from godliness.  That wicked direction is much like Paul outlines following Romans 1: 28. Rabbi Jonathan Cahn presents a message we sense is commissioned by Heaven.

Please listen to that Message.

By Michael Hile                                                               

Is the United States mentioned in Bible prophecy

Perhaps the two most frequently asked questions when Bible prophecy is brought up involves the role of the United States in the end times. Specifically, people want to know if the United States is mentioned in Bible prophecy, and when will God judge America? The United States is the dominant superpower in the world today; however, the United States appears to be mysteriously absent from the scene when the final, end time prophecies in the Bible begin making their appearance.

Since the United States is arguably the most prosperous and powerful nation that has ever existed on earth, why is there no mention of the United States in the book of Revelation, especially since the end time apocalypse appears to be on the horizon?  One should not automatically assume that the United States will play a major role in the end time scenario simply because of its current superpower status. On the other hand, we should be careful to not automatically exclude the United States from all the prophetic scriptures due to historic, traditional interpretations of certain prophetic, scripture passages.

The sobering conclusion one must come to, due to lack of Biblical evidence, is that the United States will not have a major role in the end time events that take place during the final 7-year period of this age that is called Daniel’s 70^th week. If that is true, then the role of the United States will have to greatly diminish in the future, if we are living in the “end times,” as many experts in Bible prophecy believe.

Where is the United States found in the Scriptures?

Although the United States is not directly mentioned by name in the Bible, some believe the presence of the United States is inferred in the prophetic scriptures, due to the major political, economic, military, and technological roles exercised by the United States in the world today. 

There are many scriptures in the Bible that have been linked to the United States by Bible teachers. Some of the Scriptures that have been used include: Isaiah chapters 13; 14; 18:1, 2; 21, 24; 47:5, 6, 8, 10-13; 48; Jeremiah chapters 50: 12, 16, 23; 51:13, 44, 53; Ezekiel chapters 38:13, 39:6; Daniel 7:4, and Revelation chapters 12:14; 13:11-17; 17; 18 and 19.                                                                                                         

Although God is the only One who knows what the future holds for the United States and the rest of the nations of the world, there are some intriguing prophetic scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that may provide clues concerning specific nations or kingdoms that will arise on the scene before Christ returns to set up His kingdom. These “end time” nations and kingdoms may already be active in the world today helping establish a global government that will eventually give rise to the “Antichrist.”

The tendency to link the United States with some of the prophetic Scriptures is perhaps due to the many converging “signs of the times” that have been developing in the world today; specifically, the return of Israel back to their land during our generation (Matt. 24:32-34, Mark 13:28-30, Luke 21:28-32). Whether present or absent from the world scene, the United States appears to be playing a major role in helping set the stage for several end time prophecies in the Bible that are in the process of development.

Will God judge America?

                                                                                                                                                                          The wife of a well known evangelist once said:  “If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” ⁽¹⁾     This famous quote might be true if God was not a holy and just God and righteous in all His deliberations, actions and judgments.  God; however, will not need to apologize to anyone. 

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works” (Psalm 145:17).                                                                                          

When God allowed Assyria and Babylon to conquer the kingdoms of Israel (Northern Kingdom—c.722 B.C.) and Judah (Southern Kingdom—c. 586 B.C.) due to their idolatrous worship of false gods and other sinful behaviors, God later brought judgment upon both Assyria (c. 612 B.C.) and Babylon (c. 539 B.C.) for their evil behavior and for invading God’s chosen nation (a divided kingdom at this time).

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25b).

God may delay his judgment upon a city, a nation or even the whole world because of His great mercy; however, His judgment of sinful behavior will never be ignored or forgotten.  As someone once remarked; “The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.” 

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied…“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, ¹⁵ to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 1:14-15).

The God of all Creation will not only judge the United States and Sodom and Gomorrah in righteousness, but He will also judge all the other cities and nations in the world; especially, in regard to how they have treated the Jewish people and His chosen nation of Israel (Matthew 25:31-46, Rev. 20:11-15).

The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ¹⁴ For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil (Eccl. 12:13-14). NASB

God’s Sovereignty over all of Creation 

God’s sovereignty means He is supreme and superior in power and authority over all of Heaven and earth. Since God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (present everywhere), there is nothing that escapes His knowledge, understanding or purview.

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17).

Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it… (Isaiah 42:5).

Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable. ²⁹ He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength (Isaiah 40:28-29).

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”  (Dan. 4:35).                                                                                                                                             

For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist (Col. 1:16-17).

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so,  Amen. ⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:7-8).

The Sovereignty of God and Responsibility of Man

There are many quotations by the “Founding Fathers” of our nation which show that many of the founders were God loving, God fearing, and God worshiping people who understood the importance of religious liberty and the price many paid to acquire and help preserve the many freedoms we have today.  A few of these are reproduced below.⁽²⁾

While the People are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their Virtue they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external or internal Invader. – Samuel Adams, (1722-1803) an early American governor, lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Adams was the second cousin of John Adams, the second President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. ⁽³⁾  

Posterity—you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. – John Quincy Adams, an American statesman and the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829 ⁽⁴⁾  

If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. ⁽⁵⁾ – Samuel Adams. Adams was known for his great animosity toward England’s presence in the colonial affairs.                                                

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. ⁽⁶⁾ – Thomas Jefferson, (1743–1826) was an American Founding Father who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809.                                                                                                             

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ⁽⁷⁾– Thomas Jefferson      

The generation of people living today is far removed from the trials and difficulties that the “Founding Fathers” of our country had to endure in order to secure the liberties that we enjoy.   There are many threats to the freedoms provided to us that are enshrined in the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution.  Those freedoms are in jeopardy of being taken away. 

We should not assume someone else will protect the freedoms we enjoy, because someone else always believes someone else will protect their freedoms.  A quote sometimes attributed or misattributed to Edmund Burke (1729-1797), who was an Irish-born British statesman, economist and philosopher, was summarized in the statement:  

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”   

Why will God judge America?

The United States has been in a moral freefall that accelerated in the decade of the 60s with restrictions on prayer (1962) and Bible reading in the public schools (1963).  The U.S. Supreme Court has systematically helped destroy religious liberty in America with the following 12 court cases:

1925—The Scopes “Monkey” Trial—Tennessee v. Scopes—    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopes_Trial            

1940—The Free Exercise Clause is created—Cantwell v. Connecticut—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantwell_v._Connecticut

1947—The Establishment Clause is Created—Everson v. Board of Education—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everson_v._Board_of_Education

1962—Prayer is removed from the Schools—Engel v. Vitale—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_v._Vitale

1963—Bible reading is removed from the Schools—Abington School District v. Schempp—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abington_School_District_v._Schempp

1973—The Murder of unborn babies is Legalized—Roe v. Wade— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade

1980—The Ten Commandments are removed from School Classrooms—Stone v. Graham— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_v._Graham

1992— Invocations/Benedictions are Banned from School Activities—Lee v. Weisman— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_v._Weisman

2003— Sodomy is legalized by the Supreme Court—Lawrence v. Texas— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas

2005—Display of the Ten Commandments is Ruled Unconstitutional—McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCreary_County_v._American_Civil_Liberties_Union

2013—Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is Declared Unconstitutional—United States v. Windsor— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Windsor

2015—Same Sex Marriage is approved by the Supreme Court—Obergefell v. Hodges— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obergefell_v._Hodges

We are Becoming a Dystopian Society 

When the novel “1984” was published in 1949 about a dystopian society (opposite of utopia) called “Oceania,” the author, George Orwell, made up a fictional political group called the “Party.”  The “Party” developed a new language of words that they called “Newspeak,” which was used to influence and control the residents in Oceania. 

The clearest example of using “Newspeak” was in the “Party’s” slogan: “WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.”  The “Party” was not content with just monitoring their citizens. They desired total control of the citizens’ thoughts, feelings, and actions, which the politicians used to manipulate and control the people.

What is going on today in society is similar in some ways to what the famous “1984” novel described, where the definitions of words have been changing in order to disguise, mislead and twist the meaning of words so that they actually represent the opposite or a distorted version of words that previously had clear and distinct meanings. 

Words such as love, hate, hater, marriage, family, gay, tolerant, boy, girl, sex, gender, husband, wife, man and woman have been redefined by the media and society in a way that is abhorrent to God.  What used to be wrong in God’s model of behavior in the Old and New Testaments, is now called right, and what used to be considered evil, according to the Scriptures, has been twisted and redefined to be considered wholesome (good and healthy) (2 Peter 3:16-17).

Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! ²¹  Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever and shrewd in their own sight! ²²  Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are heroes at drinking wine and men of strength in mixing intoxicating drinks, ²³  Who justify the wicked and acquit the guilty for a bribe, and take away the rights of those who are in the right! (Isaiah 5:20-21). AMP

The Absence of God in American Society 

God, metaphorically, has been kicked out of the courts; the schools; professional, college and high school sporting events; the public square; the market place; many churches and most homes.  Subsequently, the culture has declined, family values have been disintegrating, and we are entering a time where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 2:7-11, 21:25).

When God is kicked out of society and is not welcome within our homes, we should not expect God to show up when He has been disinvited (or ignored) by most Americans. Before trouble comes our way and our lives begin falling apart, we should heed the story of the wise man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27).  Contrary to what some may think; “He who dies with the most toys (does not) win” (Eccl. 5:10).

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” ¹⁶ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 

¹⁸ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 

 ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ ²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21). 

The Deception of Prosperity 

Prosperity has blinded many to their spiritual need, and most Americans have been deceived by their wealth and comfortable lifestyle.  The natural man (not saved) and immature believers can be deceived by their wealth, position in a corporation, political power, education or social standing, pride and self-confidence so that they think they don’t need God or want Him interfering in their lives (1 Cor. 2:14-3:3, Heb. 5:12-14).  On the other hand, poor and/or ignorant people can be deceived just as easily when they disregard their spiritual condition (John 3:14-21, Eph. 2:1-12).

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

The life that consists of getting more cars, houses, furniture, clothes, electronics and other gadgets (your best life now) may temporarily satisfy the “lusts of the flesh” but will leave the soul and spirit in poverty at the day of judgment (Matt. 6:19-21, Rom. 2:5-6, Jer.17:9-11, 1 John 2:15-17, Rom. 8:1-8, Gal. 5:16-21).

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).

The Deception of Pride

Pride, which leaves God out of our thoughts and actions, was the primary reason for Satan’s fall (Isaiah 14:12-15), and is the number one enemy on God’s list in the book of Proverbs (6:16-19). It is perhaps the most deceptive of all sins, because it is very subtle and, if ignored, excludes God in the salvation process, and subsequently, any interaction in your daily life.

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:5-7).

Whether rich or poor, mighty or weak, wise or foolish or you have been deceived by your own stubborn pride, your relationship with the God of Heaven, who created you and the whole universe, is of utmost importance, and pursuing God’s will for your life should be the number one priority of your existence.

Thus says the Lord:  “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; Let not the mighty man glory in his might;
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories, glory in this; That he understands and knows Me;  That I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these I delight,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

God’s delayed Judgment of Nineveh

Is the United States headed towards judgment like the city of Nineveh, when God told Jonah to go and warn the people of Nineveh that judgment was heading their way?  The Lord is patient towards us (2 Peter 3:9): however, rebellion against God eventually leads to certain judgment.  The evil which Assyria had perpetrated against the northern kingdom of Israel and other nations had reached its fullness during the time of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2, 3:1-4). 

When Jonah proclaimed his message of judgment, which God was going to carry out against the Ninevites, they quickly did an “about-face,” repented and took Jonah’s message seriously.  The whole city of Nineveh (kingdom of Assyria) dressed in sack cloth and ashes after Jonah confronted them, and even their king joined the people of Nineveh in repentance concerning their wickedness.

So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. ⁶ Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. ⁷ And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

 ⁸ But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. ⁹ Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so ¹⁰ Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it (Jonah 3:5-10).

For whatever reason, the people and king of Nineveh took God’s message from Jonah personally. Ironically, the Ninevites turned from their evil ways and God chose not to bring judgment against the city of Nineveh.  Because the people of Nineveh lacked spiritual discernment, God decided to spare the great city of Nineveh, due to His great mercy and their repentant attitude (Jonah 4:11).  Will the United States repent of its sin and rebellion against God, like Nineveh did, or has our country become so arrogant and prideful that it believes it is invincible and does not think it needs to change or reverse course?

How will God judge America? 

God can remove his hand of protection overnight, and take away the blessings He has given to a city or nation and its people. An example of God’s wrath being poured out on several wicked and sinful cities is the judgment God declared on Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain (Genesis 18:1-19:38).  Lot and his two daughters were the only ones that escaped the fire and brimstone that rained down on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Before “the blessed hope” and the great “escape” takes place, conditions in the world will be “as the days of Noah” and “the days of Lot” (Titus 2:13, Luke 17:26-30, 21:34-36).

Contrary to what some may think, the “days of Noah and Lot” have already arrived in America and around the world with violence, sexual perversion and gender dysphoria dominating the social and media culture. The Lord’s return will catch many unsuspecting people off guard and will be “a time that you think not” (Matthew 24:36-51, Revelation 3:2-3). It will also be a time when people will be eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting and building.  That same day, “it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” The immorality and decline of culture in the world will be the same way (business as usual) when the “the Son of man is revealed” (2 Tim. 3:1-7).

Although it may be at odds with what many people in the United States assume, the freedoms and blessings this nation enjoys are direct gifts from God, rather than just the creative ingenuity of its citizens. Those who have followed the Judeo/Christian work ethic and those who have benefitted from the freedoms afforded by the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, have helped build the most prosperous and powerful nation in the history of the world.  

What happens to the United States economically, militarily, technologically, religiously and morally affects the whole world more than any other nation.  If and when the United States is destroyed from within or from outside forces, which many believe is an organized effort by the global elite, the whole world will feel its effect.  A world wide paradigm shift will take place, events will begin to unfold in the Middle East, Europe and Asia and the Apocalyptic events prophesied in the book of Revelation will take center stage around the world.

Will the United States collapse from economic problems, an immigration invasion, rampant moral decay, a series of national disasters, pandemics, an EMP attack, nuclear war, or some other unforeseen catastrophe?  Some think God’s judgment upon the United States has already begun, as evidenced by the many natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, droughts, forest fires, mud slides, and environmental disasters that have been occurring throughout the country and offshore.  More recently, food shortages, high food and gasoline prices, illegal immigration, increasing lawlessness and the Ukraine/Russia debacle, threatens the very existence of this nation.  

It has been said by many Bible prophecy experts that the nation of Israel represents God’s prophetic time clock, with Israel as the “hour” hand, Jerusalem, the “minute” hand and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem representing the “second” hand (Jeremiah 31:35-37, Psalms 137:5-6, Luke 21:28-36, Rev. 11:1-3). 

If Israel represents God’s “thermostat” (the timing of God’s prophetic plan for the “end times”), perhaps the United States, due to God’s blessings and its superpower status represents God’s “thermometer,” at least for a temporary period of time.

The United States (through the Holy Spirit’s preservation) may be acting as “God’s prophetic linchpin” that holds things together from a geopolitical perspective “as we see the day approaching,” but before the “Day of the Lord” begins and God’s wrath descends upon the world (Heb. 10:24-25, 2 Thess. 2:6-8, 1 Thess. 5:1-3, 2 Peter 3:3-12).

When will God judge America?

The breakdown of society both in the United States and around the world accelerated with release of the Covid-19 virus during the early months of 2020. 

The global elites, which many believe have a well-organized plan of subversive action, took advantage of the pandemic and accelerated their march towards a global, totalitarian government. Ironically, many of the global elites, who have nefarious designs for the United States, reside within this country. 

The World Economic Forum (WEF), along with other globalist groups, corporations, most governments and help from the leftist, global media, took advantage of the Covid crisis. Their coordinated effort was used to promote fear and intimidation by using lock downs, masks, vaccination passports, social distancing and other restrictions in order to condition the world for a series of future, ongoing crises and pandemics.  The end goals for the globalist elites will be restrictions on freedoms, compliance with global rules, electronic surveillance of financial transactions and social credit scores. 

Since the whole world is their target, the globalists will use the environment as their primary tool for enforcement (global cooling, global warming, climate change, etc.) along with man-made pandemics in order to create fear, intimidation and civil unrest.  Deception, intrigue and disinformation (lying) will be commonplace in order to promote their world-wide agenda, which will be contrary and directly opposed to God’s sovereign plan (Matt. 24:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:8, 2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 18:23-19:2).

This diabolical plan will ultimately lead to world-wide chaos in which a future world leader will emerge on the stage (the man of sin), who will attempt to solve many of the global problems (Rev. 13:4-18, Psalms 2:1-12). This world leader, often referred to as the “antichrist,” will take control of many of the political, economic, religious and military institutions of the world through peace, deception, flatteries, intrigue and military conquest (Dan. 11:21-43, 2 Thess. 2:1-12).  A growing number of followers of the prophetic Scriptures in the Bible believe global government is approaching quickly, and the season of the coming “antichrist” is very near. 

In November of 2016, the World Economic Forum WEF, with the blessing of the United Nations (UN), made 8 predictions they hope to accomplish by the year 2030, if not sooner.  Two of the eight WEF goals are listed below.

1. All products will have become services. “I don’t own anything. I don’t own a car. I don’t own a house. I don’t own any appliances or any clothes,” writes Danish MP Ida Auken. Shopping is a distant memory in the city of 2030, whose inhabitants have cracked clean energy and borrow what they need on demand. It sounds utopian, until she mentions that her every move is tracked and outside the city live swathes of discontents, the ultimate depiction of a society split in two.
2. 3. US dominance is over. We have a handful of global powers. Nation states will have staged a comeback, writes Robert Muggah, Research Director at the Igarapé Institute. Instead of a single force, a handful of countries – the U.S., Russia, China, Germany, India and Japan chief among them – show semi-imperial tendencies. However, at the same time, the role of the state is threatened by trends including the rise of cities and the spread of online identities… ⁽⁸⁾

What does the Lord expect of America?

The Lord appeared to Solomon by night when the Temple in Israel was being dedicated and told him there were consequences for not following the Lord (2 Chron. 7:11-22).  It can be argued that these same principles that applied to Israel, also apply to the United States and other countries as well. The Lord is no respecter of persons, the cities they live in or any nations and kingdoms on the earth (Romans 2:5-11).

Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. ¹³ When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, ¹⁴ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:12-14).

Due to the failure of leadership from many of our elected and appointed government officials, the United States is in a precarious position that will be difficult, if not impossible, to overcome. 

What may appear to be a visible battle between opposing political parties to the natural person (unsaved); behind the scenes, we are engaged in an intense, ongoing spiritual battle (1 Cor. 2:14-15).  This battle is part of a larger, world-wide conflict involving spiritual warfare, which is coordinated by Satan, the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:1-3).

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph. 6:10-13) (also Eph. 6:14-20, 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7-8).

• Be Salt and Light

While there is still an opportunity to make a difference, we should get on our knees and pray for God’s protection (put on the whole armor of God), get off our knees and take a stand for Biblical values in our community, vote for Biblical candidates when possible and be “salt” and “light” to those we come in contact with.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16).

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶ “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. ¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:1-13).

Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶ and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. ³⁸ And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Luke 12:35-40).

• Be Diligent in your Service to the Lord 

One of the biggest mistakes an immature believer makes is to assume they only need to make it to Heaven and nothing else.  Remember; the rewards God gives us in Heaven are eternal, and your position of service is determined down here on earth.  The Apostle Paul understood this principle of service and strived to reach spiritual perfection while he was still on the earth (Matt. 5:48).

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may^]obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

 ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. (Philippians 3:13-15).

     3) Don’t be Blindsided and Shocked at the Judgment Seat of Christ

All Christian believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and will give an account of all their actions (good and bad works) while on earth (Romans 14:10-12, 1 Cor. 3:9-17, 2 Cor. 5:9-11, Rev. 3:11, John 19:13). The rewards and crowns you receive will determine your level of glory and position of honor and service in the kingdom of Heaven. The rewards God gives are permanent; not temporary. That principle is illustrated below.

There are celestial bodies that exist in outer space like the sun, moon and stars, and each one has a different “glory.”  Man still does not know how many stars there are, and the number increases as new galaxies are discovered. God; however, knows the number of all the stars and calls them by their name (Psalms 147:4-5). 

There are terrestrial bodies that exist on earth like man, animals, fish and birds, and each one has a different “glory.”  All celestial bodies have a different appearance, structure and characteristics just like all terrestrial bodies on earth have a special appearance, structure and characteristics.

Man; however, was created in God’s “image” with a body, soul and spirit and differs from all other creatures that God made (Gen. 1:26-28, 1 Thess. 5:23). Man has a unique appearance, body, cellular structure and genetic makeup (DNA), and he has also been given the option and special privilege of going to Heaven to serve, worship and glorify God.

All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. ⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:39-42).

Contrary to what many people think about Heaven, every person that makes it to Heaven by trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, will “differ” in “glory” and appearance, just as every star in the universe differs in appearance, size and brilliance according to its “glory” (1 Cor. 15:41-42).

When the “resurrection” and “catching up” of the saints takes place (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-57), every believer will receive a “glorified body” like the one Jesus had after He was resurrected from the grave. Everyone’s body will be unique in appearance and “glory,” just as the sun, moon and stars differ in “glory” (Phil. 3:20-21, Rom. 8:28-30).

Those who are wise in the Lord will have a special “glory,” which is compared to the brightness of the sky, and those who dedicate themselves to help others find the Lord and pursue “holy” living will have a special “glory” that will shine like the stars forever. 

 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness
like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3).

“…behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work (Rev. 22:12). 

• The Time to Prepare is Now

“As Christians, we are responsible to the Lord for how we are presently living, and one day we will also stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of ourselves to the Lord (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10).

The time to prepare for this encounter is right now.”— Dr. Charles Stanley

“The believer’s appearance before Christ does not affect his personal salvation, but it does greatly affect his life in the coming kingdom of Christ.”—Dr. Paul Benware

“When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, our faithful service to Him will be evaluated and rewarded. With perfect knowledge, He will assess our every thought, motive, and action. Erwin W. Lutzer has said, ‘We do not desire rewards for the reward itself, but because rewards are a reflection of Christ’s approval of us.’ The prospect of this coming judgment should motivate us to please the Lord in our daily life, running our spiritual race toward His heavenly rewards.”—Dr. David Jeremiah

“It’s a hard but inescapable truth: heaven will not be the same for every Christian.  When “we…all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Rom. 14:10), some will receive great rewards and others will not…Making it to heaven is the goal, but making it there to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” is the key to ultimate victory.”—Dr. Robert Jeffress

When asked the question, “What is the greatest thought that ever passed through your mind?”  Daniel Webster responded: “My accountability to God.”

• The Importance of Taking God Seriously 

The Lord does not reward laziness, but expects all believers that stand before Him to be spiritually clothed, receive a full measure of reward and not be ashamed at His coming (Matt. 25:14-30; Isaiah 61:10; 2 John 1:8; 1 John 2:28; Rev. 3:11, 16:15, 22:12).

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. ¹⁷ “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I make them My jewels.  And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” ¹⁸ Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him (Malachi 3:16-18).

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries… ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-27, 30-31).

Have we reached the Point of No Return?

The accelerating deterioration of the U.S. economy, open borders and lack of military preparedness, which appears to be a planned destruction of our country designed to move us towards global government, is a cause for great concern and is quite alarming. The current White House staff of the US government has perhaps the most wicked and ungodly policies of any administration in the history of the nation. 

Abortion, sexual immorality, disregard for law and order, corruption in the educational system (teaching socialism) and support for the enemies of Israel are just a few of the many evil policies that this administration has endorsed. The moral decay has greatly accelerated in recent years with sexual promiscuity and gender dysphoria taking center stage in our culture.  The proliferation of sinful behavior has increased with the use of social media. 

The increase in lawlessness, disregard for the police, civil unrest, theft, rioting, gambling, corrupt mayors and government officials, and the failure to punish criminals by prosecuting attorneys and judges, has led to a rapid breakdown in law and order in society. Equal justice under the law no longer exists at the highest level in the government of the United States.  

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths (Prov. 5:21).

There has been no shortage of Biblical teaching, preaching and evangelizing that has taken place in the United States, which was not the case when God sent Jonah to warn the Ninevites of impending judgment.

Consequently, there is little evidence the United States will reverse course in the coming months outside of God’s intervention.

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). ESV

Sometimes God refuses to listen and answer the prayers of those who are in rebellion against Him, as was the case with the southern kingdom of Judah. That is why it is very important not to ignore or postpone your relationship with the Lord, because He might not be available when you get in trouble and need Him.

“Come now, and let us reason together, “Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. ¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; ²⁰ But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:18-20).

Because the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem had made altars and burned incense to Ba-al, the Lord told them that they had reached the point of no return, and the Lord would not hear their prayers.  God’s patience with Judah and Jerusalem had come to an end because of their refusal to repent (change their evil ways).  When that happens, all hope is lost, and there is no escape from God’s certain judgment.  

Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. ¹² Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble… ¹⁴ “So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble (Jeremiah 11:11-12, 14).

God is merciful; however, His patience will not last forever; especially when cities and nations harden their heart and will not turn from their evil ways.  The prophet Jeremiah reveals God’s course of action when a nation decides to forsake God, go in the wrong direction and embrace cultural decadence. 

“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them” (Jeremiah 18:7, 8). 

Are the days of dominance by the United States of America coming to an end?  The incremental takeover of the world economies by global fiat does not bode well for the United States or the rest of the nations in the world, if significant pushback is not orchestrated soon.  If the United States continues its downward spiral and does not begin turning back to the Biblical principles that made this country great, God will judge our nation, like he did Babylon over 2500 years ago, when the mysterious handwriting appeared on the wall of the King’s palace:

And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. ²⁶ This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; ²⁷ TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; ²⁸ PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:25-28).

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Endnotes:

1)  Quote by Ruth Bell Graham, Posted by Mark Driscoll on Twitter, July 25, 2013,

      https://beyondprojectgideon.blogspot.com/2013/07/quote-by-ruth-graham.html 

2)  Founding Fathers Quotations, Paul Mitchell, “WERE THE UNITED STATES FOUNDED AS A    

    ‘CHRISTIAN’ NATION?” https://famguardian.org/Subjects/ChristianHeritage/Articles/FfQuotesChrNation.pdf

3)  Samuel Adams, http://www.conservapedia.com/Samuel_Adams

4)  John Quincy Adams, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams

5)  Samuel Adams, http://www.conservapedia.com/Samuel_Adams                                                                         

6)  Thomas Jefferson, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson                                                                                    

7)  The Rebirth of America, Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation, copyright 1986, page 24                                                                       

8)  8 predictions for the world in 2030,  Ceri Parker Commissioning Editor, Agenda, World Economic Forum,         https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/11/8-predictions-for-the-world-in-2030/

 

Unless specified, all Scriptures are from the New Kings James Version of the Bible (NKJV).

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Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

 (View # 1)

Whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween can be a very controversial topic.  Some Christians celebrate Halloween simply by dressing up in a costume and having fun, seeing it as innocent and harmless. Other Christians are equally convinced that Halloween is a satanic holiday established to worship evil spirits and promote darkness and wickedness. So, who is right? Is it possible for Christians to celebrate Halloween without compromising their faith?

Halloween, no matter how commercialized, has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly. Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate or not to celebrate Halloween. For some, it means having an “alternative” Harvest Party.

For others, it is staying away from the ghosts, witches, goblins, etc., and wearing innocuous costumes, e.g., little princesses, clowns, cowboys, super-heroes, etc. Some choose not to do anything, electing to lock themselves in the house with the lights off. With our freedom as Christians, we are at liberty to decide how to act.

Scripture does not speak at all about Halloween, but it does give us some principles on which we can make a decision. In Old Testament Israel, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27). The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don’t mix. The account of Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:6-11 reveals that sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity.

Paul called Elymas a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and a perverter of the ways of God. In Acts 16, at Philippi, a fortune-telling girl lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. Acts 19 shows new converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone (Acts 19:19).

So, should a Christian celebrate Halloween? Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a princess or cowboy and going around the block asking for candy? No, there is not. Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided?  Absolutely! If parents are going to allow their children to participate in Halloween, they should make sure to keep them from getting involved in the darker aspects of the day.                                                                                                                                                                                  If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behavior should still reflect a redeemed life (Philippians 1:27). There are many churches that hold “harvest festivals” and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment. There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the Gospel along with the Halloween candy.

The decision is ultimately ours to make. But as with all things, we are to incorporate the principles of Romans 14. We can’t allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause division in the body of Christ, nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith. We are to do all things as to the Lord.

Excerpted from:  https://www.gotquestions.org/Christians-celebrate-Halloween.html

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Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

(View # 2)

If the Bible is our Guide, then “No” is the Simple Answer.

Ephesians 5:8-11— “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).

1 Thessalonians 5:22— “Abstain from every form of evil.”

Some good questions you should ask yourself:

Does Halloween fill me with faith or fear?

Yes; Halloween celebrates fear—the theme of darkness, graves, blood, skulls, vampires, witches and wizards infuse fear into our life.  If God does not give us a spirit of fear, but tells us 365 times in the Scriptures not to fear, why would we invite fear into our lives by a celebration that breeds fear?

2 Timothy 1:7— “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”                                                                                                                                                                

How am I honoring God in this celebration?

1 Corinthians 10:19-22— “What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?  Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.  Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?”

Excerpted from:  https://wordmissionchurchinternational.org/should-christians-celebrate-halloween/ 

WALK IN THE LIGHT

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:17-21).

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness” (1 Thess. 5:4-5).

The fact is, Halloween and all its practices are associated with witchcraft. The bulk of the world has been desensitized to witchcraft evidenced by record breaking sales from movies like the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series. Almost every young person on the planet has seen Twilight.

What is Twilight about?  Vampires, and sorcery, and witchcraft and yet it is one of the highest grossing series in America movie history. And in the movie industry, it is second only to Harry Potter.  And think, that’s amazing that this Christian society has spent so much money, along with the Brits, watching vampires, sorcerers, and witchcraft on the big screen and eating it up.  Excerpted from:  https://arthurbaileyministries.com/biblical-teachings/happy-halloween-q/ 

CAN EVIL SPIRITS DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS OTHERS?

 The answer is “Yes.”

2 Corinthians 11:13-15— “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

1 John 4:1— “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

CAN EVIL SPIRITS POSSESS PEOPLE?

 The answer is “Yes.”

Luke 11:23-26—   ^“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’  And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.  Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

SHOULD I TRY TO CONTACT THE DEAD OR DISCERN THE FUTURE? 

The answer is “No.”                                   

Don’t Play Games with the Devil

The Bible does not mention Ouija boards specifically, but it does have a few things to say about divination and attempting to contact the dead:  Playing with Ouija boards should be avoided as one should avoid a physical threat: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Excerpted from:   https://www.gotquestions.org/ouija-boards.html

Tarot cards come in a deck of 78 individual cards. They are associated with divination—unlocking the secrets of the future by occult, supernatural means.  Some mystics, psychics, and occultists use the cards for divination, and the ability to “read” them is seen as elements of fortune-telling. To receive a tarot reading is to attempt to find out things about one’s life or future through the occult.  Divination is strictly prohibited in the Bible.  Excerpted from:  https://www.gotquestions.org/tarot-cards.html

Leviticus 19:30-31—   “‘You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord.  Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God’ “

Deuteronomy 18:9–14—  “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,  or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.  For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.  For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.”

Isaiah 8:19-20—   “And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

Galatians 5:19–21—   “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication [sexual immorality], uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:7-8— “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

(Unless specified, all Scriptures are from the New King James Version of the Bible—NKJV)

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“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.” Rahm Emmanuel

I’ve read “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” twice over the yearsby William L. Shirer and here’s what I see as the recipe for tyranny from that excellent book. I present below the most notable past example and what I believe are current ones.

1) Use people’s fear in a tumultuous situation against them and give them an “answer man” or entity to resolve it. For Hitler, it was the chaos of a post-World War 1 defeated Germany with its accompanying inflation, unemployment, and hopelessness. For America, it is a similar, though less pronounced, version of inflation and similar growing pessimism regarding the future.

2) Give them an object (be it an ethnic group, other country, disease, etc.) to blame for these conditions.

Hitler blamed the high cost of reparations demanded by that war’s victors but, most notably, the Jews whom he said were behind this and all of Germany’s woes. For the free world today, it’s Covid, and monkey pox, plus anyone who does not subscribe to the current far-left agenda of  some national governments, America included.

3) Manipulate the religious systems so people turn toward men instead of toward God. For Germany it was Nazism and “Mien Kampf.” For many countries considered to be Christian, it is the turning away of much of organized religion toward the doctrines of political correctness, sexual perversion, paganism, and away from those doctrines of God which are clearly defined in the Bible.

4) Control disposition of information and allow no dissent. Hitler was a master of the media and public events where his speeches had such a mesmerizing, one might even claim “supernatural,” effect on the masses that they willingly gave away both their consciences and their freedom. No dissent was allowed. Today we see social media and internet access increasingly restricting any communication considered to be “misinformation” such as the truth about Covid, suppression of information of adverse vaccine reactions, or opposition to current “woke” ideology . . . and I fear that this is only the beginning.

5) Increase of governmental control on every aspect of life, starting with economics and progressively add to that list. In a few short years, the Nazi government was in total control of everything in Germany. Two years of Covid mandates were the greatest ally of governmental overreach I have ever seen in the free world. It is, in my opinion, a great psychological experiment that succeeded in stealing away freedom on a massive scale that has never been accomplished before.

6) Keep the people so distracted that they can’t see how they are being duped. In both Germany of the first half of the 20^th Century and what were the democracies of the 21^st, just getting through each day for the average person has consumed their attentions to such a degree that they don’t have the time to sit back and see just how they are being led into tyranny.

7) Get to the kids via control of the educational systems and use the legal system to supersede the authority of their parents. Hitler used the schools to indoctrinate German children into the Nazi “gospel” and created the Hitler Youth, the goal of which was to instill in them a loyalty to the part which surpassed that of loyalty to their parents. In America, critical race theory and other leftist ideology is attempting to do the same thing. Parents who are fighting these things are now considered potential terrorists.

Conclusion

As I look through history, I see a common pattern and exactly the same evil being repeated over an over again. Only the faces and specifics have changed andI have no doubt that it all is just a mild prelude and softening up process for what’s up ahead for those left behind after the Rapture.

Ask yourself: If things have been and are now coming back upon us in such an extreme degree now, while God’s Holy Spirit is still acting as a restraining presence  in believers, how bad will it get when this Spirit departs post-Rapture?

It’s all up to you to decide if you want to go through that or not.

There is a way out and this is it:

John {3:16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {3:17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

It’s just that simple.

Now, what are you waiting for?

The Bible lists many of the signs to indicate the closing out of this age in both the Old and New Testaments. Perhaps the best presentation of them are from Jesus himself. Generally referred to as the Olivet Discourse, they can be found in Matthew 24 & 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. I’m sure most of you already knew that.

            Since I was very young, science has always fascinated me, particularly anything to do with outer space. This was triggered by my mother ordering a map of the solar system from the back of a hot dog wrapper – of all things! It was copyrighted in 1959 by the Rand McNally company, illustrated in rich color and along with various charts and notations. Though much of the information and the artists’ renditions of the views from various planets and moons are outdated today, it provided an early look at what was “out there.” Unfortunately, the original chart has been long gone, but I found an image of it a few years ago on the Internet and made an 8 x 11 ½ copy of it for myself which presently before me as I write this article.

            The 1950’s began a space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, each country trying to outdo the other. Part of it was a competition between political systems. It was the totalitarianism of Soviet communism verses the freedom of Americans had and enjoyed in the U.S.

The second was based on a more realistic belief that whoever controlled the skies would ultimately control the planet.

            The former really wasn’t an accurate indicator of whose government was “best” as far as it concerned those living under it. It seems no one considered that Hitler’s Germany was very likely the most technologically superior nation on the planet for a time before its defeat in 1945. Truth is, the rocket technologies of the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. were greatly benefited by German rocket scientists who ended up in either country. Does that then mean that the dictatorial and brutal Nazi government was “better” than the freedom of the democratic one in America as far as quality of life for its citizens? I don’t think any clear-thinking person could possibly believe that!

            As for the latter, this certainly was a more realistic consideration. Any country which could successfully master the complexities of space travel could certainly use this knowledge to create a means to deliver weapons of mass destruction upon an enemy. The need to be “first and best” provided the major impetus for the push into space. Yet I suggest that the former reason, flawed as it was, was the driving force behind actually sending people up there. After all, weapons can be deployed remotely without humans actually having to launch them from a spaceship or space station.

            When the Soviets were the first to send Sputnik up on October 4, 1957,  it shocked the free world, the United States in particular. The result from this was a retooling not only of our engineering and industrial capabilities, but of the education system as well. I was fortunate to be a part of that, and am equally saddened to see now it has it degenerated into the political football it has become today.

But, let’s get back on-topic.

            The 1950’s and 1960’s saw an explosion of scientific and technological advances that made it possible for the first time in history for humans to live, albeit for limited periods, in a totally hostile environment just a few score of miles over their heads. Before the 1960’s such accomplishments were only achieved in the pages and movies of science fiction. By the end of that decade, American’s had gone to the moon, walked upon it, and returned safely.

            As I grew up in those years, the future was wide open, despite the social unrest developing in the 1960’s. Not only was envisioned a huge, rotating space station, but also permanent bases on the moon well on the way to self-sufficiency. The film 2001: A Space Odyssey is a good reflection of this mindset.  (Of course,  it wasn’t likely we’d encounter a super intelligent ET race out there which gave our allegedly ape-like ancestors a brain-boost and then do the same thing to Dave Bowman after pulling him into hyperspace via a star gate.)

Yet how have things turned out in reality?

            Human missions to the moon have been impossible for decades. A big floating wheel in space has been replaced by much more modest International Space Station. China has sent up the first module of  its Tianhe space station in May of 2021 and is expected to complete it this year (2022). But neither of these are even close to being self-sufficient. The big dreams of humanity not so long ago if establishing itself within decades of landing on the moon are still only themes of science fiction.

            Okay, by this time, I’m sure you’re wondering where all this is leading, so I’ll test your patience no further.

            To the best of my knowledge, the Bible indicates that the only people to escape the coming wrath of the Tribulation will be those taken away in the Rapture. This naturally leads to the conclusion that humanity will earthbound. There will be no option of riding out what’s coming off-world.

            Could it therefore be that the retreat of our efforts to set up independent habitations beyond Earth is actually an Unmentioned Sign of our times?

            What do YOU think?

Catholics have been indoctrinated with the premise that the Roman Catholic Church is the one true church founded by Christ 2000 years ago. They claim protestant churches began only 500 years ago. Are they correct? Is there a “one true church”? And if there is, can we identify the one true church? The answers to these important questions can be found throughout the New Testament.

Who Are Members of the True Church?

The true church is not a denomination nor a building. It is an assembly of born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have been called out of the world as a people for God’s own possession (Titus 2:11-14). Universally, it includes all who have repented and believed the glorious Gospel of grace. They have been purified by the blood of Jesus, sealed by the Spirit of God and sanctified by the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17; Eph. 1:13; 1 John 1:7). These new creatures in Christ have been baptized by one Spirit into one body and are called saints (1 Cor 1:2, 12:13). Their names are enrolled in heaven and their imperishable inheritance is protected by the power of almighty God (Heb. 12:23; 1 Pet. 1:4). They are visible when the light of their good works shines before men to glorify their Holy Father (Mat. 5:16; Eph. 2:10).

The Professing Church Is Not the True Church

All Protestant and Roman Catholic churches together make up the “professing” church, which includes both believers and unbelievers. Tragically, there are many who “profess” Christ but do not “possess” Christ. They are religious, but have no relationship with Christ. Their names are on church rolls, but not in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Jesus calls them “tares” who have been sown by the devil among the “wheat” (Mat. 13:24-30, 36-43). These tares may one day hear the most terrifying words they could ever hear when Jesus declares, “I never knew you, depart from Me” (Mat. 7:23). Roman Catholics, who adhere to the false and fatal gospel of their apostate religion, must repent and believe the Gospel of grace to become members of the true church. When they do, the Spirit of God will lead them out of their idolatrous religion to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

Roman Catholicism Is Not the True Church

The 21st century Roman Catholic Church does not bear any resemblance to the 1st century church of the apostles. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see the first century church continuing the work of Christ’s redemption on an altar, praying for the dead, venerating Mary, or transubstantiating wafers into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. Nor can we find any mention of indulgences, purgatory, infallible popes, or a sacerdotal priesthood. There is an indisputable reason for this. Rather than obeying the exhortation of Jude to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, the Catholic Church departed from the apostolic faith to follow deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (Jude 3; 1 Tim. 4:1). Its apostasy was fully documented at the 16th century Council of Trent. It cannot be “the pillar and support of the truth” because it departed from the truth and is not the true church (1 Tim. 3:15).

There Is Only One Door to the True Church

Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). Tragically, most of the 1.3 billion souls in the Roman Catholic Church have instead entered through the wide gate that leads to destruction. They have not heeded the warning of Jesus who said, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Mat. 7:15). By God’s grace and mercy, there are some Catholics who have responded to the Gospel call with repentance and faith but they cannot stay in the Roman Catholic Church. They will soon find themselves at odds with the deadly errors and idolatry of the apostate religion and come out to worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).

The Spiritual Promises Given to the True Church

Members of the true church enjoy every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3). These blessings include: the complete forgiveness of sins (Col. 2:13-14), the promise of never being condemned again (Rom. 8:1), the gift of Christ’s righteousness (Rom. 5:17), the assurance of eternal life (John 10:28) and an eternal relationship with God through the one mediator Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:5). Members of the Catholic Church do not possess any of these spiritual blessings. Their only hope is to do what the apostle Paul did and exchange their religion for a relationship with the all-sufficient Savior (Phil. 3:3-8).

The Privileges of the True Church

The true church is the bride of Christ, the flock of the Shepherd, the household of faith and the adopted family of God (Rom. 8:15; Eph. 4:12; Gal. 6:10; Rev. 19:7). Its members are a chosen race and a holy nation who have been commissioned to proclaim the excellencies of Christ, who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9). They have been given the awesome privilege of being ambassadors to the King of kings as His ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20). They have also been commissioned by the Lord Jesus to make disciples by proclaiming His Gospel (Mat. 28:18-20). Catholics have none of these privileges because they have rejected the true Gospel for another gospel that is hostile to the Lord Jesus.

The Protection of the True Church

The Good Shepherd promised, the gates of hell shall not overpower His church (Mat. 16:18). It is the only church which is certain to endure unto the end. Nothing can destroy it. Its members may be persecuted, oppressed, imprisoned, beaten and martyred, but whenever the church is crushed in one country, it springs up in another. Members of the true church have equal and direct access to the throne of grace through the veil that was torn open at the moment of Christ’s death (Heb. 10:19-22). They are all royal priests who offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).

It is my prayer and heart’s desire that Catholics will read this article and turn to the only Head of the true church May God give them humble, teachable spirits to recognize that the god of this world has blinded them from the light of the Gospel and the glory of Christ. The veil of blindness will never be removed until they turn to the Lord Jesus (2 Cor. 3:16).

“About the times of the End, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamor and opposition.”― Isaac Newton

“He who thinks half-heartedly will not believe in God; but he who really thinks, has to believe in God.” ― Isaac Newton

“Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance.” ― Isaac Newton

“Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion.” ― Isaac Newton

“As a blind man has no idea of colors, so have we no idea of the manner by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things” ― Isaac Newton

“We account the Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatever.” ― Isaac Newton

 “Live your life as an Exclamation rather than an Explanation.”―Isaac Newton 

 “What we know is a drop. What we don’t know is an ocean.” ― Isaac Newton

 “No sciences are better attested than the religion of the Bible.” ― Isaac Newton

“God gave the prophecies, not to gratify men’s curiosity by enabling them to fore know things, but that after they were fulfilled, they might be interpreted by the event, and His own providence, not the interpreters; (and) be thereby manifested to the world.” ― Isaac Newton

 “Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for his prescription.” ― Isaac Newton

“In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.” ― Isaac Newton

“Truth is the offspring of silence and meditation. I keep the subject constantly before me and wait ’til the first dawnings open slowly, by little and little, into a full and clear light.” ― Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton was asked how he discovered the law of gravity. He replied, “By thinking about it all the time.” ― Isaac Newton

“For it became him [God] who created them [the atoms] to set them in order. And if he did so, it’s unphilosophical to seek for any other Origin of the World, or to pretend that it might arise out of a Chaos by the mere Laws of Nature.” ― Isaac Newton

“I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily. Opposition to godliness is atheism in profession and idolatry in practice. Atheism is so senseless and odious to mankind that it never had many professors.” ― Isaac Newton

“I believe the more I study science, the more I believe in God.” ― Isaac Newton

“This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from   the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being. This is and remains my greatest comprehension.” ― Isaac Newton

“…We must love our neighbor as ourselves, we must be charitable to all men for charity is the greatest of graces, greater then even faith or hope and covers a multitude of sins. We must be righteous and do to all men as we would they should do to us.” ― Isaac Newton

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Sir Isaac Newton was likely one of the greatest scientists who ever lived.  He was born on the 4th of January, 1643 in Woolsthorpe Manor House, United Kingdom. He was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, optician, theologian and author who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time and as a key figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century.  He actually invented the mathematic discipline known as calculus. In addition to his unequaled mental capability, Newton was also an ardent Bible scholar who was very fluent in the ancient languages. He studied and translated the book of Daniel from the original Hebrew, and his interpretations are the foundation of a book entitled, NEWTON’S PROPHECIES OF DANIEL, by the Oregon Institute Of Science and Medicine. See https://historicist.info/newton/newtonprophecy.htm  Newton died in his sleep in London on 20th March, 1727.  https://www.sampleposts.com/isaac-newton-quotes/

The Story of Joseph

The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis occupies a significant part of the first book in the Bible and provides the foundation for the birth of the nation of Israel some 430 years after Jacob and his family entered Egypt (Gen. chapters 37-50, Ex. 12:40-41).  After being thrown into a pit by Joseph’s ten brothers and later sold to some Ishmaelites (also Midianites) going to Egypt, Joseph was sold again to “Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, and captain of the guard” (Gen. 37:18-36, 39:1).

While Joseph was enslaved in Egypt, the Lord prospered him, and Potiphar made him “overseer over his house, and all that he had, he put into his hand” (Gen. 39:2-6). For Joseph’s sake, the Lord greatly blessed Potiphar and his house and all that he had in the field.  Through no fault of his own, Joseph was thrown into prison due to false accusations from Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39:7-20). While Joseph was in prison, the Lord blessed him and helped him interpret the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker, who had been thrown into the king’s prison, after they had offended Pharaoh (Gen. 39:21-23, 40:1-23).

From Prospering in Prison to Divine Providence with Pharaoh

Two years passed after Joseph’s interpretation of the chief butler’s dream, and one night after going to bed, Pharaoh experienced two vivid dreams that greatly troubled his spirit. So Pharaoh called for his magicians and wise men to see if they could interpret them, but after listening to Pharaoh’s dreams, no one was able to explain their meaning. The chief butler then remembered when Joseph, the Hebrew, had interpreted his dream after he and the chief baker were thrown in prison. Since Joseph’s interpretation of the chief butler’s dream came true, just as Joseph had predicted, the chief butler decided to tell Pharaoh about his dream while in prison with Joseph.

After Pharaoh heard from the chief butler that there was a Hebrew slave who had the ability to interpret dreams, Pharaoh sent for Joseph (Gen. 41:1-13).  Pharaoh’s servants then went to the prison where Joseph was held and brought him out of the dungeon.  Joseph cleaned himself up and changed his clothes. Then Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to see if he could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams (Gen. 41:14). Pharaoh then told Joseph that the magicians and wise men were not able to interpret his dreams, but he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams.  Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Gen. 41:15-16).

After Pharaoh had told Joseph the two dreams (Gen. 41:17-24), Joseph gave God the glory for the interpretation, and then he told their meaning to Pharaoh (Gen. 41:25-32).  Both dreams referred to the same event, and having two dreams meant that the dreams were certain and would happen soon.  The seven fat cows and the seven good ears of corn represented seven good years where Egypt would have an abundance of crops. The seven good years would then be followed by seven bad years of famine where no food would be grown in the land (Gen. 41:26-32).

Joseph’s Advice to Pharaoh

Joseph told Pharaoh to find a prudent and wise man and put him in charge of gathering an abundant supply of food for the next seven years that would help them get through the seven years of famine (Gen. 41:33-36).  Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and his advice to Pharaoh “was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants,” and Pharaoh said:  “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God” (Gen. 41:37-38)?  Pharaoh then told Joseph:  “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (Gen. 41:39-41).

Then Pharaoh took off his ring and put it upon Joseph’s hand, had him arrayed in fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.  Joseph then rode in the second chariot behind Pharaoh, and was made “ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 41:42-46). So Joseph was put in charge of setting up a program to store up food for the next seven years, so the land of Egypt would be prepared when the seven years of famine arrived (Gen. 41:46-49).

After Pharaoh promoted Joseph to second in command in Egypt and gave him authority over the agricultural crops, in order to prepare for the seven years of famine that was coming in the future, Joseph put in place a program that required all farmers to give one fifth (20%) of their crops to Pharaoh (Gen. 41:33-46).  With God’s blessings, the crops were overly productive, and the Egyptians had a substantial amount of food grown during the seven years of plenty (Gen. 41:47-49).

Are Pharaoh’s Dreams a Picture of the Coming 70^th Week of Daniel?

Are the seven years of plenty that the Egyptians enjoyed, before the seven years of famine decimated their crops, a harbinger of the time that will precede the future, seven-year tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th week)?  Are we in transition between “the sevens” like Egypt experienced?  To put it another way; will the world enjoy a time of wealth and prosperity just before the future, seven-year tribulation that will be comparable in some ways to the abundance experienced by the Egyptians before the seven years of famine overtook their land?

Although we are not currently experiencing a seven-year time cycle like God revealed to Joseph through Pharaoh’s dreams, the world has enjoyed increasing prosperity for over seventy years, since Israel became a nation in 1948 and Jerusalem was seized from Jordan in 1967.  Perhaps the “peace” and “prosperity” of the United States, which greatly affects the whole world, has been a direct result of heeding the Psalmist: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces’ ” (Psalm 122:6-7).

After coming out of the Great Depression during the decade of the 1930s, the United States rebounded and had a strong economy during World War II (1939-1945), which saw three years of double-digit growth.  Following three years of recession at the end of WWII (1945-1947), the United States began to recover economically in 1948 with over 4% GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that year.  Today, the world economy consists of 193 national economies, with the United States being the largest (GDP: $21.43 trillion). [1]

The total world GDP for the year 2019 was nearly $88 trillion ($87.80). The United States and China alone control over one-third (40.75%) of the total world GDP ($35.77 trillion). [2]   Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many small businesses, local governments, churches, institutions and organizations were coerced by governors, mayors and other governmental leaders to close or greatly limit their operation. With all of the many closings and restrictions adversely affecting the global economy (GDP), what long-term effects will these economic, religious, educational and social disruptions have on society?

Before Covid-19, the global economy was at $88 trillion.  The projected global growth from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook was (- 4.9%) for 2020, with many of the world’s biggest economies in recession. “In 2021, global growth is projected at 5.4 percent. Overall, this would leave 2021 GDP some 6½ percentage points lower than in the pre-COVID-19 projections of January 2020.” [3] The economic damage from Covid-19 for businesses and their employees will have serious repercussions for years to come.

Will a Time of Prosperity Precede Daniel’s 70th week?

Is the world beginning to transition from the “good times,” relatively speaking, where we experienced a record breaking period of growth and  prosperity in the United States, Israel and throughout the world to the “bad times,” which will usher in a global, totalitarian government with a surveillance society and a closely monitored, digital currency?  Are the prophetic scriptures in the Bible aligning as the prophets predicted (Dan. 12:4, 9-10)?

For some time, international bureaucrats have been positioning themselves (The Great Reset) to install a “one world government” with open borders, restrictions on buying and selling (trade), limitations on travel, curbs on free speech and religious liberty, restrictions on the right to own and bear arms, future, quantum dot vaccinations and other nefarious activities.

How close are we to some of the apocalyptic events described in the books of Daniel and Revelation that will one day catch the world off guard, like a trap that closes quickly on its unsuspecting prey (Luke 21:28-36, Rev. 3:3, 10-11)?  What does today’s prosperity have to do with the future, seven-year tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week)?  How does the seven years of prosperity experienced in Egypt over 3,500 years ago, during the days of Joseph and Pharaoh, relate to the seventy plus years of prosperity we have enjoyed since the end of World War II?

Just as God prospered Egypt because of Joseph, Jacob (Israel) and the children of Israel and for “blessing” the future descendants of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), the Lord has prospered the United States because of her “blessings” to Israel (Gen. 12:1-3). The many “blessings” bestowed upon the nation of Israel in recent years by the United States, including recognizing Jerusalem as the Capitol of Israel and moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, has not been forgotten by the Creator of the universe Who watches over Israel (Psalm 121:1-8).

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth…Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4).

The prosperity of the world’s major superpower, the United States (like Egypt during Joseph’s days), combined with the economic prosperity of the rest of the world, from the middle of the last century up through recent years, reveals that the world has experienced (and is still experiencing) a time of wealth and prosperity that greatly exceeds the seven good years that came before the seven bad years during the days of Joseph’s reign in Egypt.

As the prosperity of the world today is much greater than the prosperity the Egyptians experienced, the future, seven-year tribulation period will be worldwide and much greater in scope and severity than the seven-year famine the Egyptians suffered through. The “great tribulation” (last half) will be a time such as the world has never experienced “since the beginning of the world,” with “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” (Matt. 24:21-22, Luke 21:25-26, 35-36, Rev. 3:10, 6:1-19:21).

The Generation of His Coming

The Lord told His apostles, as recorded in Acts 1:6-7, that it was not for them “…to know the times or the seasons…” for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. The mystery of “the times and seasons” of the kingdom’s restoration to Israel was not for the apostles to know, but it was to be concealed and later revealed to a future generation that Jesus described in “the parable of the fig tree” (Matt. 24:32-34, Mark 13: 28-30, Luke 21:29-32).

The official return to life of the fig tree (the nation of Israel) took place when Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed Israel’s Independence “on May 14, 1948, in Tel Aviv on behalf of the Provisional Government of Israel.” [4]   Israel’s rebirth as a nation (Isaiah 66:8-10) is linked directly with the generation (Luke 21:28-36) that will witness the second coming of Christ back to earth.

The specific generation Christ was talking about, that “will not pass away” until after the kingdom of God is established on earth, is alive today and is currently between 70 and 80 years of age.  Since the rapture of the saints, the seven-year tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th Week) and Christ’s physical return back to earth must all take place before the generation Christ was talking about dies off, we must be getting close to the inception (beginning) of these three events. That is because the generation that began (was born) when Israel became a nation over 70 years ago, is rapidly approaching the final years of its existence and will soon “pass away” (Matt. 24:33-34).

The Times and Seasons of His Coming

The “Day of the Lord” will begin when the words “peace and security” and “peace and safety” are commonplace among the global elite (1 Thess. 5:1-3). Use of the specific words “peace, security and safety,” both oral and written, in speeches, treaties and negotiations by world leaders and the global media, in reference to the Middle East peace process, has increased in recent years with “many” new participants seeking peace (Dan. 9:27).

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thess. 5:1-3). ESV

This “last days” prophecy about “peace and security,” given by the Apostle Paul nearly 2000 years ago, uniquely fits today’s scenario that has been slowly unfolding with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The “times and seasons” of the rapture (catching up) of the “bride of Christ” is a mystery (1 Cor. 15:51-52) that is linked with the scriptures about “peace and security” and the “day of the Lord,” almost as if they are contiguous or will occur at approximately the same time.

”For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16-18). ESV

The timing of the rapture, also called the “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13, will be as “a thief in the night” to those not watching, but “the times and seasons” of the rapture will not be a surprise to those who are looking for His return (1 Thess. 5:4-6, Matt. 25:1-13, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:3). Are you watching the many “signs” heralding Christ’s soon return, as we begin to “see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25, Eph. 4:30, Luke 21:28)?

Prepare for Lift Off

With many prophecies, that will be fulfilled during the future, seven-year tribulation period (Day of the Lord), beginning to converge on the world stage and cast their shadows backward into today’s headlines, are we beginning to transition from a time of unparalleled prosperity to a time of declining affluence, where fresh food and water will become scarce (dearth), and the events of Daniel’s 70^th week begin to unfold (Dan. 9:27, Rev. 6:1-8)?

When Jesus Christ returns “in the air” for His saints “at his appearing,” make sure you have already made your reservation to go to Heaven and are following the Lord’s plan for your life (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Titus 2:11-13;  Heb. 9:28).  Before His wrath is poured out on this wicked and God rejecting world (John 1:11), make “your calling and election sure” (1 Thess. 1:10, 5:4-11, 2 Peter 1:10-11, 1 Cor. 15:51-58).

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Whatever your priorities in this life may be, reevaluate them now, and make sure God is at the top of your priority list. The things of this world will not matter one minute after the “trumpet” blows, and the bride of Christ is removed, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” to meet the Lord in the air (1 Cor. 15:51-58, 1 Thess. 4:16-17, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-18).  The “Day of the Lord” will be a time when literally, “all hell breaks loose” on the earth (Rev. 9:1-21).  Don’t be one of the many unfortunate souls who ignore the “signs” and will be left behind!

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

♦♦♦

Endnotes

[1]   GDP (current US$), World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files, Year 2019,  https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true

[2]   Ibid.

[3]   World Economic Outlook Update, January 2021: Policy Support and Vaccines Expected to Lift Activity,   https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO, January 20, 2021

[4]   Israel’s Declaration of Independence — May 14, 1948, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-declaration-of-independence-may-14-1948/

(Unless otherwise noted, scriptures are from the New King James Version (NKJV).