July 4, 1976 brought the bicentennial celebration of America’s birth. The nation was, at that time, like in most every era of modern U.S. history, facing challenges at home and abroad. The Soviet Union was at full strength and threatening to exert hegemony over territory even beyond the post-World War II nations it had dominated for more than three decades. China threatened its neighbors and the world. Our nation was considered to be in moral decline even then, having come out of the hippie generation and the sexual revolution and drug culture produced from the time before and since Woodstock in 1969. Roe v. Wade had just been instituted by the Supreme Court decision and all looked to be on the fast track to degeneration into a moral abyss.

The pastors and evangelists of the time were preaching from the pulpits against the many debaucheries going on. There was push back against the evils of the day that seemed to permeate every stratum of society and culture.

My own memory of the time is wrapped up into a single recollection. Our pastor at the time, who was an eloquent speaker—and a died-in-the-wool patriot—brought into our sanctuary sermons that rang with passion for restoration of the founding fathers’ Judeo-Christian based principles. Dr. Russell J. Clearman also wrote a book, whose poignant title I chose for heading this commentary as we emerge into the post-election light—”Which Way America?”

Dr. Clearman’s book was, like his spoken words from the pulpit, a moving clarion call, through the question implicit in the title, for America to choose which way it would move. Would the nation choose to continue the road that would lead to oblivion, or the road that would return to a Godly course?

Our nation went into severe economic recession shortly after that 200th birthday celebration, the Jimmy Carter years bringing fiscal distress and disrespect from nation-entities around the world. Iran turned from being an ally to, after overthrowing the Shaw, holding hostage Americans in the American embassy in Tehran.

Then, with God’s people’s appeal to Heaven through movements such as the Moral Majority, with much prayer, the nation went into an era of relative peace and prosperity.

But, alas, almost half of the American populace has seemed to again determine to walked down that descending slope of anti-Godliness, toward the nation’s doom.

Today, with the election of 2016, God has again answered prayers for national rescue. And, make no mistake, it was the God of Heaven—listening to His people—who answered prayer and saw to the outcome of that election.

This is, of course, a foolish assessment by those who haven’t spiritual discernment, but is true, none-the-less.

Just as was the 1976 celebration of America’s birthday, the election of the 45th president of the United States seems a place to ask the question, “Which Way America?”

The nation is much deeper in its descent into the abyss of anti-Godliness than it was during the 1970s. Back then, homosexuality still had a moral leash. Public restrooms being shared by both sexes simultaneously was unthinkable. Same sex marriage condoned and institutionalized by the U.S. Government was unacceptable. Christians being forced to serve customers whose demands went against the business owners’ Christian principles was unimaginable.

We, as a people in America, have a much sharper turnaround to accomplish than during that earlier era. The effort will require more resolve this time. The spiritual battle is much more intense and will become even more profound as we proceed toward the 2020 presidential election and beyond.

Which way we choose to go will depend directly upon God’s people becoming staunchly resolute. –In how devoted we are to Heaven’s directives in our prayer closets and on the front line of these satanically spawned battles we face in this end of the age war.

With all that said, I sense a very possible prophetic scenario developing, which I share here with the caveat that it is only a scenario, not a “word of knowledge,” as some would claim.

We presently have a president  who is a person who has a certain degree of business genius. I have no doubt of that, having observed him over many decades of his empire building.

He is God’s man for this troubled hour in this nation and world, I have absolutely no doubt. I say “God’s man,” not in the sense that he is devoted to Godliness. I mean by this that I believe he is appointed to this prophetic hour for God’s own purposes. There are profound things afoot.

Globalism has been put briefly in the pause position upon the engine of world dynamics. The president-elect is a nationalist—one who holds firmly to national borders—to national sovereignty. He has vowed to “Make America Great Again.”

Whereas, I certainly don’t know the future in its detailed unfolding, I can, based upon studied, scripturally-based exploration, speculate and postulate just a bit about things to come.

We now have one of history’s proven, great builders in the business world with the reins of power of the United States of America—the most materially-blessed nation of human history. We have in Revelation chapter 18, a description of the most powerful and materially dominant entities in all human history. “Which Way America?”

I know this flies in the face of traditional, seminary teachings, but might we be witnessing the beginning of the final development of this entity that will eventuate in becoming the mystery Babylon described in that most astounding prophecy?

This is not to imply that Donald J. Trump—or anyone else—is a satanic plant. I’ve been a “Trumper” all the way, since he won nomination.

However, God lifts kings (leaders) to power and He brings them down. Could this genius builder be about to help build a national entity that is destined to fulfill a specific prophecy? We can only stay tuned—and spiritually attuned.

But, we won’t see the final product, in any event, if we know the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. There is an even greater event—that destruction of Babylon event scheduled for the tribulation era. We are looking for our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Every presidential election in recent times has been talked about as one of the most crucial in America’s history. The 2020 election season has added to it, however, anxiety among voters the likes of which I can’t recall.

Not everyone is so concerned, of course. Those I’m referring to who are so concerned are those who truly see the nation as on a pathway of rapid decline in most every aspect of society and culture. From the issues of the debauching of morality like instituting same-sex marriage and same-sex public toilet facilities…to a whacked-out leftist opposition party that seems to have thrown the U.S. Constitution out the window of common sensibility…to the deliberate creation of an economic morass that has built to the point that the American people have no idea that they are in a portentous economic predicament their circumstances plainly indicate. intensive fear is building.

There is genuine worry within the heartland of America that we have a government that is no longer recognizable as founded. And, the even greater worry is that this condition has been deliberately brought about by leftist elected leaders and deep-state elitists entrenched within government whose primary concerns is feathering their own personal and political power nests.

Certainly, looking across America’s landscape of the present hour, it isn’t easy to find a glimmer of hope to offer those with these concerns. The cajoling of voters for their votes by the politicians and their great, swelling promises of the campaign stump suddenly disappear when they win elections. They join in or revert to their old Washington ways once put into or returned to office. It would be foolhardy to expect that this election will see accomplished a different result.

Tremendous pressures exerted upon newly elected members of Congress to join the insider network or else be marginalized and rendered ineffectual has been made blatantly observable over the last number of mid-term elections in particular. Once the candidates have been within the D.C. Beltway for a certain period of time, they melt into the system. They seem to disconnect from their constituency until time to get out and shore up their support at home.

The politicians’ promises, almost without exception, fade into the canyons of lost memories, the destination for which they are intended all along by the Washington power brokers. Yet to so many amongst the citizenry, the government has come to demand god-like reverence. The largess that the power brokers provide from cradle to grave has replaced reliance upon provision by the true God of Heaven in the mainstream of life in America–this swiftly taking our nation in the opposite direction intended by the founding fathers.

With the exception of President Donald Trump and others who are trying to bring about governmental sanity, each succeeding election proves again and again that the politicians’ promises were never intended to be kept. Yet we the people continue to place trust in those who, in many cases, have been in those positions of power for decades. It’s a form of insanity, I think–reprobate thinking brought on by our sinful ways and activity. Again, the definition of insanity is trying the same thing time after time to solve problems even though it fails every time.

This brought to mind for this commentary the distinctly defined difference–the contrast–between those promises given by the politicians and the promises made by our God in Heaven.

The same politicians who make us promises election after election and quickly forget them once they’ve been voted in office tell Israel that, in effect, God’s promise to that nation is not valid. Yet while the politicians prove election after election that it is their own promises that are not valid, the God of Heaven, through the very nation of Israel, which is at the heart of so much worldwide anger and controversy, has proven beyond any doubt that He keeps His promises.

He has said that Israel, once established in the land, will never be uprooted again. He said it would be made a nation again in a single day. He said that Israel will never stop being His people. He has kept every promise. We can know therefore, beyond any doubt that while the politicians of this nation and world almost never keep even one promise, the God of the Universe never will break a promise.

That God has said to His people Israel regarding Jerusalem, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)

The Lord has also promised that because the politicians of this world will “divide my land,” He will bring the whole world into the Valley of Jehoshaphat–to Armageddon (Joel 3:2).

That’s why we watch Israel so closely in the observation of the unfolding of history in view of Bible prophecy. Israel is absolute proof of the veracity of God’s Word. He keeps His promises–and Israel is the proof! To apply this to the fear and trepidation that so many Christians are expressing today about the upcoming election and what lies beyond, I urge that we consider our Great, Promise-Keeping God.

He has told us that we will be completely kept out of the time of the soon-to-come era of horror termed the Tribulation–out of His Judgment and Wrath (Revelation 3: 10). He will take the Bride of Christ –the Church– off this condemned planet when all of the troubling signals begin to come to pass (Luke 21: 28).

When God promises, it is as good as accomplished. This promise, I hope you will sense in your spirit as do I, is about to be kept.

Never in American history has there been in presidential politics a time that more fits within the descriptive given in Ephesians 6:12 than the time we are currently experiencing. That spiritual battle describes succinctly, in my opinion, the time that has led up to where America and Planet Earth stand at this moment.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. “

For decades it has been as if the dark, hellish forces of the ages have been turned loose against this nation, which has been so openly blessed by Heaven. The cultural and social “progress” thought to have been made, according to those who want to detach America from the Judeo-Christian mooring the founding fathers provided, are threatened by a significant challenge. We the people of God just might have decided we don’t wish that progressive agenda to proceed further. Thus, the war is on in a way perhaps unseen in the annals of U.S. presidential elections.

We as God’s people are told how to fight such warfare as that in which we are presently engaged. We are to “put on the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11).

The Bible provides a description of that spiritual armor with which we are supposed to adorn ourselves in order to wage war against this most powerful and wicked enemy force. Once we are fully, spiritually armed, we are told we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

How well most Christians these days have fully armored up is in question. The dumbing-down by the godlessness of the secular world and–even more troubling–by the compromising churches of recent times, has taken a heavy toll. However, the one weapon mentioned in the apostle Paul’s spiritual battle preparation of Ephesians chapter 6 is in play during this war for the survival of this once-great republic.

I am believing that the core of the people in this nation who hold to the truth of the Word of God–the Bible– are “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” that the Lord will intervene in this war that is raging. It is a “prayer war” to be sure.

I’m aware of the seminary and other positions that say 2 Chronicles 7: 14 was only for Israel and doesn’t apply to America. But, the God of Heaven does not change. Jesus Christ, who is God, is the same yesterday, today and forever, the Scripture tells us. I am trusting, therefore, that that great promise given to Israel during their direst time of need applies equally to those of this day and time who are “called by His name.”

Although the nucleus of God’s people who hold fast to the Heavenly Father’s precepts and promises might be a dwindling number, we are still here in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. We are engaged in this Prayer War for a restoration of sanity in America’s government, society, and culture.

We are praying specifically that the evil forces that are raging to make this nation into a state totally apart from all godliness will be, at least on an interim basis, kept from their luciferian goal. I say “on an interim basis” because Bible prophecy plainly foretells that the satanic, globalist forces will for a time one day achieve establishment of a one-world order as Antichrist’s platform of power. It will happen. It’s just a matter of time.

Meantime, however, while the Church of Jesus Christ is here, thus the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit) resident within that Body holding back evil, it is right and proper–and I believe expected–that God’s people, called by His name, are to pray the prayer of 2 Chronicles 7:14.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Millions, I’m convinced, are even at this late hour leading up to the 2020 presidential election praying this prayer to the best of our ability. I believe movements and revelations of corruption within the political processes of late reflect directly the Lord’s attentiveness to the genuine prayers of His spiritually attuned prayer warriors.

If America is again –like in the 2016 presidential election– to be so blessed by a positive answer to those prayers by Heaven’s throne room, I believe it will mean that the battle like that described in Ephesians chapter 6 will, after the election, intensify even more than if God’s answer is otherwise. And, it will, in that case, be this nation’s final dispensation of liberty, if there is not a turning back to God in a major way.

The war of the ages as this Church Age dispensation moves into its final stages will be fought most effectively by God’s people in the prayer closets of America. Let’s be sure to put on the whole armor before engaging in the battles we face.

The late Robert H. Bork saw it coming. His book, Slouching Toward Gomorrah, examined America’s decline in morality and movement into cultural decay. He gave the title to his book in terms reflecting on the poet Yeats’ 1919 poem, ”Slouching Toward Bethlehem.”

The United States was not, in Bork’s view, moving toward salvation of any sort, but toward depravity not unlike that which brought the wrath of the Almighty upon the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Bork was arguably the most distinguished, conservative legal scholar of his era. He served as a Yale Law School professor, solicitor general, acting attorney general, and a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. President Ronald Reagan nominated him for the U.S. Supreme Court in 1987. Many readers will remember the upheaval created by Senator Edward M. Kennedy  and the Democrat Party over the nomination at the time. Bork was ultimately rejected by the Senate.

The proceedings in the “Borking” of the distinguished legal scholar (as Kennedy scoffingly called the travesty he caused against Bork and later Clarence Thomas) was itself indicative of the decline in morality and culture of which Bork forewarned. The salacious accusations–none of which were proven–were but a foretaste of what we’ve since seen take place against another innocent person, President Donald J. Trump.

That we have surpassed the good judge’s prediction that the nation was slouching toward Gomorrah could not, in my estimation, be clearer. The title of this commentary is, therefore, altogether fitting and appropriate, I think.

An emailer a week or two ago set me to thinking seriously on just how far down that slimy slide into the immorality America has moved. The emailer was reporting firsthand what went on in the very streets in front of her shop.

Here is a considerable portion of her report. My thanks to her for permitting me to share it with you.

This past weekend our city put on what they referred to as an arts festival. When I opened the blind on my shop I thought of that old television show, The Twilight Zone, only married to The Walking Dead.

An old friend, who is a police officer, actually kind of sheltered in place in my store for most of the day. He is not a believer but he is very distressed at what he sees and told me of the masses of police officers that are retiring early or committing suicide.

No matter the age, biological sex, race or nationality, full-on weirdness was the order of the day. Two “married” women carrying a small child walking a large dog wearing a huge purple tutu, men holding hands, women with half their heads shaved and the rest dyed in every color you could imagine.

They made a point of making direct and pretty hostile eye contact, almost like a dare.

I told my dad that I thought the aggressiveness of this “pride” movement reminded me of the people of Sodom, hanging around the town square and trying to push into Lot’s home. I see a parallel in behaviors. Homosexuals have been with us for a long time, but, it’s this new aggressive, in-your-face mob that makes me think time is about up.

I kept my door locked the entire day and closed at 4 pm. I sensed a great deal of hostility…not the America of just over a decade ago, Charlie Brown Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life…

We have crossed some threshold and I don’t see us going back. I saw an awful lot of rainbow-colored rosaries, the nearest Catholic church having a homosexual priest. Tarot card readings, magical crystals, and pet consultations with the local witch being another attraction.

The emailer expressed, then, the thought of many who anticipate Titus 2:13:

“I would be so sad if I did not know we are all going AWAY very soon to the most wonderful place anyone can imagine.”

Hourly news reports validate our emailer’s concerns. The movement toward cultures and societies becoming more like that of Sodom and Gomorrah is worldwide–and intensifying in its evil. It is becoming increasingly dangerous, for example, for anyone to oppose that evil.

A majority in Brazil’s Supreme Court has voted in favor of making homophobia and transphobia crimes.

Six out of 11 judges voted to consider discrimination against gays and transgender people equivalent to racism…

“Homophobic crimes are as alarming as physical violence,” Supreme Court Vice-President Luiz Fux said on his vote, citing “epidemic levels of homophobic violence”.

For almost 20 years there have been efforts to make homophobia a crime in Brazil, but legislation on the matter has faced resistance among conservative and religious groups in Congress, the BBC’s Julia Carneiro in Rio reports.

The decision at the Supreme Court means that offences are to be punished under the country’s racism law until Congress approves specific legislation to protect LGBT people, our correspondent adds.

The remaining judges will vote in a session scheduled for 5 June. (“Majority in Brazil’s top court to make homophobia and transphobia crimes, BBC, 24 May, 2019)

It is wrong for any people to be mistreated in any way whatsoever. Those caught up in the LGBT and other such anti-God activities are not to be mistreated, but prayed for and given the gospel light so that they might turn to Jesus Christ. However, Satan is turning up the pressure, it is obvious, to prompt the world of rebels to force the rest of us to condone their depravity as acceptable.

That old serpent is, thereby, indeed causing many to slither with him toward Sodom.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:28-30)  

You and many others who have chosen to read this commentary are likely in agreement. We find ourselves at a time in which the future is indeed murky. The very fact makes it a time of uneasiness–of profound uncertainty.

With so many existential threats (factors portending possible, even probable, future disruption for our lives), many look to the 2020 presidential election with a shadow of oppressiveness clouding their thoughts.

We have watched our American way–our laws and traditions–dismantled. We have watched the process happen with the acquiescence, even the complicity of those with whom we entrusted our vote to stop that degeneration.

More troubling is the almost certainty that if the opposition party to the present president succeeds, the tearing down of America as founded will be put on the fast track. The “promise and change” declared by Barack Obama –issued in January of 2009–would, it is feared, be completed. The global architects will, in that case, have removed what I believe to be the last roadblock from their ambition–to tear down national sovereignties.

America, in the earthly sense, is that roadblock–thus the all-out effort by national and world politicians as well as media–both news and entertainment–to utterly destroy the candidate in opposition to their vision for one-world order.

With most everything else in place for setting up for the Tribulation (Daniel’s seventieth week), including Israel again in the spotlight, hounded by UNESCO in denying Israel’s historical right to the land, we have as of late added some truly profound rumors of war. Russia and President Donald J. Trump have entered into an extremely dangerous era of international intrigue and gamesmanship. Russia, inserting itself into this hemisphere smacks of 1962 and the Cuban missile crisis. not just the Cold War, but a hot war might be forthcoming it is conjectured by some.

Additionally, the Russians have moved, uncontested, into the Middle East. They have naval power and growing ground and air force capabilities in position to defend the Syrian dictator. This American administration has moved to the extent possible to oppose this shift of Russian power into the region that is mentioned in Bible prophecy.

China is becoming an increasing threat through it’s attempted hegemony in the South China Sea and even in the western hemisphere. America has U.S. Air Force assets now in regions that some believe equates to a provocation-of-war-incident waiting to happen. Again, I’m convinced it’s all part of the globalist orchestration being used by Satan himself to bring his own son of perdition to power.

So many who consider all of this sense an incident or action in the immediate future that will explode in uncontrollable ramifications. Yet, nothing, no matter the circumstances, has to this point happened to initiate the long-anticipated catastrophe.

The Russians are seemingly trying to instigate direct confrontation with American aircraft. China is trying to provoke, seemingly, a confrontation in the South China Sea. Iran is, through proxies, trying to influence the Middle East enemies of Israel into provoking hostilities against the Jewish state.  The economic bubble of insanity continues to build to the bursting point. And, we have a presidential election in 18 months that some believe will bring on an even greater national schizophrenia and possible civil war, no matter who wins.

My great friend, the late Jack Kinsella, had tremendous insight, as many reading this column know. He left us some God-engendered thoughts for just this time in which we find ourselves. He wrote the following in one of his Omega Letter commentaries.

“We live in the most terrifying time of uncertainty in human history–the wrong move by the wrong guy could set off a chain of events that could potentially exterminate the human race. We have but a short time to spread the message of salvation, and it doesn’t help if we are paralyzed by fear.

The Lord knew the conditions that would exist just before His return. Which is why Paul ends his explanation of the Rapture with this exhortation:

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Jack had just written a fabulous piece on the Rapture. The “comfort” of which Paul assured us was all about that twinkling of an eye moment that Jack and I–and, I hope you–believe is about to occur based upon all of these things that have begun to come to pass (Luke 21:28).

We agree with Franklin Graham in his fervent request for protection of the president and the nation. We ask those in our Prophecy Line family to please pray as Rev. Graham requests.

Here is Franklin Graham’s request.

Dear Friend,

Along with 250+ Christian leaders, I am asking followers of Christ across our nation to set aside next Sunday, June 2, as a special day of prayer for the President, Donald J. Trump.

President Trump’s enemies continue to try everything to destroy him, his family, and the presidency. In the history of our country, no president has been attacked as he has. I believe the only hope for him, and this nation, is God.

This is a critical time for America. We’re on the edge of a precipice. Time is short. We need to pray for God to intervene. We need to ask God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President.

We know that God hears and answers prayer. He can soften hearts and change minds. He is all-powerful, and He rules over the affairs of nations. The Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:2–3, NKJV).

On June 2, we ask that pastors would lead their congregations in praying for the President, that Sunday schools and other groups would join together and pray, and that individuals and families across the country would have a special focus on praying for the President that day.

Would you please join us in prayer and tell others so that we can have as many people as possible praying?

Sincerely,

Franklin Graham

Lucifer, the ultimate rebel against everything godly, is perhaps the most brilliant being produced from the holy mind of the Creator. This proud creature wanted and continues to want to supplant the one who created him. He has been about that iniquitous, self-appointed mission since the thought came into his thinking (Isaiah 14:14).

Satan, as he is now called by God, knows Bible prophecy. He believes Bible prophecy–all except the part where it says that he loses in the end.

The devil, as the Bible also refers to him, knows that God cannot lie, that the Creator of all things knows every intimate detail of everything from eternity past into eternity future.

God has said that Satan loses at the end of human history. Yet the ultimate rebel believes he will still come out victorious over the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God of Heaven.

Lucifer the fallen one–who was instrumental in man’s downfall in Eden–is the being that serves as best example of possessing the reprobate mind as outlined by the apostle Paul:

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:28-32)

God’s Word calls Satan the father of lies. The Bible says of unbelievers that they are of their father, the devil. Those who continue to refuse God’s way–belief in Jesus Christ–ultimately suffer from the same insanity their spiritual father suffers–a reprobate mind.

This is a spiritual insanity that cannot discern truth. It is upside-down thinking in which the world as a whole is immersed. This is the reason we are witnessing the insanity in most every area of human endeavor at present. The affliction will one day soon bring all of humanity to the point of annihilation. Only Jesus Christ, Himself, will be able to save humankind (Matthew 24:22).

So Satan, obviously insane, though brilliant in his madness, continues on a course he believes will wrest control of planet earth from God Almighty. He knows and believes Bible prophecy, thus–I surmise–uses Bible prophecy to plot his overthrow of God’s Kingdom.

He doesn’t know, however, the intimate details of how Bible prophecy will play out. He didn’t know, for example, that murdering God’s Son on the cross would result in Christ’s resurrection three days later and that this would be the formula to redeem mankind. Satan played into the Lord’s holy, perfect plan that provides salvation for lost men, women, and children.

The devil, I believe with all that is within me, knows there will come upon earth the final earthly dictator and a one-world-order regime. He has, I think history shows, had a man ready to assume that role of earth’s last and most terrible tyrant on a number of occasions throughout history.

Lucifer the fallen has been working increasingly harder with each succeeding era, with each succeeding generation, to bring about that Antichrist regime outlined in Revelation chapter 13. As we have covered in these commentaries, as have many others in their various forums, the devil has worked tirelessly to bring all nations into configuration ripe for his pawns–the supernatural and the geopolitical human minions–to institute the new world order.

America, as I have tried to point out, is, I believe, the primary national entity that is blocking the rest of the world from falling into line with the satanic blueprint for global order. National sovereignty–national borders–must be erased to accommodate a neo-Babel structure.

Satan cannot foresee the future, but can only try to anticipate with now-perverted supernatural intelligence. He knows–as do we who look at world events and developments through God’s lens of Bible prophecy–that everything seems just right for removing America as that roadblock. The 2020 presidential election presents a clear-cut demarcation between maintaining America’s founding as a sovereign, God-inspired, republic, and bringing the U.S. into the neo-Babel configuration the globalist elites are determined to inflict.

That seems to me the reason we are witnessing an astounding attack upon the  president, who wants to maintain the nation’s constitutional integrity as founded. The assaults, as anyone with any honesty at all will admit, constitute unbelievable rage from every possible quarter. They are absolutely satanic in their ferocity.

Satan knows everything is set up for his big opportunity to at last bring in his kingdom–the kingdom of Antichrist. But, he is full of uncertainty that this is the time Bible prophecy has given for the development of that end-times kingdom given by Daniel the prophet and John the Revelator.

The wicked one is full of anxiety about this election–thus the over-the-top rage as we near the day for voting in this presidential election. He doesn’t want to take any chances. His minions are in full attack mode.

Most who want a return to sanity in our beloved nation are anxious, of course. But, our nervousness don’t compare to the obvious anxiety Satan and his forces are projecting.

The Lord has each of us who are called by His name here, at this volatile yet fascinating time, for His own good purposes. He will finish the work He has started in us, we are promised in His Word.

We as God’s people don’t have to be overly concerned. We are in the mighty hand of the One who knows the outcome of this election, of America’s fate, and of our glorious destiny in Jesus Christ.

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

The one-world order crowd   (the globalists) incessantly push to pressure Israel. The Jewish State must be forced to conform to the globalists’ demand that Israel, for the sake of world peace, give up part of the land it has “illegally occupied” since the Six Day War of 1967.

Globalism, as I constantly harp, is the unrelenting force bent on setting the stage for one world government. Perhaps unwittingly, for most of the globalists elite at least, they are doing their utmost to serve their father’s–the devil’s–primary purpose. That purpose is to set the stage for the prince that shall come, the first beast of Revelation chapter 13.

I heard on a political punditry program some years ago something Bill Bennett, a well-known Washington conservative insider, wrote in his book, which I believe has the title Assassinating the Next President. Bennett apparently wrote that the globalists would, he thought, try to assassinate Donald Trump if he was elected president. According to the talking heads I listened to at the time, Mr. Bennett believed with all that is within his experience and knowledge of these people that they would never give up the power they are forever in the process of gathering to themselves. I have absolutely no doubt that he is correct in his assessment. Everything since the Obama administration came into power has been put, in my view, expertly on the fast track to bringing America into a weakened configuration–thus to bring this nation under total globalist influence. Or, that is, all new world order cylinders were in sync until the candidacy of one Donald J. Trump took off in such an effective fashion.

As anyone with half an attention span should know, the powers that be within the globalist-elite cabal  have literally been foaming at the mouth with rage against the president over the past two and one-half years. The opposition party and its losers, during that time,  have drudged up every bit of muck they can find. This despite the fact that the losing opposition candidate had enough putrid muck encasing her own persona, which would to anyone else bring a prison term. Certainly, her record of nefarious activity should forever prevent her from holding any political office at any level.

But, the mainstream media–the major networks, CNN, and others–have acted  as her and her party’s propaganda mouthpiece. They were her campaign’s free advertising and publicity agents.

Of course, this new world order movement began long before the current president took the reins of government. The point is that things of end-times rearrangements were seeming to be hitting on all sixteen cylinders within the one-world-order machinery. That is, until there was obviously, in my view, Direct Intervention from Heaven.

Despite the fact that even many within the Republican establishment joined the hate-filled anti-Trump minions to force Mr. Trump out of office and to bring one of their chosen to take power, overruling America’s voting public, their plans have thus far been foiled at every juncture. The globalists around the world  continue, none-the-less, to froth at the mouth,  doing anything and everything they can to keep the Trump presidency from succeeding.

Like Mr. Bennett apparently believed, I’m in agreement that the president continues to be in a precarious position. Lucifer’s legions are nothing to take lightly.

This is not to let Trump off scot free. some of His activities and statements in his past are not to be excused. He has publicly apologized, however–something his opponent in the 2016 presidential election has never and will never do for the myriad evil their machine of power-grabbing has churned-up for more than two decades.

Globalism, then, as I have presented from my viewpoint a number of times lately, is what this next presidential election is all about. America and, more importantly, Israel, are at the epicenter of the end-times contractions taking place.

The United States must be diminished so it no longer has the strength to resist those who would tear down national sovereignties. This must be done before that power platform for Antichrist can be established.

Simply put, Israel is at the heart of the hatred Satan harbors in his sin-demented thinking, with which he has now infected the world at large. This is seen by the fact that the vast majority of the nations within the U.N. have at their heads dictators who vote against the Jewish state every time matters involving Israel’s nationhood is brought up for a vote.

This president stands firmly with the Jewish state. However, there is rumblings that the “deal of the century” might include a dividing of Jerusalem and Israel for bringing about the consummation of such a deal. We pray that isn’t the truth of the matter.

The U.S. State Department is, to this point at least, sticking by the long-standing policy of resistance to falling in line with this globalist drive to destroy Israel and establish their power base as forewarned in Psalms chapter 2.

When Israel is finally cajoled or arm-twisted into giving up the land in question, it will indeed be the genesis for history’s most horrific war called Armageddon.

“I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2).

Every presidential election in recent times has been talked about as one of the most crucial in America’s history. The 2020 election season has added to it, however, anxiety among voters the likes of which I can’t recall.

Not everyone is so concerned, of course. Those I’m referring to who are so concerned are those who truly see the nation as on a pathway of rapid decline in most every aspect of society and culture. From the issues of the debauching of morality like instituting same-sex marriage and same-sex public toilet facilities…to a whacked-out leftist opposition party that seems to have thrown the U.S. Constitution out the window of common sensibility…to the deliberate creation of an economic morass that has built to the point that the American people have no idea that they are in a portentous economic predicament their circumstances plainly indicate. intensive fear is building.

There is genuine worry within the heartland of America that we have a government that is no longer recognizable as founded. And, the even greater worry is that this condition has been deliberately brought about by leftist elected leaders and deep-state elitists entrenched within government whose primary concerns is feathering their own personal and political power nests.

Certainly, looking across America’s landscape of the present hour, it isn’t easy to find a glimmer of hope to offer those with these concerns. The cajoling of voters for their votes by the politicians and their great, swelling promises of the campaign stump suddenly disappear when they win elections. They join in or revert to their old Washington ways once put into or returned to office. It would be foolhardy to expect that this election will see accomplished a different result.

Tremendous pressures exerted upon newly elected members of Congress to join the insider network or else be marginalized and rendered ineffectual has been made blatantly observable over the last number of mid-term elections in particular. Once the candidates have been within the D.C. Beltway for a certain period of time, they melt into the system. They seem to disconnect from their constituency until time to get out and shore up their support at home.

The politicians’ promises, almost without exception, fade into the canyons of lost memories, the destination for which they are intended all along by the Washington power brokers. Yet to so many amongst the citizenry, the government has come to demand god-like reverence. The largess that the power brokers provide from cradle to grave has replaced reliance upon provision by the true God of Heaven in the mainstream of life in America–this swiftly taking our nation in the opposite direction intended by the founding fathers.

With the exception of President Donald Trump and others who are trying to bring about governmental sanity, each succeeding election proves again and again that the politicians’ promises were never intended to be kept. Yet we the people continue to place trust in those who, in many cases, have been in those positions of power for decades. It’s a form of insanity, I think–reprobate thinking brought on by our sinful ways and activity. Again, the definition of insanity is trying the same thing time after time to solve problems even though it fails every time.

This brought to mind for this commentary the distinctly defined difference–the contrast–between those promises given by the politicians and the promises made by our God in Heaven.

The same politicians who make us promises election after election and quickly forget them once they’ve been voted in office tell Israel that, in effect, God’s promise to that nation is not valid. Yet while the politicians prove election after election that it is their own promises that are not valid, the God of Heaven, through the very nation of Israel, which is at the heart of so much worldwide anger and controversy, has proven beyond any doubt that He keeps His promises.

He has said that Israel, once established in the land, will never be uprooted again. He said it would be made a nation again in a single day. He said that Israel will never stop being His people. He has kept every promise. We can know therefore, beyond any doubt that while the politicians of this nation and world almost never keep even one promise, the God of the Universe never will break a promise.

That God has said to His people Israel regarding Jerusalem, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)

The Lord has also promised that because the politicians of this world will “divide my land,” He will bring the whole world into the Valley of Jehoshaphat–to Armageddon (Joel 3:2).

That’s why we watch Israel so closely in the observation of the unfolding of history in view of Bible prophecy. Israel is absolute proof of the veracity of God’s Word. He keeps His promises–and Israel is the proof! To apply this to the fear and trepidation that so many Christians are expressing today about the upcoming election and what lies beyond, I urge that we consider our Great, Promise-Keeping God.

He has told us that we will be completely kept out of the time of the soon-to-come era of horror termed the Tribulation–out of His Judgment and Wrath (Revelation 3: 10). He will take the Bride of Christ –the Church– off this condemned planet when all of the troubling signals begin to come to pass (Luke 21: 28).

When God promises, it is as good as accomplished. This promise, I hope you will sense in your spirit as do I, is about to be kept.

 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Song of Solomon talks about the bridegroom (my beloved) coming for His bride (my love, my fair one) after “winter is past” and when “the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell” (SOS 2:10-13). The book of Luke tells us that “the kingdom of God is near at hand” when “the fig tree, and all the trees…shoot forth” and “summer is near at hand” (Luke 21:29-32).

The Season of His Coming

The statement “winter is past” lets us know that summer has probably not yet arrived, while “summer is near at hand” implies that winter has passed, and summer is close, but has not yet arrived. After winter but before summer is a period called “seedtime” in the Bible but is referred to as spring in modern usage. Spring is generally regarded as beginning in the month of March and ending in the month of June, depending upon the calendar system used.

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”  Genesis 8:22

As summer draws near, the first three spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits) have passed, and the fourth feast, Pentecost, is quickly approaching. Christ’s ascension into Heaven was forty days after He rose from the grave on the feast of Firstfruits (resurrection day, traditionally called Easter). The feast of Pentecost, which is ten days after Ascension Day, occurs during the months of May and June each year, and is always fifty days after resurrection day. The anniversary of Christ’s ascension and the feast of Pentecost occur during spring time; after winter but before summer.

Spring is the season when Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of mankind, buried in a borrowed tomb and rose from the grave. His death, burial and resurrection were on the feast days, and He literally fulfilled the first three feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:1-44). Spring is the season when Christ ascended into Heaven and “two men…in white apparel” (angels) standing near, asked the apostles: “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus…shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11). Spring is the season when “the day of Pentecost was fully come,” and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4).

Spring is the season when the bridegroom, in the Song of Solomon, says to his future bride:  “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” (SOS 2:10-13). Spring is the season when “the fig tree putteth forth her green figs,” “her branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves,” “summer is near” and “the kingdom of God is near at hand” (SOS 2:10-13, Mark 13:28-29, Luke 21:29-31). We are told, “when ye shall see all these things,” you are to “know that it (the bridegroom and the kingdom of God) is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:32-33).

Modern-day Israel, sometimes symbolized by the fig tree in the scriptures, was absent from its land for nearly 2000 years before beginning to come back from its dispersion throughout the world (the Diaspora) in the mid 1800s. Then, through several miraculous events, the Jewish people acquired national status (statehood) on May 14, 1948.  Is it coincidental that the season (spring) of Israel’s birth date, over seventy years ago, corresponds with the season in which the fig tree buds, puts forth green leaves and begins to develop green figs? Is it pure happenstance that spring is also the season that the bridegroom comes for His bride, as pictured in the Song of Solomon?

Although no one knows the “day and hour” the Lord will return, will the bridegroom arrive at some future date in the spring to whisk away His ecstatic bride to the ultimate, consummate, wedding ceremony, as hinted at in the Song of Solomon?  Is spring the season, before summer arrives, when the Lord will return to earth, in some future year, to set up His kingdom on earth?

The Lord has not given us concrete evidence of the time of His return; however, spring is the season for new life and new beginnings, and the Lord fulfilled much of His redemption plan for mankind during the spring season. Spring, after winter but before summer, is an important season to be watching!

Is the Day of His Return Approaching?

Although no sign is given in the Scriptures concerning the time of the Lord’s return, some believe Hebrews 10:25 implies that we will be able to see the day of His coming (the rapture) approaching:

“…Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.”

Believers would not be excited to see “the day of the Lord” (judgment) approaching, unless they were confident “the day of redemption” (rapture) would occur before “the day of the Lord” began, and they would not be present here on the earth when “the day of the Lord” was taking place.

That is exactly the scenario set forth by the Apostle Paul (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11), with the “resurrection” and “catching up” of the saints preceding “the day of the Lord,” and both events surprising the unbelievers as “a thief in the night” (Matthew 24:43-44, Rev. 3:3, 16:15; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10).  The description given by the Apostle Paul is also the order of events that we may see emerging today.

Prophecies that will take place during “the day of the Lord” are beginning to assemble themselves on the world stage and cast their shadows backward into today’s news headlines. Anticipation of the approaching rapture of God’s saints seems to be implied in Luke 21:28 as the day of redemption nears: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

The Times and Seasons of His Return

Christ 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. Understanding the mystery of “the times and seasons” of the kingdom’s restoration was not for the apostles to know, but it was to be reserved for and revealed to a future generation. However; Christ called the Pharisees and Scribes hypocrites for not being able to “discern the signs of the times” and for not recognizing “the time of their visitation” (Matthew 16:1-4, Luke 19:41-44).

 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:34,35).

Knowing “the times and seasons” of the Lord’s return is similar to knowing Thanksgiving is near when the merchants start putting up their Christmas decorations. The appearance of Christmas lights and ornaments in the marketplace prior to Christmas, heralds the time and coming of the Christmas season and signals the approach of Christmas day; however, we know that the arrival of the Thanksgiving holidays is even closer than the advent of Christmas day.

In like manner, when we see the prophecies that will take place during “the day of the Lord” beginning to assemble themselves on the world scene, we can know confidently that “the day of redemption” is even closer, and the season for the “catching away” of the ‘bride of Christ” has finally arrived. Christ told us “when these things begin to come to pass,” we are to “look up and lift up your heads,” for the day of our redemption is almost here (Ephesians 4:30, Luke 21:1-28).

Are You Awake or Asleep?

When the Lord returns for His saints, many will be distracted by the daily routines and pleasures of this world and will not be watching the signs that point to His soon return. Jesus told His disciples to be watchful and pray that they be accounted worthy to escape the judgment coming on the earth, for it will happen suddenly, like a trap that closes quickly on its prey.

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34-36).

The Apostle Paul admonished the saints in Rome to “wake up” because the time of their salvation (glorification at the rapture) was closer than when they first believed (justification salvation). The sanctification salvation process, which begins immediately after we confess our sins and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (justification), includes our daily walk with the Lord and is a work in progress until our death or the Lord returns in the air for his saints (glorification).

“…now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and…put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day… and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:11-14).

The guidance given by the Apostle Paul “to awake out of sleep” was an admonition “to set your house in order” and start watching “the signs of the times.” Do not fall asleep spiritually, but stay awake, be alert and pay attention to the signs. Paul’s reason for wanting the saints to wake up was because their salvation (glorification) was getting closer, and they would soon be standing in the presence of the Lord to give an account of their life.

A Thief in the Night

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 Thessalonians 5:4-6, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:3). Those who are “caught up,” or raptured, will receive their glorified body and complete the glorification salvation process (Phil. 3:20-21, 1 Cor. 15:51-58).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14

When the Lord returns in the air for His saints, there will be two categories of people on the earth: the saved and unsaved; also called believers and nonbelievers. All of the nonbelievers will be caught off guard when the Lord returns for His saints “as a thief in the night.” Some of the nonbelievers are also “scoffers” who mock and make fun of those who are watching the gathering signs of the Lord’s return. Even among the believers, there will be those “watching,” “those not watching,” and a few “not watching but scoffing” (2 Peter 3:3-18, Jude 14-19).

“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee” (Rev. 3:3). “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:10-11).

Those who are watching will be “caught up” and will know when the Lord returns. Those who are not watching will be “left behind,’ as when a thief comes unexpectedly and takes the valuable treasure, but leaves behind that which is worthless in value to him

Those “left behind” will not know when “the great theft” takes place, unless they are near believers who are taken, while those “caught up” will immediately “stand before the son of man” and know they have been removed from the earth and have “escaped” the coming judgments (Matt. 24:21, Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:10-11, Rev. 22:12-14).

That is why Jesus and His disciples exhorted the saints over a dozen times to “watch” for the signs of his return and commanded them to “watch” and be “ready” when the “son of man cometh.” Those who are watching will be rewarded for their faithfulness and will receive a “crown of righteousness” given to “all…that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Whatever your priorities may be,  make sure you are ready and not one of those left behind, like the five foolish virgins whose lamps went out, and they lacked oil (Holy Spirit) in their vessels (Matt. 25:1-13).

In the Twinkling of an Eye

When the time of His coming arrives, “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

After laying out the events of the resurrection and rapture, the Apostle Paul states boldly that his brothers in Christ were not in darkness, and the day of the Lord would not include them (children of light and the day) as it would the nonbelievers (children of the night and darkness), who would be overtaken as a thief in the night. Rather, Paul’s brothers in Christ were told to be spiritually awake and to watch and be sober, while continuing to grow in faith and love, knowing they had the hope of salvation.

“But of the times and the seasons (of the resurrection and rapture), brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you…But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day (the day of the Lord) should overtake you as a thief (they would not be part of the day of the Lord).  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober…For God hath not appointed us to wrath (during the day of the Lord), but to obtain salvation (be caught up) by our Lord Jesus Christ…Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thess. 5:1-11).

Paul told his brethren to be comforted and to comfort one another concerning both “the day of redemption” and “the day of the Lord.”  Being comforted and comforting others, knowing “the day of the Lord” was coming, would only make sense if they (Paul’s listeners) knew they were going to be “caught up” (raptured) before “the day of the Lord,” and they were confident and assured they would escape God’s wrath that would be poured out during “the day of the Lord” (Luke 21:34-36, Rev. 3:10).

The evidence is overwhelming that we are living in “the times and seasons” of the Lord’s return, when they (U.S. and other Gentile nations) are saying “peace and security,” in reference to the Israel/Palestinian peace process (1 Thess. 5:1-3). As the day of our redemption draws near, each of us should be asking ourselves: Are we “watching” for the Lord’s return, and will we “be ready” when He returns “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (Luke 21:34-36, 1 Cor. 15:52, Rev. 3:3)?  Don’t be like one of the “foolish virgins” and be left behind. Make your reservation today!