For those who haven't been following my blog regularly, I have been warning lately about the signs of the times. I feel we are reaching a critical mass here in this nation where each individual will have to make decisions for themselves and their families that will determine the rest of their lives, and ultimately, their eternal destination.
Now, before you go calling me a right wing conspiracy theorist (I wouldn't be too insulted by the term, but secretly flattered), let's take a look at the importance of many of these "signs" which are adding up:
Jesus said in Mark 13:37, "What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "
And so it is what I am saying to you and everyone: WATCH!
There will be those who will listen to what I say with a grain of salt (if not outright cynicism), but when the rubber meets the road, perhaps you will reflect on the things I warned about and be sobered up so that you may make a wise decision in time.
Last night, I saw the second half of a very touching true story. The movie was shown on a major network and it was called, "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler" starring Anna Paquin. It was about a young Polish woman who was a social worker. She helped thousands of Jewish children escape the hands of the Nazis. Many children were pulled out of death's grip and put into orphanages and convents, complete with fake names and identities, just in the nick of time...sometimes within HOURS of the Nazi's filling the trains bound for the concentration camps. The scene which struck me to the core was the one where the Jews were just hearing about the news of a new concentration camp, Treblinka, being constructed, but without barracks. It was this kind of camp where there were to be no survivors. It was then that many of them understood the inevitable. But by then, for many, it was too late.
It was common during that time period for people to hear disturbing "news" as it mounted, evidence as to what the Nazis were planning. Many thought those that gave heed to such reports were paranoid. Many intelligent, thinking, well-educated, loving people really believed that those plans had nothing to do with them. Either that, or they thought that the war would be over soon and they would be safe.
My friend, are we making the same mistake in judgement today?
Here on this blog, I have been alluding to evidence that paints a certain future for anyone who adheres to a philosophy of life which the establishment deems threatening. It does not matter who you voted for. It does not matter if you are a conservative or a progressive. There are more stringent consequences if you do adhere to conservative values, as is evidenced by the recent report from the Department of Homeland Security. However, this should come as a warning to ANYONE who does not necessarily want to embrace what is coming down the pike.
On April 1, 2009, less than a month ago, the DHS issued a report on fusion centers. Fusion centers are local entities created for the movement of intelligence across federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The story is they were created to share information on terrorism. However, if you have read the report of the previously mentioned DHS report about the threat of "right wing extremists", then you know that what was meant as an agency for the protection against terrorism can be used for any purpose the government deems necessary. Just like FEMA.
I have taken a little trip around youtube lately and have seen some of the footage about the internment camps and the disposable coffins. They are black plastic coffins. Tens of thousands of them, many being stored on private property throughout the midwest. They are flat on top for easy stacking. More and more reports are popping up baout them on the site because this is something that is hard to ignore. Although not reported in regular news, this story is very newsworthy. People who were interviewed about the coffins have said they were purchased by government agencies. They are indicative of the fact that the government anticipates massive loss of human life in this nation in the near future. That is obvious. But why or for what purpose is a little less clear. Local emergency response personnel have been in communication with the federal government on some of these matters. All the while you have been distracted by Anderson Cooper and his vile comments regarding the tea party protesters as well as his slanted viewpoint on the news. This infuriates me.
I knew about these internment camps 10 years ago. There is even one located within 20 miles of my then-hometown of Modesto. Although I was selective about whom I shared the informaiton with, I was even opposed by members of my family. Perhaps the info I presented did not fit in with their end-time world view? I am not sure. Nothing was ever explained to me. I am sure some of the first "watchmen" during WWII to sound the alarm were opposed by others and ridiculed too. But there was no one laughing or scoffing when peple were being carted away against their will by an insurmountable force known then as the Gestapo. Tragically, the accounts turned out to be true.
You see, not only is there a plan to eradicate the conservatives of our day, there is a global conspiracy to wipe out every Jew and Christian off the face of the earth. It's not my original idea...I wish I could be such a prolific science-fiction writer. Rather, this plan is the truth. It is made evident in the Bible. Genesis chapter 3:15. "I will put enmity between your seed and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel". This is God pronouncing judgement on the serpent (the devil). This is also the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible. The "seed" here, the "he" referred to is the Messsiah. The serpent did indeed bruise the Messiah's heel when Jesus was crucified. But the head of the serpent (the head symbolizing his authority) was crushed by the Messiah. So how does this exhibit a conspiracy theory? It exposes a demonic plan to wipe out a race of people, God's chosen people.
One may look down through time, throughout the centuries and see a pattern of attack and attempted annihilation against the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob- the Jews. They are God's chosen people, the very nation God would use to be a light to the nations, to make God and His ways known to the rest of the world. They were also the people through whom He would send the Messiah who is the living Torah. The living Word of God. Perfect in every way. The one who saves from sin and eternal damnation everyone who puts their trust in Him and forsakes his sin. Therefore, the devil sought on many occasions to wipe out the ones through which this would happen. The enslaved Hebrews in Egypt. The killing of the firstborn of every Hebrew slave. The killing of all babies under 2 years old by King Herod (around the time the Messiah Yeshua was born), the sacking of Israel's capital city, Jerusalem. More than once. The 2 captivities. The Hellenistic oppression and attempted assimilation. The pogroms of Eastern Europe. The ovens of the Nazis. The nations currently surrounding Israel and threatening them if they do not agree to a "2 state solution" thus accepting a covenant of the anti-christ, which he will break in the middle of the term. By the way, have you heard the latest threats of Javier Solana? Who?? The head of the European Union. Check out his power and paper trail at fulfilledprophecy.com.
This devilish conspiracy theory will not be over until the Messiah returns to set up His millenial reign on the earth. Judgement will be pronounced upon Lucifer, the fallen angel, or the devil, as well as on all those nations who have come against God's people Israel and those hwo have taken the mark of the beast. But by then, it will be too late. Too late to make up your mind, for the system of the beast as outlined in Revelation 13:17 will have already been in place. Each man not being able to buy or sell anything lest he have the mark of the beast or the number of his name. You will be forced to make a decision by then. The Bible says that those who take the mark (either in their hand or forehead) will be worshipping the beast aligning themselves with him (and the devil who is controlling him) forever more. The scriptures clearly state that those who do so will spend eternity in the place called Hades (hell) where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. For those people who accepted not God's provision for the atonement of their sin, His son Jesus the Christ. There will be no repentance after that final act of taking the mark. And the Lord will then pour out His wrath on the earth and upon all those who have taken the mark of the beast. God's mercy and patience are extended until then. You may repent of your sin and accept the free gift of Messiah's blood to purchase your redemption until then. After that, it will be too late.
The warning judgements have already started. The coming shaking of everything that can be shaken is but birth pains of an extremely tumultuous time, a time uparallelled by any other time, the Bible says. The time of Jacob's trouble. The gospel is being preached to the uttermost parts of the earth. Man sees God's invisible nature and His glory in His creation (as it says in Romans chapter 1), so that man is without excuse. But our nation, America, is being handed over for judgement. God has turned us over to a reprobate mind. Just as the scriptures prophecied about these days we now live in, men do indeed call what is good "evil" and what is evil "good". And lawlessness (Torahlessness) abounds. Only those who repent now- only those who are stirred to repentance and faith, following the Lamb of God who was slain before the foundation of the world, even if it means giving up their very lives, will be saved. Exclusive? Yeah! But I didn't say it. God did. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me." (John 14:6).
Not Jesus and Buddah. Not Jesus and Mohammed. Not Jesus and your idolatry. Not Jesus and your tolernance of sin. (Remember- He is the One who said "if your eye causes you to sin, gauge it out".) Not Jesus and your ungodliness. Not Jesus and your popular world-view. Just Him. Salvation is free. But you were very expensive. And if you follow Him, you are no longer your own. For you were bought with a blood-price.
Pre-Trib, Post Trib, or Pan-Trib?
I have some friends who joke and say that they are "Pan-tribbers.....no matter what happens, it will all 'pan out in the end'". A nod to the fact that God soverignly holds all circumstances in His hand. Which is true. I myself used to hold to a "Pre-trib Rapture" theory. Until recently.
The Rapture is when the Bible describes the event of the "dead in Christ shall rise first, then those of us who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them and meet the Lord in the air and then will we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
I do believe in a rapture. (I believe in one resurrection as the First covenant talks of: the righteous will be raised to everlasting life, the unrighteous to everlasting condemnation. Daniel 12:2). However, I do not any longer believe the rapture will come before "Daniel's seventieth week". There is no phrase in the bible that calls this time period "the Great Tribulation". There is the phrase "immediately after the distress of those days" (Matthew 24:29) , but it is descriptive of the events described next in the passage, not a completely separate dispensation. The teaching of the Great Tribulation of 7 years and that all those who have put their trust in Christ being raptured out of the earth before tribulation comes, I do not believe there is substantial supportive evidence to support from the Hebrew perspective.
Now, I must note that this is not really a foundational issue. It is not an issue of salvation by grace only through Yeshua which is essential Christian doctrine. Therefore, we as believers can agree to disagree and not break fellowship over it. However, for the sake of practicalities and the decisions to be made in the near future concerning believers, concerning the changing world view amongst many evangelicals today, and concerning the deception that is coming and which is indeed already here, I think it is important to note.
I used to sit in prophecy conferences and hear the scenario being described of how the saints were going to be raptured before what they termed the "Great Tribulation". I read Hal Lindsey's books. But nothing about the picture they were painting seemd to settle in an orderly, peaceful way in my spirit or my mind. Quite frankly, I was confused. Now, I know they have movies and fictional books to help paint this scenario, and I know MOST of the proponents of said theory are godly, intelligent, respectable men (I love Hal Lindsey! He is a godly man and a lover of Israel...I just don't come to the same conclusions he does). However, I disagree with the way they view scripture. Conversely, when I began studying the scriptures in the Hebrew context (in which they were given), and listening to Messianic Jewish teachers who taught on prophecy, combining scripture form Old and New testaments and rightly dividing the Word of Truth within a Hebrew context, I began sensing a peace deep within and an orderliness to the end-time scenario. Besides, the fruit I was seeing from the "pre-trib rapture" teaching was not good. I saw an arrogant attitude, whether inadvertent or not, from saints who clung tightly to this idea that we were not going to experience any judgement. God is a God of mercy and He has not appointed us unto wrath. Which I agree He has not appointed us unto wrath (all true followers), however, I believe God's judgement is His mercy, that He doesn't stop being one to be the other. Moreover, Jesus was warning His followers, His disciples of the distress that was to come in those days (Matthew 24 and 25). He warned us so that we would not fall away. Why would He need to do that if we were not going to experience any of it? He even warned His followers what to do when "you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation' spoken through the prophet Daniel....." (which is a reference to when the anti-christ will set himself up in the Temple in Jerusalem as God),...then He gives His followers instructions. (see Matthew 24:16).
A Hint In the Passover
Remember the plagues of Exodus? The plagues were not directed to the Hebrews, as was evidenced in the fact that the Egyptians suffered, and many times they were unouched by them. But they were affected by them for sure. The Nile turning to blood, for instance. Althought the Hebrews lived in the Land of Goshen, they still got their water form the Nile, the source of all water in the region. And so they did experience some inconvenience. But they did not receive the brunt of God's wrath. And they had the blood of God's Passover Lamb to protect them from death, foreshadowing the Messiah, who is the Passover Lamb and the second death, eternal damnation, respectively. And so too, I believe we will be spared much in the days to come, if we obey the Lord. But we will be inconvenienced. And it will be "as in the days of Noah...and Lot's wife". The righteous taken out of the way immediately before God's wrath is poured out.
There is not enough room to go into the immense detail of this theory here. (That and my son needs to wake up from his nap!) However, the seeker who wants to delve further may contact me personally if you would like the appropriate resources. If the Lord wills and I have the means to oblige at the time, I would be happy to do so.
There is no way that one can know ALL of the aspects of the end times or what to look out for and what to chuck away as happenstance, especially as world events quicken at a rapid pace. But I do know I have been given a glimpse into how the Lord wants us to be watchful for when He comes. Some of that watching may require action.
After all, I am sure that if the Jews of Hitler's era (may his name be blotted out!) were to act on the things they were seeing, perhaps their outcome and the outcome for their families may have been different.
**
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Poor in Spirit
Lately I have been ministered to by the Word, specifically the truths Jesus explained in the passage Matthew 5:1-10 known as the "Beatitudes". As I read this passage, a couple of things dawn on me: number one, In verse 1 it says "...when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down". The phrase "sat down" is not necessary to the passage and so it causes the reader to say, "Hmm. I wonder why it says Jesus sat down?" In the Hebrew way of studying the scriptures, this little clue is called a "remez" and it is put there so the ardent student will dig deeper.
Why was it necessary to say he sat down? Oftentimes, the text itself in the Bible will paint a wonderful picture. Here we have Jesus rising above the crowd, about to speak of some circumstances which the hearer may not think are ideal (such as being persecuted). The fact that he sat down indicates rest, but it also is a picture for us of God sitting on His throne in Heaven- reigning, sovereign and Supreme over all circumstances which could happen to us here on the earth. This is a beautiful and loving picture our Heavenly Father has given to every follower of Yeshua, to know that when we go through trials of many kinds in this life, and we decide to go through it rejoicing in Him, that God is ultimately in control, no matter what man may do to us and He is awaiting us, on the mountaintop, or rather in Heaven to reward us for our faithfulness. After all, Jesus said that if we give a cup of water to a child in his name, we will not lose our reward in Heaven. This begs the question...."If a cup of cold water, how much more so our very lives?"
Number two: I notice about this passage in Matthew that this seems to be a passage contained in itself- in other words, Jesus begins the Beatitudes with a phrase and ends the Beatitudes with the same exact phrase. In verse 3 it says:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
And then again at the end, a similar phrase:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Notice that the phrase "For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven" tends to act as a door on each side of the passage. That is another hint to dig deeper. Deeper where?? Deeper into the content on the inside of the doors! In other words, Jesus seems to be indicating that the truths contained within this passage are very important to fulfilling one's role as his follower.
This is what the Lord has been showing me lately: the first Beatitude is of utmost importance if you want to follow the Messiah. Let's look at it again:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingom of heaven.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Is it like being poor materially? The word for spirit here is the Greek word pneuma. It means wind, or breath, but it also means things which are perceived as having no material substance, things such as spirit, heart, mind, the inner things of man which are also created in the image of God. But to be poor in spirit, one is emptied out of self, emptied out of one's own glory. As it is written in Phillipians 2:6 about Jesus, "Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, bing made in human likeness". (emphasis mine)
Jesus is our example of being poor in spirit. He emptied himself out of himself in a way. He took the nature of a servant. He was not prideful. As a follower of Christ, we are called to do the same every day of our lives.
To be poor in spirit means to not esteem yourself higher than you ought. It means I esteem others higher than myself, rather than try to pump myself up, oftentimes using exaggeration (which the Bible calls lying) in order to do so. Just as a beggar is poor of material wealth, the poor in spirit are lacking in their own importance, their own agenda, a sense of their own rights or the need to defend those rights. They have nothing of worth which the Lord has not given them.
Being poor in spirit also means being thankful in all circumstances. Actually thanking God for those circumstances! Wait a minute! You mean even when others (my spouse perhaps?) are treating me unfairly? Yep. That is exactly what I mean.
There is a story told by Corrie ten Boom in her book "The Hiding Place" of when she and her sister were in the Nazi concentration camps. They lived in a crowded barracks. Corrie was tempted to complain and be unthankful for being in such a dismal place. Her sister, however, encouraged her to be thankful. "Even for the lice?" Corrie asked her sister. "Even for the lice", her sister replied. As the days wore on, the two women were sharing the Lord with the other women in their barracks and even holding prayer meetings and worship times with singing. They noticed that the guards let them carry on, not entering the barracks to interrupt this special time with the Lord. They later found out why the guards did not enter those barrack- the guards were avoiding the lice, the very adverse circumstance Corrie had thanked God for!
Seeking to become poor in spirit has been a hard-hitting teaching for me. For don't you know that when God deposits truth into us, He often then sends a trial to test that truth and to see if it has stuck? I mean, I get angry if I am inconvenienced at the grocery store!! I have so far to go...and I am painfully aware of how much I am in need of His grace to do this. When I hit bottom in the realization that I have nothing...nothing of myself to offer to Him that is of any value...then and only then I think I will have just started to hit the tip of the iceberg of what it means to be "poor in spirit".
Right now I would just like to share a couple of stories that are examples to me of Christians, real flesh and blood people, who are poor in spirit, who are emptied out of themselves so that they may be filled with the grace of God to abound to others who need to know Him.
The first story a friend was telling me today at lunch. It is not a long story, but rather a description: 2 missionaries to a foreign country. They wanted to reach a certain group of people and share the gospel with them. They both sold themselves into slavery to these people, forsaking their family members and their friends, not knowing if they would ever see their loved ones again. Not knowing of whether or not their new masters would be merciful to them, or harsh. I said to myself : These people are the real deal!! They did not think it below them to do such a thing. They were truly slaves for Jesus the Messiah.
This reminded me of another missionary story I heard some years ago: a young girl (of which nationality, I do not remember), a follower of the Messiah, was placed in a horrible prison. Her cell was tiny. It was dank and oppressive. There was no latrine and so all the prisoners, each in their own cells, had to "go" on the floor and live in the filth. The prison guards would come by every few days to clean out the cells. Knowing that these guards did not want to do this, and seeing a possible opportunity to both share the gospel with the inmates and be a light to the guards, she offered to go and do the dirty job. The clincher: she had no tools with which to scoop- only her hands. And as she would reach her hands into the dark cells and scoop the excrement, she would whisper to the prisoner, "I know of a better Way...."
Does this story make you well up with tears? It does me. Does it do it for the right reasons, though? It brings me to my knees. It makes me cry out to God from the painful pit in my stomach and the knowledge that I claim to be a follower of the Messiah, and yet I know I do not have the inner substance this young girl had. But I want it. The flesh hates what I am about to write....but my spirit is so excited....I want what this young follower of Messiah has. I am hungry to know what it is like to be "poor in spirit".
I think perhaps the days might be coming soon, possibly during times of great persecution, when I will have the opportunity to be conformed to this aspect of the image of the Messiah,
"...who for the joy set before him endured the cross..." Hebrews 12:2.
**
Why was it necessary to say he sat down? Oftentimes, the text itself in the Bible will paint a wonderful picture. Here we have Jesus rising above the crowd, about to speak of some circumstances which the hearer may not think are ideal (such as being persecuted). The fact that he sat down indicates rest, but it also is a picture for us of God sitting on His throne in Heaven- reigning, sovereign and Supreme over all circumstances which could happen to us here on the earth. This is a beautiful and loving picture our Heavenly Father has given to every follower of Yeshua, to know that when we go through trials of many kinds in this life, and we decide to go through it rejoicing in Him, that God is ultimately in control, no matter what man may do to us and He is awaiting us, on the mountaintop, or rather in Heaven to reward us for our faithfulness. After all, Jesus said that if we give a cup of water to a child in his name, we will not lose our reward in Heaven. This begs the question...."If a cup of cold water, how much more so our very lives?"
Number two: I notice about this passage in Matthew that this seems to be a passage contained in itself- in other words, Jesus begins the Beatitudes with a phrase and ends the Beatitudes with the same exact phrase. In verse 3 it says:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
And then again at the end, a similar phrase:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Notice that the phrase "For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven" tends to act as a door on each side of the passage. That is another hint to dig deeper. Deeper where?? Deeper into the content on the inside of the doors! In other words, Jesus seems to be indicating that the truths contained within this passage are very important to fulfilling one's role as his follower.
This is what the Lord has been showing me lately: the first Beatitude is of utmost importance if you want to follow the Messiah. Let's look at it again:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingom of heaven.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? Is it like being poor materially? The word for spirit here is the Greek word pneuma. It means wind, or breath, but it also means things which are perceived as having no material substance, things such as spirit, heart, mind, the inner things of man which are also created in the image of God. But to be poor in spirit, one is emptied out of self, emptied out of one's own glory. As it is written in Phillipians 2:6 about Jesus, "Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, bing made in human likeness". (emphasis mine)
Jesus is our example of being poor in spirit. He emptied himself out of himself in a way. He took the nature of a servant. He was not prideful. As a follower of Christ, we are called to do the same every day of our lives.
To be poor in spirit means to not esteem yourself higher than you ought. It means I esteem others higher than myself, rather than try to pump myself up, oftentimes using exaggeration (which the Bible calls lying) in order to do so. Just as a beggar is poor of material wealth, the poor in spirit are lacking in their own importance, their own agenda, a sense of their own rights or the need to defend those rights. They have nothing of worth which the Lord has not given them.
Being poor in spirit also means being thankful in all circumstances. Actually thanking God for those circumstances! Wait a minute! You mean even when others (my spouse perhaps?) are treating me unfairly? Yep. That is exactly what I mean.
There is a story told by Corrie ten Boom in her book "The Hiding Place" of when she and her sister were in the Nazi concentration camps. They lived in a crowded barracks. Corrie was tempted to complain and be unthankful for being in such a dismal place. Her sister, however, encouraged her to be thankful. "Even for the lice?" Corrie asked her sister. "Even for the lice", her sister replied. As the days wore on, the two women were sharing the Lord with the other women in their barracks and even holding prayer meetings and worship times with singing. They noticed that the guards let them carry on, not entering the barracks to interrupt this special time with the Lord. They later found out why the guards did not enter those barrack- the guards were avoiding the lice, the very adverse circumstance Corrie had thanked God for!
Seeking to become poor in spirit has been a hard-hitting teaching for me. For don't you know that when God deposits truth into us, He often then sends a trial to test that truth and to see if it has stuck? I mean, I get angry if I am inconvenienced at the grocery store!! I have so far to go...and I am painfully aware of how much I am in need of His grace to do this. When I hit bottom in the realization that I have nothing...nothing of myself to offer to Him that is of any value...then and only then I think I will have just started to hit the tip of the iceberg of what it means to be "poor in spirit".
Right now I would just like to share a couple of stories that are examples to me of Christians, real flesh and blood people, who are poor in spirit, who are emptied out of themselves so that they may be filled with the grace of God to abound to others who need to know Him.
The first story a friend was telling me today at lunch. It is not a long story, but rather a description: 2 missionaries to a foreign country. They wanted to reach a certain group of people and share the gospel with them. They both sold themselves into slavery to these people, forsaking their family members and their friends, not knowing if they would ever see their loved ones again. Not knowing of whether or not their new masters would be merciful to them, or harsh. I said to myself : These people are the real deal!! They did not think it below them to do such a thing. They were truly slaves for Jesus the Messiah.
This reminded me of another missionary story I heard some years ago: a young girl (of which nationality, I do not remember), a follower of the Messiah, was placed in a horrible prison. Her cell was tiny. It was dank and oppressive. There was no latrine and so all the prisoners, each in their own cells, had to "go" on the floor and live in the filth. The prison guards would come by every few days to clean out the cells. Knowing that these guards did not want to do this, and seeing a possible opportunity to both share the gospel with the inmates and be a light to the guards, she offered to go and do the dirty job. The clincher: she had no tools with which to scoop- only her hands. And as she would reach her hands into the dark cells and scoop the excrement, she would whisper to the prisoner, "I know of a better Way...."
Does this story make you well up with tears? It does me. Does it do it for the right reasons, though? It brings me to my knees. It makes me cry out to God from the painful pit in my stomach and the knowledge that I claim to be a follower of the Messiah, and yet I know I do not have the inner substance this young girl had. But I want it. The flesh hates what I am about to write....but my spirit is so excited....I want what this young follower of Messiah has. I am hungry to know what it is like to be "poor in spirit".
I think perhaps the days might be coming soon, possibly during times of great persecution, when I will have the opportunity to be conformed to this aspect of the image of the Messiah,
"...who for the joy set before him endured the cross..." Hebrews 12:2.
**
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bye Bye Capitalism! Hello Beast.....
I stand in my bathroom staring at items from antiquity- items of nostalgic pop culture documenting, by virtue of their existence, a by-gone era. Little did I know these relics- framed pictures of advertisements from the 1940's for Campbell's Tomato Soup and Life Savers, a sewing tin advertising Singer Sewing Machines- would ironically have such significance now when everything about the very free-enterprise system which allowed for such ingenuity would soon be a thing of the past.
We can say farewell to the economic system built by our forefathers for a free and independant people. In an unprecedented move, on April 2, 2009, Obama quietly agreed to put our capitalist system under the control of Europe via a radical document that calls for a global economic union. The foundation is being laid for a world economic system which will be taken over and controlled in the future by the anti-christ.
My friends, wake up to the signs of the times. We are being ABSORBED.
As I write this, possibly hundreds of thousands are gathering in protest to their govenrnment. Dubbed as "tea parties", this tax day, 2009, both Republicans and Democrats alike, and everyone in between are assembling in opposition to the radical moves the new president has made to spend billions of tax payers' dollars in trying to "save" the system, which also includes increasing the size and scope of government. But don't be fooled...he has planned this intentionally since his community-organizing days. It is a tenet of a socialist government. And he intends to be the dictator at the helm. Making it look like it is what is best for the American people, he breathes platitudes to the masses. But the gap between what Obama says and what he does is astounding. It is time to start examining the actions of this government in light of a scriptural world-view, rather than blindly hoping in its promises.
Because of his recent motions, no longer will the people of these United States of America have the right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness. But rather, your money and my money is going to pay for abortions (including late term) domestically as well as internationally, our money is going to pay for a government that is going out of its bounds in scope as established by the Constitution of the Unites States of America, the very document Obama swore with uplifted hand to protect, so-help-him-God. Since the governement (and any other entity they align themselves with...European Union?) controls the purse strings, they control the people.
We can expect to see deep division in our nation over these and similar issues, we can expect to see more intrusive government into our personal lives and affairs, and persecution by the governement of all those in opposition to the government. Hello? Free speech? Freedom of protest? They have an antidote for that too... called Homeland Security....
Read the latest from the director of homeland security? The govenrnment is on the look-out for "radical right wing extremists" who hold to such ideals as conservative Christian values, the traditional definition of marriage, and life for the unborn. Their tale-tell signs? The govenment is watching out for our BUMPER STICKERS(!) of all things.....and they have designs as to what to do with such dissidents.....please read my previous posts about the power given to the executive branch of government and FEMA, even during a "perceived crisis". Click here to read about the recent statement by homeland security: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94803
Do these things shock and surprise you? They shouldn't. We were foretold about this thousands of years ago when God was speaking through His prophets. Many Bible scholars today postulate as to why America is not mentioned anywhere in scripture. The end time scenario doesn't allow for a soverign independant nation whose ideals and principles are based on God and His Word..the concepts held dear in Judeo-Christian principles. No, but we do have an end-time picture in Revelation as well as Daniel of a massive "beast" who appears to be an amalgammation of many different parts. Ten horns and seven heads is the account in Revelation. This system is both political as well as religious (and we can therefore conclude cultural). And where are the faithful followers of the Messiah? This beast system is GIVEN power over all peoples on the face of the earth. See Revelation 13:1 and also Revelation 13:7 where this beast was given power to make "war with the saints and to conquer them". Are we nearing this picture even now? Perhaps we should give a balanced view to potential converts to Christianity of ALL that may be required of them when we present the gospel message? Many followers had their lives required of them~ most of the disciples were martyred. Many considered it a JOY to die for their Lord. "Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned, they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword... the world was not worthy of them" (Hebrews 11:36-38).
Again, I submit to the reader, with the recent events of the economic collapse and the recent signing over of our free capitalist enterprise to a European power which-forget what I think about it- but itself thinks it is the revived Roman Empire that we are indeed nearing more and more the trying last days before the return of the Messiah. Jesus told us to watch. He told us to let no man deceive us. He told us to not run after those claiming to be "the Christ" in Hebrew "anointed one", whether they be politician or clergyman. But to be faithful until He comes. Will we be willing to die daily to our own desires, yea, even our own politics and Christian end-time world views in order to be obedient and faithful only unto Him and His Word, His Commandments and decrees?- not taking what this world system has to offer us, even if it means giving up our very lives?
If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints. Revelation 13:10.
Expect the tightening grip of this world system and the cultural pressure to embrace it to become increasingly up close and personal. Some of you may even be persecuted and turned in by members of your own family..."Christian" members.
Please do not misunerstand me...I am not proposing a political agenda. I do not have designs to raise up a revolution of the flesh. Just as in the days of Jesus, there will be those who will be a part of such things. We must be wise as serpents in the coming days and be thoughtful about whom we align ourselves with. What I am interested in is in preparing myself and the saints of God for what is to come...and shortly. My interest is in waking the followers of Messiah Yeshua from their slumber and to see with clarity the big picture, to forsake all sins of the flesh- ungodliness, idolatry, pride. To live is Messiah. To die is gain. Shouldn't we be practicing everyday by dying to self and living according to His decrees? May you be blessed with the wisdom, knowledge, and the patiently-enduring faithfulness which we will be called upon to exhibit in the near future.
To see the above referenced article on the ageement Obama made at the G-20 summit, click on the following link...and prepare yourself to be amazed....
http://watchmannewsletter.typepad.com/news/2009/04/obama-agrees-to-outsource-capitalism-to-european-socialists.html
**
We can say farewell to the economic system built by our forefathers for a free and independant people. In an unprecedented move, on April 2, 2009, Obama quietly agreed to put our capitalist system under the control of Europe via a radical document that calls for a global economic union. The foundation is being laid for a world economic system which will be taken over and controlled in the future by the anti-christ.
My friends, wake up to the signs of the times. We are being ABSORBED.
As I write this, possibly hundreds of thousands are gathering in protest to their govenrnment. Dubbed as "tea parties", this tax day, 2009, both Republicans and Democrats alike, and everyone in between are assembling in opposition to the radical moves the new president has made to spend billions of tax payers' dollars in trying to "save" the system, which also includes increasing the size and scope of government. But don't be fooled...he has planned this intentionally since his community-organizing days. It is a tenet of a socialist government. And he intends to be the dictator at the helm. Making it look like it is what is best for the American people, he breathes platitudes to the masses. But the gap between what Obama says and what he does is astounding. It is time to start examining the actions of this government in light of a scriptural world-view, rather than blindly hoping in its promises.
Because of his recent motions, no longer will the people of these United States of America have the right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness. But rather, your money and my money is going to pay for abortions (including late term) domestically as well as internationally, our money is going to pay for a government that is going out of its bounds in scope as established by the Constitution of the Unites States of America, the very document Obama swore with uplifted hand to protect, so-help-him-God. Since the governement (and any other entity they align themselves with...European Union?) controls the purse strings, they control the people.
We can expect to see deep division in our nation over these and similar issues, we can expect to see more intrusive government into our personal lives and affairs, and persecution by the governement of all those in opposition to the government. Hello? Free speech? Freedom of protest? They have an antidote for that too... called Homeland Security....
Read the latest from the director of homeland security? The govenrnment is on the look-out for "radical right wing extremists" who hold to such ideals as conservative Christian values, the traditional definition of marriage, and life for the unborn. Their tale-tell signs? The govenment is watching out for our BUMPER STICKERS(!) of all things.....and they have designs as to what to do with such dissidents.....please read my previous posts about the power given to the executive branch of government and FEMA, even during a "perceived crisis". Click here to read about the recent statement by homeland security: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94803
Do these things shock and surprise you? They shouldn't. We were foretold about this thousands of years ago when God was speaking through His prophets. Many Bible scholars today postulate as to why America is not mentioned anywhere in scripture. The end time scenario doesn't allow for a soverign independant nation whose ideals and principles are based on God and His Word..the concepts held dear in Judeo-Christian principles. No, but we do have an end-time picture in Revelation as well as Daniel of a massive "beast" who appears to be an amalgammation of many different parts. Ten horns and seven heads is the account in Revelation. This system is both political as well as religious (and we can therefore conclude cultural). And where are the faithful followers of the Messiah? This beast system is GIVEN power over all peoples on the face of the earth. See Revelation 13:1 and also Revelation 13:7 where this beast was given power to make "war with the saints and to conquer them". Are we nearing this picture even now? Perhaps we should give a balanced view to potential converts to Christianity of ALL that may be required of them when we present the gospel message? Many followers had their lives required of them~ most of the disciples were martyred. Many considered it a JOY to die for their Lord. "Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned, they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword... the world was not worthy of them" (Hebrews 11:36-38).
Again, I submit to the reader, with the recent events of the economic collapse and the recent signing over of our free capitalist enterprise to a European power which-forget what I think about it- but itself thinks it is the revived Roman Empire that we are indeed nearing more and more the trying last days before the return of the Messiah. Jesus told us to watch. He told us to let no man deceive us. He told us to not run after those claiming to be "the Christ" in Hebrew "anointed one", whether they be politician or clergyman. But to be faithful until He comes. Will we be willing to die daily to our own desires, yea, even our own politics and Christian end-time world views in order to be obedient and faithful only unto Him and His Word, His Commandments and decrees?- not taking what this world system has to offer us, even if it means giving up our very lives?
If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints. Revelation 13:10.
Expect the tightening grip of this world system and the cultural pressure to embrace it to become increasingly up close and personal. Some of you may even be persecuted and turned in by members of your own family..."Christian" members.
Please do not misunerstand me...I am not proposing a political agenda. I do not have designs to raise up a revolution of the flesh. Just as in the days of Jesus, there will be those who will be a part of such things. We must be wise as serpents in the coming days and be thoughtful about whom we align ourselves with. What I am interested in is in preparing myself and the saints of God for what is to come...and shortly. My interest is in waking the followers of Messiah Yeshua from their slumber and to see with clarity the big picture, to forsake all sins of the flesh- ungodliness, idolatry, pride. To live is Messiah. To die is gain. Shouldn't we be practicing everyday by dying to self and living according to His decrees? May you be blessed with the wisdom, knowledge, and the patiently-enduring faithfulness which we will be called upon to exhibit in the near future.
To see the above referenced article on the ageement Obama made at the G-20 summit, click on the following link...and prepare yourself to be amazed....
http://watchmannewsletter.typepad.com/news/2009/04/obama-agrees-to-outsource-capitalism-to-european-socialists.html
**
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