Is God Beginning to Make His Move?

PADANG, Indonesia - A powerful earthquake rocked western Indonesia Wednesday, trapping thousands under collapsed buildings — including two hospitals — and triggering landslides. At least 75 people were killed on Sumatra island and the death toll was expected to climb sharply.....

APIA, Samoa - A massive tsunami hurled by a powerful earthquake flattened Samoan villages and swept cars and people out to sea, killing at least 99 and leaving dozens missing Wednesday. The toll was expected to rise.

Survivors fled the fast-churning water for higher ground on the South Pacific islands and remained huddled there hours after the quake, with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3, struck around dawn Tuesday.... --- Internet news releases on September 30, 2009

Two days in a row deadly earthquakes have struck in the Pacific area of our world. There has been loss of life with the death tolls expected to increase. Property damage will be extensive as well. We have been having earthquakes and tsunamis for a time. A number do not grab news headlines because little damage is done and injuries to humans are minor in scope.

But when the big ones hit, then the whole world sits up and takes notice. Perhaps it is time to ask a question that is bound to trigger vehement denials as well as a measure of elevation in the blood pressure readings of some persons – especially those who do not want to face the distinct possibility of the reason behind these literal earth shaking events!

The question is this – is Almighty God beginning to make His move? Yes, it is risky to entertain such a thought and worse to make it known publicly. This is not intended to make a “prediction” or set a time table as to when God is going to do what.

We do have considerable witness in Scripture as to some things to expect in the final stages of human history before Jesus Christ makes His return visit to this world. Everything is rather negative as to the unfolding of events, including mention of earthquakes. While earthquakes have been around for a long time there is the record that the frequency is picking up as time passes. Some have described it in this way -- that the earth's crust is like Jello and is now constantly quivering somewhere around the clock.

God does indicate that there will be a time when He is going to shake this world in a way such as never before. And when that happens there will be no “emergency” United Nations sessions – no world leaders addressing the U. N. Security Council as to what should be done – the whole gang will be on the run trying to save their own skins! See how Isaiah graphically describes it:

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, but the idols He shall utterly abolish. They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which they made, each for himself to worship, to the moles and bats, to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the crags of the rugged rocks, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. --- Isaiah 2:17-21

The subject is further discussed later in the prophet’s writings as he details why things have come to the point of world wide destruction – massive rebellion against the Creator of the universe always results in a devastating response:

The earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut; its transgression shall be heavy upon it, and it will fall, and not rise again. It shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, and on the earth the kings of the earth. --- Isaiah 24:19-21

Note earlier in Isaiah 24 that three distinct things are mentioned as to why God is doing the things that He is – that is, literally shaking the world such as never before – it is said in verse 5 “The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant.”

There is absolutely no hope when there is mass agreement to defy God’s laws, attempt to alter His ordinances, and reject His covenant established through His own Son, Jesus Christ. But that is what the majority of the human race is determined to do!

So, is God beginning to make His move? What say YOU?

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 24:6-8

OK, Who Wants to Go First?

UNITED NATIONS - With President Barack Obama presiding over a historic session, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a U.S.-drafted resolution Thursday aimed at ridding the world of nuclear weapons. --- News release, September 23, 2009 from New York

It most likely will be noted in future textbooks on world history due to being only the fifth time that the U. N. Security Council met at summit level since the United Nations was put together in 1945. Barack Obama was the first American president to preside over a Security Council summit. One has to wonder what political shenanigans and arm twisting took place behind the scenes to bring that about. With all his pride and arrogance that seems to increase with each public appearance President Obama declared, “The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to a goal of a world without nuclear weapons, and it brings Security Council agreement on a broad framework for action to reduce nuclear dangers as we work toward that goal."

Now the big question in pursuit of this goal of a “world without nuclear weapons” is simply this – who will be the first to lead the way? Which nation will announce through its leadership (president, prime minister, king, queen, or 2-bit dictator) “We have a cache of nuclear weapons and we are going to dispose of them promptly – send your representatives to witness this historic moment!”

Hearken, what’s that I hear? Why it's a bunch of loud footsteps -- almost like a stampede, indicating people in high and powerful places rushing to the door to line up and say, “We want to be first, and if we can’t be first, we’ll be second in line!”

Yes, I admit it – once in a while I’ll entertain a fantasy and when it comes to the granddaddy of all granddaddies in a fantasy world, this one on universal nuclear disarmament takes the grand prize. Maybe Obama has been puffing on the wrong peace pipe and wasn’t aware of what was put in it!

Recently I posted a commentary on the G-20 summit taking place in Pittsburgh PA. In that it was noted that the major problem is the fact that those who are in positions of leadership in nations around the world are in the main unregenerate in heart and mind. That means spiritual blindness regarding who God is and what God expects of us individually and collectively. Another negative associated with this condition is selfishness and suspicion of others.

The foremost Authority on human behavior and relationships pinpointed the reason for conflicts that escalate from small circumstances to whole territories and nations. Here’s how He said it, and it certainly beats any diagnosis of a psychologist or psychiatrist:

And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." --- Jesus Christ speaking in Mark 7:20-23

So, if and when this thing of pursuing a “world without nuclear weapons” should come to pass and in light of the above statement on human nature, it will likely go something like this – “I’ll get rid of my nukes, but you have to get rid of yours first!” Maybe Obama with his super inflated ego can broker the deals on this and set a noble example by having the United States go first.

But not only did Jesus, the foremost Authority on human behavior, pinpoint the root of all human problems, but He also pulled back the curtain a bit and gave us a view as to what to expect in the future – it’s not very pretty. Here’s what He said:

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” --- Matthew 24:4-13

The book of the Revelation goes into graphic detail as the human race comes down the final stretch of history as we presently experience it. It becomes painfully obvious that nobody was willing to go first and get rid of his nukes and so everybody tenaciously hung on to what he had. Further, it is likely the number of weapons will be steadily increased because we can’t “trust those other people!”

Don’t hold your breath in the midst of the fancy rhetoric now taking place until someone says, “I’ll go first and here are all my nukes – see, I’m dumping them all into the garbage can!”

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. --- James 4:1-4

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" --- Revelation 11:15

G-20 = Chaos and More!

President Barack Obama is pushing the Group of 20 leading industrial nations to make sweeping changes in how they run their economies. --- news release on President Obama’s plan to tell other nations what to do!

Pittsburgh PA will be the scene of all kinds of activity as it hosts the famous (or is it more appropriate to use the word “infamous”) G-20 Summit later this week.

“G-20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The European Union, who is represented by the rotating Council presidency and the European Central Bank, is the 20th member of the G-20. To ensure global economic fora and institutions work together, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank, plus the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank, also participate in G-20 meetings on an ex-officio basis. The G-20 thus brings together important industrial and emerging-market countries from all regions of the world. Together, member countries represent around 90 per cent of global gross national product, 80 per cent of world trade (including EU intra-trade) as well as two-thirds of the world's population. The G-20's economic weight and broad membership gives it a high degree of legitimacy and influence over the management of the global economy and financial system.” --- Source: G-20 web site at http://www.g20.org

What can be said other than this will be one gigantic fiasco as all these combined world leadership meetings always prove to be. When the president of the United States declares his intention to tell these people to make “sweeping changes” in the way they run their economies, then it is guaranteed that the result will be as attractive and impressive as a celebrated chef who makes a cake with rotten eggs!

Obama’s "sweeping changes" in the United States’ economy have resulted in the greatest amount of deficit spending and enlargement of the U. S. debt in the republic’s history! So, is he challenging the other nations to follow his example? It is a given that China won’t since it supplies us with a major portion of our consumer goods (much of which used to be manufactured in the U. S.) and is holding over three quarters of a trillion dollars of our debt!

So when these international gabfests of one kind or another take place, what can be expected? There is a common denominator and it is this – the vast majority, if not all, are unregenerate in heart and mind. Consequently the existence of a mighty Creator God Who has clearly revealed Himself means absolutely nothing to these heathen in high places. This further means that God’s perfect will is of no concern just as we see it demonstrated on a daily basis in the functioning of our own government. And what is the result of this approach and proud attitude? It will always be increased chaos and conflicts! For each is driven by self-centeredness and suspicious of the others, seeking always to get the upper hand.

There is always a lot of noble sounding rhetoric – playing political games with a lot of posturing (just like it is done in Washington DC) but in the final analysis it’s still “When I play my fiddle, you dance!” At G-20 there will be a lot of fiddles, including one or more from Washington DC and none of them will be a Stradivarius!

Is there an answer to this mess? Yes, but not one the players at G-20, the United Nations, or any other conglomerate will in humility and a repentant spirit accept. It is spelled out graphically in Psalm 2:

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'" Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. --- Psalm 2:1-12

One of these days the ruling powers of the nations of this deeply troubled world will realize too late what fools they have been and how different the nations and the world would have been if they had sought to do the will of Him Who holds the title, “King of kings and Lord of lords!”

But when you don’t seek Him then you are unable to handle the wide ranging power that comes with your office and position in a responsible fashion and for the betterment of the nation in which that office and position is held!

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." --- Jesus speaking in Matthew 7:21-27

Requiem!

They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. --- Psalm 106:13-15

This may be interpreted as “sour grapes” after an election, but really it is not – it is reality and the fact that about 62.5 million people have just signed our republic’s death warrant!

In an earlier post it was stated that God would either express His intentional and deliberate will in this 2008 election or His permissive will. In the latter case it means He will let the majority get what they want, but eventually there will be a very high price to be paid.

What we can expect starting in mid-January 2009:

• The greatest impending disaster brought on by President Barack Obama is the fact that he will vigorously support the ongoing destruction of unborn children and seek to remove whatever few restrictions are presently in place to protect the unborn such as the heinous partial birth “procedure.” He will likely appoint at least 2 or more Supreme Court judges who will always rule in favor of destroying the unborn. And he will appoint judges in the lower courts who will not see their responsibility as supporting the Constitution but rather to “legislate” from the bench even in defiance of the Constitution!
  
  
• What will be the kind of people with which he will be surrounded in terms of advisers, cabinet members, etc? It has been well documented that his associations in the past have often been with persons of questionable character, including one named Jeremiah Wright. God’s revelation speaks loud and clear on the matter – a person who governs must have God-fearing persons surrounding him, and in this age of the Gospel, it means specifically relying on persons who know Jesus Christ personally as Savior and Lord. It is highly unlikely that B. O. will be at all concerned about selecting such people to be a part of his administration. In a sense, having bought this election by having outspent his opponent by millions of dollars, the young president is now beholden to quite a bunch of people – obviously there will be “political” pay offs!
  
  
• We can expect an ambitious “tax and spend” policy which will be enthusiastically supported by a Democratic controlled Congress. He and they will never learn that you cannot spend your way into a state of prosperity. Further, these people will not so much as lift a finger in an effort to reduce a national debt now approaching 11 trillion dollars. As an aside, "Big John" Murtha (unfortunately my rep in Congress) was reelected and will continue to do his big "earmark" thing -- he's a champion at this -- that is, until the country goes belly up financially!
  
  
• Eventually we can expect an assault against our 2nd Amendment rights. He has already indicated his dissatisfaction with the practice in a number of states of granting licenses to persons allowing them to carry concealed and loaded handguns. In some manner or other there will be an effort launched to further restrict sale and use of firearms and sales of ammunition! The dream of some persons in this republic is the outright ban and possession of all firearms by U. S. citizens. B.O. will at some point attempt to get us moving toward that objective!
  
  
• Under his “leadership” (term used very loosely) government will continue to expand and steadily move onward toward duplicating the horror of George Orwell’s novel, “Nineteen Eighty Four” -- you know, the condition where we are all monitored by “big brother.” The dominating force is the deceptive idea that the government can take care of us from the cradle to the grave – or as put more dramatically in other terms – from the womb to the tomb!
  
  
• Obama’s military will be interesting to watch. He will be “Commander in Chief” but never has had 1 day of military experience. Will we see a mass exit or not when enlistment terms expire and officers determine whether they will stay a while longer or retire? Time will tell on this one. A poll among the military before election revealed very strong support for John McCain with the exception of blacks in the military – as expected, their support was highly in favor of B. O.
  
  
• Perhaps one of the most crucial areas of concern under the administration of Barack Obama, second only to his attitude toward unborn children is how he will support Israel or refuse to support Israel. So far, this country has had leadership which has been supportive of the country of Israel and at times has been the only country to stand with Israel in certain crises. Shenanigans at the United Nations demonstrate all too well the truth of this. It likely will not be too long until we know if our new president will be supportive of Israel or will back off and eventually abandon the Jewish state.
  
  
• Finally, what will be his faith identity and church identity while occupying the White House? God has again made plain the fact that one who is in the powerful position of governing is to be one who bears witness to his faith and relationship with God – in other words leadership that is powerful and influential begins by exhibiting a holy example in conduct and providing evidence that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – that this same God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and is real in every day experience. Will B. O. and family identify with a church – if so, will it be nothing more than one of those “feel good” churches where the word “repentance” is avoided like the plague, and the pastors of which would never say anything that would offend someone, especially one who is president of the United States?
  

Yes, there are times in recorded history when we observe God giving the people what they wanted, and too late they discovered they wanted what was not at all good for them, and then disaster struck!

"Then you shall say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt." Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the LORD who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, "Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?"' …………… But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was aroused against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very great plague. So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had yielded to craving. --- Numbers 11:18-20, 33, 34

Peace in 2008?

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."………The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. --- Isaiah 57:20, 21; 59:8

As 2007 closed out with eruptions of violence in many places and crowned with the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, the quest for peace continues unabated.

Just how successful will be the efforts in establishing peace in 2008? At the risk of being labeled a gloom and doom pessimist of the first magnitude I have to respond and say, “There will be no peace of any significant note!”

An Authority far greater than any existing government in the world or that monstrosity of confusion and chaos known as the United Nations has revealed that peace will never be a reality as the world presently stands.

Jesus said that prior to His return to earth conflicts will be the order of the day:

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.” --- Matthew 24:6-9

He also indicated that mass rejection and division over Him will result in conflicts on a major scale:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved……..Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' And 'a man's foes will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” --- Matthew 10:16-22, 32-40

Since the vast majority of the world population is unregenerate in mind and heart, including leaders of existing governments, it can be said that 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is literally being fulfilled before our very eyes:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! --- 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Actions and policies advocated by politicians at both the federal and state levels of government in the United States provide daily displays of the truth of 2 Timothy 3:1-5 as well!

Will there ever be peace? Yes, but only due to the direct personal intervention of Jesus Christ when He comes back to this world in His glorious majesty as King of kings and Lord of lords! Until then the message and witness of every Christian is basically,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life……..Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. --- John 3:16; Romans 5:1, 2

Only through Jesus Christ can there be personal peace as well as corporate peace!

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid......These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." --- John 14:27; 16:33

What Will Al Gore and His Friends Do When the Planet Goes from Warm to a Blazing Fire?

OSLO, Oct. 12 — A news release reported that former Vice President Al Gore, battle-scarred veteran of a bitter 2000 presidential election, was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations network of scientists.

“I will accept this award on behalf of all the people that have been working so long and so hard to try to get the message out about this planetary emergency,” said Mr. Gore in Palo Alto, Calif., as he stood with his wife, Tipper, and four members of the United Nations climate panel.

Al Gore and those who are in sympathy with his crusade on the issue of "global warming" show no concern about the fires of evil that are consuming the nations of this world, nor the plain fact that God is calling all peoples of all nations to repent of all sinful practices, relationships, attitudes, and desires. Mercy and forgiveness are being presently offered through Jesus Christ, Who is God revealed in human form and Who personally visited this planet 2,000 years ago.

It is the extensive rebellion against the Creator of this universe by the vast majority of this world's population which will bring ultimate destruction. There is not a nation anywhere on earth, the United States included, that provides clear evidence of being Christian in its every day affairs.

Isaiah 24 cites three significant actions taken by the masses which invite the undiluted wrath of God. His response to the persistent rebellion is a mighty shaking of the earth itself. And why is this? Read a few statements for yourself:

The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left. --- Isaiah 24:4-6

But that's not all -- God's dealings with this rebellious planet in the final stage of human history speak clearly of fire -- for those who like to make an issue of "global warming" consider how God will turn up the heat more than just a few degrees!

For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. --- 2 Peter 3:5-7

At least for right now there is still opportunity for those living in rebellion to repent of their sins, receive Jesus Christ into their lives as Savior and Lord, and commit to serving Him obediently so long as they live in this present world. But the days of grace and mercy being offered are definitely numbered! What has been your choice in regard to Jesus, the Son of God, Who died for your sins on the cross?

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. --- 2 Corinthians 6:1,2

Wow! The Dow Blasts Through 13,000 -- But That Doesn't Mean a Chicken in Every Pot!

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! --- 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Wall Street ready to throw a party in the streets -- money rolling like a mighty river -- "experts" on investing so excited that they might even dampen their britches and start looking for some Pampers to assist them in their "emergency" circumstances!

Yes, for a time there are some who are making money like crazy -- as one convicted "insider" said years ago, "A little greed is a good thing!" For a time he served in a "country club" prison environment (designed just for "white color" people) and then was released to spend all his millions made with a bit of "manipulating" in the world of finance.

But the masses within our republic will reap no benefits from this supposed "boom" as the DOW ascends to new heights. It can be proven by data available that the gap between the rich and poor is an ever widening chasm.

Greed is the motivating factor more and more with obscene profit figures being released by a growing number of corporations such as those dealing with petroleum, pharmaceuticals, etc. And there is that Haliburton outfit (with which Dick Cheney had direct connections years ago) which is making money by the truck loads under the guise of "reconstructing" Iraq, and which has made a move to shift headquarters into an Arab country! Anyone out there noticed lately about an "accountability" problem with millions and millions of dollars in the so-called "reconstruction" of Iraq?

A number of companies have dismantled operations here in the U. S. and have set up shop somewhere overseas or across the border in Mexico where workers will be paid a piddling amount under unhealthy work conditions to put together a product which will be sent here for sale! Have you made it a practice to look at where your purchased consumer items have been made? Write down the names and see how soon you have a quite a listing of countries which occupy representative seats at a place called the United Nations!

But who cares? So long as the select "few" make tons of money in the process everyone will be happy, right? And every once in a while we hear a word from that dark, dismal and depressing place known as Washington DC about how great the economy is doing!

OK -- enough of the attempt to bring us down to reality! This republic which finds itself in a most tragic state of spiritual, moral and ethical bankruptcy will discover likely too late that what seems to be a financial "boom" really is not, and is to be likened to an overinflated balloon about to pop! And guess who has the pin in His hand ready to prick it?

Among the many "idols" which have been set up over the years in this nation, the one which occupies the #1 position is most likely money. God has indicated that He will judge a nation and in the process He will bring its gods to nothing! He did it in ancient Egypt and in ancient Babylon as well as in dealing with many other peoples as history has run its course -- here is God's declaration about the matter:

The LORD will be awesome to them, for He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; people shall worship Him, each one from his place, indeed all the shores of the nations. --- Zephaniah 2:11

In fact it is predicted that the time will come as human history reaches its final stages that fear will drive even prominent, powerful and very wealthy people into the recesses and cavities of the earth's surface! You don't think it will happen, do you? If you disagree, you'll have to have a heart to heart talk with the One Who said this:

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, but the idols He shall utterly abolish. They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which they made, each for himself to worship, to the moles and bats, to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the crags of the rugged rocks, from the terror of the LORD and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily. --- Isaiah 2:17-21

It's really not a question of whether that Wall Street "balloon" will pop, but rather WHEN it is going to happen!

Stayed tuned for the next edition of further discussion on this interesting subject of money and how to be wise in handling whatever amount God sees fit to entrust to your care -- that way you won't get burned as will happen to the majority in the future!

"After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'" --- Matthew 25:19-21

When Dick Cheney Speaks, Do the Chinese Shake in Their Boots?

Friday, February 23 - Sydney, Australia "Last month's anti-satellite test, China's continued fast paced military buildup are less constructive and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a peaceful rise." -- VP Dick Cheney

Oooooh! Bet the Chinese really got shook on that statement, didn't they? When Dick Cheney speaks, everyone jumps, or do they? And when he goes hunting, everyone looks for a rock to hide behind, do they not?

But what about this Chinese thing? Here's a country that has over 4 times the population of the United States and who knows how much military hardware, including "weapons of mass destruction!" Remember, that song & dance routine we heard back in 2003 as applied to Saddam Hussein & Company -- and how it was absolutely necessary to launch war against Iraq because that country and its leader was such a great threat to world peace? Correct me if I am wrong -- aren't we still messing around a tad in this country called Iraq -- and then there's that other place called Afghanistan, where we supposedly wiped out the Taliban and established peace there quite some time ago -- seems we still have a few difficulties in that country too!

But other than what Cheney just said, not a whole lot is made of the issue of China sitting on tons of weapons -- and certainly both Bush and Cheney have not raised the issue of China's invasion of and takeover of the sovereign nation of Tibet some years ago -- why is no issue made of this in the United Nations -- the president who talks a lot about spreading democracy all over the world is strangely silent about the need for the citizens of Tibet to experience democracy! Go ahead -- do a search on the country of Tibet and see what interesting things come up about what the Chinese have done -- estimates are that at least a million Tibetans lost their lives when China took over the country. Again, correct me if I am wrong -- but when one nation invades another sovereign nation and controls it, isn't that considered very unjust, illegal, unlawful, and such? But there is no protest from the United States.

Rhetoric will simmer down quickly for a number of reasons:

• First, China owns a lot of U.S. debt -- in other words, if they should say, "Pay all that you owe!" The Chinese would be the ones to whom we would have to hand over a real big bunch of bucks!
  
  
• Second, we have this thing of a "trade deficit" with China -- we owe a big bunch of bucks on that matter alone because we have gotten much more from them, than they have from us on a yearly basis!
  
  
• Third, China is on a construction binge as the nation becomes a growing and powerful economic giant in the world of trade and finance. It is why prices for construction related materials, such as cement have sharply increased in our own nation. A nephew of mine drives a construction truck that hauls 100 tons of material -- tires used to cost $5,000 each and now need to be replaced, but my nephew says the company can't get replacements though they have been ordered for a long time -- why the shortage? China has need for huge numbers of these tires and is getting them!
  
  
• Fourth, in hard reality, China doesn't have to bring us to our knees militarily -- if the Chinese did make an aggressive move militarily, what would the U.S. do? We are stretched so thin now we couldn't do anything effective to repel them -- we can't even do a resounding victory thing now in Iraq or Afghanistan as we did at the conclusion of WW II -- the last war in which we had a decisive military victory and the terms for both Germany and Japan were unconditional surrender -- no negotiating! Really, at some temporary hardship to them, all the Chinese would have to do is shut off ALL exports to the United States! Have you looked at labels of items you buy lately -- where were they made?
  
  
• Fifth, Chinese at the level of high leadership have been traveling throughout the world negotiating trade deals etc. And are you aware of their influence when it comes to the Panama Canal? Just the tip of the iceberg folks!
  

No, it is highly doubtful that the Chinese will lose any sleep over remarks made by Dick Cheney or any other representative of the federal government of the United States. Sadly, what our elected representatives fail to perceive is that our relationship with the God in Whom we claim to believe is far from being a positive and acceptable one in these days! God has been known to withdraw His blessings from a nation with which He is displeased. For more on the details as to conditions for blessing and favor as well as withdrawal of the same, see Deuteronomy 28 in the Old Testament scriptures -- that is, if you dare!

"The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever. Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things...." --- Deuteronomy 28:43-47