Has America Committed Suicide? Will God Save Us From Ourselves?

I'm sure you're familiar with the comparisons made between the Fall of the Roman Empire and the current path our once great nation has embarked upon. If you have any interest in the subject, it's not hard to see how they align, and it's important to look at this phenomenon from both a historical perspective as well as a Biblical one. 

First, I want to share the finer points of an excellent article by Evan Andrews at history.com. Titled, 8 Reasons Why Rome Fell, Mr. Andrews gives a succinct theory as to the catalysts that brought about the decline of one of the greatest military, political, and social powers in history.  And it's like reading a modern commentary on the woes of our nation. Here are the reasons he sites and a short comparison with our state of affairs:

1. ROME: Invasions by Barbarian tribes. US: Invasion by refugees from foreign nations. For several decades, the nomadic Germanic people groups known as Goths encroached and eventually overran the Roman Empire's borders, with a Goth king finally sacking the city of Rome, leaving the Empire under constant threat of invasion. Today, we are seeing thousands of people from various nations streaming across our southern border, unhindered and actually encouraged. Eventually the Roman Empire was overthrown and never recovered. What does our future hold?

2. ROME: Economic Troubles and Over-Reliance on Slave Labor. US: Ditto & More. For Rome, constant wars and overspending led to a severe financial crisis. This resulted in oppressive taxation and inflation, creating a widening gap between the wealthy and poor. Additionally, the Empire suffered from a labor deficiency. Commercial and agricultural production was in decline, and the empire began to lose its grip on Europe. Do I need to say more? From the 4th-5th Century to the 21st, it's like looking in the mirror! Our national debt is $31,462,154,854,903! That's $31 trillion in round numbers. Inflation is hovering around 5%, which is higher than the long-term average of 3.28%, and rumored to skyrocket by 2024. No one wants to work anymore, choosing to receive free money from the government's Welfare State. Then there's the fact that we don't make our own goods in this country anymore and our farmers are unable to afford to grow their crops, leading to a reduced food supply. 

3. ROME: The Rise of the Eastern Empire. US: The Rise of the Eastern Empire. For the Roman Empire, it was the Eastern half of the Empire, the Greek-speaking Byzantine provinces, that grew wealthy, as the Western Roman provinces faced their economic crises. The Empire became divided over military and economic issues, which contributed to its downfall. For us, here in the US, the Eastern Empire of China has become our nemesis and thorn in our side. They own a lot of our debt, and we have outsourced most of our domestic production and commerce to them, causing major decline across our economic board.

4. ROME: Overexpansion and Military Overspending. US: Can you say Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Military Interventions Across the Globe?  At one time, the Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Euphrates River. That led to a logistical nightmare and inability to fund their military operations, and the eventual destruction of its infrastructure. In our case, former President Dwight Eisenhower warned about the emerging power of the Military-Industrial Complex and its drain upon the nation's resources. Since 2000, we have waged wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and spent untold millions (maybe trillions) on American intervention in Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, Uganda, Niger,  Syria, and now Ukraine, with many of these operations ongoing. Enough said about this topic.

5. ROME: Government Corruption and Instability. US: Again, these are the same reasons for our decline. Mr. Andrews cites "ineffective and inconsistent leadership" as a prime factor in the Roman Empire's slide. The political rot in their Senate failed to control the disintegration, and the Empire suffered from a long and tumultuous Civil War. Today, all one has to do is watch the nightly news (if you can find a credible source) to see the same weak and inept governing body [on all levels]. The corruption is so widespread that trust in our leaders is at an all-time low and the split among our countrymen has never been so deep since our own Civil War. Lord, I pray that You will intervene and bring us Godly leaders! Right now the despair among the people is palpable.

6. ROME: The Arrival of the Huns and the Barbarian Tribes. US: The Arrival of South and Central Americans, and Covert Agents.  The Roman Empire suffered from a mass migration across their borders caused by the invasion of Europe by the Huns. The Goths were also allowed to migrate into the Empire, but eventually became dangerous enemies because of their mistreatment. A flimsy peace treaty with the migrants dissolved and the weight of the new occupants helped collapse the Empire. In our case, we have seen the unsustainable influx of humanity crossing our borders, with evidence that they are not all seeking the blessings of this country, but seek to do us harm. We have yet to see the consequences of this human flood, but it's clear that we cannot support such numbers.

7. ROME: Christianity and the Loss of Traditional Values. US: The Loss of Both Christian and Traditional Values.  Many authors of history have pointed the finger at the spread of Christianity as a factor in the decline of the Roman Empire, blaming Popes and other church leaders for infiltrating politics to the detriment of the Empire. Others say any influence in this area by Christianity pales in comparison to the military, economic, and administrative factors. There's no question that the immoral, perverted, and cruel practices of Emperors like Caligula, Nero, and Elagabalus represent anything but traditional values. But the reputation of this nation in the last 50 years won't be looked upon with any degree of moral excellence. We have killed the unborn, sold children into sexual slavery, and allowed violence to go unchecked. And in our instance, it has been the deterioration of the Christian faith [as our foundation] that has led to our loss of traditional and moral values.

8. ROME: Weakening of the Roman Legions. US: Weakening of our own Military.  The once proud Roman legions could no longer field the number of soldiers they needed to maintain their power, so they hired foreign mercenaries, many of whom turned on the Empire out of disloyalty and contributed to its defeat on the battlefield. We are now seeing the undermining of our own military; the woke agenda has infiltrated, and decisions are made at the top by men who have never been on a battlefield, so there is no identification with the soldier in the field. Plus financing has been stripped from the Military budget, and we are threatened with substandard equipment as we watch our enemies grow stronger. 

Now that we see the similarities of what happened to the Roman Empire and where it seems we are headed, can we take another step forward to remember and understand that the "Dark Ages" were ushered in by the collapse of the Roman Empire? Social advancement in the sciences, philosophy, and economic growth seemed to come to a standstill. Additionally, the people lived steeped in fear and superstitions about life and authority. A collapse of a society will do that!  

So, by now, I'm sure you see the alarming trajectory we are on if we continue to follow the path of the Roman Empire. Is there time -- and do we have enough national desire -- to change course? It is to Rome's credit that during the years it flourished, it was precisely due to its strong commitment to strict family values. It was characterized by its lack of divorce during that period in its history. But it was when the Emperors and Senators became lax in encouraging these values -- and the marriage covenant gave way to promiscuity and perversion -- that the decline began to form. 

So where do our societal values put us on the timeline of social decline? If we are honest with ourselves, we are careening towards an unsavory end. We can't condone sexual abuse and exploitation of our children for the perverse sexual gratification of the ungodly, and expect that the God of the Universe is going to let that continue. He will not overlook the mistreatment of our children, whether through abortion or sexual perversion. Let me remind you of Jesus's words in Matthew 18:6: If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 

So, do we have the fortitude and courage to stop this suicidal track we are on? Read Revelation 18 and see if you don't agree that we fit the description of Babylon in the End Times. For the sake of our future and very existence, it is time to make a decision whether to save ourselves or give in to those who seek our destruction for their own earthly and temporary satisfaction. God will hold us accountable for seeing the decline and doing nothing about turning to Him with repentance and action. He is always willing to deliver us IF we do it His way. I don't know about you, but I don't want to experience another historical Dark Ages, nor do I wish to see the nation of my birth destroyed by its own hand.

Of course, we Christians all know the dream Nebuchadnezzar had of a statue that represents the world's empires. And we know the ancient Roman Empire is no more, but the Bible tells us it will be revitalized, ruled by a conglomeration of kings until the Anti-Christ defeats them all, establishing his own false religion and setting himself upon his version of the throne of God. But the Bible makes it very clear that "a stone [which] was cut out without [human] hands, struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them". It is time to turn from our evil ways and warn every man, woman, and child that the eternal kingdom of God, the Messianic kingdom, is about to extend over all the earth, and those who reject Jesus, the Messiah, the Stone, will be crushed. Lord Jesus, we believers are living stones, ready to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through our eternal faith in You! Save us from ourselves, Lord!

Psalm 118:22-23   The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is from the Lord and is His doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.  

   

From a Lamb to a Lion

What I'm going to talk about today comes from personal experience. Lately, I've been discerning an awakening among the family of God. It's not explosive and certainly not widespread, but still, it is undeniable. There is a remnant in the Body of Christ that is realizing that the religious normalcy bias we've been operating in, is not our reality. We've come to know that Scripture speaks plainly that judgment is coming on the nation that continues to rebel against God. In Amos, Chapter 4, God reminds His nation of Israel that He sent famine; drought; plagues of insects to kill their crops and plagues of sickness to kill their people. He also overthrew and destroyed the depraved [as a warning to all], "Yet you have not returned to Me in repentance". And his last statement in Chapter 4 is chilling ... "Prepare to meet your God [in judgment], O Israel"!

That is what happens to an idolatrous and corrupt nation who turns away from YHWH. We should take note. It doesn't matter whether we were founded as a Christian nation or not. Our actions throughout the two-and-a-half centuries of our existence speak louder. And over the last half century, this nation has shown flagrant contempt and scorn for God. He is absent from the halls of Congress, our schools, our entertainment industry, from corporate America, and from many families. It is not enough to say that He is still alive in the churches of America when the churches are run like businesses, the leadership approves of ungodly lifestyles, and Jezebel controls the congregation. 

I know this sounds harsh. And I know there are Godly pockets of the Remnant that seek to establish His Kingdom in this nation. And God will honor that and give us favor! But stop for just a moment and look at the big picture this nation presents to God as He sits on His throne. The corruption, the greed, the immorality, the perversion and depravity, the murders, the disdain for law and order ... all of this threatens to overcome the standards of goodness and decency that were once the hallmarks of our society.

I have been ruminating on these thoughts for awhile, and asking the Lord to show me that what I am discerning is wrong. I desperately want to be wrong! I would love to bask in the belief that we will somehow escape the ramifications of the falling away from God. But the Holy Spirit spoke to me in the early hours before dawn and showed me that unlike the Jews, who rejected Jesus as the Lamb of compassion and mercy because they wanted a Warrior King, the Church of Jesus in the 21st Century wants to reject the idea of Him as the returning Warrior King, in favor of keeping Him as the Lamb of Grace! The Church wants to keep Jesus as the Lamb and keep Him stuck in His role as peacemaker and pacifist. 

As I've said so often, it is difficult when your discernment and Biblical worldview doesn't match the normalcy bias of most modern-day Christians. We are so comfortable with our view of Jesus as our Savior when He's the Lamb. But when He becomes the Warrior King dispensing righteous judgment, that image threatens to destroy the joy in the Lord. You can point out that the Bible, itself, shows us a deteriorating world that will lead Him to return as a conquering Warrior King with His robe dipped in the blood of the wicked for the judgment of mankind [Revelation 19:13]. And you can show them that there will be a sword coming out of His mouth with which to strike the nations [Revelation 19:15], and He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty [Revelation 14:17-20]. Still they cannot accept Him in this role. Anything but the image of the loving Lamb of God brings offense, and I surmise a good amount of fear.

But I take great comfort in knowing that He will finally go to war as the Commander of the Heavenly Host against Satan and his army of fallen angels. I recognize that my Lord is full of compassion and grace and mercy, but when the cup of God's wrath against Evil is full, I know Him to be the Warrior King, who from Genesis 3:15 forward, is the Defender of His bloodline and His people. He appears throughout the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord, with sword in hand, ready to fight to defend those who belong to Him [Joshua 5:13; 2 Kings 19:35; Psalm 35:5-6]. And as Exodus 23:20-33 shows us, when YHWH sent the Israelites into the Promised Land, where lived the Nephilim giants, He sent an Angel [the pre-incarnate Jesus] before them, to "keep them and guard them on the way and to bring them to the place He had prepared". Jesus was a Giant-killer! And since He is the same today as He was then, we have nothing to fear about the Judgment that is coming. 

And don't you think God is going to keep and guard on us on our way to the Millennium Kingdom and eternal life in the new Heaven and Earth? He is sending Jesus, the Warrior King to go before us, defeating Evil once and for all and bringing us to the place God has prepared for us. So, it is my prayer and my hope that the Body of Christ comes to embrace the truth and knowledge that Jesus is coming to judge the world in righteousness and wage war against Evil. Our faith and hope in a glorious future in Heaven must overcome all fear about what might happen in this world. It will be our privilege to do spiritual battle (and physical, if necessary) alongside our Savior. He will be a formidable Captain of the Angelic Army and our Defender! We will see the Lamb of God become the Lion of Judah and Righteousness and Justice will rule the world!

#endtimeswar #endtimesjudgment #jesuswarriorking #endtimesprophecies #dayofthelord

Revelation 19:11   And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who was riding it is called Faithful and True (trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, steady), and in righteousness He judges and wages war [on the rebellious nations].

 

Judgment Is Prophesied: Even The Stones Will Cry Out and Accuse

 

I recently read a fascinating article by Coach Dave Daubenmire, titled Are The Rocks Crying Out. Known for his fearless and outspoken commentary on the state of our culture and the faith of Americans, Coach didn't disappoint when he called out the condition of the Church. As he said, himself, "Are  you sitting down? America already has enough cookie-cutter Christians". This statement was made in support of his supposition that instead of the lukewarm Church leadership leading the way, perhaps God has chosen Elon Musk and Kanye West (as different as they are) to be the useful instruments of His revelation in this corrupted world.  

Are these the men who we would expect to be spokesmen for God? I'm pretty sure most of us would say "no". Obviously, their words and their methods don't look like they come from God either. In fact, I'm conflicted as to where Elon Musk stands in God's redemptive plan for humanity. While I applaud him pulling back the veil on Big Tech's censorship and violation of our First Amendment rights, I'm suspicious of his work in the area of artificial intelligence and brain chip interfaces in the name of "medical science". I've never heard nor seen evidence that he has a relationship with God. And then what is there to say about Kanye? His inflammatory rhetoric is stirring the conscience of the culture, to be sure. And his declaration of faith is certainly passionate. Yet his justification for both his faith and his rhetoric is causing an uproar in the national dialogue. How can either of these men be representatives for God and his plan for mankind?

But as Coach Daubenmire points out, "God's ways are not our ways". There are many examples in the Bible where God used ungodly men and ways to change the course of history in accordance with His will. Think Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, King Cyrus, the false prophets of Baal, and the lying spirit sent to King Ahab. Remember, when God's offers for repentance and forgiveness are rejected time and again, His cup of wrath becomes full. And God is not restricted as to who or how He will see His holy purposes fulfilled. He is Sovereign and can use both good and evil men to accomplish His plans and bring glory to His Name. Are Musk and West divine instruments of God? I can't say for sure, but this I know ... they are revealing the ugly underbelly of our culture and pulling the curtain aside to uncover the corruption in all our ways. 

And that's when the Coach calls our attention to Jesus's comment to the Pharisees in Luke 19:40: “I tell you, if these [disciples] were silent, the very stones would cry out.” NOTE: Daubenmire uses this quote to call out the silent leaders in the Church, who have not "led the charge" in summoning attention to the unrighteousness and immorality in this nation. It's been left to God to use unorthodox men like Elon Musk and Kanye West to shake us out of our tepid response to evil. Therefore, he makes this challenge: with the continued silence from the pulpits, will it be left to the rocks to cry out for justice?

But I want to take a look at the context in which Jesus's statement to the Pharisees is made. Jesus has entered the city of Jerusalem on His way to the Cross. The crowds receive Him as a King and the multitudes of Disciples greeted Him with shouts of praise, adoration, and joy. But the Pharisees wanted them rebuked for their boisterous adulation. But in this moment, Jesus exults in His true identity as the Messiah. I love the following commentary provided in the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible regarding this occasion: Hitherto the Lord had discouraged all demonstrations in His favor; latterly He had begun an opposite course; on this one occasion He seems to yield His whole soul to the wide and deep acclaim with a mysterious satisfaction, regarding it as so necessary a part of the regal dignity in which as Messiah He [for this last time] entered the city, that if not offered by the vast multitude, it would have been wrung out of the stones rather than be withheld [my emphasis]. 

What's interesting is that Luke 19:40 is a direct reference to Habakkuk 2:11. And to understand the context in which the Lord speaks in verse 11, we need to back up to verse 9:
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who obtains wicked gain for his house [and thinks by so doing] to set his nest on high, that he may be rescued from the hand of evil. Verse 10: You have devised a shameful thing for your house by cutting off and putting an end to many peoples; So you are sinning against your own life and forfeiting it. And now, verse 11: For the stone will cry out from the wall [to accuse you—built in sin!] And the rafter will answer it out of the woodwork". 

Read those three short verses again carefully. To how many in the halls of our government and our churches, do these verses apply? How many men charged with the physical and spiritual welfare of peoples have accumulated unclean gain for their own house at the expense of the health, happiness and fortunes of those who have trusted them? Little do they know that their sins do not go unrecognized by the Sovereign God of the Universe, and the wicked gain [profit] they possess will be forfeited [along with their inheritance] in the life to come. And then comes the culmination of the warning: they will not be able to escape the consequences of their sin; the stones of their house -- their enterprise, venture, operation --  will declare that they were built in sin and will cry out in accusation. And the rafters of their house will answer in agreement. 

And this is where I'm afraid we are, my friends. I have to agree with Coach Dave Daubenmire who reminds us that God has promised that "there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed". I think we all feel it ... God is doing something. We must give up our "normalcy bias" and expect that whatever He is doing will look like we think it should look. So, for now, we must not discount the unconventional, the unusual, or the nontraditional as being from God. Judgment is coming and we must not let it catch us unaware. And make no mistake ... should the Disciples of Jesus remain quiet, then God will use other means -- an Elon Musk or a Kanye West; even the stones will cry out! But He will not be silenced!

#endtimesjudgment #thestoneswillcryout #thesilentchurch 

Proverbs 1:18-19  But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood; They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction]. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

 

 

Give to Caesar and Come Out of the World

 

There is an ongoing debate in our house (as I suspect there is in many homes in the country) as to how we are going to solve the ailments of our nation. Both my husband and I agree that America suffers from spiritual issues, and that politics will never be the answer to a spiritual problem. That being said, we are conflicted over the following scenario: how do we reconcile "Render unto Caesar, what is Caesar's" with "Come out of her, my people"?

Let me break this quandary down from our perspective ... In this world, we are subject to the laws of this nation and a constitution that was written to define the powers of government, while at the same time, protecting the rights and liberties of us, the citizens. In Matthew 22, the Pharisees seek to trap Jesus in a question that had the potential to expose Him as a fraud, depending on His answer. They asked Him, “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” The question was designed to accuse Jesus of either disloyalty to the government of Rome, or disloyalty to the Jewish people and YHWH. Jesus asked to see a denarius, the coin used to pay taxes to the Roman government. He asked, "Whose image is on the coin"? The Pharisees answered, "Caesar's". Jesus's answer was quick, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

This answer is anything but simple. You see, the Caesar's of Rome were considered "divine" gods, and the coins that bore their images were, in all respects, a form of idolatry. They violated the Second Commandment, Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Jesus understood that men on earth are caught in a battle between two governments -- the government of this world, and the government of Heaven. His statement to give to Caesar what is due him, and to give to God what is His due, is challenging us to know the difference. 

So, I acknowledge that being a citizen of the world, and specifically of the United States, I have certain obligations to its government, which necessarily means that politics will play a part in what those obligations will look like. I also recognize that the state of my nation, in many ways, is in spiritual decline. The unrighteous decisions and laws of my government have led to this downfall and as long as politicians continue to act unrighteously, politics will never correct our spiritual deterioration. That doesn't mean that I can't hope and pray for God to raise up righteous men and women to change the direction of our country.

And I am well aware of the warnings that God gives us in the Bible if we continue to go down the road we're on. Jeremiah lived in idolatrous Babylon and the Lord used him to warn the inhabitants of the vengeance that was His if they did not turn from their wicked ways. God used Jeremiah to issue warnings regarding the idols that Babylon worshiped; that they were false, worthless, and a work of delusion... and a time of punishment was coming in which they would be destroyed. The Word of the Lord, through Jeremiah, was "Therefore, behold, the days are coming when I will punish the images of Babylon; her whole land shall be put to shame, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her". Then comes the plea of the Most High God: Come out of her my people! Let every one save their life from the fierce anger of the Lord!

The Lord is saying have nothing to do with the worldly Babylon and her idolatrous ways. And He tells us to do the same thing in these End Times, as stated in Revelation 18! An angel is prophesied to come down from Heaven and declare:

Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 

For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.

Come out of her, my people! 

Scripture goes on to say that Babylon's sins are piled up to Heaven, and God has remembered all her crimes. She will pay double for all she has done, and she will receive as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. Obviously, we as righteous Christians, will want to separate ourselves from that Babylonian system. I suggest you read all of Revelation 18 and see if you do not recognize this End Times Babylon as our own nation. And if you do, then you will recognize the tenets of the aforementioned debate in my house and among our family and friends.

If we are to come out of the destructive and anti-Christ Babylonian system, [which is of the kingdom of this world], and separate ourselves by committing our lives to the Kingdom of God, "rendering unto God what is His" [as Jesus suggested to the Pharisees], then can/should we do both? If politics is not the answer to a spiritual breakdown in this country, do we forsake politics all together for the sake of fighting the spiritual battle for the Kingdom of God? If we discern that there are righteous men among the worldly government who want to legislate for Godly justice and morality, should we not stand with them, trusting God to lift them up for His purposes? 

Of course, we must also consider that the Enemy is not going to just lay down and abdicate his throne among the halls of Congress. So have the crimes and injustice perpetrated by his minions been heaped so high that God has determined [as is stated in Revelation 18:8, that in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her? Maybe it is to be our time of judgment and it is time we "come out of her". What does that look like? Let me propose this to you: we recognize that without the intervention of God who appoints righteous men to civil service, politics will never be the answer to restore our nation. So we continue to do what Jesus commanded, giving Caesar what is Caesar's -- we vote, we follow the laws, and we pay our taxes as mandated. 

Yes, we are citizens of the world in these fleshly bodies, but our citizenship in God's Kingdom is our greater commission. So we come out of the world's system as much as we can, and transfer to the spiritual kingdom of God on earth; living our lives following His statutes and committed to not sharing in the sins of this world nor receiving any of its plagues. That calls for understanding "the big picture" ... what we are to give to Caesar, even as we come out of Caesar's system. It's just the reality of our existence here on earth. We are in the world, but not of the world. Once we understand that, we do not need to become embroiled in the political arena, but enter the Kingdom of God, yoking ourselves to His righteous government. It is possible to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens of both the world and Heaven, knowing to whom our highest allegiance belongs. It is then that we can join together, declaring "Rejoice, you people of God"!

#givetocaesarwhatiscaesars #comeoutofhermypeople #endtimesjudgment #endtimesbabylon

Jeremiah 51:45-46   Go out of the midst of her, my people! Let every one save his life from the fierce anger of the Lord! Let not your heart faint, and be not fearful at the report heard in the land,

You Will Be My Witnesses

 

This day after Thanksgiving, I find myself meditating on the future; specifically how we Christians are fulfilling our commission from the Lord to be His witnesses to the end of the earth. That's a very serious request made to each of us! And what does it mean to be "His witness"; to witness about Him to another? As I considered the definition of what constitutes a witness, it struck me that there is a difference between being a witness in the sense of a noun, and being a witness in the sense of a verb.

If you identify as the noun form of witness, then you are likely to be stationary; an observer, a spectator, a viewer/watcher. If you align yourself with those who approach being a witness as a verb, then the definition is different -- the dictionary actually portrays movement as you become a witness. You begin by being an observer and a watcher, then move into undergoing an experience, and end up endorsing and validating. To me, that implies that becoming a witness for Jesus involves receiving the power to make that progression. We all know that power to be the Holy Spirit!

And my inspiration for approaching just what kind of witness I want to be for my Lord comes from a note I received from Asher Intrater, President of Revive Israel, an Israeli Messianic Jewish organization that seeks to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom to those Biblical "ends of the earth". Asher reminded me of Paul's declaration [near the end of his life] that he had "finished his race" and met the goals set before him by the Lord. And that spoke to my spirit of Hebrews 12:1, which says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us... Can you see the action and progressive faith in this call to run our race?

Asher reminded me that in a race, each runner has a starting and ending point. These points both anchor and propel the runner to intimately know his or her race, plot out the track, and then aim precisely for the tape at the end of the race, breaking through it for their victorious ending. But how are we to accomplish this race and the goal of being a quality witness for the Lord, who has given so much to us? What kind of witness am I destined to be? Jesus speaks to the Disciples [who have gathered in the Upper Room after His resurrection] that they don't need to be concerned where they are on the timeline of the earth's existence, but "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:6-8).

Now, you may be thinking, "But that was  for THOSE Disciples! That power had to be greater for the tremendous calling they were given"! And you might be asking if this verse even applies to you? So, I have a question for you -- isn't it the same Spirit, and the same Lord who exists today? And isn't the need for witnesses of Jesus just as great today? And here is the really important question ... Can you believe that promise in Acts 1 is for you?

I want each of you reading this post to know that the world is desperately in need of witnesses that testify to the power and authority of Jesus in their lives. People need to hear of the ways He has worked miracles and wonders in your life; changed your circumstances from poor [by worldly standards] to rich in spiritual wealth; and restored lives that were torn asunder and discarded. 

So many people [both the Unsaved and the Saved[ don't know how to get that power! They don't intimately know the Holy Spirit and are unaware that through Prayer and Obedience, and the Laying on of Hands, that power of the Holy Spirit is available to all! Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to fall upon you [as Jesus promised]! Ask for it! Declare that you want to be an effective witness for Him! 

Too many of us have been convinced that all the work has been done because Jesus declared on the Cross that "It is finished". Too many think our job now is to wait patiently for Him to return and whisk us out of this cruel world. But that's not experiencing the fullness of our relationship with God! And I want to state that it is so important that we not be afraid of experiencing God! Being a bold witness for God is the highest calling of our lives. With the power of the Holy Spirit, you can have the strength, the courage, the capabilities, and the deep faith/conviction to be passionate witnesses for Christ!

And remember that analogy of a race well-run? Effective and impactful witnesses for the Lord Jesus will bear fruit in their lives. At the end of the race, there will be testimonies of salvation among those they witnessed to. The seeds they sowed along their track will result in generations declaring that the Kingdom of God is here! Seeing others being Born Again, and then seeing and entering the Kingdom, will propel them across the finish line. It's just as it was when Jesus called those 12 men to become His witnesses ... Disciples making Disciples! Being a witness is not just something we do; it is who we are! It is our spiritual identity! 

My final thought: As the Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit, may we all run our race as part of Jesus's long distance relay team. Let us run our predetermined distance, stretching with all our might to pass the baton to the next person on Jesus's team so they might continue their race with power and confidence. And let us be convinced, as we witness, that God will empower our efforts and we will be part of the crowd of witnesses that has gone before us, each generation serving to encourage the next that God will see His Gospel taken to all the nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. Amen!

#witnessforthelord #runyourrace #totheendoftheworld #witnessforjesus

2 Timothy 2:1-2    You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

You Can Not Only Survive Today's Uncertainies ... You Can Thrive!

Today, I'm going to use a post I wrote in 2014 as the source to speak on our ability to thrive in the midst of these uncertain times.  Many of us are wondering about the destiny of our nation; a nation that was founded on Godly principles, but seems to have lost its compass along the way. In the 2014 post, I quoted Isaiah 1:9, which reads, If the Lord of Hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would be like Gomorrah.

Although this vision and prophecy was given to the prophet Isaiah about the destiny of the nation of Israel during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah, it also foretells the future of the tribe of Judah during the End Times. Furthermore, I believe its message should be heeded by our own nation, as well. I just love the multiple layers of significance that the Bible holds throughout all generations! Those who say it is no longer relevant in our time are sadly (and dangerously) deceived.

Isaiah laments his sinful nation ... he accuses them of immorality and criminality; they have forsaken the God who made them a great nation above all others, and they now only show Him contempt -- and worse, still, they ignore Him. Because of their "detestable disobedience", the future of their country is bleak. Their land has been attacked by enemies and strangers occupy what was once so generously bestowed upon them. And then the prophet tells them something that should have stopped them in their tracks, and caused fear to bring them to their knees. The nation of Israel -- indeed, all the world, including today -- knows what befell Sodom and Gomorrah. And Isaiah is showing them they deserved the same judgment. We read in Ezekiel, Chapter 16: "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me...".  The purpose of this post is not to dwell on the sexual immorality and perversion that were practiced in Sodom and Gomorrah, but to take to heart the judgment that fell on them, and to recognize the hope that is in the remnant that survived.

Isaiah received spiritual perception in the 7th Century B.C. to minister to the nation of Judah. He knew that God had a purpose for them, but he needed to make them see how far they had wandered from Him. All Israel knew that God had poured fiery sulfur on the cities, completely destroying them and all of their inhabitants. (To this day, the area where Sodom and Gomorrah were located remains a desolate wasteland.)  So Isaiah wants them to ultimately understand what God did out of the midst of that tragic judgment, and how they deserve the same verdict. He points to a particular nature of God as their reason for hope.

He tells them that "the Lord of hosts" spared a remnant, and it is that Sovereignty and Mercy that He wants his nation to recognize. And it is very important to take note of the name for God that Isaiah uses in this verse. In Hebrew, "the Lord of hosts" is spoken of as Jehovah-Sabaoth. From our human perspective, this is the name of God to run to when there is no other help. From God's perspective, this is the name He uses when He wants us to know that He is not only the One who delivers us, but also the One who judges us. He wants us to bow our knee to Him. This particular name of God meets our failure, and offers deliverance... when we are willing to repent.

Isaiah wants Judah to realize that their actions deserve the devastating and complete punishment that befell Sodom and Gomorrah. They need to acknowledge that Jehovah Sabaoth -- "the Lord of hosts" -- has rightly judged them, but He is also going to deliver them by the means of that remnant. A small group will survive His judgments in order to fulfill God's purpose for them.

Over 700 years later, the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah's forewarning of a remnant, in Romans, Chapter 9.  He says, "And Isaiah solemnly cries aloud over Israel:  Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved [from perdition, condemnation, judgment]!  Paul is trying to tell the Hebrew nation that God's own prophets have foretold this sad and frightening truth -- that their disobedience deserves full destruction, BUT through God's mercy, He will leave them a remnant that will survive ... a Jewish remnant that will bow their knew to their King and Messiah.  

The same is true for us today! We can be part of a remnant in this nation -- and the world -- that displays our supernatural power [that comes from Jesus Christ] in the midst of the downward spiral we see around us. We can step into our destiny to help others see that we have a purpose for the Kingdom of God and to spread that glorious hope. 

We can tune out the voices of this modern world and tune into the voice of our Master. Because while it may seem like the world is going mad and is out of control, it doesn't seem that way to Jesus. He has the foreknowledge of where the world is going before it results in His return. He has told us in His Word ...  You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].

None of these things we are experiencing is a surprise to Jesus! And they shouldn't be to us, either. He told us they would happen so we would not be shocked or surprised. But somehow we have been deceived into thinking these warnings weren't meant for us. So we react in fear and anxiety. But we have a choice as to how we respond to these foretold events.

Instead of living in apprehension and dread, what if we lived in the knowledge that the things Jesus described must happen before He returns? What if we looked at it as if these events signaled His rescue for a world in which bedlam is flourishing? What if we saw the events for what they are -- the descent of a world that has rejected God's Sovereignty; His right to rule over His creation?

You see, we have a choice of how we think about the failing condition of the world. We can choose to be troubled over the circumstances we find ourselves in; or we can rest assured that it's all going along according to God's plan... and we know the Victory that awaits us. We can look at our reality from the perspective that the glass is half empty, or we can rejoice that it is half full. We can join the "misery loves company" club, and align with those who bemoan the loss of our prosperity, the threats to our affluent way of life, or the erosion of our constitutionally guaranteed freedom. OR we can trust that God has a plan, and we are part of it! And our part is to trust in Him as we actively seek to bring salt and light to a world that is awaiting His glorious appearance. 

We can show people that everything they are clinging to [their material things, their wealth, their job, their social status] ... it's all just illusion! It may all disappear, but you can choose to believe that God is delivering you to a new and fresh revelation of His will for your life. Even in the midst of misfortune and the decline of nations, God is always moving forward towards His ultimate finale ... the return of our Lord. And we have choices to make as we participate in His timeline. We can not only survive the events that are foretold, but we can thrive in them because we know where they're taking us. And we can share the reason for our hope and optimism in a world that appears defeated. 

So, we don't ignore Jesus's warnings, nor do we stay rooted in them. We rejoice that we have been born for such a time as this, and that we can choose to abide in the inner calm and spiritual well-being as a Christian who trusts in God's plan. We will not only survive these days, we can thrive!

#endtimes #endtimesprophecies #thriveinthesetimes #godsentimeplan 

Isaiah 28:21    For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be stirred up as in the Valley of Gibeon, To do His work, His unusual and incredible work, And to accomplish His work, His extraordinary work. 

The Importance of Heeding Biblical Prophecy

 

If like me and my husband, you are a Christian who is discerning the current season that the world is experiencing, then you are tuned in to the warning signs that Jesus and the Bible give us about what the world will look like before His return. To be honest, it amazes me that there might be Christians who, out of fear or unwillingness, are unable to consider the Bible's prophecies about the "End Times". Many are concentrating on looking at the Victory that will be ours as this Age comes to an end. And believe me, my hope lies in that glorious event, too! But I also believe it is important to take the whole counsel of God if we are to live out our lives with a Biblical worldview. And the Bible tells us mankind will have to endure some hard times before the King of the Universe appears on the scene. 

That brings me to the premise of this blog post. I do not want any follower of Jesus to live in fear about what may be coming upon us in the near future. Neither do I want them to live in ignorance and be unprepared for the days of darkness that the Bible prophecies. So before we broach the events that we might expect to experience, and why it's important to know what's coming, I would like to establish the importance of prophecy in the Bible. 

The minor prophet, Amos, recorded this from the Lord ... "For the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets". Amos establishes that God uses hand-picked men to deliver His message of warnings of judgment , as well as the message of the hope of victory -- and He does nothing without instructing His prophets to share the news. The words they spoke were inspired by God, therefore we should listen. By warning of God's judgment upon sinful people and their ways, God's goal is that "all should come to repentance", be forgiven, and step into their purpose for His Kingdom on earth. 

Prophecy also gives us the clear message that God always wins in the end. As we contemplate the results of the sin that engulfed the world "in the days of Noah", as well as the defeat of the nations of Israel and Judah, it might not look like those events scored in the win column. But with each prophecy of judgment that God inspired, He also included a message of hope; an encouraging word that pointed to His ultimate victory, according to His plan. And when the will of God changes the direction of a person or a nation [and even the world] from utter destruction, [and the people repent], it is an expression of His love. By paying attention to the Biblical prophecies, we can see the "big picture" of God's heart, and what might be a scary scenario can be seen in a perspective to help us endure and persevere. If God's Judgment results in repentance, which is changing the way we think from our own selfish desires to God's perspective, we have the opportunity to see His love for us through the entire course of events.

So, now that we have a better understanding of why prophecy is important and its purpose, I want to return to the significance of the prophecies of the End Times in the Bible. Jesus, Himself, tells us in Matthew 24:37-39 that the people were living their lives as normal before God sent the Flood in judgment of their evil ways... "they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man". We know that God promised He would not judge the world with another Flood, but Jesus prophecies that another judgment will come when the world is in the same condition "as it was in the days of Noah", and this will happen at the time of His Return. 

How will we know when the times we live in meet that criteria? According to Genesis 6, in the days of Noah, "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". The earth was covered with widespread violence. Now, that might seem like too general and vague a statement to compare Noah's day with ours ... but is it? None of us can deny the violence we have seen in the streets for the past couple of years, and it's gone from mob violence to personal brutality and savagery... and it's spreading. But it's not just the violence that matches what the prophets warned about.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the Apostle Paul says, "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power". I know that you might think that is too vague, as well, but there is not one of those attributes that doesn't fit our culture today! So, we cannot dismiss it as an authentic warning. 

And there are the many, many prophecies that foretell the End Times season throughout the Bible. Here are just a few that should have our spirits sitting up and taking notice: 1) "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short" (Matthew 24:21-22). Because of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, and biological weapons, mankind is capable of wiping out everyone on the face of the earth ... no human being would survive. Those abilities make our generation a candidate for the End Times.

2) "But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (Daniel 12:4). Up until about 100 years ago or so, few people traveled beyond their own communities, but now with the advent of automobiles, trains, airplanes, and spacecraft, man can literally travel across the world and even into the universe. And the internet has made the exponential increase of knowledge beyond anything we could have imagined just 50 years ago. 

3) "And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth" (Revelation 6:8). Who can deny that the last two-and-a-half years have seen unprecedented Death? War and conflict are evident not only in Ukraine and Russia, but threaten to spill over into another World War. Famine is being predicted across the globe as food shortages are our new reality. Pestilence ... do I need to say more? ... with new strains being predicted for this winter. And the wild beasts of the earth are certainly characterized by the random and brutal acts of men who are clearly devoid of any human empathy. Their consciences are seared, making them no different than a beast of the earth.

4) "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children" (Isaiah 66:8). Israel became a nation on May, 14, 1948, and Jews, who have been dispersed across the world for over 1500 years, have been regathering in their homeland.   

5) "Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be" (Jeremiah 30:18). Since 1948, the ancient city of Jerusalem, and the holy dwelling place of YHWH, has been rebuilt on the old ruins, exactly as foretold. 

6) "... nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (Revelation 9:21). Murders, sexual immorality, and theft are readily seen in the crime wave we are experiencing; the transgender movement; and the loss of the value of our dollar through inflation. The word "sorceries" is English for the Greek word "pharmakeia ", and the deaths from the fentanyl crisis in this nation alone is astronomical.

7) "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons..." (1 Timothy 4:1). It is quite apparent that witchcraft and the occult have taken a hold on the cultures of the world. Renewed worship of pagan gods has increased, and people reject the sound doctrine of God in search of ways that satisfy their own lusts. 

By now, you can see that it is not just wishful thinking that we are closing in on the triumphant return of Jesus. And that's how I choose to see the End Times, rather than stay focused on the destructive events that precede His Second Coming. But that doesn't mean I ignore them, or the prophetic word that warns us to be awake and vigilant. It is a tough path to walk... many Christians would prefer we don't talk about the "negative", and only focus on the "positive". But the Bible tells us that we have to go through the unsettling days before we get to the joyous days of God's glory. And I do not want anyone to fall away from their faith because these days come upon them unexpectedly!

I know that many, if not all, of these few prophecies I have cited have been happening for centuries. But, I think if you will consider them carefully, we are the only generation that has seen these events come together at the same time. And there are so many more prophecies throughout the Bible [from Genesis to Revelation] that seem to point to our generation. Please don't look upon them with fear, but rather with joy, hope, and expectation. We may be about to be reunited with our Heavenly Father, who ordained us for a time "such as this". If you haven't yet, repent of your sins, and place all your trust in the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ! God will never leave us, and we have an eternal home awaiting us. Let the prophecies of the Bible enrich your prayer life and hear the voice of God as He warns you and encourages you!

#endtimes #endtimesprophecy  #bibleprophecy  #comeslikeathief

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6   For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

Is Queen Elizabeth's Death A Prophetic Sign?

For awhile now, I have been watching the disintegration of Europe. I'm not a political science expert and I don't study the theory and practice of international politics and government, but it doesn't take a genius to recognize that the world is coming unhinged and Europe is on the verge of collapse. And then there are the times that the Holy Spirit is very direct at pointing me to events He wants me to see. So, not knowing what each day will bring, I was surprised to hear the news announcement that Queen Elizabeth's health was failing. It didn't take long to realize that she was probably on hospice, as the royal family began congregating at her bedside. But it was literally only a few hours after the initial announcement before her passing was made public. Immediately, my spirit was alert, and I knew this was a prophetic sign for all of Europe.

As I meditated on this thought, I heard in my spirit, "Elizabeth has passed away. Europe is next. Europe will fall". In my mind I tried to substitute the word "fail" instead of "fall", because I think my flesh thought "fail" didn't sound so final, as if Europe might possibly be blessed with a revival of fortune or a rebirth. But I could not convince my spirit to agree ... no, I definitely heard "fall". But what does that mean? I confess that I am still trying to hear in the spirit what the aftermath of this possible prophetic sign might look like. 

All the while, the clues are laid out for us quite clearly. The euro, which is the official currency of 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union, is on the verge of collapse. But a collapsing euro will affect our country as well. When the European currency is strong, it helps make American exports cheaper in the Euro zone. A deep recession in Europe and the collapse of the Euro zone will also affect US banks, whose balance sheets contain government bonds bought from financially unstable European states. In fact US institutions are heavily invested in securities and credit-default swaps with European banks.

And that's not the only thing in Europe on the brink of collapse. Europe is suffering a collapse of their energy resources. Exploding energy prices are affecting France, Germany, and Britain with some costs predicted to rise as much as 200%. Poland is giving its citizens permission to forage in the forests for firewood because energy prices are unaffordable. Europe is also feeling the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to a report on wnd.com, "This week the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that Ukraine’s nuclear plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, has suffered damage as part of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Last week, the Russian energy giant Gazprom announced that it would not recommence European gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline." So Europe is facing a dire energy crisis as well, just as winter looms. Add to these crises, the growing whispers of "widespread civil unrest" across Europe due to the higher cost of living, the added burden of illegal migrants, and the threat of more devastating lockdowns due to new virus threats, and one can see that the future of Europe, and hence the world, is looking bleak.

So, is the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign was a symbol of comfort, continuity, and stability in the midst of a rapidly changing world, a prophetic sign indicating that balance and security is going to fall away? I want to make it clear -- I do not see myself as a prophet; certainly not in the sense of Biblical prophets that history shows spoke as God directed them to warn of Judgment and impending captivity. But I do believe that I am to be a Watchman on the Wall; that I hear God's message to people to warn them to repent of their sins; to warn them of the consequences of sin as well as to motivate people to stay firm in their faith. A Watchman is able [as God makes possible] to receive a unique vision of world events and to encourage people that God is Sovereign, and desires men to turn back to Him and live Godly lives. 

And I don't have to look long in the Bible to see how quickly the fates of nations and peoples can change... sometimes virtually overnight. I'm not claiming that what I heard in my spirit on the morning of Queen Elizabeth's death will take place overnight, but I only have to look at 1 Thessalonians 5:2 to know the possibilities that exist: For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. A simple event can trigger a series of dominoes to fall, resulting in world turmoil -- an event such as lack of confidence in a nation's financial system [due to the collapse of a currency]... or the death of the longest-serving monarch in the 315-year history of Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth II. We only need to look at the assassination of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand in 1914 to see how quickly that event caused the world to descend into the chaos of WWI.

But we must never forget that it is God who establishes the courses that nations will take. It doesn't mean that He controls every aspect of a nation's activities. We know that the Bible says Satan will intervene, and nations will rise up in turmoil against God; the people will devise vain and hopeless plots; the kings of the earth will make their stand; and rulers will take counsel together [against God], but ultimately, if their plans are not in agreement with God's divine plans, then these nations will fade away [or fall overnight] from the world stage. Historically, that was the case for ancient kingdoms and powerful empires: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, [all of the Bible]; and Mongolian, Russian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese Empires of our modern history books.  

It is said that Queen Elizabeth is among the last of the world's royal monarchs to publicly declare her faith. In her 2000 Christmas message she said, ""For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life... I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example."  So, we must wait and see what [or if] the death of Queen Elizabeth will result in the further decline of professed faith in God from an increasingly secular world. I, personally, will wait and watch if what I heard in my spirit was a prophetic warning of a precipitous event that signals another move on the timeline towards the Day of the Lord. I will pray that I continue to be sensitive to God's voice because I know His timing and will are perfect. And may we all remain in worshipful reverence and submissive wonder at His power and authority over all the kingdoms of the earth!

#queenelizabeth #propheticsigns #hearingfromthelord #watchmanonthewall

Psalm 2:10   Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; Be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth.

"The Council For Inclusive Capitalism" & Why It Is a Prophetic Picture of the Beast System in Revelation 17!

 

Once again I am hearing from the Lord to give a warning about the End Times scenario the world is approaching. He has shown me this for several years; my husband and I have taught seminars on this topic; and we have shouted from the rooftops that people need to see where we are headed. Now, the prompting from Heaven is once again heavy on my spirit to show what the Bible has prophesied, and it is time to share it. 

For the last decade or more, in the midst of educating me on the responsibilities of Christians to advance the Kingdom of God, my Lord has shone His Light on information regarding topics such as Agenda 21, the New World Order, Agenda 2030, the Great Reset, and now "The Council on Inclusive Capitalism". You will see that I have included links to quite a few articles on this subject, and that's because there are people smarter than me who can explain what we're facing better than me. I hope you will take the time to read them. This may all sound like complicated and confusing plans to control the world's population, but at their core they are all designed to deliver us into the Beast System of the Book of Revelation.

What is this Beast System? It is a reference to a system of world government mentioned in both Revelation 13 and 17, and is a coalition of nations that seeks to subdue the population of the earth under Satan's orders. Eventually "the system" will become answerable to "the Beast", Himself, who is the Anti-Christ, the "Man of Lawlessness". But we are not quite there yet; first his Beast System must be implemented, as described in Revelation 17:12-13 ... "The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but [together] they receive authority as kings for a single hour [for a common purpose] along with the beast. These [kings] have one purpose [one mind, one common goal], and they give their power and authority to the beast." In other words, nations of the world will give up their sovereignty to develop a one-world alliance (or New World Order), until they ultimately surrender their authority to the Anti-Christ. The Good News for us is found in verse 14: They will join forces with the Anti-Christ, and "They will wage war against the Lamb (Christ), and the Lamb will triumph and conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him and on His side are the called and chosen (elect) and faithful.”

But before we get to that point, we're going to have to go through some bad stuff. And rather than write some long, drawn-out explanations of the different strategies for population control that are [even now] underway, I recommend you read these excellent articles to understand how Satan's plans have progressed: The Truth About The UN's Agenda 2030 ... Pope Francis Calls For Global Government and the End of National Sovereignty ... and The "GREAT Narrative" of the New World Order Exposed and Revealed.

They all detail the various strategies to subjugate the people of the world to an elite cabal of world politicians, business leaders, and cultural philosophers in order to make the world "a better place" or to "save the planet". But there's one big problem with their ideas ... it means individual freedom is sacrificed for "the good of all". And how do they accomplish this noble goal? Well, two years ago, my husband and I presented a seminar called "The Great Reset Meets The Kingdom of God", in which we quoted Klaus Schwab, the "man of the hour" and head of the World Economic Forum (WEF). This is what he said: "The world must act swiftly and jointly to revamp all aspects of our societies and economies, from education to social contracts and working conditions. Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed. In short, we need a "Great Reset" of capitalism."

Sounds pretty much like he wants to set Revelation 17 in motion, doesn't it? That's where "The Council for Inclusive Capitalism" comes in. And of course, they want you to believe their goal is "to make the world more inclusive and sustainable"... for instance, energy companies must act for a "just" transition. And they announce that they have 607 actions for inclusive capitalism and 296 member organizations. Who are some of these organizations who have signed on to this global inclusiveness? Fortis Lux Financial, who will promote employee diversity and inclusion; BP who aims to protect the environment by increasing "biodiversity by implementing enhancement plans by 2030" [climate control]; Bank of America who will commit to hire 10,000 individuals from low and moderate income neighborhoods ["equity"] and provide them with skills training; and Johnson & Johnson, who "will leverage digital technologies to combat pandemics and epidemics by enabling global/open access to a vaccination monitoring platform by 2025". 

Does any of this sound like it's good for individual freedom? Brandon Smith wrote an excellent article for Alt-Market.us that lays out the agenda for this Council and their plans for the one-world government that the Book of Revelation prophesies. He cites one of the most chilling quotes I've ever heard regarding this global agenda. It comes from
Clinton Administration Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot, who stated in Time magazine that: “In the next century, nations as we know it will be obsolete; all states will recognize a single, global authority… National sovereignty wasn’t such a great idea after all.”

Smith's article goes into great detail to lay out the plans and strategies for The Council, and although he doesn't tie this alarming agenda directly to the Bible, he does make note that the Pope has been increasingly promoting "woke ideology, climate alarmism and one world religion rhetoric in conflict with traditional Christian doctrine." What we Christians, with eyes to see and ears to hear, must understand is that the political, economic, and religious power centers of this world are coming together to form "the Beast" of Revelation 13:7-8, who is given permission to wage war against the saints (God’s people) and to overcome them, and [is given] authority and power over every tribe and people and language and nation. All the inhabitants of the earth will fall down and worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the Book of Life.

We are on the precipice of entering this dark prophecy of the Bible. All the dominoes are set in place. The question is whether they are set to fall in our lifetime. With each step the global elite take with their "agendas and councils", we begin to see the ending Book of the Bible come into view. That old serpent/dragon Satan is coming closer to unveiling the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet, ushering in the termination of national sovereignty and the forced worship of an Anti-Christ system. We can continue to refute the idea that we might see such evil in our world because "we win in the end and Jesus is our victory" [which is true, by the way], OR we can answer God's call in Revelation 13:10 for patient endurance and the faithfulness of the saints [which is seen in the response of God’s people to difficult times]. The choice is ours, and in the meantime, we have work to do ... there are people who need to know the Saving Grace of Christ so that they may enter and partake of the Kingdom of God on earth; they need to be equipped and trained to endure and persevere until the return of the Lord, who will conquer and defeat the alliance of Satan and evil men. For a short time they will succeed in their plans, but I celebrate that it is our Lord who gets to write the end of the story!

Revelation 22:12-13      Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.