Revelation 13:16-18 reads as follows: “He(the false prophet) also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” Emphasis mine.
I can remember back in the 1980s when the topic of the “mark of the beast” would be depicted in a movie or come up in conversation, it was generally dismissed as something that would be impossible in our modern world with its freedoms. The end times were thought of as far off into the future, if at all, because the world system did not lend itself to domination by any one person. Prior to this present generation it would be impossible for anyone to be controlled in buying or selling in any way.
At just about this same point in time my bank issued me a new card to carry in my wallet. It was an ATM card. Initially, I used it to get cash during hours when my bank was closed. I conducted all my monetary transactions with cash or by check. I paid my bills by check and most small purchases like haircuts and movies were paid with cash. As time went on, more and more businesses installed ATM/Credit card readers at their check-outs. Today I have very little need for cash and the only check I write is my tithe check to the church. My house payments and some utilities are handled by electronic withdrawals from my account. Pension check and Social Security are deposited in the same way. It is very convenient. Now, even while I am away from home on vacation, I can get on-line to my bank and have them make payments to anyone I designate. Nowadays, a $20 bill can last me two weeks before I’ll need to use it buy something. I know I’m not alone in this; you probably do the same things.
Because of the advances in technology over the past 25 to 30 years, everybody with a checking account is now in a system that can be controlled by one person! With the advent of electronic banking came a new kind of crime, Identity Theft. If someone gets a few of your critical identification numbers they can wreck havoc with your credit rating. This has spawned a whole new industry to help protect your identity. In addition, massive international drug dealing and terrorism are making it difficult for law enforcement to control people and money. There will come a time when the governments of the world will begin to cooperate as never before in an attempt to eliminate the need for currency altogether and control criminal and terrorist activities. There is already serious talk of a national ID card in the US and my driver’s license now has a bio-identifier encoded into the bar code on the back. But cards and licenses are too easily lost or stolen so something else will have to be done.
Enter the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Since 2006 the US, EU and many other countries have incorporated this tiny microchip into passports which, when passed through a radio transmitting reader, verify the printed information on the passport along with a digital picture of the holder. Some banks and high security minded organizations like the CIA and NSA issue special RFIDs to their employees. Some RFIDs can be read from several yards or more away. Very soon, people will find it more convenient to have an RFID implanted in their hand so the risk of loss or theft of ID can be eliminated. I see this sort of thing happening very soon but it won’t be the mark of the beast, not yet. First, we will just have to sort of get used to this new technology. Then, after the anti-christ is revealed it will be a simple matter of, after forcing people to pledge allegiance and worship to the beast or die, that their RFID will be “updated” so that they may buy or sell.
I don’t know what 666 means but I do know that the Bible tells us that if you do worship this beast or take the number of his name, 666, you will be forever damned with no hope of retracting your decision. It is better to die than to spend eternity in punishment. Jesus tells us not to fear the one who can kill our body but fear the One who can condemn our souls to hell. Dreadful times are coming. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
AND THEN THE END WILL COME
Last week I discussed the evidence of our current day being like those in the “days of Noah”. This is a phrase Jesus used to describe the nature of the days immediately preceding his return (Matt 24:37). Today I would just like to speculate on how we might find ourselves (the US) as a part of a “one-world” government as described, in part, in Daniel chapter 2. In the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel described the major world powers that would determine world history. The head of gold was the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar, the chest and arms of silver was the kingdom of the Medes/Persians, the third kingdom to rule the world represented by bronze were the Greeks, the fourth kingdom represented by iron were the Romans. The eastern and western capitols of Rome and Constantinople are represented by the two legs. The last world kingdom is represented by the two feet of an admixture of iron and clay and the toes representing the 10 nation confederacy comprising the revived Roman Empire. No where in this dream (literally fulfilled prophecy) is there any mention of the USA as a super power in the last days.
So let’s take a look at today’s news and imagine how we might find ourselves a part of “The New World Order” or one-world government. For those of you who may be old enough to remember the Carter administration, you may remember that government spending under Carter and the Democratic controlled congress was spiraling out of control. Interest rates were skyrocketing to all-time highs (18-20% for a mortgage) paralyzing the productivity of the country. This inflation was caused by over printing the US dollar. In those days Carter increased the currency in circulation by 12%. Fast forward to today. The current administration and congress are spending money we don’t have at a phenomenal rate never before seen. The current administration’s budget for this year is more than for every other presidential administrative budget in the history of the nation combined. They have increased the currency in circulation, not by 12% but by over 124%. Since the advent of the Federal Reserve Note, our dollar is actually based up nothing whatever. The government just prints it by fiat. This works out very well for absolutely nobody except government. It does however enslave the people to the government. In addition the Senate is about to vote in a government controlled health plan that will sink us so deep into debt that we won’t be able to get out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is unsustainable and our nation’s financial system will collapse. This will send the economies of all the other nations of the world into a tail-spin. The thought will be that the US is too big to fail (didn’t we just hear that about our banks?) and that a world wide currency and monetary system must be developed. Of course this will be controlled by the World Bank (already in existence) and administered by a world body (the UN?). When the US looses its currency it will lose its sovereignty. I believe then that in the mixture of violence and economic upheaval the world will look for someone to straighten this all out. Then someone will rise up; an economic, military and political genius who will be able to solve all these problems and bring peace to the Middle East. When you see him sign a 7 year peace treaty with Israel then know that terrible times like never before seen will happen. The anti-christ has made himself known.
In the mean time take some measures to help yourself through the coming difficult financial times. Get out of debt. Invest in something that will have value because our currency will be worthless. Save for the rainy days to come. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. Even so, come soon Lord Jesus.
So let’s take a look at today’s news and imagine how we might find ourselves a part of “The New World Order” or one-world government. For those of you who may be old enough to remember the Carter administration, you may remember that government spending under Carter and the Democratic controlled congress was spiraling out of control. Interest rates were skyrocketing to all-time highs (18-20% for a mortgage) paralyzing the productivity of the country. This inflation was caused by over printing the US dollar. In those days Carter increased the currency in circulation by 12%. Fast forward to today. The current administration and congress are spending money we don’t have at a phenomenal rate never before seen. The current administration’s budget for this year is more than for every other presidential administrative budget in the history of the nation combined. They have increased the currency in circulation, not by 12% but by over 124%. Since the advent of the Federal Reserve Note, our dollar is actually based up nothing whatever. The government just prints it by fiat. This works out very well for absolutely nobody except government. It does however enslave the people to the government. In addition the Senate is about to vote in a government controlled health plan that will sink us so deep into debt that we won’t be able to get out. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is unsustainable and our nation’s financial system will collapse. This will send the economies of all the other nations of the world into a tail-spin. The thought will be that the US is too big to fail (didn’t we just hear that about our banks?) and that a world wide currency and monetary system must be developed. Of course this will be controlled by the World Bank (already in existence) and administered by a world body (the UN?). When the US looses its currency it will lose its sovereignty. I believe then that in the mixture of violence and economic upheaval the world will look for someone to straighten this all out. Then someone will rise up; an economic, military and political genius who will be able to solve all these problems and bring peace to the Middle East. When you see him sign a 7 year peace treaty with Israel then know that terrible times like never before seen will happen. The anti-christ has made himself known.
In the mean time take some measures to help yourself through the coming difficult financial times. Get out of debt. Invest in something that will have value because our currency will be worthless. Save for the rainy days to come. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. Even so, come soon Lord Jesus.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The day of the rapture of the church is fast approaching. We are commanded to not predict dates and hours but we are commanded to watch for the season of His return. In Matthew 24 Jesus said that the time just prior to his coming would be like the “days of Noah.” What were those days like? It is described for us in
Genesis 6:11-13 “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on the earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, ‘I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.’” Is the earth today like the days of Noah? I submit to you that it is. Just a few examples off the top of my mind will prove the point. Radical Muslim groups all over the world are murdering innocent people with IEDs, suicide murderers, enforcing Muslim law at the point of a gun or the edge of a machete, hijacked airplanes and the like. The Mexican drug cartels are murdering with impunity on both sides of the border with the US in the furtherance of their drug trade. All over Asia, Europe, North and South America, practically world-wide, unborn babies are being murdered by the tens of millions each year. God forgive us! Tribal war in Africa has killed millions in recent years because one light skinned African group claims superiority over another darker-skinned tribal group. Most recently we hear of the murder of 13 people by a US Army officer at an Army Base where soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were being processed. These types of mass murder by a crazed gunman are becoming almost common place. In addition the US in embroiled in two wars of its own. I think I have proven my point. These are becoming more and more like the days of Noah.
With that in mind and without claiming any particular day or time, we can see by the “season” of events around us that the day of “The blessed Hope”, the rapture, is upon us.
Did you know that if you love His appearing, that is to look forward to it with anticipation and delight that you will receive a special reward? 2 Tim 4: 8 reads this way; (Paul writing) “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Why would those who long for the Lord’s appearing receive a crown of righteousness? What does righteousness have to do with anything? Do you remember what Paul reminded us about Abraham? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Rom 4:3). Obviously if we are looking forward to something with anticipation we must believe that it is going to happen. If we believe then, in God’s eyes, we are righteous (in right standing with God). What is it that we are to believe? Let’s look at 1Thes 4:13-18 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
That is why I remind you of these things, as an encouragement! If you believe and look forward with anticipation to the return of the Lord and the rapture of the church, you will receive a crown of righteousness that will identify you for all of eternity as one of those who believed and set apart. For those of you who have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ and discovered that tens of millions of people have just vanished off the earth, you may still be saved. He who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. The days ahead for you will be terrible as the wrath of God is poured out on an unbelieving and evil world but you can still be saved and go to heaven. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
(Rom 10:9) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God . . .” (Jn 1:12) He is coming soon, look up for your redemption draws near. Even so come Lord Jesus!
Genesis 6:11-13 “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on the earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, ‘I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.’” Is the earth today like the days of Noah? I submit to you that it is. Just a few examples off the top of my mind will prove the point. Radical Muslim groups all over the world are murdering innocent people with IEDs, suicide murderers, enforcing Muslim law at the point of a gun or the edge of a machete, hijacked airplanes and the like. The Mexican drug cartels are murdering with impunity on both sides of the border with the US in the furtherance of their drug trade. All over Asia, Europe, North and South America, practically world-wide, unborn babies are being murdered by the tens of millions each year. God forgive us! Tribal war in Africa has killed millions in recent years because one light skinned African group claims superiority over another darker-skinned tribal group. Most recently we hear of the murder of 13 people by a US Army officer at an Army Base where soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were being processed. These types of mass murder by a crazed gunman are becoming almost common place. In addition the US in embroiled in two wars of its own. I think I have proven my point. These are becoming more and more like the days of Noah.
With that in mind and without claiming any particular day or time, we can see by the “season” of events around us that the day of “The blessed Hope”, the rapture, is upon us.
Did you know that if you love His appearing, that is to look forward to it with anticipation and delight that you will receive a special reward? 2 Tim 4: 8 reads this way; (Paul writing) “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Why would those who long for the Lord’s appearing receive a crown of righteousness? What does righteousness have to do with anything? Do you remember what Paul reminded us about Abraham? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Rom 4:3). Obviously if we are looking forward to something with anticipation we must believe that it is going to happen. If we believe then, in God’s eyes, we are righteous (in right standing with God). What is it that we are to believe? Let’s look at 1Thes 4:13-18 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
That is why I remind you of these things, as an encouragement! If you believe and look forward with anticipation to the return of the Lord and the rapture of the church, you will receive a crown of righteousness that will identify you for all of eternity as one of those who believed and set apart. For those of you who have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ and discovered that tens of millions of people have just vanished off the earth, you may still be saved. He who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. The days ahead for you will be terrible as the wrath of God is poured out on an unbelieving and evil world but you can still be saved and go to heaven. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
(Rom 10:9) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God . . .” (Jn 1:12) He is coming soon, look up for your redemption draws near. Even so come Lord Jesus!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
Have you ever wondered about all the work done by the current and previous Presidential Administrations to strike a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians but with no success? Today, with all the noise that Iran in making about destroying Israel and the intractability of the Palestinians to make peace in spite of Israel’s ceding of lands, one is harkened back to the Old Testament, specifically Zech 12:2-3: “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.” Israel took back Jerusalem and the West Bank and Gaza from Jordan and Egypt after their victory in the 1967 war. Since that time the Arabs have call this the “Israeli Occupation.” Each attempt at peace has resulted in the exchanging of “land for peace” but there is no peace. Israel is very clear on the fact that they will not give up Jerusalem, the capitol of their nation.
During a speech at the United Nations, President Obama used the words “Israeli Occupation.” This is the first time a US President has ever used those words. It appears that he is siding with the Arabs in this conflict over Jerusalem and is reported to have promised Jerusalem to the Palestinians. In short, Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. I firmly believe that the only reason the US has enjoyed such peace and prosperity is because of her support of Israel. As you read then end-times prophecies in Scripture you will find no hint of the US superpower. She is not to be found. The government in power is the One-World government of the Anti-Christ. Our government has turned against Israel and now the protecting hand of God is lifting form us. In a very short time our currency will be worthless because the government has printed more than double the amount of currency previously in circulation. As believers in Christ, we have nothing to fear but we must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The time is very short.
During a speech at the United Nations, President Obama used the words “Israeli Occupation.” This is the first time a US President has ever used those words. It appears that he is siding with the Arabs in this conflict over Jerusalem and is reported to have promised Jerusalem to the Palestinians. In short, Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. I firmly believe that the only reason the US has enjoyed such peace and prosperity is because of her support of Israel. As you read then end-times prophecies in Scripture you will find no hint of the US superpower. She is not to be found. The government in power is the One-World government of the Anti-Christ. Our government has turned against Israel and now the protecting hand of God is lifting form us. In a very short time our currency will be worthless because the government has printed more than double the amount of currency previously in circulation. As believers in Christ, we have nothing to fear but we must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The time is very short.
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