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RECAP NEWSLETTER - 7/30/9 Issue 54 ALLIES OF THE ANTICHRIST As our world grows increasingly darker with sin and rebellion against God and His ways, we must exercise our discernment in light of Scripture all that much the more. John 7:24 reminds us that we should “judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Our sight and comprehension of things can many times be distorted, false, or compromised. Therefore, we must lean on God’s Word to correct our worldview and perspective of things. One of the biggest hang-ups that many Christians (particularly American Christians) have is the concept that there is no conspiracy by those in power to destroy the vestiges of nations, sovereignty, and the economy. Most of these Christians will assent that they believe the Antichrist will do all of those deeds, but they do not want to consider that the foundations are being laid before he arrives on the scene. The danger with this mentality is that they lose the sense of urgency that Christ was wanting to impart by us reading the signs of the times. When a Christian does not have a sense of urgency, they also lose their zeal for service and holiness. There are many Christians who put forth a nominal effort for Christ only because they believe there is no hurry. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10, the Apostle Paul writes, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Even back then, Paul was concerned that Christians were already being lied to about Christ’s return and the antichrist. He made an emphasis on that we should not allow ourselves to be duped on this subject. While he makes it clear that God has not revealed him yet, he also mentions that Satan has already started laying the foundations for the antichrist to be revealed. Satan is the great Deceiver, and he has started a campaign not only of false teaching, but also a campaign to consolidate economic and political power. The Apostle Paul describes Satan’s campaign as the “mystery of iniquity.” The large picture is vague. The details can even be vague. However, we can see signs here and there that point to the larger “mystery of iniquity.” Satan keeps pressing to reveal his wicked one, and only God is hindering him. Until that time, Satan is working to have all the props in place, stage ready, lights and cameras in place. When the world reels from having the economic rug pulled from under it, he plans to step in asking for the keys to the nations, while in the other hand he presents his new economic system. While many Christians may assent to that assessment so far, many get hung up on this next point. Matthew 4:8-9 says, “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Satan thought that he could run a shortcut by getting Jesus to hand over the world. That didn’t work. But, the thing we must keep in mind is that Satan has the power and ability to promise the nations and kingdoms of the world to anyone. If he can’t get Jesus to hand over power, he can certainly tempt rulers with power. Some of the most influential men in our world have certain known ties to the occult. Satan has whispered in their ear some time, and now they blindly follow his guiding. The stage is being set. The economic rug is deliberately being pulled out from under our world, which will result in a chaos that will ring the whole world’s bell. The peoples will cry out for peace and safety from the impeding chaos, and influential rulers will step onto the stage offering palatable solutions. One of them will turn out to the antichrist. Christian, Romans 13:11-12 cautions us “…that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Do not look at the events in our current world as merely cyclical economic fluctuations. This is an orchestrated event, designed with one goal in mind – to lay some of the final foundation and ultimately usher in the antichrist. Time is so short. 1 John 3:2-3 exhorts us, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Live for Christ first and highest above all! Maranatha!
---------------------------------------------------------------- The video seminar is also available for purchase download at Vision Forum’s Behemoth.com, under the Learning section! Also, we have a second video available, “Building Thinking Skills In Young People.” This video is a sister video to the Logic Seminar, and is primarily directed at parents, teachers, and those who have an influence on young people. About forty minutes long, this covers both negative and positive ways to influence the thinking skills of young people. Please keep this special logic ministry in prayer! Pray that it will get into the homes of those who can learn and grow by it! Also, continue to pray that the Lord will meet the financial needs (printing, duplication, binding equipment, etc.) needed to expand this ministry into new venues and opportunities. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ------------------------------------------------------ Speaking of health, the swine flu now going around is definitely worth paying attention to. While I hope to compile more specifics as time permits, here are two great links: Protecting Your Family From an Influenza Pandemic Children and Pregnant Women Targeted in U.S. Swine Flu Mass Vaccination Program I would highly recommend that you start providing your pantry with Vitamin C & E supplements. Start taking them regularly, especially Vitamin D. Have a good supply of fresh garlic on hand or in the garden (capsules are not fresh garlic). One thing to definitely avoid during an outbreak would be dairy since they produce excess mucous, where the flu germ propagates. Lord willing, I will try to compile more information, but you will find plenty at the two links listed.
------------------------------------------------------ “Good luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Bad luck is when lack of preparation meets adversity.” Panic now; avoid the rush. “We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” Daniel 9:18
CURRENT EVENT RECAP Around the world, there is a clarion call for a new world order. Several presidents and world leaders have used that phrase, or variation of, in public statements, especially in regard to the financial situation. As the G8 prepared to meet a couple of weeks ago, many of the leaders were either expressing the need for 1) a new world order, 2) a non-dollar/varied reserve currency, 3) a global currency, or 4) a world political authority. At the G8 meeting itself, Medvedev presented the different delegations with a prototype “world currency” bearing the inscription “unity in diversity.” Tying this in with our above Bible study, we must keep in mind that when world leaders are talking about a new world currency, they are not just not presently putting those plans on the table. They have been introduced long ago in less-public venues, plans made, dies designed, and other necessary framework is already moving into place. When Medvedev shows off a new “world currency”, he may be showing the world a commemorative prototype, but it is a shadow of the real deal awaiting full minting and printing. Indeed, I would not be surprised if there is already pallets of the new money already printed and shrink-wrapped in some facility somewhere. Why do I think this? Because when we examine the world events on a daily basis over time, we start to see patterns emerging, and pattern shifts are more apparent. For those who watch the news casually (especially the eclectic mainstream news diet), then world events appear to be random and coincidental. However, when we see a definite pattern emerging, we can rule out mere coincidence, bolstered by the circumstantial evidence. For example, when we see various world leaders and power-brokers (all from various cultures, ethnicities, nations, and backgrounds) all starting to chime in at the same time with one voice regarding one radically new way, we should not chalk it up as mere coincidence. There is collusion among them; yet, they must present slowly and deliberately to create a front and façade that engenders ardent public support for their plans. Not only is this being accomplished on a mere political and national level, but it is also concerted with the religious power brokers as well. There are two main forces that act on a person besides family: one’s fervor to their country or government; and one’s religious zeal. We know the antichrist will be using both when he comes, and we know that he is using both now as well. Several weeks ago, the pope issued his writings calling for a “true world political authority”, who would have the power to manage the global economy, world affairs, world peace, etc. Also, to make it look like he wasn’t a total shill for Satan, he peppered it generously with caveats about how caution should be exercised in who that power is given to. Satan knows some people may be disarmed in their apprehension toward a new order of things by having a man with religious overtones also chime in on the subject and appear to be somewhat impartial. As more and more talk emerges about choosing a President for Europe via the European Council of Heads of State, start looking for more signs and talk regarding regionalization in other parts of the world. We are starting to see growing regionalization of ASEAN (the start of sharing of visas), and growing cooperativeness in South America. As the dollar crisis further implodes, we will see even more vocal expression and demand for regionalization. Remember that Revelations 17:12-13 tells us, “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast…” The ten kings that will be eventually set up by the antichrist will be regional rulers who have power, not over an actual physical/single country, but a conglomerate of nations in their regions. As Satan continues to lay the foundation, we will see many more pieces moved into place, especially as the economic crisis further unfolds. The motto of the regionalization will probably be “unity in diversity.” I had mentioned that Satan will use both politics/finances and religion to further his goals. In the Old Testament, Satan tried to use the Canaanite armies to destroy the children of Israel, and he also used “religion” against them as well. Satan enticed them to worship false gods and to sin against God. Thereby, God became their enemy as well. The same is true with America today. America once was a Christian nation, known for a people that were, to a large degree, followers of God and His Word. Incredible revivals once moved through our land, in its earlier years. Nowadays, however, our land and country is running greedily after things that are an abomination to God. Is it no wonder then that God has become our enemy? If you haven’t read my article, “Why Would God Judge America?” I highly suggest that you read it and see the various times in Scripture that God said He would just a people and land solely because they became proficient in shedding innocent blood. A commentator recently remarked that America has shown more visible mourning and grief over the death of a freak rock musician than the thousands of unborn children that get murdered EVERY DAY. As the writer put it, “we have to make a disturbing observation about our nation.” Satan already has America in God’s ire, but he is not content to leave it there. He wants to keep stirring the pot. Notice that Obama keeps appointing people that hold very craven ideals regarding the unborn, elderly, marriage, and what God calls good. Isaiah 3:8-13 laments, “For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.” The LORD has pleaded His case against our land as well. As I stated in my article about God judging America, the time for repentance and healing of our nation is most likely past. Right now we think we are in appeals, but the arguments have already been given. We have transgressed far greater than the nations before us that God judged; yet, He is still merciful in delaying judgment. As the righteous Judge, however, He cannot ignore it. In Numbers 25 (and other places), we find that God can judge for sin with plague and pestilence. In this particular instance, it is recorded that twenty-four thousand people died because of idol worship. Most people think of God’s judgment on a land as akin to the rain of fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. However, sometimes God uses pestilence, sometimes He gave them rulers that would run their nation into the ground, have the enemy attack them, etc. While I do not know the future, I know we can get a pretty good idea of it by looking at God’s Word. He did tell His disciples that one of the characteristics of the last days was going to be pestilence (plague/disease). I don’t know how the swine flu will turn out, but I would not be surprised if it plays a part in putting America under. In Deuteronomy 31:20-21, regarding His children Israel, God writes, “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them…” God had warned His children that after He was going to bless them above measure, they would be tempted to forget and forsake Him. The same has happened to America. We have lived on the fruit of blessings from previous generations, even though our recent generations have produced little or no fruit (collectively). We have a land full to the brim (seemingly) of food, and have the most obese people in the world. The trouble is, our nation is running on fumes, and we are already coasting to the curb. I find it interesting that the swine flu appears to hit the obese the easiest. Will our nation “suffer” more than others? I do not know; but, I do suspect that it will be one of the final nails that will usher in the end of America as we have known it, whether by pretext or by actual damage done. What should we then do? Well, the first priority is to make sure that you know the Lord. The signs are all around us that the world is quickly coming to an end. The world will meet its appointment, and so will you. Hebrews 9:27-28 tells us, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Nations will be judged in this world; individuals in the next. The very second that you die, you will be judged. Romans 6:23 explains, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The wages and result of sin is death. There are many people who think that their ‘goodness’ will get them to Heaven. Mark 10:18 says, “…there is none good but one, that is, God.” God already tells you and me that we are not good. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Notice that God keeps reminding us that salvation is a gift. What do we need to be saved from? Our sin. We have examined today somewhat of how God is a righteous Judge. As a perfect Judge, He must give the sentence for sin: death (physical and also an eternal separation from God in Hell). However, He is also the Advocate who stands to plead on the behalf of the accused. As such, He can offer us a gift of salvation, because the Judge/Advocate has also paid for our crime on our behalf. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” You see, our Judge loves us enough to offer us a way of salvation from the sentence that must be given. Romans 10:13 explains, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” All we have to do is 1) Admits that we are sinners and we deserve the punishment for sin. 2) Believe that Jesus Christ paid that debt on our behalf and is offering that paid-in-full payment to us if we want it. 3) Ask Him to save us from our sin. Friend, it is that easy. Yet, in spite of Jesus Christ paying such an incredible debt and offering that payment, many people say, in effect, “no thanks, I do it myself.” When they stand before the Judge, it is too late to accept it then. In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Do not rely on your good works, some priest, some pope, your parents, your reputation, etc. to save you from your sin. Only Jesus Christ can save you, and He offers that paid-in-full gift to you today. Many years ago, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and now I have assurance that my sin is paid for, and that I know Him. One day, when I die, I know my Advocate, Jesus Christ, will say, “I know him – he’s paid for.” What about you? Secondly, if you know Him already, Christian, we know that God has written about these signs of the times for our learning. It is not for mere morbid curiosity, but for application. As we looked at earlier, as we see these signs, we should live for Him and what He approves of. As His children, we want our Father’s approval, and we will be rewarded accordingly. Let us live with a zeal to serve God, an abhorrence of evil, an hunger for God and His Word, and a passion to share the good news of salvation with those who have no hope. As we keep those main goals in focus, we can prepare and live prudently in light of what God has shared about the last days. He has told us that pestilence (among other things) will be a common characteristic of the last days. He also told us at the first days (Genesis 1:29), “Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” God originally planned for us to be vegetarians. However, after man rebelled and wanted to do things his way, God let him. Man also reaped the ill health that comes from it. Don’t get me wrong, I love meat. My point is that God gave us herbs for a reason. He specifically mentions that He gave us the seeds to eat, too. As you learn about herbs, you will find that there are many good herbal remedies that can help against pestilence and disease, even nefarious ones such as swine or avian flu. Lord willing, I am working on being able to share some of that information with you in the near future. There are many other prudent precautions and preparations for the near future that we can clue in on from the Scripture. Many of these I have written about before. You can find the articles listed on our website, informedchristians.com > Letters by the Editor > In the End Times section. Live in light of the eternity looming on the horizon, serve our Saviour, tell others about Him, and prudently provide for your own household (I Timothy 5:8)! Also, as the days grow increasingly darker, there will be many opportunities to witness or assist others. Ask the Lord now to open your eyes to various needs, opportunities, and to open doors of witnessing during these days. Perhaps the Lord will show you a way of ministry that no one else will have access to. Also, as always, read God’s Word, and ask Him for wisdom and knowledge of what He would have you to do! Maranatha! ------------------------------------------------------ Pray for your fellow Christians that they will keep their eyes on the Lord during these trying times, and that they will live prudently in light of the changing economic landscape in our land and world. Pray that God will also open doors of opportunity in these times for ministry and witnessing. Remember, your testimony is showing. Pray for missionaries around the world that are loosing support because of the financial situation. Pray that God will meet their needs, keep them safe, keep their family safe and healthy, and that God will open doors for witnessing, and give them boldness to proclaim His name! Pray for ministries that are doing work - changing lives for Christ in these dark days -instead of building pretty buildings. Pray for your local missions that work with the homeless, addicts, and unfortunate, that they will have their financial needs met, as well as be able to provide not only food and shelter, but also the Good News of Salvation. And, of course, I covet your prayers more than anything. When the way gets tough, and the days get long, it is such a blessing and encouragement knowing that my brothers and sisters are praying for me! Send me your prayer requests, too! I will pray for them! May God richly bless,
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