August 15, 2012
I was watching TV the other night and I noticed a commercial ... the one where William Davane is telling us how wonderful gold is and how he loves the feel of it flowing through his fingers ... and if we possess enough of it ... how it will protect us in these difficult times that lie just ahead. As the evening wore on, I couldn't shake the shallowness of his thinking and the haughtiness of his attitude. Sadly he, like so many others, really believes in this hollow way of thinking.
Then I thought of Proverbs 19:4 where it says that earthly wealth will bring us many friends ... and I guess that is right. We always see lots of people flocking around the successful and wealthy folks ... but rarely around those suffering difficulty .... I know in my own life I've experienced several periods of 'good times' and 'friends' were always plentiful ... and then when circumstances changed, how conveniently most would disappear for various reasons.
Now I'm sure you are thinking ... what has this got to do with Bible prophecy ..... 2 Timothy 3:1-5 comes to mind when I watch things like the gold & silver commercials ... that in the last days, people would be lovers of money pleasure. Certainly wealth has always had its place in society, but never like it does in today's world. Trust me when I say that it's what you have and who you know that determines your 'position' in life these days.
What is fascinating to me is how America today is responding to world conditions all around ... many pundits and economists are saying that we are on the verge of coming out of the difficult financial days we've recently been through .... the stock market is doing incredibly well seeing the Dow over 13,000 with no evidence of letting up any time soon ...... but all around us there is danger like no other time in recorded history. Weather patterns have changed dramatically ... earthquakes & volcanoes are increasing at an ever-quickening pace ... worldwide droughts ... a nuclear disaster with unknown consequences just recently took place ... and look at the condition of the world's economy. It is frightening when looking at countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal .... and look at us! We are $16 Trillion in debt with no end in sight, or anyone seeming to know how to fix it!
For those of you who follow my rantings, you know that I've always felt the economy would be the downfall of this once-powerful nation ... and regardless of the Dow or the pundits fantasies, implosion of our economy is now imminent! ..... And internationally, it will no different. ...
So what happens then? ... Historically, let's look at Germany in the years just prior to World War Two. In the early 1930's, the country's currency became so worthless that a wheel barrow full couldn't buy a loaf of bread. ... Inflation was off the charts! ... This same scenario is shaping up to take place right here in America today. We are printing money at a frantic pace with nothing to back it up. This will eventually lead to hyper-inflation and rapid devaluation of the once-mighty dollar. It will become a near-worthless currency that will lack any buying power. ... The example of the wheel barrow may very well repeat itself.
But then what happened in Germany? The people were so desperate to feed their families that they would do anything ... or follow anyone that could change their lives for the better. ... So then what happened? A leader surfaced with a promise of better times .... and the people blindly, and happily followed. ... His name was Adolph Hitler.
Now even though I'm not happy about the current conditions of this world, this is where I love the accuracy and truth of our Bible's prophecies! ... The Books of Revelation & Daniel talk about how a world ruler will come about in the final days just prior to Christ's return. .... Now when we take a look at what is happening all around the entire globe, we see economic havoc staring us in the face! .... So what will then happen?
A 'new' version of Hitler will come onto the scene. He will rise up in the area of the revived Roman Empire, which today encompasses most of the European Union. He will have great charisma and will claim to have all the answers to the world's problems. .... This coming world 'savior' will be none other than the Antichrist ... and tragically, most of the world will follow him.
So when I see all these people talking about how safe & secure we will be if we possess gold and other earthly treasures, it shows me how sad and "DEADLY" our values have become. Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
So, what then can we really do about it? ... For Christians, it is an easy decision. If we look to Acts 2:42-47,
we see an example of what people did for one another in times of repression. They devoted themselves to one another and to the teachings of their leaders ... and they sold their possessions as needed to help and support one another in times of need. .... Crazy, you say? It won't be when you fill your wheel barrow full of 'paper' air.
I encourage each of you to get involved in a Christian fellowship ... one that is prepared to serve each other spiritually and physically in the coming days of difficulty ... one that doesn't just talk it, but walks it ...
........ and remember, we Christians need have no fear because, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28).
The following is a song/poem I recently wrote that pretty well sums it all up ................
-- The Answer --
"Eyes looking out from darkness - lonely & afraid
searching for hope & safety - but sensing fear instead
Wondering what will free them - in the days to come
from the fear of desperation - emptiness for some
"Reaching to the heavens - empty & alone
searching for an answer- of something that's unknown
Hope seems only fleeting - when faced with despair
grasping for some meaning - but finding nothing there
"Now they're running to & fro' - everywhere
so many seem to have the answer- here & there
They're looking to the wisdom - of this age
but answers always seem to lie - on a different page
"But there is hope - there is love
just beyond - the edges of their gaze
There is peace - there's an answer
This is the beginning - of a better day
Jesus is the answer - He's the only way
Until next time,
Red