April 6, 2012
Before I get started, I must tell you that today is my 70th birthday.  It's hard to believe the the good Lord has kept me around for so long!!! -- I'm sure some of you will think that The Lord has lost His sense of humor ..........

Anyway, as always, I spend a good deal of time each day scanning many websites looking for 'stuff' that is relevant to Bible prophecy.  And, as always, I'm never disappointed because there are always some articles that jump out at me.  This first one I feel worth mentioning was on today's  "The Economic Collapse" website & the headline stated - "A Cashless Society May Be Closer Than Most People Would Ever Dare To Imagine". -- Why does this draw my attention? ... If we look at chapter 13 of the book of Revelation, we see that people will need a special mark to buy or sell anything in the last days just prior to Christ's triumphant return. Of course, we also know that we who are Christians cannot receive this mark as it represents submission to the evil forces that are controlling the world at that time. -- So how can we ever reach a point to where our money is worthless?  Coming soon is a global financial crash never before witnessed by mankind.  Out of the ashes of this worldwide debacle will rise a leader of magnificent charisma and charm who will claim to have all the answers to all of our problems .... and since all global currencies have become generally worthless, this new leader will devise an innovative new system of buying & selling that will only require an identification mark either on our foreheads or right hands.  The only requirement will be that those who receive this mark must swear their allegiance to this new world czar. .... Of course we know this leader to be none other than the Antichrist & this identification is called the 'mark of the beast' (Rev. 13:17-18). ....... These kinds of articles are becoming more numerous as technology advances and only reminds those of us that know just how close we are to it's reality.

Next, on today's "Financial Post" website, this headline said - "Rising world food prices spark fears" -  The opening paragraph stated the following; "Global food prices rose for a third straight month with more hikes to come, the U.N.'s food agency said on Thursday, adding to fears of hunger and a new wave of social unrest in poor countries." ... (The U.N. has a Food agency?) .....   These types of headlines are also becoming much more commonplace in today's world. Once again, we see in the Bible that this was also one of the signs to watch for in the closing days of this age.  First, Jesus said in Matthew 24:7-8 that  ".... There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."  Birth pains simply mean that these signs will become more frequent as we draw nearer .....    Anybody with a brain can see this happening. Every recent year has brought record-breaking weather and famine to our world! ... Revelation, chapter 6:7-8 talks about the 'black horse', the third of the 'four horseman of the apocalypse' which represents world famine, hunger and death. ... I don't believe that these four horsemen have been fully released as of yet, but we can certainly hear their hoofbeats drawing ever closer with each passing minute. 

The last one I'm to mention today involves the continual ongoing removal of God's name from our society.  This story, posted on the "Fox News & Commentary" page reads like this - "School Removes 'God' From Lee Greenwood Song". I'm sure most of you remember his song "God Bless The U.S.A."? ... Well, a public school in Massachusetts decided to remove the word 'God' from this popular song. They told the kids to say "We love the U.S.A." instead!!! ..... Does it ever end?!  ...... And we wonder why our nation is having such difficulties right now.  Many think that we are under 'divine judgement' because we have and are continuing to remove God from our society.  ... Well, consider this ... Isaiah chapter 5 identifies six sins leading to the eventual downfall of Israel. They are - Materialism, drunken pleasure seeking, arrogant conceit, defiant sinfulness, moral perversion, and corrupt leadership.  .. Sound or look familiar?     And trust me when I say that those misdeeds were not isolated to just the nation of Israel. 

To put it very briefly, I believe that America came into existence for two main & specific reasons. First, the Bible says that before Jesus is to return, His word must be preached to all the nations (Matthew 24:14). America has sent many missionaries to the four corners of the earth to spread His gospel. Next, according to Bible prophecy, Israel must regain her land also before our Lord's triumphant return (Matthew 24:32-34). Of course, we know this took place on May 14th, 1948. ... This could NEVER have happened unless America provided protection, which it did. ......  But now we see our nation turning it's back not only on Israel but also the Great God that has protected and so blessed it! ... Amazing!!! ... Author & pastor John MacArthur stressed that because God was patient with Israel, America should not expect Him to be patient with it. He stated, "As somebody said a few years ago, if God doesn't destroy America pretty soon, He's gonna have to apologize to Sodom and Gommorah."

Titus 1:16 says it very clearly - "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him."..  Polls show that 85% of Americans claim to be Christians, yet we allow these continual signs of corruption, sin and denial to go on.  My question is ... how can just 15% control the entire destructive path of this nation?!   ...............  Pray about it ....

Until next time,

Red