WHAT’S NEXT . . .  for America?

 

Part XII

“The Rise or Fall of American Empire?”

 

By

Doug Krieger

 

 

Within walking distance from Sacramento’s Capitol and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s offices, at one of its trendy coffee houses, a number of brethren finally came up with a possible name for our new radio program:  World in Crisis or a derivation thereof.  The possible syndication would expound on world events, prophetic timelines and the Church’s mission in the Last Days—challenging believer and non-believer alike to biblical claims of relevance in our time and personal reflections to turn our generation to Him Who knows our frame—Who alone is hope beyond the pending chaos.  As I came home after our strategy session, I opened my mail and discovered that somehow Pastor T. M.’s correspondence – which I hadn’t seen for several years – reappeared with a series of perplexities; challenging, thought provoking.

 

“This would be a good way to launch Chapter XII in our on-going series, as well as draw attention to our correspondence section from folks all over the planet—but especially the immediate American landscape which not only impacts us here at home, but as we sneeze—the world catches cold.” 

 

The next morning I awoke to Hillary’s stunning victory in another populous state (Pennsylvania) and the media’s all but establishment-style aggrandizement of Clinton’s astounding accomplishment (April 23, 2008), despite the financially Herculean efforts of white Demo-elites, along with gradually dissipating, disenfranchised blacks who continue their march into apoplectic shock that three-fifths seems to be happening all over again!  What in the world is going on here?

 

Meanwhile, Americans are finally paying what the Europeans have been paying for years in gasoline prices—approaching $4 per gallon (as oil marches past $120p/bl—this, when housing foreclosures and the “banking crisis” continues unabated.  And, if this weren’t enough—food prices and crisis have hit the shelves and the streets throughout the planet.  For the first time EVER in Costco’s legacy of discounts, shoppers in California were put on notice, based on their previous rice purchases, they would rationed future purchases of rice (so now you know why that little card comes in handy as to what you buy and don’t buy).  A 50-lb. bag of jasmine rice now costs $22.00 – it’s “through the roof she goes!”

 

This sounds disconcerting enough if all we had to deal with was ourselves—but, alas, the Empire, after NATO’s remarkable extensions—found herself giving unrestrained visibility to Pope Gregory XVI.  The display was so lavish one would have thought Rome had conquered Babylon on the Hudson—in spite of her scandalous crimes of sexual perversion and hypocrisy (all in the backdrop of 400+ children of a fundamentalist Mormon polygamist camp being apprehended by the State; and all at the whim of a 33-year old named Sarah Jessop Barlow, a half crazed informant claiming to be a 16-year old LDS-ranch victim). 

 

There you have it – Political/Military, Religious and Commercial angst and effusive influence carried the day . . . and this in the midst of sky-rocketing military expenditures and sales of weaponry throughout the world and incessant wars and rumors of the same (naturally, this doesn’t include countless homicides throughout America in places like Chicago and virtually around the country that now boasts the largest prison-parole-probation population on the planet). Coupled all this with these crazy and bizarre appearances of UFO’s in the skies over Arizona seen by nearly 800 and caught on camera for all to ponder:  Somebody or something is watching us; and, furthermore, what in the world “are they saying” with these (now on film) crop circles popping up hither, thither and yon—especially in Europe and America (and in particular, the UK)?  Hoax or harbinger of the end? 

 

Can’t imagine why one would hasten to an Amish Community – a Jesus commune – a convent or a monastery just about now – or, better yet, maybe moving to Canada wasn’t such a bad idea after all!  This brings us back to the pastor’s inquiries . . .

 

A Correspondence from T.M. in America –

 

T.M., an Assembly of God pastor here in the USA, has, over the course of several years, inquired about the general course of America’s destiny – just where does she play out in the divine scheme of things?  Is everything as it appears or are we operating under some kind of delusion as to our past, while oblivious to the consequences awaiting our future?  What role does America countenance, given her rather inconsistent and confused record of spiritual accomplishment and moral failure?  From hallelujahs to Hollywood – we’ve run the gamut; a veritable rollercoaster ride of conquest, consumption and consecration where the drive for bigger and better is as popular among the profane as it is among the holy . . . yes, where the “good news” of the success gospel affects us all . . . just ask Donald Trump whose secrets of aggrandizement are now touted as literary “must read” by the saints of the Laodicean mainstream.

 

T.M.’s Inquiry:

 

Doug,

 

Nearly 2 years passed since our last conversation.  I've linked this current note to the last conversation we had in order for context to be established. 

 

I'm still a reader observing all comments with fascination and fixation. 

 

Pope Benedict has finished his visit. It seems to me that...

 

The woman who rides the Beast is coming into final form.  Only a spirit could create such an astonishing thing...tolerant, diverse "Christianity" being redefined and used by a dark minded beast to sway hearts and minds.

 

What's the next card that will be played to cause undiscerning men to fall into line?

 

How "soon" will this be?

 

There has to be some sort of cataclysmic event just up the road so that major shifts and final connections are made.  I can see broad / general scenarios...What could trigger these things?

 

Could you also share your views concerning being Salt and Light and the call to "Come out of her my people"... how does this balance out? 

 

I struggle prayerfully with both of these 2 statements.  I know they are the testimony of Jesus in both cases. 

 

As this revelation of the final beast kingdom unfolds in our modern times I want to believe that Nehemiah could be a cup bearer again...that Joseph would be used to save the remnants of men and women within the Babylonian walls...

 

Final question... I do know that the only "nation" beyond Israel given sanctified recognition in the Word is the "holy nation" referred to by Peter in his epistle.  With that said, do you believe that America lost her way?  Did God shed His grace upon her to be a blessing...a defender....not the defender....a people of refuge...not the people of refuge...?

 

Were any of our causes just, in your opinion? 

 

Is the cup full for certain?  (I'm sure you can discern in my question either innocent denial and also a hope that knowing God relents in sending calamity...there's still a chance for a true awakening to righteousness as a nation...I'd rather be a disheartened Jonah and have God work on me than to be Abraham watching the smoke rise from the City of the Plains.)

 

Have we been a light of God's glory which has slowly dimmed...or have we been transformed to be a deceptive light (2 Cor. 11) or have we always been.

 

Sorry for the lengthy questions. Hope they are not too many.  Please share like you would with your local pastor down the street.

 

T. M.’s Previous Correspondence . . .

 

Dear Mr. Krieger (Note:  I believe I may have answered these questions already – if not, please see our expositions on Gog-Magog at the Tribulation Network.)

 

I have been reading your blog with great interest for the past 7 mos.  I emailed you a few months ago.  You may or may not remember me.  I am an Assembly of God minister.  You suggested I read some of your articles in your response.  I have read literally everything that's been posted on the Tribulation Network site.

 

As I stated in my first email I am seeing much (rather saw much of this prior to discovering your site) of what your ministry is saying.  My only difference has been the role of America.  After reading your articles I don't know what to think.

 

Could you possibly answer a few questions regarding the contextual analysis of Ezekiel 38-39?

 

Maybe I misunderstand your analysis...it seems that you are saying that the destruction of the forces of Gog will bring about a deception upon Israel by which they will be willing to sign the Covenant of Death with Antichrist.

 

Yet, in my reading it seems that God himself is saying that all the nations will glorify Him through this defeat of Gog.  How then do you explain Antichrist getting a foot in the door through this?  I don't see this in the immediate context of 38-39?

 

I have great respect for your scholarly analysis.  Please don't take my question with any tone of disrespect, it is not intended.

 

With respect,

T. M.

 

Doug’s Initial Response some two years ago:

 

Dear T.M. - I was a bit rushed in getting out the last article and its focus upon who is truly behind EVIL in the world.

 

Now, as a result of your inquiry, I am stirred to elaborate upon the differentiation of the so-called Gog-Magog War juxtaposed to the Armageddon Campaign, as well as Israel’s spiritual awakening and the Church's revival at the commencement of Daniel's 70th Week!  The Holy Spirit, as a result of your questioning, truly opened the Word to us in fellowship over your questions.

 

I have been for many years perplexed in my spirit regarding just how the Lord could use Israel as one of the Two Witnesses within the framework of the 70th Week of Daniel--how marvelous was His anointing to share with us regarding this matter and how Ezk. 37-40, Daniel 7-12, Rev. 17-19 all tie in together—it is simply breathtaking!

 

I want you to pray about this and how the Lord would "release" this word to His people--both Israel and the Church.  I cannot tell you how thrilled we were when the light went on!!  This insight just swept us off our feet!

 

So . . . this, I believe, will be confirmed by the commentary of other brethren of like passion and allow us to participate in the "unsealing of the Last Days" all the more.  We are living in amazing times--far more amazing that we had any idea. 

 

God bless you as you and we continue to probe the depths of the SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH!

 

Blessings in the Prince of Princes!!

 

Doug

 

P.S.  I have forwarded your e-mail to several in our ministry throughout the country in hopes that we could all unite in prayer that the Lord would release His Word to His people! 

 

WHAT’S NEXT POLITICALLY?

 

I suppose the talking heads, political pundits and polyesters – having their octennial festival at full throttle both now and throughout the summer and into the fall – shall steer clear of the traumatic race card, aside from tepid duties accorded reasonable journalism’s observations of the same.  What I mean by this has more to do with maintaining liberalism’s quest to secure the reins of presidential power in the midst of the unbelievable convergence of gender and ethno-politics besetting their party. 

 

What we very well may witness is a rare form of political ethnocide—the systematic destruction of an American ethnic sub-culture resultant from the not-so-overt attempt by antithetical elements in the Democratic Party who purposefully and/or strategically affirm that electing a black man to this lofty post is political suicide . . . though these Clintonians would couch such liberal depravities in snide discrepancies which periodically demand clarification and reinterpretation to avoid immediate meltdown.

 

If, in the course of the present campaign, there results in the exclusion of Barack Hussein Obama from the process – that impermissible act will be heard throughout the urban core of Americana with unabashed clamor and disenchantment.  Furthermore, the inevitable manipulation of super delegates by these dissimilar political forces operative within the Democratic Party would assure the installation of Senator John McCain as America’s forty-fourth President.  These extremities do not bode well upon the fruited plain and exacerbate the already frayed fabric of constituencies at odds with each other.  African-Americans will be overwhelmed by their disillusionment; confronted by an implacable racial divide that abides insurmountable, even in the best of times and occasions.  Notwithstanding the calls to solidarity against more of the same, there shall be a smoldering discontent which will nullify any and all gains from those enthused by the possibility and from those who thought that the age of the marginalized had ended.

 

The magnitude of this political imbroglio descending upon the Democratic tinderbox makes a mockery of the Empire’s institutions of fairness, equal opportunity and cultural diversity.  It is not so much the issue of race—though amongst the masses this insidious contagion persists—it is more attributable to entrenched economic considerations; i.e., Clinton’s ability to galvanize support from domestic and foreign corporations, multi-nationals and the like, juxtaposed to Obama’s persistent popularity from the marginalized masses, and some white elites.  Rare it will be for those employed in the business of such forecasting to tread upon these sensitive predicaments – but this acerbic prophet of the political has nothing to gain nor lose to announce the obvious; therefore, let it be spoken in advance that these matters are indicative of an estate which cannot change its ways nor conclude its insatiable drive for greater gain in the midst of encroaching poverty and financial inequity—it cannot and it will not until He Who has come to preach the gospel to the poor shall with unbridled indignity dispel this wretched offscouring from the earth, once and for all, by the brightness of His coming.

 

WHAT'S NEXT INTERNATIONALLY?

 

It is here that the Empire’s dissuasions are prolonged.  America’s stupendous military/diplomatic accomplishments – again, without firing a shot – at the helm of NATO and the full encirclement of the Russian Federation, is nigh a fete accompli.  The insufferable predatory Merchants of the Earth, through their interlocking directorates manifested in the indefatigable encroachments of the multinationals, are, on every front, the earth’s final legacy prior to Babylon’s tumultuous conclusion in Revelation 18. 

 

Noteworthy are the forces concurrently at work, which like a black hole suck the wealth of the world into her cup of putridity (Revelation 17:4).  What faulty conjecture we witnessed when once the aegis of the United Nations was considered the grandiose possibility of world peace and stability in our time.  Discarded platitudes like the former Soviet Union and the decrepit UN, serve immediate notice to all such political, diplomatic and economic structures unattended by the Empire (including the usefulness of OPEC) – that your utilitarian qualities shall be deemed worthless and counter efficient if and when Pax Americana designates them either unsubstantial or contradictory to her fulfillment.       

 

Concomitant with Empire extensions, done in concert with tendencies to globalization, are the deepening amalgamation within NAFTA and of those nations within the Latin American framework committed to America’s decisive role—e.g., Columbia.  The triumphant commercial and military integration wrought by the North American Free Trade Agreement and NorthCom is unalterable, disquieting and so deeply entrenched within this confederation of North American interests that its most recent display at unification was strategically held in America’s would-be city of resurrection:  New Orleans (April 21, 2008).  The economic and military integration of these three nations since 1993 is at a level of engagement far in advance of the European Union—the formalization of this agreement (notwithstanding the Obama and Hillary onslaught) has reached maturity of involvement superior to virtually any three nations so compared on earth.  Over the next five years alone that composition of compatibility shall reach a staggering

 

To date, Israel’s purposes have served the Empire with formidable inclusion into Middle Eastern affairs—notwithstanding her prickly embarrassments and accusations of apartheid.  Churchill could poetically assign us the “American race” – but, by definition, it was inclusive of a vast diversity of peoples joined as one; whereas, Israel by definition, has purposefully designed herself as a Jewish State, thereby incurring the wrath of the nations for this presumptive peculiarity.  How contradictory for “Arab States” or even the Moslem World to denounce Israel’s claim when vast throngs and lands are subsumed by the Crescent!  No matter, it’s the suppression of Zion’s minorities—soon to be majorities—which presents the climate of consternation and the prescient environment made pregnant by these hypocritical inconsistencies.

 

This ministry is unambiguous regarding the prophetic countdown—commencing at the Oracle of Damascus and terminating in the Davidic Kingdom of Messiah.  The Burden of Damascus (Zechariah 9; Isaiah 17; Daniel 9:26b) weighs heavily upon the nations of the Eastern Mediterranean.  Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, Gaza/Hamas and Israel crescendo to “the end of the war” (Daniel 9:26b), with Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula nations playing peripheral roles, primarily neutral, if not indifferent to the pending conflict.

 

A cavalcade of possibilities contends which could trigger this predictable conclusion to the present six-part war with divine completeness to commence the seventh and final climax of these contentious displays.

 

“ . . . And till the END OF THE WAR desolations are determined.  Then he shall confirm a treaty with many for one week” (Daniel 9:26b-27a).

 

The alleged obscurity of this verse is so hotly contested that to dismiss with its implications would be the easy way out; however, the doctrinal and assuredly eschatological implications of its denial or, worse yet, its incorporation into spurious eschatologies wherein Antichrist obfuscates his future treaty impositions upon Israel’s compliant masses by assigning Messiah’s identity to his own fabrications would and has resulted in the attribution of the work of Antichrist to Jesus Christ and the subsequent denial of His Person and Work. 

 

The termination of “the war” occurs AFTER the initial destruction of “the city” (Jerusalem) and “the sanctuary” (the Second/post-exilic and/or its Herodian enhancements which were destroyed in 70 A.D. by “the people” (the Roman legions) who belong to “the prince who is to come” – the same prince who “shall confirm (enforce) a treaty with the majority of Israelis.  The confusion of this passage is resolved when we comprehend that its timing demands a recognition of the crucifixion of Jesus (“Messiah shall be cut off” – i.e., “suffer the death penalty” – vs. 26a).  It is AFTER the crucifixion of Messiah that both the city of Jerusalem and its temple are destroyed by “the people” of this yet future prince.

 

The question is obvious:  “The end of it shall be with a flood” (vs. 26 again) – this “flood” is terminal or at the time of “the end” – and with this timing there is this “flood” – this overwhelming “flood” is again spoken of in Daniel 11:22 where it is said:

 

“With the force (lit. “arms”) of a flood they shall be swept away from before him (i.e., the prototype of Antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes IV) and be broken (Daniel 11:22a).

 

This force of arms bespeaks of military intrusion.  The “flood” or military intervention climax at the conclusion of “the war” . . .  “till the end of the war desolations are determined” (vs. 26b).  But, within this context there is not only “the war” which precedes the making of “the treaty” by the coming prince but the sense of ongoing desolations which persist until the 1,290th day or until the very coming of Messiah to judge the nations and unveil Himself to National Israel (Daniel 12:11 and 8:12-14).  One simply cannot confine these “desolations” prior to the confirmation of the treaty – which treaty commences the final 70th Week of Daniel, yet future. 

 

There is a two-fold implication embedded in the phrase “till the end of the war desolations are determined” – (1) The terminus of the flood or force of arms upon Israel, prior to the commencement of the 70th Week—i.e., desolations connected with “the end of the war” prior to the “treaty of hell and death” (Daniel 9:26b-27a; Isaiah 28:15, 18); and (2) the termination of these recurring desolations wherein both the future sanctuary is trampled asunder (i.e., “the transgression” or “abomination of desolation” which occurs in the midst of the 70th Week and foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24:15and Mark 13:14) wherein the “extension” of these desolations (or “war”) continue until the 1,290th day—or thirty days beyond the second half of the 70th Week of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 12:11).

 

This is not complicated—in sum:  Desolations connected with “the end of the war” mentioned in Daniel 9:26 is the conflict preceding the 70th week and desolations continue from the time of the “abomination of desolations” until their terminus at the end of the 1,290th day.

 

Therefore, our sights are upon the conclusion of, if you would, this war borne of Israel’s rebirth and culminating in the final week or “your people and your holy city” (Daniel 9:24).  This war, because of its context and proximity to the 70th Week, demands that it conclude just prior to the infamous treaty.

 

That said, the proxy war being waged by Hamas and Hezbollah on behalf of Iran against Israel has well reached its epiphanous moment of distinction—i.e., a super-heated finale.  If only half of what DEBKAFile says is true—we’re exceedingly close to that finality and “the end of the war.” –

 

Addressing a news conference in Washington, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday, April 25, 2008, the Pentagon is planning for “potential military courses of action” against Iran. He spoke of the Tehran government’s “increasingly lethal and malign influence” in Iraq. A conflict with Iran would be “extremely stressing” he said, but not impossible and “it would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability.” The admiral stressed the reserve capabilities of the Navy and Air Force.

 

Adm. Mullen’s statement came four days after US defense secretary Robert Gates said he favored keeping the military option against Iran on the table “given the destabilizing policies of the regime and the risks inherent in a future Iranian nuclear threat – either directly or through proliferation.”

 

DEBKAfile’s military sources report those remarks were underscored by news of large US naval, air and marine forces on their way to beef up the Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf and Middle East.

 

DEBKA-Net-Weekly’s military sources reported Friday that the USS Harry S. Truman Strike Group has just taken up position in Persian Gulf waters. It consists of 12 warships led by the giant LSD-41 class USS Whidbey Island landing craft, submarines and eight assault squadrons. The legend on their banner is: Give ‘em Hell.

 

Another nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, will soon set out for the region from the South China Sea, along with two more US naval strike forces: the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Nimitz attended by strike groups.

 

Adm. Mullen went on to say: "I have no expectations that we're going to get into a conflict with Iran in the immediate future."

 

Our sources ask what time scale is indicated by the indefinite “immediate future” - the 8 months remaining to the Bush presidency or thereafter.

 

Mullen tied his remarks to Iran’s "increasingly lethal and malign influence" in Iraq. Of late, the US Iraq commander Gen. David Petraeus pointed out that Iran is interfering increasingly in Iran and continues to arm insurgent militias.

 

The Tehran government is clearly not deterred by Washington’s warnings or its military movements.

 

So, what is the tripwire that will ignite the final episode of the Oracle of Damascus?  Frankly, there are a myriad of prospects which will lead to the demise of Israel’s immediate belligerents, the exhaustion of secular Zionism and, thankfully, revival among her neighbors!   We’ve covered much of this in numerous publications (Google:  Gog-Magog – The Tribulation Network).  Most probably both Hezbollah and Hamas have everything to loose if a two-state solution is reached; they will not sit idly by (as they have consistently reacted to these banal endeavors with either rocket attacks or suicide bombings); thus, throwing any roadmap to peace into the immediate trash bin of failed Middle East peace endeavors.  The latest subterfuge hails from the incapacities of one, former President Jimmy Carter in what appears as a Jesse Jackson approach to international reconciliation—but to no avail . . .and reaping the ire and snub from Israel while engaging in shotgun diplomacy.

 

The expediency of this final fulfillment is measurable only in the sense that the rearming of Hezbollah to superior status, far and above its previous excitement in 2006—now with an arsenal of some 30,000 rockets and ready to launch full-out war this summer (2008):

 

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Kassem told the British newspaper the Guardian that the group is rearming in the wake of the Second Lebanon War and is prepared for another war this summer.

"We are prepared for the possibility of another adventure or the demand of American policy that might push the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] in that direction," said Kassem in an interview published Wednesday.

The United States, France and Great Britain are pushing for a special United Nations expert committee to examine ongoing weapons smuggling to Hezbollah across the Lebanon-Syria border. (Report: Hezbollah says rearming, prepared for summer war with Israel, By Haaretz Service, April 11, 2008)

 

Naturally V-P Dick Cheney, along with the C.I.A., gets the much-deserved blame for fomenting hostilities towards Hezbollah by counteracting Iran’s efforts in Lebanon via arming Lebanon’s pro-Western democracy, who in turn arms sundry militia throughout the area, again, to thwart Hezbollah’s efforts.  

   

The pending Syro-Phoenician War will undoubtedly involve the SAMSON COMPLEX on Israel’s part—due to the overt and determine effort on the part of the Iranians to substantially rearm both Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as develop their own nuclear capability at an accelerated speed (witness the threatenings of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the testing of 6,000 centrifuges).

 

WHAT’S NEXT ECONOMICALLY?

 

 Food riots and petrol pilfering are becoming commonplace throughout the world as the commodities bubble inflates.  Here’s how convoluted the thinking gets:  If President George W. Bush and his oil cronies are at the spigot of the world’s production—e.g., in bed with the Saudis and the American oil conglomerates, as well as at the helm and whim of the military-industrial complex that makes this kitten purr, then how can they be blamed for skyrocketing oil prices which are damaging America’s economy and ipso facto the economies of the world—sending the lot into recession?  I mean, the US airlines alone are taking nearly a $4 Billion-Dollar hit; everything from truck drivers and cabbies to parking your SUV in never-use-again land, while auto makers are in total recession already. 

 

How could this happen with a Democratic Congress?  How could this happen with an “Oil President” at the helm?  Doesn’t the President somehow feel our pain at the pump and even now admits to global warming?  Is there a sinister conspiracy afoot here?  How is it that the rich are getting opulently richer and the poor deplorably poorer in the midst of encroaching scarcity?  And, in spite all Lou Dobbs’ efforts, the disappearance of the middle class is sucked into the black hole of globalism.  Man, just can’t figure this out – so, it must be that Bush is pulling all the levers of economic connivance; heaping up untold riches upon his cronies and the like!  Ah, that’s got to be it.  And, you know what—IT IS!  Make me out to be a fool and prove otherwise—I’d dearly love to be proven wholly inadequate for this conspiratorial summation . . . but the awful truth is these Merchants of the Earth are unrestrained in their quest for gain, for spoil.  One pie in the face of Bill Gates is funny, but hardly effective.  By doing nothing to restrain the military-industrial complex—our President has managed to do everything.  Permanent damage to the wimp image of President George Herbert Walker Bush has been accomplish . . . enough said.

 

Now, what’s the next cataclysmic event to shake the foundations of Americana and ipso facto the world?  Of course, the housing bubble – as 500 foreclosures daily descend upon California alone!  At this rate that’s only around 175,000 yearly in California. Forecasters are claiming that by the time the dust settles we’re looking at around THREE to SIX MILLION foreclosures across the USA!  The subprime financial fiasco, along with the unrestrained charges on credit cards in the nation that can’t stop consuming, is bringing the nation to a grinding halt.

 

What’s worse—far worse—as Dene McGriff in his latest two articles has so aptly articulated (The Devil is in the Derivatives and Can We Avoid Economic Meltdown?) are the short-term loans given by the US Federal Reserve (a.k.a. the Fed – Central Bank) to compensate for the gargantuan impact suffered by the greedy during the heyday of the subprime lending craze.  By opening up such a “window” to banks; these banks were loaned short-term 90-day pay back money (now at $200-$300B) from the less than trillion-dollar reserves of the Fed itself (hardly a “Federal Reserve” given the $13+ Trillion GNP of the USA).  Of course, the Fed dutifully had to collateralize these short-term loans with something—like anything . . . so how’s about them silly money subprime loans to begin with?  Great idea—that way we can hold the line on inflation by not printing more money because now we can show the populous that we’re loaning these banks, propping them up, with the same silly money that got them to where they're implosion had them in the first place!

 

This bait and switch will result in the now infamous remarks of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright:  THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!  As the Fed continues to deplete its paltry reserves (no offense – I did not say “poultry”) – more and more the banks will extend their bogus paper as collateral.  Eventually – let’s say with “extensions” on these “funny money papers” – around the summer of 2008 these chickens will most definitely come home to roost big time.  The fallout will be horrendous—with the Fed caught in a catch-22 situation with nearly all its reserves expended and the banks unable to pay back their short-term notes.  So, the Fed will dutifully accept the bogus and worthless collateral, attempt to revalue it but miserably fail in the charade.  The Ponzi scheme must persist, however, lest the world economy sink into absolute despair and chaos—at least for a while. 

 

Therefore, given the extremities of the pending doomsday scenario – the world’s Central Banks can do nothing but bale out the USA or the whole house of cards comes tumbling down.  What does this mean?  Simply put—the Fed has to “go out there” and offer more bogus notes to the world’s banks and to the general public and BORROW MORE MONEY!  This means RAMPANT INFLATION of unprecedented and historical proportions never before seen until this day.  Nixon-style “price controls” will not work in this up and coming bout with inflation-stagflation-deflation.  Home prices will utterly collapse (worthless as the paper they were written on in the first place—haven’t you noticed the value of your home or asset descending into the abyss?).  People will be forced to “cut back” to the bare bones minimum and Victory Gardens for those who have land will become the rage.  I’m still trying to figure out how to grow rice, given the cost of water around California!

 

This is not funny—we are facing the most staggering financial crisis since the Great Depression; and, anyone who thinks otherwise is whistling Dixie.  If you’ve got an overseas business shipping goodies to America—forget it.  Those overseas’ workers, banks, etc. which are helping you to manufacturer or whatever, are about to cut your lines of credit down to 10 days (try 5 days) or worse yet, demand you pay in Euros or Yuan.  It’s over.  Babylon will have to adjust big time. 

 

The Republicans are going to have to forestall this mess at least until the election—pity the poor soul left with this fiasco in the making.  She’s resourceful enough—but the end-time picture is very bleak indeed . . . “touch not the oil and wine” carries the day.  The vast majority of these hapless souls will mix their barley with their wheat for a day’s wages, just to get by.  The days of the freebies are over.  You’ll be pushed into community whether you like it or not—and that community will be forced to get real.  If you’ve got friends, you better keep them close because you’re going to need everyone of them.  Indeed, park the SUV—it’ll be a dinosaur destroyed by the economic meteor which struck in 2008-2009.  Funny thing, folks panic and so do governments in times of such distress.  Don’t think the government isn’t counting on that one!

 

WHAT’S NEXT RELIGIOUSLY?

 

Yes, His Holiness, the Pope, made a grand show of it with American patriotic songs wafting in the background at his audiences and the like.  Never before has an American President officially greeted a dignitary upon arrival at Andrews AFB—but this time was very different.  The “collusion” between Politics and Religion was so visual, so demonstrative on every occasion of his visit, that one would have thought that a new AXIS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS had formed and the world beheld the ROME-WASHINGTON PACT in full fury.

 

This is hardly an exaggeration of the festivities which triumphed on every hand during the Papal visitation.  In the Latter Days the Bible is altogether clear that an Apostasy shall arise wherein the Religious and the Political alliance is in total view – THE WOMAN RIDES THE BEAST.  Yes, eventually, the Beast turns on the Woman and devours her (Revelation 18:16); but, prior to this dissolution, she will provide the Beast the moral covering for his triumphalisms:  Military, Economic and Cultural.

 

What we are witnessing today is, in point of glaring fact, the devolution of Christendom to the least common denominator, where the offense of the cross is nonexistent.  Unity at any and all costs must carry the day.  We need to RETHINK the Church’s posture and mission on the planet if we are to remain relevant in a climate of indifference, even hostility to absolutes.  Pomp and circumstance must replace conservative values and beliefs.  People demand and need continuity of spirituality.  Where else can such rapprochement be secured but in such an all-inclusive spiritual expression of legitimacy? 

 

Contemplative prayer, common causes of social justice, the impress of the secular upon the holy—all these and much more demand that believers unite in solidarity to affirm the faith, confirm our patriotism and stem the tide of heretical assaults by both the left and the right.  People confronted by harsh economic and political realities will gravitate to the tried and proven, time and again.  The pending crisis is no different—for whatever reason he said it and however you wish to interpret it . . . Obama’s remarks about guns and religion among the embittered when times are hard has more truth to it than meets the politically astute eye.  This final resort is akin to circling the wagons under attack.

 

This is a strange amalgamation of religious compromise wherein those “under attack” are willing to fight alongside anyone with a weapon – disputes to the wind – we’ll all hang together or most assuredly we’ll all hang separately – that will be the mantra of the day and you don’t even have to wait and see.

 

There is still a fading prospect of an “hour of national crisis” wherein, given the parameters of economic uncertainty and pending chaos resultant from both the housing and commodities bubbles; along with a possible 1968-Abbie Hoffman-style Democratic Convention in Denver going berserk – let alone a full-blown meltdown in the Middle East centered in Israel and the Samson Option a real possibility – a Constitutional grab, given the precipitous convergence of all these crises descending upon America the Beautiful, wherein a National Emergency is declared, along with the Presidential powers in place to suspend that same Constitution with the declaration of MARTIAL LAW!

 

WHAT’S NEXT WITH TRUE BELIEVERS AWAITING THE MELTDOWN?

 

This brings us to:  How Shall We Then Live?  I think that well-meaning brethren who love America will greatly differ on these issues; however, the perception of a city once set on a hill as a beacon for all to see and to flee to, is long gone from both the intellectual, as well as spiritual radar of the America which once was.  How do you come out of that which envelops you?  We all get wet in the rain—some more than others; especially, if you don’t have an umbrella.  By that I mean a real covering in the Lord.  The imagery found in the Revelation on Babylon’s climax is altogether revealing—for this end-time’s image once was presumed to be a “golden cup in the hand of the Lord” (Jeremiah 51:7; Rev. 17:4)—but HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN!

 

In our contestations with brethren who see in Jerusalem herself as the “great city” of Revelation 11:8 – how blinded can they be to dismiss that “Sodom and Egypt” abound in the world’s capital of sexual deviants and intellectual clamor – oh, what a civilization have we concocted!  What a witness is this:  60% of evangelical men and 20% of evangelical women are ADDICTED to porn!  Yet we have the audacity to blame Jerusalem as Sodom and Egypt.  Our hypocrisy is only surpassed by our sexual promiscuity—and that goes for Evangelicals, as much as it goes for the Catholic priesthood.  Indeed, nearly 4,500 Roman Catholic priests in America (4% of some 110,000) have been accused by scores of innocent of rank acts of sexual abuse (pedophilia) – and the same exploitations are rehearsed around the Catholic world; e.g., 10% or nearly 2,000 priests in Brazil.  One ponders the Scripture:

 

“. . . to the angel of the church in Thyatira write . . . nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.  And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent” (Revelation 2:20-21).

 

Oh, we can shine all this on and claim that it’s been going on since time immemorial; and all this exposure of our sin has much more to do with an “open society” and the “information age” than anything else—like, there’s nothing new under the sun and this “stuff’s” been going on for centuries.  Perhaps – but in God’s mercy “judgment has begun at the house of God first – where will the ungodly abide” (I Peter 4:17), and our dirty underwear is hung out before the whole earth!

 

Can someone like Daniel be exalted in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar and testify against Babylon in her very midst?  ABSOLUTELY!  By definition we, as children of light, are irreversibly “salt and light” in this world.  We are NOT taught to flee Babylon at this point, for only the Almighty can rapture us from this morass.  No, the overwhelming thrust of the Scriptures DEMAND:

 

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as light in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16).

 

It is at this juncture that the challenging word of one of America’s foremost theologians comes to the fore—and we do well to arm our minds with his injunctions, for the issues of “social justice” and “suffering in tribulation” are the most critical themes of our days both now into the future:

 

“Martyrdom is a frequent image in Revelation (2:13; 6:9-11; 7:14; 11:2, 7; 13:7; 14:13; 16:6; 17:6; 18:24; 20:4), and here we see God’s instructions for the proper Christian response to their persecutors—PACIFISM! (My emphasis.)  As Barclay (1959; 293) says, resistance is futile; one can only wait for God.  But more than this, while the believers actively decry the evil of this unholy empire in their witness and certainly refuse to follow the commands of the beast to accept his mark (13:16-17), they passively accept their lot of suffering” (Revelation, Grant R. Osborne, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, p. 506).

 

Now, Osborne tackles the biggie:  The Christians involvement in social justice issues as allegedly part and parcel of the gospel message:

 

“This (suffering and pacifism) is an important correction to the misunderstanding of many (e.g., liberation theologians) who have seen this book (i.e., Revelation) as a call to arms, a call to revolutionary opposition against oppressive, evil governments.  On the contrary, the only action allowed believers in the book is faithful witness and perseverance in following Christ.  They must not just submit to the beast but even more to divine providence (so Swete, Chilton, Giesen, Thomas).  As in the OT, it is Yahweh who wins the wars on behalf of his people, and the message is clear:  do not make war against the beast; that is the work of God.  Live faithfully and persevere in witness, but leave the battle to the Lord” (Ibid.)

 

And, in case you are not yet clear, Osborne persists:

 

“John then adds a commentary on the significance of the prophetic call (hode, in this case, moreover) is used four times in ensuing chapters (13:10, 18; 14:12; 17:9) to provide John’s own explanation of the ethical significance of the vision.  The best translation would probably be ‘this demands’ in light of the critical nature of the ethical response.  The call to passivity mandates (he hypomone kai he pistis ton hagion, endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints).  The use of the article with each noun distinguishes the emphasis of each, but it is clear that they supplement each other . . . the command for faithful endurance in the midst of terrible persecution.  The last time the term appears in the book is 14:12, ‘This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints, those who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.’  The picture of steadfast endurance stands in obvious contrast to the rage of the dragon (12:12, 17) . . . the meaning of ‘endurance,’ adding the aspect of being ‘faithful’ or remaining true to Christ.  In 2:10, 13, martyrdom is in mind, being ‘faithful to the point of death,’ and this is certainly the thrust here.  The saints win their victory over Satan by ‘not loving their lives even to the point of death’ (12:11) and by trusting God to defeat the forces of evil on their behalf (6:11)” (Ibid. pp. 506-7).

 

Osborne’s conclusions are pointedly directed at the American Church by obvious inference:

 

“There is no true power in evil.  God is in firm control, and it can do no more than is part of the divine will.  Nothing in the world, from Croatia to Rwanda to the moral wasteland that is modern America, escapes his notice, and it will end at his predetermined time.  At the end of history, the Antichrist will control the economics of the world.  Nothing will be bought or sold without his ‘mark,’ and many ‘Christians’ will capitulate to the pressure (the ‘great apostasy’ of Matt. 24:4-5 and 2 Thess. 2:3).  But that also is seen today, where the idol of too many Christians is the dollar sign and so many in our churches put economic success ahead of following God.

 

“As the saints go through their terrible tribulation, the ethical requirement of 13:9-10 is tough.  They are passively to accept their imprisonment and martyrdom and place their trust entirely in God.  John calls for ‘endurance and faithfulness’ (13:10b), which the saints are to exemplify by refusing to take action against the forces of evil but instead oppose it by continuing their proclamation of the gospel, following the lead of the two witnesses (11:3-6) and the angel with the eternal gospel (14:6-7).  Their victory against Satan is seen in their deaths (12:11).  The two beasts both persecute and deceive the saints, but God allows this to test them and to bring out their victorious response.  To reciprocate evil for evil, violence for violence, is to fall into the hands of the enemy, to yield to the deceptions of the devil.  This is the lesson Jesus told Peter when he drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant:  ‘Put your sword back in its place.  For all who draw the sword will die by the sword’ (Matt. 26:52).  This does not mean we sit idly by and allow evil to triumph.  Rather, we take a prophetic stance and warn evil rulers of the folly of their actions, but we do so as part of our gospel proclamation, not as part of a revolutionary plot to overthrow.  When one is put to the sword as a result of that bold proclamation, it is ‘endurance and faith’ that gives one the courage to face martyrdom” (Ibid. 508-9).

 

Dear Pastor – I hasten to add that our immediate inclination, as Elijah, is to head for Mt. Horeb, into the desert, fleeing from that wickedness—the woman Jezebel and her apostasy.  Oh, it would be so nice to hear Him in the earthquake, fire and wind – but that “still small voice” beckons us:  WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, Pastor T.M. – Brother Doug, et al? (I Kings 19:13).  It is with this hearing, this voice alone, that we gird up our loins and wade into the fray—no, Canada’s still not optional (though a jest—just ask the Canadians if Babylon’s grip has their culture in its iron fist!).  Brethren all – here is the charge set before us who claim to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony:

 

“Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria . . . yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (I Kings 19:15, 18) . . . Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.  But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.  And he said to me, ‘YOU MUST PROPHESY AGAIN ABOUT MANY PEOPLES, NATIONS, TONGUES, AND KINGS” (Revelation 10:10-11).

 

There’s no escape – you and I are called to ENGAGE the world, as light in a dark place; as anointing upon its leaders; yea, as those who eat the unsealed book made available in the hand of the Risen Son of Man and proclaim liberty throughout the land – to preach the gospel to the poor – to heal the brokenhearted – recovery of sight to the blind – to set at liberty those who are oppressed – to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19) – to declare the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM of His Dear Son to the prisoners caught in chains of self-effort and a multitude of sins.  This is our calling, brother T.M. – and by God’s grace alone, we shall attain for “greater is He that is within us, than he that is in the world” – MARANATHA!