Watch (Part II)

By Jerry Olson
jerrydeanolson@yahoo.com

I wrote an article many weeks ago with the title, “Watch”.  This is a follow-up to that writing.  If you have been watching as was suggested in the article and in the Bible for believers, you would clearly see the trouble man has brought on himself for not believing and\or remembering what God told our ancestors, the Israelites, back many centuries ago.  He made it very clear what was going to happen in the final age of mankind here on earth.

If you have been watching as was recommended, you can see from many points, just how the underpinnings of our way of life are now, at a faster pace than ever before this time, are now coming apart.  Our God told us to be watchful.  He told us what was going to happen, but man seeks his own way apart from God the Creator of the universe.  The absolute arrogance of man is seen everywhere we look.  Families and society in general are paying a heavy price.  But, unfortunately, we are only beginning to see the sorrow which is just shortly going to come to pass, major trouble is just over the horizon.  God told us not to set dates – Jesus our Lord does not even know the date of His ultimate return. However, His return is absolute, and it follows a time of great trouble here on planet earth.  Let us read about the day of the Lord in Revelations 3:10-13 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.  And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My New name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Act 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

A few days ago I stopped to talk with a neighbor with whom I have had numerous discussions over the years about many topics.  We began our conversation about politics and ended talking about the state of affairs for man.  He is thinking that if Mr. Obama becomes President, things will begin to get better.  I told him that God will determine who He wants in office at this time, and that regardless who is victorious, Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama, the only remedy for our troubles and failures is Jesus.  His reply to me was almost verbatim what is written in the Scriptures, as he stated that he is an atheist.  He unknowingly prophetically said, “The powers that be would never allow Him [Jesus] to take charge of things; they would fight against His taking over.”  I agreed with him, but also reiterated that Jesus is the only answer to the problems facing mankind.  My neighbor, Joe, does not see it that way.

I Thess 5:3 “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”

Both men running for the American Presidency basically state that they will bring peace and safety for American citizens.

Prov 21:31 “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.”

America is part of the seed of Abraham.  We have enjoyed God’s many, many blessing on our nation for many, many decades.  However, God has removed His blessing hand on America because we have strayed from His teachings and requirements.  Just as was the case for our forefathers, we too are a stiff neck people, just as they were.  We think that we know best and that we can go it alone, without God’s guidance.
Our energies and our treasury have been spent in the pursuit of hopeless and faithless endeavors such as the billions spent on NASA trying to figure out what is in outer space or the Big Bang Machine, halted for at least two months because of problems.  This machine was built 330 feet below the surface of the Swiss-French border 17 miles long, so that protons could be made to collide, hoping to reveal how the tiniest particles were first created after the “big bang” which many theorize was the massive explosion that formed the universe.  After two decades and ten billion dollars, now they have been delayed for at least two months.  The CERN Experiment with its particle collider hope to reveal more about the “dark matter,” antimatter and the possible hidden dimensions of space and time.  They hope to find evidence of the hypothetical particle – “Higgs boson”- which is sometimes called the “God particle,” because it is believed to give mass to all other particles, and thus to matter which makes up the universe.

II Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Every area of society is in trouble.  Our schools of higher education are run by leaders with very liberal views; views that are contrary to what God teaches in the Scriptures.  Many follow homosexual lifestyles, believe abortion is ok, and doing whatever feels right is fine.  Same sex marriage is now an acceptable lifestyle and raising children in that lifestyle is tolerated, where common sense would show most people that this thinking will harm children in the long run as well as society.

Today’s news reports of a $700 billion bailout as requested by President Bush of Congress for our nation’s financial institutions comes on the heels of last week’s billions pledged by the government for the banks and AIG, the worlds largest insurance company.  We had an eight trillion dollar national debt before the Iraq war which is now spending at a rate of approximately ten billion per month.  It is estimated that the national debt before these bailouts is somewhere around nine and one-half trillion dollars.  The monthly trade deficit is now approximately 52 billion per month, treasury leaving America.  The American dollar has been losing value against other major currencies for several years now.  The auto industry is in trouble; this industry (one of America’s largest) has supported much of the tax dollars available to America.  Both Ford and GM have asked for government loans because of losses; approximately 25 billion was requested by both parties.  The airline industry has asked the government for loans as well; this industry has had a very hard time of it since 9\11 when America was attacked.  America went nearly a week with all airline activities suspended.  Also the price they are paying now for fuel has made their situation even that more desperate, several have filed for bankruptcy.  The housing industry is another one that is struggling to keep its head above the water line.  Home values across America are down.  America has been spending money it does not have, to help out the destruction left in the gulf by Katrina, Hugo and Ike, and other hurricanes, these past few years. Jefferson, Arapahoe and Denver counties have all had to spend many millions to add jail space to handle the additional criminals they are obligated to house.  Many of these inmates are fed, clothed and provided for by society for years, awaiting court appearances not to mention subsequent jail and prison time.  Individuals that commit murder and rape are supported with tax dollars for years often times.  However, God in His word told society how to deal with this scourge on society.  Even a young person that does not show honor and respect to his father and mother are to be stoned.  The hundreds of millions we spend on these criminals is also having a negative effect on America.

Phil 3:18-19 “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things.”

Have you noticed the ads in the paper trying to get you to purchase things?  You can buy furniture with no money down, no interest and up to five years to pay.  Cars with life time warranties.  You can purchase a home with nothing down, with no proof of income.  These are major changes that have come about in less than a decade.

No other country can still match American military power and sophistication.  However, the engine that has made America the envy of the world and where our true human power is derived is our economic strength.  Our current federal tax intake is just over 3 trillion annually, however the interest on the national debt has now become one of our three largest expenditures along with social security and defense.  Major inflation is at our door.  Just before World War II was over, it required a full wheelbarrow of previously valuable German marks to purchase a loaf of bread.  The economic engine that brought America blessing and prosperity is beginning to slow and over-heat.  A significant sign showing the limitations of an economy attempting to keep the American dream alive.  How much more can the grand old lady – America, take?
I found it quite interesting to read an article published today in the Rocky Mountain News entitled, “Dems Try to Lure Mesa County Over to Obama’s Side” (Grand Junction) – Apparently, three men stood near the door-way recalling how Barack Obama showed up in their town just the day before in front of 5,800 supporters and what his visit meant for Democrats here.  They were excited.  They were pumped.  They were enthusiastic – reciting lines from the speech and talking political strategy.  Then the phone rang.  Rick Baer ambled over to the green phone at the front desk of the Mesa County Democrats office and answered it.  He didn’t say much and the call lasted less than a minute.  Baer, a 63-year old retired electrician and campaign volunteer, hung up, walked back to his spot and leaned back against the wall without saying a word.  After a few seconds of blank stares, the two men finally asked him who it was. “It was a woman telling me that God told her John McCain and Sarah Palin were going to win the election,” Baer said. “Seriously!”  The three men looked at each other after a brief pause, and then chuckled.  ‘Well, I guess there’s no point in voting”, Alex Sidanycz said.  “If that’s what God said.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

We can read in Daniel 5:18-21 where it tells what happened to the king when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened in pride.  He was removed from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.  He became as a beast; was made to dwell with wild donkeys; was fed with grass like oxen; and his body was wet with dew; all of this until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

Greed and the desire for power drive many of our public leaders to seek office today.  Jesus said that if you want to lead, you must realize that leadership is serving the people.  In order to be elected into office most will say whatever it is that will get them elected.  Elected individuals become very wealthy often times from their positions of trust.  In Hebrews 13:17 God’s word states that those that rule over you must give account.
Jesus gave His full measure of self for us.  He went to the tree so that we could have life.  His body was brutalized.  His blood was spilled.  He did it with us in mind.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that Christ did not send him “to baptize but to preach the gospel, [the Good News], not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than man.” (I Cor. 1:17-25)

I Cor 3: 18-20 “Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’”

James 3:14-18 “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there. But the wisdom that is from above is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Jesus said in Matthew 11:27-30, “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

James 2:5 “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

II Tim 2:1-3 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Jerry Olson
jerrydeanolson@yahoo.com

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