Flee the Wrath

Many have no doubt seen the slogan now adorning some of Britain’s public transport buses :

“There’s probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy your life”

The Atheist movement in Australia has also likewise recently attempted to adorn our public transport with a similar theme, but at this point have been unsuccessful in gaining approval from the required advertising group.

My guess is that in due season they will find a willing acceptance for their cause.

I wouldn’t normally seek to address this issue on this blog, as it kinda falls outside that which I intend to keep as a central issue, Christians fleeing Mystery Babylon, but something just keeps tugging at me to write.

My thoughts run to and fro, what perspective can I address this issue from. I suppose I must address the issue from a perspective of grace, knowing this “but for the grace of God, there go I”

No doubt in my earlier life I could have supported such a cause myself, but according to the Grace and knowledge of God which came by Christ, I no longer can. Having now found that God is long suffering, patient and abounding with grace toward me, a sinner, how could I not offer these Atheists the same grace that comes by Christ.

When I read these news stories, part of me wants to scream. Christian, the nature of these days in which we live will cause your heart to be hardened, these days in which men boast in their unrighteousness, your heart will want to close down and perhaps desire to scream as I feel I’d like to “damn this world, let them go to hell”.

Yet at the same time I hear another voice crying out from within, one which seeks to look upon their wretched condition with a sense of “God help them”, for they neither see, nor understand their rather pitiable condition.

Knowing that these are the days of Lot, the days of Noah, a day in which men make boast in their unrighteousness, remember the grace of the Saviour. In this day and age when men flaunt their unrighteous deeds and taunt your faith, remember the Saviour, who thought nothing better than to offer grace and forgiveness to all whose minds had been darkened by the lies of the devil.

I sense that Solomon understood the ways of this world and hoped that the reader and hearer of his words would pay heed when he penned, “above all else”, I repeat “above all else”, make this thing of which I am about to speak, a priority in your life.

Christian, “above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you will become children of your Father in heaven, because he makes his sun rise on both evil and good people, and he lets rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous” Matt 5:44-45

Photo thanks to Guardian.co.uk

When a generation of greed and selfish gain have lead the Western nations to a point of economic collapse, one could perhaps be forgiven for thinking we ought to endure some grief as a result of our misdemeanour. After all, is not life a little like that. We make poor choices, we reap the results, and we learn.

A little like that old saying “you’ve done the crime, now do the time”.

The response of the nations to the present financial mess now infecting many nations has been nothing short of foolish. Lead by the USA, the world is determined that it should not see sorrow, nor bear the grief of it’s unrighteousness, let us altogether abandon the thought of such, for I sit as a queen and shall not see sorrow. Revelation 18:7

I submit to you that the scripture of Revelation 18:7 is being fulfilled in your hearing. This refusal to drink from the cup of sorrow is the manifestation of a nation who refuses to be humbled by her iniquity. A nation who cannot bear the thought that her reign as a queen, is coming to an end.

I consider it would have been far better to allow herself to be humbled under the hand of Almighty God, that He might lift her up in due season. But because she refuses to drink from the cup, refuses to accept the correction of her own iniquity, now she shall be forced to drink from the cup of sorrow. “mix her a double portion from her own cup” Rev 18:6

The response to this financial crisis has been to print more money, borrow more money, throw more money at the whole mess, and hope it goes away. Corporate America gets off the hook to the sum of billions of dollars. Political leaders maintain the facade of order and good economic management but in reality, behind the scenes it’s financial sewer. The little guy who labours for the food on his plate, now gets a bonus, he  gets to share in the cost of that greed that has lined the pockets of the rich. The debt which has and is being accumulated, and the billion dollar bailouts being offered have to be paid by someone, and it will be, by the average Joe plumber tax paying citizen.

Or maybe it won’t be paid at all. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I got a feeling that in the not too distant future, she (the harlot) is going to reneg on alot of debt that is owed to the world, knowing full well she cannot pay. Checkout Wikipedia stats, estimated US debt per household including unfunded services, an unbelieveable 59.1 trillion or $516,000.00 per household as at Nov 2008. In my opinion America will soon reneg on that debt and who knows what this will lead to.

I’m reminded of an excerpt from the vision of AA Allen, July 4, 1954.

And as l looked, suddenly from the sky I saw a giant hand reach down.
That gigantic hand was reaching out toward the Statue of Liberty.
In a moment her gleaming torch was torn from her hand,
and in it instead was placed a cup. And I saw protruding from that great cup,
a giant sword, shining as if a great light had been turned upon its glistening edge.
Never before had I seen such a sharp, glistening, dangerous sword.
lt seemed to threaten all the world. As the great cup was placed in the
hand of the Statue of Liberty, I heard these words,

"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Drink ye and be drunken, spew and fall, and rise no more,
because of the sword which I will send"

As I heard these words, I recognized them as a quotation from Jeremiah 25:7.

I was amazed to hear the Statue of Liberty speak out in reply, "I WILL NOT DRINK!"
Then as the voice of the thunder, I heard again the voice of the Lord, saying,
"Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, YE SHALL CERTAINLY DRINK." Jeremiah 25:28
Then suddenly the giant hand forced the cup to the lips of the Statue of Liberty,
and she became powerless to defend herself.
The mighty hand of God forced her to drink every drop from the cup.
As she drank the bitter dregs, these were the words that I heard,

"Should you be utterly unpunished?  You shall not be unpunished:
for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth,
saith the Lord of Hosts." Jer.25:29
When the cup was withdrawn from the lips of the Statue of Liberty,
I noticed the sword was missing from the cup, which could mean but one thing.
THE CONTENTS OF THE CUP HAD BEEN COMPLETELY CONSUMED!
I knew that the sword merely typified war, death,
and destruction, which is no doubt on the way.

Then as one drunken on too much wine, I saw the Statue of Liberty become
unsteady on her feet and begin to stagger, and to lose her balance.
I saw her splashing in the Gulf, trying to regain her balance.
I saw her stagger again and again, and fall to her knees.
As I saw  her desperate attempts to regain her balance, and rise to her feet again,
my heart was moved as never before with compassion for her struggles.
But as she staggered there in the gulf, once again I heard these words,

"Ye shall drink and be drunken, and spue, and fall,
and rise no more because of the sword that I shall send among you."

Rev 18:7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit [as] queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’
Rev 18:8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day–death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong [is] the Lord God who judges [fn] her.

Reading an article this morning from the Daily Reckoning regarding the present world financial crisis, the author offered the following lighthearted take :

–”U.S. financial firms have taken write downs and losses of $666.1 billion since the beginning of 2007,” according to Bloomberg. There you have it. The number of the bust.

I felt I had to write something down to reflect what must be going through the hearts and minds of many today. You have to read it poetic like……..

Unfaithful Mammon

Oh Mammon, how I had thought that you had loved me
How I had truly believed that you cared for me
For you had comforted me with hope and purpose
You adorned my household with treasures and riches beyond measure
This you granted to all of your friends and lovers
How generous you were toward us

Oh mammon, could this be true, is it a rumour, can it be, that you are leaving us for another
Why do you flee from us now?
Our days are not yet finished, our future is in you
In our latter years when we had grown weary, we had an expectation that you would care for us

Oh mammon, do not leave us now, please!
My joy, my hope, my future, and ever present comfort
All that I am, all that I have, and all that I would be , was in you
That you would care for me, that you would always love me
That you would adorn my household with treasure forevermore

Oh mammon, flee not from your lovers and friends
Forsake us not
Without you we shall be ashamed, empty and without hope.
Do not allow us to drink from this cup called sorrow
Do not abandon those who love you
What have we done to deserve this?
What shall become of us?

Oh Mammon, where now shall we find our hope!

I sense that this is not going to be too comforting a post for many. I’m simply drawing on the words recorded by the Apostle John, in Revelation 17:16. The word of the Lord, not mine.

In a very few paragraphs I intend to bring a 1900 year old prophecy forward and integrate it into a present day fulfillment, even in our generation. Perhaps I will be proved wrong in this, time has a way of undoing mans best attempt to integrate prophecy with current events.

I guess the question one is lead to ask is, who is “she”?  The she in the title above refers to the Harlot of Revelation – Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.  John using these words is alluding to the fearful manner of Gods judgement, which is about to befall “Mystery Babylon”

Not very comforting words are they, especially if you happen to be an inhabitant of Mystery Babylon. How dark shall that day be in which a city or nation is made desolate, naked, her flesh consumed and burned with fire.

As I’ve said many times before, it is this authors belief, along with many other believers today, that the kingdom of Mystery Babylon has it’s seat of power in the USA. She is the harlot of Revelation, she exports her wares of harlotry to the world and leads men into idolatry. She resides in abundance, has profound influence upon many nations of the earth, and exports her mix of apostate Christianity, capitalist consumerism,  and all manner of greed, covetousness and selfish gain. I’m sure many would and could argue against this supposition, but I base my belief on a very simple and profound teaching of Christ, “A tree is known by it’s fruit”

If what I, and many others are saying is correct, it bodes poorly for the USA, for the book of Revelation declares that it is the 10 horns of the beast that make the harlot desolate, naked, consume her flesh and destroy her with fire.

Why would they do such a thing? What possible cause would these nations have, to set their hand upon her destruction. Oil? Gold? Silver? money? resources? NO.  John tells us that the beast “hates” the harlot. Nothing overcomplicated, human hatred.

The scripture records that “God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose“. Yes, this is the judgement of God on Mystery Babylon, and that judgement is about to be fulfilled by the 10 horned beast of Revelation. A kingdom comprising 10 nations shall destroy the harlot of Mystery Babylon, and this according to the will of God, because they simply hate her.

So now, lets try and make this fit into place today. If as I say, that the USA is Mystery Babylon, why on earth would she be hated by the 10 horned beast.

Let me give you a bunch of reasons all taken from headlines in the very recent past. These are all linked back to the original articles if you would like to read them.

South American leaders blame financial crisis on US

Japanese minister claims financial crisis mainly US fault

U.S Gambles blamed for worlds financial crisis

Russian president Medvedev states ; U.S. to blame for Global financial crisis

Hamas : “Jewish Lobby” in US toblame for Global financial crisis.

German finance minister blames US for financial crisis

Ahmadinejad blames Bush and Zionists for financial woe

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I can site a few other reasons for this hatred as well, like most of the Islamic world equating America with being the “great satan”

I sense that this is a little like history repeating. As the Jew was to Germany in the 20s, so today the American is to the world, “the beast”, HATED!

The financial collapse and economic troubles which are unfolding in this day are simply fueling the fire of hatred. The result of this economic collapse  which shall unfold in the days ahead will be remembered as the work of a U.S. system of greed, idolatry and unjust gain.

Firstly I must state that there are no doubt many God fearing, God loving men and women of faith in the US today. Many who live faithful and just in the eyes of God, in Christ. Praise God for them, but judgement must come to the house of God first. The scriptures declare that God always starts with His house first, then he will deal with the remainder of humanity.

In keeping with the theme of this blog, there are also many confessing Christians caught up in the ways of “Mystery Babylon”. The day of her judgement is drawing near. Christian, come out of her, do not be found in her in the day in which the Lord, Strong and Mighty, judges her for her iniquities. I for one sense this day is close at hand.

Perhaps when she (USA) is humbled under the weight of her self inflicted economic demise, perhaps at this time her haters (10 horned beast) will sense an opportunity to fulfill their plans.

Somewhat misleading at this time, you note that the world is gathering together, amidst this hour of financial uncertainty, seeking the means by which the world shall be upheld, saying “peace and safety” Be on your guard Christian, for when they say peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes. 1 Thessalonians 5:3

If you are in Christ, if you are not asleep, as others sleep, you have no need to fear. Whether we live of die, we are His. Do not be afraid little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32.

I do believe that this coming judgement will not make a complete end of the USA.  She will be as if “fatally wounded” but shall live. It will however usher in the end of the age, a time of trouble not seen since the beginning, nor shall ever be seen again.

I found the following “Ode” on the “The Blackwatch’s Weblog”, thanks to Chris.

I find it interesting that amongst the Christian blogging community there is a definate sense of “warning the people” of the nature of our days, as compared with much of the mainstream church who it so often seems are more concerned with delivering messages which satisfy itching ears and keep the people comfortable.

To you my fellow bloggers in the Lord, I thought of you when I read this ode.

As daylight fades and darkness rises
The Watchman boldly takes his post
The only man who stands between
His people and devouring host
For while the people take their rest
The Watchman makes his stand
His wary senses tell him that
There’s evil close at hand

As lions prowl beyond the wall
And coiled serpents strike
The Watchman knows the darkness grows
And shadows come to life

The wraith-like figures coalesce
Assuming rank and file
The Watchman just observes them closely
Laughing all the while
For he knows something they know not
Blinded by their power
The King and all His armies will
Return within the hour

“Awaken, you who, blissful, sleep!”
The Watchman cries at last
“Come and see the truth of things
Before the moment’s passed!”

Some respond to the Watchman’s call
Accepting his word blindly
Others climb up on the wall
To see for themselves, finally
But most denounce him as a madman
Touting ancient myths
“If there were armies at our walls,
Wouldn’t we know it?”

Others still with bold voice cry,
“Let’s all go back to sleep!
There are many wondrous things in dreams
Our attention for to keep!”

I think a few of God’s people probably recognized the event that took place on “Rosh Hashanah” this year, 2008, though I haven’t seen much posted on it. Just wanted to put it out there for all to see.

I am a great believer that God still works according to His appointed times and seasons, and though we Christians don’t pay too much attention to the Hebrew feast days and Holy days, I’m pretty sure the Lord still does.

The day Rosh Hashanah, is according to the Judaic interpretation, the “day of judgement”. It is a day “characterized by the blowing of the shofar,^[4] a trumpet made from a ram’s horn, intended to awaken the listener from his or her “slumber” and alert them to the coming judgment.[5″

Did anybody out there here the Shofar?

On the 29th September, 2008, the day on which Rosh Hashanah fell this year, the New York stock exchange Dow Jones industrial average fell by an amazing, wait for it, spooky co-incidence, 777 points. The single biggest day fall in the history of the exchange.

Spooky co-incidence? or a clear sounding of the shofar? You decide…..

Christian, are you listening!

Thanks to ASBO Jesus for the following :

2000 years ago, the apostle Paul had something very interesting to say to the church about recognizing the times and seasons that will precede the “Day of the Lord”. But before we get there, let me lay a brief foundation.

How quickly times change, go back just 17 years to September 11, 1991. George Bush Senior announces the promise of a New World Order, led by the UN, to usher in an age of hope. Drawing upon these following words of George Bush Snr, we can see the promise of this new world order :

A New world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind, Peace and Security, freedom, and the rule of law”

(see full video below)

Indeed who could resist such aspirations, who could resist a world where “Peace and Security” are the order of the day. What man, woman or child could refuse such a plan. It’s a little like heaven really, and we can have it now, better still, we can achieve it in our own strength by working together in common cause.

It’s taken some 18 years, but today, and with increasing intensity, the New World Order agenda is gaining momentum and widespread acceptance.

In a world which is increasingly troubled by the threats and fears of global warming, of water shortages, famines pestilences and droughts, oil shortages, terrorism, nuclear war, a worldwide economic depression, we see the vision, the hope, the catchcry of a “New World Order” gaining acceptance and momentum in working to resolve these issues. Never before has such an opportunity been granted to this world to run with the vision and hope of the New World Order promise, “Peace and Security”.

The list of ever increasing threats to this world over the past 20 years have prepared a platform to which this movement has and will gain much welcomed acceptance.

This week in Washington, leaders of many of the worlds nations gathered together to discuss the Economic conditions presently plaguing the world economy. The G20 Group is an economic forum of 20 of the worlds largest economies, 19 nations + the European Union. Together they sought to come together, of one mind, to resolve or respond to the present turmoil plaguing the world economy.

The leaders of the worlds nations are ready and willing to embrace this move , men like British P.M. Gordon Brown, men like French President Sarkozy, Aussie P.M. Kevin Rudd, and I suspect new world leader, Barack Obama, and so many others, drawn together in common cause, of one mind, and who could resist the promise.

Who could refuse especially in this day in which seemingly, so many perils are at our door, who in their right mind would not desire to respond to the catchry of the New World Order, “Peace and Safety”

But I lament and even now am sorrowful for the trouble which shall shortly come upon us. I am somewhat troubled that my children have been born into this generation, for men have done according to that which is written in their heart, to instinctively seek to establish an order on the earth which imitates heaven “Peace and Security” but they have done it in the hope that God will not be found amongst them. Yes just like the words of a famous songwriter “They say they want the kingdom, but they don’t want God in it”

Men have sought to establish heaven on earth through this New World Order, a new “Babel”and it comes with a bonus, God is not to be found in it. Woe to you Oh man, for the Lord declares, as in ages past Psalm 33:10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

Who would have believed that some 2000 years ago, the Apostle Paul could have known the nature of the world in our day. Somewhat frighteningly so, Paul declares a clear sign that pre-empts the “Day of the Lord” when he pens the following words to the church of Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 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.

Make no mistake about it, we are in that generation. The generation of the catchcry of a “New Word Order”, Peace and Security. Not my words, but the words of the founders of the new world order movement, and the Apostle Paul.

I am convinced, as many are, that we are at the precipice of something quite unique in human history. All of those things which we in the west have come to place are hope and trust in shall be shaken. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!

Christian, are you prepared? Have you fled Babylon? Have you “come out of her”? Let the cry go out “The groom is returning”. Let us sleep no longer but awaken to the hope of eternal peace and safety in an everlasting kingdom, where we shall dwell with God, forever.

In the days ahead there will be trials to endure, in Christ’s own words, a time of trouble not seen since the beginning of the world. Therefore what better trust shall we have than to find guidance in the words of the Saviour.

“But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 23:36

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 But concerning the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night, for when they say “Peace and Safety” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you brethren, are not in darkness that this day should overtake you as a thief. You are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness, therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

I need to share something a little more intimate with my Christian blogging brothers and sisters out there. Nothing to do with fleeing God’s wrath, but something just as close to my heart.

Vicki my wife has suffered with kidney disease for some 20 years. For many of these past 10 years we hoped and prayed that God would sustain her for years to come.  We hoped and prayed that we would not see the day in which the medical profession felt they had to intervene with dialysis.

A couple of years ago however her health began to deteriorate and the unseen effects of the disease started to manifest with pain, itching, tiredness, sleeplessness. The tests confirmed that her kidney function was down to 10% and there was need for medical intervention.

I still remember that day she walked in to tell me the news, she was angry, sad, tearful that our prayers had not been answered. I think she really felt like an abandoned child, you could just see the sorrow in her eyes.

Shortly thereafter she was placed on a program of Peritoneal Dialysis and required to undertake the treatment each night in our home whilst she slept. It’s a fairly involved process, it’s not haemodialysis which many  have to go to hospital for, but a treatment which uses the peritoneal lining of the stomach to filter out the impurities that the kidneys are supposed to process.

Never the less, time consuming, arduous and a little soul destroying as well.

However, after about 12 months of this treatment, there was no further kidney deterioration, so the level of dialysis she was required to undertake was reduced to once a day. This meant that she was no longer required to spend nights on the machine. All that was now required could be done once a day, sitting on the lounge and she could relax and do her treatment whilst she watched TV, or whatever.

However, her doctor has today advised that her kidney function has improved to around 14%. The doctors are now considering reducing the treatment to 3 times a week, or possibly, praise the Lord, removing her from dialysis treatment altogether. This is close, if not already a miracle. As far as I am aware, an improvement in kidney function is virtually unheard of.

Please keep us in prayer! and praise God, Christ still heals.

If I was standing next to you right now I’d give you a big hug and maybe shed a tear.

All my love, In Christ,

Tim.

Hey, and we’ve never been to a Benny Hinn meeting either.

I just had to share an excerpt from what I thought is an interesting post on the command to “come out of her My people, lest you share in her sorrows”. I think the imagery involked by the explanation was fairly powerful, likening the spiritual adultery to an act of sexual intercourse.  

No More Sex with the “Great Whore”

Following Jesus is not always easy. He tells us not to lust, because it’s adultery. He tells us not to have anger towards others because we will be subject to judgment if we do. He tells us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. These are not always easy things to do. But I think one of the hardest commandments that comes out of the Bible comes from John the Apostle. He says in Revelation 18:4-5 when referring to the “Great Whore,” “…Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” This is some pretty explicit stuff according to Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. They say in their book Jesus for President, “John’s language couldn’t be clearer: we are to “come out” of her, literally to pull ourselves out…Scholars point out that this is erotic language and that the words John uses are the same ones used for coitus interruptus – to interrupt sexual intercourse before climax. As John is speaking of this steamy love affair with the empire, he calls the church to ‘pull out of her’ – to leave the romance with the world and be wooed by God, to remember our first love, to say no to all other lovers.”

No doubt we are close to that spiritual climax now!

Thanks to “Evangelical Political Ananysis” for this post. You can find the full post :here