And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (Revelation 13:11)
As the United States continues to be transformed by its response to unsettling and unexpected challenges and while new and varied oppressive laws are being enacted, it is still not apparent to most Americans what is really going on. According to the Bible, the character of the nation will continue to change, but not for the better. Prophecy foretells a repudiation of the principles of civil and religious liberty.
Financial and economic problems will be significant factors influencing lawmakers in the wrong direction of restricting more and more freedoms.
As of June 30, 2010, 1.05 trillion dollars has been allocated to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home Do you think this has no impact upon the economy in America ? Is a degree in economics necessary to figure this out ?
Consider these interesting words about war from the 4th president of the United States.
Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. James Madison
"Political Observations" (1795-04-20); also in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. IV, p. 491
Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged against provisions against danger, real or pretended from abroad. - James Madison Letter to Thomas Jefferson (1798-05-13); published in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. II, p. 141
The means of defence agst. foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people. - James Madison
- Speech, Constitutional Convention (1787-06-29), from Max Farrand's Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, vol. I [1] (1911), p. 465
Oppressive laws, which have not in them a particle of the Spirit of God, are being enacted. And the less men submit themselves in obedience to the law of God, the more zealously will they try to enforce human laws.
A FEW ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC ISSUES AMERICA IS CONFRONTED WITH -
THERE ARE NEARLY 40 MILLION PEOPLE ON FOOD STAMPS - http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6465E220100507
46 STATES FACING FINANCIAL CRISIS BECAUSE OF BUDGET SHORTFALLS - http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-25/states-of-crisis-widen-as-46-governments-in-u-s-face-greek-style-deficits.html
BP OIL SPILL - FULL ECONOMIC IMPACT IS INESTIMABLE - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060204677.html?hpid=topnews
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUNDS DEPLETED IN 30 STATES - http://www.american.com/archive/2010/june-2010/the-unemployment-insurance-crisis
SIGNIFICANT SPENDING INCREASES FOR THE NEW NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM - https://www.cms.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/25_NHE_Fact_Sheet.asp
CURRENT NATIONAL DEBT - TOTAL MONEY OWED BY U.S. CITIZENS AS OF
JUNE 30, 2010 - 52, 200,149,000,000 = 52 TRILLION - 200 BILLION DOLLARS
UNFUNDED LIABILITIES AS OF JUNE 30, 2010 - 109,339, 419,000,000
= 109 TRILLION, 339 BILLION, 419 MILLION DOLLARS
In previous posts, we discovered how a beast in Bible prophecy represents a nation and in future posts we will continue to unravel the meaning of Revelation 13:11 to see its application to the United States. Here are a just a few of the recent developments with regard to civil liberties that are helping to promote the change in our nation's character which in turn is preparing the way for what prophecy calls, "the image to the beast" in Revelation 13:14-16.
SIGNING OF TREATIES ALLOWING U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCESS TO PERSONAL COMPUTERS AND LAPTOPS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V44bYL0udQ0
STORING NEWBORN BABIES DNA IN GOVERNMENT DATABASE WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT OR NOTIFICATION - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86tNNlQwrpI
INTERNET POLICING OF PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS - http://www.wcl.american.edu/pijip/go/acta-communique
USE OF DRONES (AIR SURVEILLANCE) OVER AMERICAN CITIES COMING SOON - SEE VIDEO BELOW
According to Bible prophecy, the mounting pressures from fiscal, moral and natural and man-made disasters will lead to the strengthening of a church state combination that will institute religious laws under the mistaken notion that God requires it to bring an end to the national problems. This will be an unfortunate and final mistake in the history of America. You don't think it could happen ? You don't believe church and state could ever unite like the Bible predicts ?
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI SAYS HER PUBLIC POLICIES MUST HARMONIZE WITH THE VALUES OF JESUS - http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?rsrcid=66208 or here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSko2ixEB8U
Louisiana lawmakers propose prayer to stop oil disaster
- http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/20/gulf.oil.spill/index.html?hpt=T1
In the name of good causes and under a plea of goodness, many crimes against humanity have been perpetuated throughout history and history is being repeated. For "good" causes many new laws are being enacted today. For the sake of national security and safety, civil and soon religious liberties are slowly disappearing.
While many examples from the past could show the danger of compromising or forsaking right principles in the name of a "greater good", the crucifixion of Christ to preserve national security is sufficient to prove the folly of these actions.
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. (John 11:49,50)
Imagine...killing the son of God to protect national interests !!! Bible prophecy makes clear that Christ will be crucified again in the person of his people for the sake of "national security." Are you preparing to reflect the image of Jesus Christ by God's grace when all others forsake Him ?
What can you do right now ?
1. Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind - (Romans 12:2)
2. Be very selective with regard to the things you allow into your mind - Philippians 4:8
2. Be Christ minded - thinking of Him and like Him - (Philippians 2:5) -
Get busy trying to help others and by seeking to be a blessing to everyone with whom you come in contact.
Please...if you are pretending to be a Christian or you are someone who has not yet accepted the character transforming love of God...please surrender your heart to Christ while there is still time; surrender your thoughts and feelings to Jesus Christ the one who loves you and died in order for you and I to be able to obtain victory over all sin and selfishness in our lives...God loves you..God wants you...Not just to be forgiven...Not to play church..But to truly become Christ-like before you die.
A Christlike person is the only kind of person that could enjoy heaven and the only kind of person that could be trusted in heaven.