Looking Back Into The Future    05/15/22

Referring back to our blog of 03/04/20-What Is Really Important To Look For Regarding Bible Prophecy?‐Part 2, it is clear that the land of Russia has had a wealth of natural resources. However, due to what world leaders considered bad behavior from Russian President, Vladimir Putin (particularly starting in the 21st century), they began sanctioning the mighty bear. Sanctions toward a country is evidence of disapproval from one country to another for its actions. Sanctions come in many forms including diplomatic (boycotting an event the offending country is hosting) and economic (boycotting the offending country′s exports), among others. Remember, Biblically speaking, these sanctions are important because one reason Russia invades Israel is to take a spoil—they have needs.

In 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden announced increased sanctions on Russia due to the build up of military forces along the Ukrainian border. But President Biden′s intent, in his own words, were, “…to punish and weaken Putin in the eyes of the world and the Russian people”. The U.S. President did not believe there were any sanctions at his disposal that would cause President Putin not to invade Ukraine. Perhaps that is why, even as late as April of this year, the Biden Administration continued to buy Russian oil at a low cost. Since the Europeans were boycotting the mighty bears′ oil, they needed a supplier—the U.S. was happy to oblige and sold the Russian oil for a profit to its allies. They say, all is fair in love and war. However, it turned out to be a rather odd situation for the Biden Administration—on one hand they were supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the purchasing of oil, while on the other hand gifting weapons to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion.

While most news outlets across the globe have painted a picture of President Putin as a madman, lunatic or any number of uncomplimentary adjectives for his recent aggression; there are those who study the actions and reactions of Vladimir Putin. These observers have, for many years, believed he is sick with one or more debilitating diseases. They believe he has slowly been losing the tight grip he once had over Russia and can no longer manage the most powerful forces within the Kremlin—which are referred to as key pressure groups. This would include the military.

Whether President Putin′s health is actually failing, or it is a smoke and mirrors act, the attitude of the Russian government is, according to state run media, “Why do we need a world if Russia is not in it?” If President Putin is indeed failing in health, he may also consider, if he can′t live—why should anyone else? However, the Bible indicates there will be a Magog—Russia, which is in place, and there must be a Gog—chief ruler of Magog. Whether Gog is going to be Vladimir Putin or another—only the Lord knows.

This Russian aggression has caused some bordering countries to looking toward NATO for protection; however, by doing this it appears to only be strengthening the evil thoughts Russia has toward the west. With this in mind, President Putin has already drawn a red line. In a TV appearance last February announcing his special military operation into Ukraine, President Putin announced to the Russian people, and warned the world, “To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside—if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history.” This was taken as a threat by most, if not all western countries, of nuclear war. Still, they have not backed down and several countries have helped the battle ridden Ukraine. Those who have promised military aid are the U.S., Canada, UK, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Croatia, Slovenia, the EU organization, Estonia and Poland. Countries that have broken long eras of neutrality during conflicts is Germany, Sweden, France, Belgium and the Netherlands—all sending some kind of assistance to Ukraine.

But neither is President Vladimir Putin backing down. Recently, he, or a number of his aids, has expressed they are willing to throw caution to the wind. Since NATO (check out this blog if you want to know more about NATO), insist on antagonizing Russia with talks of expansion, Russia has used it's only tool to get attention—nuclear weapons. In the last two months alone the Russian President, or one of his aids, has threatened the United States and NATO (Note, Russian diplomats infuriated with Finland's desire to join NATO have declared Russia would, “reduce the US to nuclear ashes if America threatens the Russian state”), the UK (we were reminded it would only take 3 minutes for their Satan 2 missile to hit the island), Finland (the Russians promptly reminded them they could be wiped out in seconds) and Sweden with nuclear weapon retaliation. To back up his concerns, President Putin has actually sent seven Iskander missiles en route to Vyborg which is 24 miles from the Finnish border. The informer of this information also mentioned the missiles were arriving on what looked like brand new Ural trucks. If President Putin holds true to his threat of retaliation for those who intervene with his special military operation into Ukraine, the above countries can expect a horrible future—but, isn′t this in line with Bible Prophecy? Just a note about the Satan 2 missile, or RS‐28 Sarmat ICBM which carries up to 15 MIRV warheads—it is thought to be hundreds of times larger than the atomic bombs used on Japan in WW2. It is also worth mentioning that the U.S. has not only provided weapons to Ukraine, they were also instrumental in helping the Ukraines sink the Russian ship, Moskva, by providing the needed coordinates of the whereabouts of the ship to the Ukrainians.

If you were to ask a Christian how long the Tribulation will last, they would probably answer, if they can give an answer at all, that it will last for (7) years. To be more accurate, the Tribulation is a (7) year period, however, the Bible says, For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth‐Rm 9:28. Why does the Lord cut it short? It is written, And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect′s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days‐Mk 13:20. So how is the Tribulation cut short? Click this link if you would like to learn more.

Maybe you are not worried about world events—you think everything will turn out okay, because it usually does. Perhaps you think you are a good person and will go to live with Jesus after you die. The Bible commands us to examine ourselves. This link will help you to do just that. Remember,  not every one that says to Jesus, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but the one who does the will of the Father, who is in heaven, will enter‐ref Mt 7:21 NAS. Now is the time—if you have already given your life to Jesus, but these days you rarely even think about God or Jesus and what He did for you on the cross—you have time to repent. Repent today, right now, and turn to God with all your heart. Eternity is a long time to be in torment.

Please check out this link if you would like to give your life to Jesus. May God open your eyes and remove your stony heart so that you may receive Him. To those who have committed their lives to Jesus and try to walk in obedience to His word every day—look up, for your redemption draws near.

Sources: moderndiplomacy.eu; americanmilitarynews.com; usnews.com; themoscowtimes.com; strangesounds.org; mediaite.com; dailymail.co.uk; thesun.co.uk; afn.net; aol.com/news; military-today.com; bbc.com; euronews.com; thefederalist.com; navaltoday.com; economist.com; naturalnews.com.


What Kind of Mother Have You Become?    05/03/22

When you think about your Mother, your definition would probably depend upon your age. Someone from the pre‐WW2 era may define their Mother as someone who, for the most part, was a stay at home Mom. She made bread daily, tended her gardens, washed clothes and dishes by hand, as well as pulled the family together as a unit. When hard times hit, she was supportive of her husband, if she wasn't a widow or had been abandoned, and helped him—because the woman of this era had that kind of a mind set. Helping the poor, even though she may have been poor herself, was ingrained into her by previous generations. She was a descendant of those hardy women, who faced the dangers of life, never turning back and enabling her descendants opportunities her generation never had. She more than likely was a bible reading, church going woman who made sure her children were taught the doctrines of the Bible so they would grow up to be Christians themselves—making them good citizens.

After WW2, many women entered the working field—they became secondary or the main bread winner for their family. This made them more independent of men. They started launching out into job fields that had previous been dominated by men—not only white collar jobs, but also blue collar. These women became less of a biblical female role model and less submissive to male authority. They could do the same work as a man, and they would let you know it. Woman were becoming leaders—no longer helpmates.

As the sixties rolled on the scene it brought a wave of “do what feels good” slogans—along with an increase of drug use. It was no longer taboo for a woman to have sex before marriage and staying a virgin until marriage was considered old fashion and square. Boyfriend and girlfriends living together like husband and wife became more and more common place. The idea of marriage and commitment was not on the minds of most young people. Hence, the increase of sexual diseases and children born out of wedlock. Even worse, was that the abortion industry was considered a socially acceptable way of getting rid of a hindrance that could ruin the freedom and fun people were having. No thought to consequences was considered. Those consequences included higher divorce rates among those that did get married, children growing up without a father, and many without extended family members to enforce some kind of mentor-ship. No moral standard for these children to build upon. The mind set of these women was far from the biblical woman of previous generations. They no longer had time for the Bible. At best, they sent their little ones to Sunday school, although they themselves never entered into a church.

Today, in many cases, the roll of mother and the family is so far removed from biblical standards, it is no longer recognizable. Instead of a single mother being able to stay at home with her beloved child to train them in their early years, she has no other recourse but to pay for someone, she probably does not know very well, to care for them. In many cases, these people do not have the same intent for this child as the mother may have—but, what's a mother to do? She has to work to provide a home and food. Job opportunities are dangled in front of her like bait on a fishing line. For some, business and personnel opportunities become more important than the family—they justify themselves by saying, “This will provide more money for my family” or, “This will put me in a better position for a future job promotion.” She may make time on Sunday to play sports with the kids, or maybe go canoeing—but, no one has time to go to church. Bible reading isn't even on the schedule. They do not even realize that without Jesus you can not make good decisions, you can not truly love anyone because you do not know what love is. Without Jesus you are only living a lie. You have bitterness and ugliness inside, which you try to cover up and think nobody notices because you have beautified your outside.

What does this have to do with Bible Prophecy? If men, women and the family unit were not in this condition—this would not be the latter days. Check out this link about how people will be in the latter days. Read sections 177-294.

There are multiple Scriptures dealing with wives and mothers. Many will be used this coming Sunday in flowery sermons to commemorate motherhood. And, there are definitely a few biblical mothers out there, but, most are not meeting the mark—not striving to enter the narrow way—not putting an effort into pleasing Almighty God, their Creator—and not teaching their children to do so.

Time is running out—mother examine yourself. If you have come short, due to previous choices you have made, there is time to repent, change your ways and break up the fallow ground of your heart‐ref Hosea 10:12. Come to Jesus as a little child, humbly‐ref Mt 18:3. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance‐ref Luke 5:32. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He will provide your needs‐ref Mt 6:25‐34. Take His yoke upon you and learn of Jesus—for He cares for you‐ref Mt 11:28‐30.

For those of you who have been disappointed by the male figures in your life, Jesus is there to be your husband‐ref Is 54:5. He will not leave or abandon you‐ref Heb 13:5 NAS. Come to Jesus and allow Him to take control of your life. How? Check out this link. Also, read, read, read your Bible. Here is a link on how to study your Bible . Get involved in a good Bible teaching church and plant yourself there. The more you read the Bible and obey it—the better you will be able to determine what is a good Bible teaching church.

WW3 is on the brink. It may not be this year, but by the signs of the times, the Scriptures indicate it is very close. Your world, if it has not already, will become a nightmare. ¼ of the world's population is about to die due to the exchange of nuclear weapons between Russia and the United States—not to mention the damage from the nuclear fall‐out. Do not hesitate—ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life and live for Him.

For those who will not allow Jesus to reign over you—eat, drink and be merry—for tomorrow you will die‐ref Lk 12:18‐20. This is no joke—eternal torment lies ahead for you if you do not repent. Check out this audio sermon on, Hell and the Lake of Fire (right side under audio sermons, mp3, sermon #13‐Hell and the Lake of Fire).