In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said,
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The election is over, and maybe the direction of the country will change in the near future. Does the direction of the country relay need to change? Are we really that bad off. I had this article written by Craig R. Smith sent to me a while ago, and while I don’t necessarily agree with all his views, I do feel that we are a country of spoiled brats.
…The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ”What we are so unhappy about?”
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ”other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn’t kill his wife but if he did … insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:
”What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, ‘the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.’ Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.”
I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don’t, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ”greediest and most ungrateful generation.” A far cry from the proud Americans of the ”greatest generation” who left us an untarnished legacy.
With the instability in the US market trialing into the world market, we need to caution ourselves. One wrong move from America, or any other county for that matter, cold lead to disaster and push our fanatical wows over the top. The world market would be devastated if there were another event like 9/11. So what do we do? It may be too late for a good solution, but the recent events have started a chain reaction that I just can’t ignore.
Glenn Beck, a CNN television and radio host had this to say about the current conditions in the market:
… It’s not just money that they’re throwing at this problem; it is also our freedom. America, we have — we have fundamentally changed. The America that you and I grew up in is gone. And maybe it’s gone forever, if we don’t wake up now. …
There is a global meltdown coming. It is a global depression. And one world currency, and one world financial system is the end game. China said last week they want one global currency. France said yesterday or the day before that they want one world order, a new world order at the end of this event. …
As I listened to this statement I realized something fundamental, the idea of one world order, or government, as well and one world currency seems enticing. Up front the idea would solve many problems and may lead to peace. The fundamental problem with this is that there would than be one world leader.
Step back and think about this for a moment, especially if you really thought this is a good idea. I have heard this story before for the Bible. According to the Bible, there will be one world government controlled by the Antichrist. In Revelations 17 many Bible scalars believe this is referring to one world government and religion. Since we are on the topic of religion, where would one world religion come from? Currently the most powerful religion is lead be the Roman Catholic church. Many world leaders profess there faith to this church, as well as to the leader of the church, the Pope. Now I am not saying that the Pope is the Antichrist, but thing about it for a moment. Let’s speculate for a minute, and say that there was a one world order that came from the current economic conditions, the leader of this government could likely be the beast as stated in Revelations 19. The Pops, who has already claimed to be the living embodiment of God, would most likely be a player in this government, much as is in most of the European countries. This would lead to any entry point for the beast to win over billions of people.
Another element of Revelations that I see coming to light is the mark of the beast. We now have our one world order, currency and religion; you need an easy way to keep track of people. The technology has already been tested and is currently in use, RFID. These small microchips can be placed underneath the skin, perhaps in the forearm or forehead… making it impossible to do anything without being tracked. The RFID could contain all our personal information, including baking information, leading to smart money. Bingo, you now can’t buy anything without the chip which is controlled by non other than the beast! What happens now?
The Bible has a lot to say about the end times. Nearly every book of the Bible contains prophecy regarding the end times. Taking all of these prophecies and organizing them can be difficult. Here is a very brief summary of what the Bible declares will happen in the end times:
Christ will remove all born-again believers who are part of the Church (New Testament saints) from the earth by an event known as the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51ff). These believers will be rewarded for good works and service during their time on earth at the Judgment Seat of Christ or will lose rewards, but not eternal life, for lack of service and obedience (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The antichrist (beast) will come into power and sign a peace pact (covenant) with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:27). This seven year period of time is known as the Tribulation. During the Tribulation, there will be terrible wars, famines, plagues, and natural disasters. God will be pouring out His wrath against sin, evil, and wickedness. The Tribulation will contain the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and the seven seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments.
About halfway through the 7 years, the antichrist will break the peace covenant with Israel and make war against them. The antichrist will perform the abomination of desolation and set up an image of himself to be worshipped in the temple (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10). The second half of the Tribulation is known as the Great Tribulation and the time of Jacob’s trouble.
At the end of the seven year Tribulation, the antichrist will launch a final attack on Jerusalem, culminating in the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus Christ will return, destroy the antichrist and his armies and cast them into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:11-21). Christ will then bind Satan in the Abyss for 1000 years and will rule His earthly kingdom for this 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-6).
At the end of the 1000 years, Satan is will be released, defeated again, and then cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). Christ then judges all unbelievers (Revelation 20:10-15) at the Great White Throne Judgment, casting them all into the lake of fire. Christ will then usher in a New Heaven and New Earth and the New Jerusalem – the eternal dwelling place of believers. There will be no more sin, sorrow, or death (Revelation chapters 21-22).
Take heart, I did not write this to scar you, if you are a believer you have nothing to fear. Much of what I have said is speculation based on biblical facts. It may or may not happen like this, and it may not happen even in our lifetimes. If you are not a believer it is not too late, but you must hurry, time is running out. One thing is for sure, things have been set in motion that may change our world forever, and may lead to the grate day that we have all been promised.
Are we heading down the road towards another Great Depression? There are many signs that would make it seem so… The dollar is losing its worth while the price of gas goes through the roof. I now believe that we will see gas prices at or near $5.10 by the end of the summer. Even more disturbing is the fragile state of the Middle East. Something is going to give, and it isn’t going to be pretty. Tom Merritt, a Cnet editor, has made a insetting observation, and I think he may be onto something.
…you can see some historic cycles by looking at things that chracterise certain decades.
Update: The more i look at the market the more I think this may be true. The past few weeks have seen hard days in the stock market, many of them closed at grater than 600 point losses. As it stands, the markets are now no better than they were more than five years ago, and this after the all time high about a year ago. Things don’t look good, time to “batten down the hatches”!
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