Will America become prosperous and confident again or will it lead to the end times as predicted by Scripture? Matthew 24:7–11 “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.” (NLT)

Every year, hundreds of books are published covering witchcraft, magic, demons, spiritualism, ghosts and prophecy. They are laying the foundation for an enormous increase in demonic influence and activity that will soon appear on earth. They are trying to precondition people to reject Biblical truths and to accept the cult doctrine. Some with Biblical knowledge have a chance to understand what is happening and accept Christ. Many more have absolutely been taught to deny that there is a God or a Heaven or Hell. Many false teachers are preparing Americans to become more like the European Union and a one-world government as the Bible states.

It is hard to imagine what the world will be like if the church is removed and God turns the demons loose. One author described it as: picture all prison gates are opened and every inmate is turned loose and the administration dismisses all police forces. Have you been noticing how many are being freed from jail? You must be aware that many are against the police.

In Matthew, Jesus warns that sin will be so rampant everywhere and people will lose their love for others. Jesus does not promise immunity from persecution and death but He does tell us to preserve and face what will happen and those who do will be saved. Revelation 2:10 “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.”

Mark 13:9–23 “For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days. “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!” (NLT)

Jesus warned His disciples that prior to coming persecution, they would be betrayed by their children, other family members and friends, religious and civil leaders. Christians in every age have had to face this possibility. Sometimes hatred of the gospel has caused betrayal.

Scripture promises that if we are forced to defend ourselves, the Holy Spirit will give us God’s peace and the words to say. Because there will be numerous false prophets claiming to receive messages from God. They will preach what people want to hear. They will teach that God wants you to become rich and there is no Hell. God will give you anything you ask for or they will promise complete healing if you have enough faith. They will be so persuasive that even the elect will be led astray.

Doing research, I have found that in countries having depression, deep recession, civil wars or lack of job opportunities that when a president or leader has been a weak leader, in the next election, the strongest person running has always been elected. This is why Trump has done as well as he has. However, in nations that have moved toward Socialism or Communism as the USSR did, went bankrupt in 1999. Boris Yeltsin was a weak Russian leader. The next election, a man, very few had ever heard of, Vladimir Putin, decided to run for president and Yeltsin promoted him, a former KGB agent, to prime minister. The first poll, he received 5% approval. Five months later, showing his strong leadership, he received 50% of the poll. He was elected president in 2004 and remains as a dictator with great approval from the people, because he is a strong take-charge person.

This has happened in so many nations in South America, Asia and Europe. The electorate, when in a crisis, votes for whoever appears to be the strongest leader, wins. God is in control and will He let the Devil blind the eyes and the thinking of people. If so, are we at the end of time and things will become unbearable with terrorists and murder in our streets. Will God allow the next president to bring us back to our Christian/Judeo principles and a prosperous nation? Christians, pray that God will allow the right person to become president and we are not at the end of the church age as Jesus predicted was coming.

To give you and example of prayer: October 1746, 90 French ships were gathered off the coast of Massachusetts with 13,000 army men on board with plans to destroy cities from Massachusetts to Georgia. New Englanders began to prepare for a potential invasion by the French. The Governor mandated that every one hold a day of prayer and fasting and go to their churches to pray that God would protect them. It was a very sunny day. As they began praying for God’s protection, the skies began to cloud up and rain started to pour down. It stormed so badly that many of the ships were sunk, over 12,000 of the French army lost their lives and the admiral decided to return to France. The bells in the church tower began to ring but no one was there to ring them. But the praying Christians knew that it was God’s way of telling them He had answered their prayer. Couldn’t Americans turn back to God and seek God’s protection from the crime and terrorism that has seemed to change our country?