America has become more liberal and conservatives are switching toward liberalism.  You cannot study the Old Testament and not see God being very unhappy with the U.S.  When the Israelites became more progressively liberal and disobeyed God’s Commandments and His ways of living, they were severely punished. Any Christian who has studied the Bible ought to realize that God is not pleased with the direction we are headed.  We should be expecting God to discipline our nation.

I have been a Christian for more than sixty years. Morality in America has changed tremendously.  I didn’t realize how much until I read a recent poll in The Investment Business Daily.  Following is the results of the IBD/TIPP poll.

——————————————Protestant             Catholic            No religion

Support same-sex marriage         34%                    67%                    84%

Climate change is century’s

most demanding issue.                 40%                    47%                    71%

Support ObamaCare                     41%                    53%                    60%

Agree racism is in our DNA          42%                    54%                    68%

Favorable to Obama                     42%                    53%                    61%

My real problem is the loss of religious freedom. It seems apparent, that progressive liberalism is influencing more people than Christianity.  The present Catholic Pope has allowed his political and economic views to be influenced by the progressives.  It doesn’t seem to square up with Scripture.

Every time I study the Book of Revelation, chapters two and three, I think of what has happened to America.  We are told in Revelation 2:1 – 5 – “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.   Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.  Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

Let us apply this Scripture to America:  There was a time in America when its people were full of good works and had many Christian programs and teaching about God in our schools.  But a time came when they felt they were not receiving enough blessings from God.

History tells us sin among them at the beginning of America, was not tolerated.  False witnessing was not allowed either.  Those who professed to be believers of God but did not live that way were looked down on.  Very few were unscrupulous in business or impure in conversation.  Most did not live immoral lives, they were not habitually intoxicated or drug addicts, given to fits of rage, unfaithful to their pledges or convicted of lying.  These acts were not acceptable to the general population.  Sexual immorality was not acceptable and those who did were shunned.

Gradually they began to walk away from their love of God and their love for others.  They allowed man-made-laws to become more of a guide for life than God’s Commandments.  They lost their passion for Christ.  Scripture tells us many times that love was the authentic proof of the gospel.  Anyone not having love in their heart for God and others missed what America was founded on.  At first, they realized that America’s success was mainly due to its morality of treating others as they would want to be treated.

God kept telling the church and Christians, as they continued to fall away, if you do not repent you will fall like Lucifer fell.  Or, God would no longer protect and prosper America.  This is exactly what had happen to Israel.  Scripture says: “Your light will go out”.

Revelation 3:15 – 17 – “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

We believe the Scripture would say to Americans: I wish you were cold, meaning living lives that were pure and holy.  Or, by being hot, they would have a passion for Christ and the Word.  America became a very prosperous and powerful nation believing that it was because of God’s blessings and His plan.  They gradually developed an attitude of self-sufficiency and that they could survive very well on their own.  Many no longer tried to grow spiritually and determined to rely on themselves rather than God.  They lost their passion to care for the needy and allowed the government to take over.

Over the years America’s leaders have changed morally.  From the foundation of America, most were Christian men believing in God and put God and country before themselves.  That is not apparent today.

Romans 8:8 – 9  – “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.   You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”

A leader without the Holy Spirit is unable to subject themselves to God as God intended.  1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”  One’s belief system determines the quality of life on earth.  The Holy Spirit brings freedom and government can take away that freedom through laws and regulations.  Accepting Christ requires a repentant heart and a desire to go a different direction.

Bible prophecy tells us what happens to nations that reject God.  It also tells us what will happen in the end times.  Unless America and the world change their direction, we are headed for times worse than any time in the history of the world according to Scripture.  What are the chances our leaders and the world’s leaders will repent and change their ways?

If you knew that God was sending signs that something very supernatural is about to happen, would it make a difference in how you lived? The more I study the Bible, the more I have become aware that something very unusual could happen. We as Christians must live in a continual state of expectation according to Scripture.

Luke 21:25 – “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.”

God has used the sun: Isaiah 38:7 and 8 – “‘This is the LORD’s sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.”

Isaiah 30:26 – “The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.” God says the sun is going to get hotter. Satan wants us to believe it is because of man-made global warming or climate change.

The Star of Bethlehem revealed the birth of Jesus to the wise men from the east. June 30, 2015 this Star returned for the first time in over 2000 years. That same day the stock market fell 351 points. Is there any relationship? Is there a serious financial problem ahead? We just know that God uses a star or stars to signal that something unusual will occur.

I wrote extensively about signs coming from blood moons as follows:
Joel 2:30 – 31 – “I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

Acts 2:20 – “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”

On April 15, 2014 there was a blood moon or a lunar eclipse at midnight PDT. This occurred on Passover. Another blood moon appeared on October 8, 2014 on Feast of the Tabernacles. Then again a blood moon happened on April 4, 2015 on Passover and again on September 28, 2015 on Feast of the Tabernacles for the fourth consecutive time. Anytime there have been four lunar eclipses in a row, where the moon turns blood red, each appearing on a Jewish holiday, a major event has occurred.

In 1492 during four blood moons the Spanish inquisition of Jews occurred. All Jews were told to convert to Catholicism or leave the country. Many of those who stayed were killed. That same year an Italian Jew, Columbus, who was mostly financially supported by Jewish investors, set sail and discovered the American continent at San Salvador. Some believe many Jews from the lost tribes of Israel migrated to England. From England they came to help settle America. America may have been created partly to protect Jewish citizens, from the lost tribes, as well as militarily protection for Israel.

In 1948, the next time that there were four blood red moons falling on Jewish religious holidays, Israel on May 14, 1948 became a homeland to the Israelites and an official country. God began calling Jews from all over the world to return to their God-given covenant land as previously prophesied.

The next time this lunar eclipse phenomenon occurred was in 1967. Israel was attacked by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon and they repelled their enemies. The war lasted six days and Israel captured Sinai, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They were able to unify control over Jerusalem their covenant land. The Soviet Union supplied most of their enemies’ military equipment and economic assistance. President Lyndon Johnson rallied to assist Israel. During this war there were a number of supernatural events that happened and the Jews believed it was because God was on their side.

Some believe by September, this year, when we again have the fourth blood moon and a lunar eclipse falling on a Jewish holiday, some major event will likely occur. Since Christ’s birth there have been seven times these red blood eclipses have happened and only three times in the last 500 years.

It also happens to be the seventh year. God told Moses that that the Israelites were not to borrow only to lend money. At the end of every seventh year all debts were to be canceled. September 13, 2015 is the “wipe out date” and usually it has affected the stock market. God also told Moses that every 50th year, the Year of Jubilee, all land had to be returned to the inherited owners. That will be in 2017 and usually something happens that affects people financially.

I am no prophet. I have no idea if anything supernatural happens. I am providing information that the Bible documents. If something were to happen are you spiritually ready? How much are you ready to risk if you are not spiritually ready? Shouldn’t you take this seriously enough to change, repent and accept Christ as your Savior if you haven’t? If God is sending signs of warning, you do not want to be like the Old Testament Israelites that denied God and failed to keep His commandments and ways. The punishment wasn’t gentle. For those that trusted and obeyed God, we are told there will be rewards here on earth and in eternity for us. Your choice!

Many Christians do not understand that God allows problems to change our direction or push us in a new way. God has a plan for our lives and most of us get off course. It took me years to realize that God uses problems to get my attention and for me to begin wondering, what do I need to change or do differently?

If you study the Bible it becomes very clear, everyone seems to have difficulties in their life. Sometimes, the more spiritual one was, the greater the conflicts.

Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians 23b – 27 – “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”

It amazes me when Christians encounter a problem or a conflict and feel like God has forsaken them. Or they are asking God: “Why is this happening to me?” God allows us to go through problems and conflicts that we might grow spiritually and mature. Sometimes we make foolish decisions and receive negative consequences. However, many times things happen that are beyond our control. I have learned that adversity occurs sometimes to help us change jobs or even change churches. I have learned this by my own experiences and by watching others and seeing in most cases, God had something better in the change. I want to stress, it is only the conflicts that were beyond my control. I never made changes when I realized, the problems occurred from my mistakes or it was self-caused.

I had an individual, who was a high executive and was asked to take a different job that could be seen as a demotion, ask me whether he should quit. My experience was to suggest taking the demotion and see if God is in it. He took the new job and found it was something he really enjoyed, more than the previous position. I point this out that there are times when problems exist and we need to pray and see if God is in it. Does He have something better for us even though it may be a demotion or a completely different direction?

I was offered a job as a store manager across from DisneyLand in Anaheim, CA. I believed it was not what God wanted for my family and me. I was told if I refused, I may never be given a promotion again. After three years, the Regional Manager left the company and three months later I was offered Las Vegas, NV. We have been here 41 years. I believe it was a God thing and my entire family remains in Las Vegas and we keep in close touch. Having started my own business 28 years ago, my son and daughter work with me. There is no doubt that we did what God directed. We have learned to trust God and obey His commands and Ways.

In 2009, I learned of a Christian couple going through a number of financial problems caused by the bubble in housing and loss of a job. The wife was considering leaving her husband because things were not going well. She asked for prayer. We must realize that anytime we have a problem or a conflict, we must view it as if the problem was because God was allowing it. It is not God that is causing it but is using it for a reason we may not understand.

We must pray for a discerning spirit and ask God why is the conflict happening? We may pray that we made these financial decisions based on believing it was God’s will. Rather than blaming the husband she should ask: “Lord what is this all about?” Then ask yourself: “Do I really trust God to help us work through this?”

We must face problems and learn to deal with them and not run from them. Before we face conflict we must pray for a quiet spirit. We must be extremely careful what we say and how we say it. Conflicts or problems will never get solved if we cannot communicate what the problem is and how it is affecting us. We first must identify what is causing the problem and see if there are solutions that we can agree will correct the situation. How much easier it is to handle conflict when we do it quietly and humbly. Letting emotions boil over only causes others to become more defensive. Things worked out for the couple and they are doing very well.

Practice Ephesians 4:30 – 32 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

In every generation it seems that God does something so supernatural and spectacular that believers know, without a doubt, that God was involved. I believe we are living in a generation that God will intervene in such a degree that there will be no doubt God is Who He says He is. God was continually in the Old Testament doing things that protected the Israelites. He used all kinds of signs to guide their exodus from Egypt. He fed them with Manna and quail. He provided water out of a rock plus many more. Yet, they continually rebelled and denied God. When they failed to trust and be obedient to His commandments and His ways, they were punished. When they trusted and obeyed He prospered them.

In 1746 France had 70 ships and 13,000 troops off the coast of Boston with orders to destroy cities from Massachusetts to Georgia. The colonies were not militarily prepared to protect the east coast. The governor of Massachusetts called for a day of prayer and fasting. It was Sunday and the Reverend Thomas Prince from the pulpit had his congregation pray.

It was a warm and calm August day. Clouds began to blot out the sun and winds started to blow. Church bells in a number of churches began to ring and no one was in the bell towers. It begins to rain and a hurricane sank and scattered the entire French fleet. Those ships that remained, limped back to France. France never again tried to invade the American colonies.

In the 1967 war when four Arab nations attacked Israel with an army of 456,000 men. They were more capable from a military equipment standpoint as Russian had prepared them militarily. They had four times the number of airplanes. In six days Israel beat back their army and captured three times as much land and Jerusalem, which they had not controlled for over 2000 years.

Egypt made a number of mistakes. Israel bombed and dismantled the Egyptian Air Force. This appeared to be an important factor in why Israel won. Egyptians mistakes believed it was a result of God’s intervention. But there were a number of miraculous things that occurred not leaving any doubt that God saved Israel.

When America was attacked at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese and our entrance into World War II you saw a nation go to its knees and pray to God for protection. Believers could see the Hand of God intervene and supernatural events occurred that left no doubt that God would protect us. According to Admiral Nimitz the Japanese made three mistakes. It was a Sunday and 90% of the sailors were off the ships on shore. They did not destroy the dry docks and they were able to repair the ships damaged quickly; otherwise, they would have had to been towed to the West Coast. They did not destroy the fuel storage tanks just over the hill. The Navy recovered in a short time and the ships were able to help win the war.

Today, America has different leadership. We have politicians that claim to be Christians only to see them follow the ways of Satan and not our Lord. How many times have you heard any political Christian leader call for a day of prayer and fasting over what we should do concerning Iran? I believe we are entering the end times as described throughout the Bible. I think we will see things that only God is capable of doing. The second chapter of Isaiah says that God will shake the earth. We will see mountains fall and islands disappear. If you are a knowledgeable believer you will know that it is God. If not, false teachers will say it is the result of man’s causing of global climate change.

There will be a time coming that God will intervene in such a way that there should be no doubt it was a God Thing. Yet, the Bible says there will be many that will continue to deny God.

As a Christian, it is hard to believe how quickly our country has discounted Biblical principles in determining laws and rules by one’s personal beliefs and feelings.

I attended school when the Bible was often read and the Ten Commandments hung on the wall. In 1962, the Supreme Court banned prayers in schools. It was just a matter of time until people’s feelings replaced Judeo-Christian values and the Bible. If one’s heart or feelings are that it is okay to do something, then it is their right to do it whether it is morally right according to God’s Scripture or not.

Non-believers in God or agnostics convinced politicians that America did not need God or moral truth as found in the Bible. Gradually our leaders bought into this belief and America slowly began to change and now change is almost daily. Many of our founding fathers were Christians who accepted the Jewish Scriptures. They believed that the constitution would be what established the determination of what laws Americans should follow. We now have courts that believe laws do not matter as much as what is politically correct and what does their political party think and believe. What happened to the belief that our constitution states that the government has only certain powers granted to it? All other powers were given to the states and individuals. Who is in charge, are we in a free-for-all type of political leadership? Every law that is passed to protect gay rights seems to take one more freedom away from our religious freedom. Can’t both rights be protected equally or is this being done to deny Christians their rights by an anti-religious judicial system? Or am I one of a few that believe there is an attack on religious freedom in America?

If a Christian does not agree with judicial decisions pushed by the progressive left we are called all sorts of names. It seems they want to do away with the Bible and Christianity. If we say we do not agree with some of the decisions our courts and politicians push, it is because we are not compassionate. If a Christian minister refuses to marry a gay couple they could be fined. Where is our religious freedom that the constitution guarantees?

Where does the Christian get their belief; it comes from the Bible. Where do others get their beliefs; from the heart or their feelings. Who do you think is right? When the Rapture comes and takes all Christians and the Holy Spirit out of this world, tell me what it will be like living with those who allow the heart & feelings make their decisions. It may give you an understanding as to what Hell will be like without moral truth.

A Christian believes that they should raise children to respect authority and responsibility requires the teaching of a father and a mother in a moral household. Others believe that all children need, is just love. Until Americans repent and change their thinking, we can expect all sorts of non-peaceful demonstrations. We are raising children in homes that reject authority, are immoral and have little positive guidance. What can we expect in years ahead?

We find the government believes they can replace God. With all of the entitlements there is very little incentive to work. If a couple lives together without marriage and the women does not work, she can apply for all kinds of financial help. The boyfriend works and has very little expense as the woman pays most of the bills from government handouts. Why should young couples get married that have little moral values? This is what we see being pushed by those compassionate liberals who deny God.

Do we as Christians sit back and remain unorganized and let a well organized people who are anti-God and anti-religious change all the laws and disregard our constitution? We need the Moral Majority to come back to life. Is there a leader available to lead us? We need to counterbalance the movement that is trying to take away the tax exemptions of churches and religious institutions. These groups will not be content until they element all religious freedoms. Their intent is to change our countries value system. They will not accept that God is the final authority and His values and truths are what the first amendment guarantees to Christians and other religions. It appears their final goal is to eliminate the first amendment.

Most believe truly committed Christians, will be raptured prior to the seven years of Tribulation when God pours out His judgment on those left on earth.

Revelation 16:1 – 4 – “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.”

During the later part of the Tribulation, God will deal with non-believers by punishment. In previous Scripture, everyone has been warned what will happen if they take the mark of the Antichrist. It should not come as any surprise when God begins His punishments.

The first punishment is some serious sores or cancerous lesions that affect everyone on earth except those who have received the Holy Spirit and have their name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The sores will be very painful and resist any antibiotics or are unable to be healed.

The second punishment, the seas will turn a blood red with some types of pollutants. Sea life will die from this ecological disaster. In 1949, off the coast of Florida, a ‘red tide’ occurred. Water was filled with countless billions of tiny one-celled organisms. Sixty-miles of stinking fish fouled the beaches. This area appeared looking like blood.

Revelation 16:6 – 9 – “for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.”

The third punishment, rivers, lakes, springs of water will become polluted. Imagine how this could affect cities and farmers who cannot live without pure water. God has told us that this would happen and if we did not accept Christ and receive the Holy Spirit this is what we could expect. Yet, Scripture says people cursed God and refused to repent.

The forth punishment, will be a solar flare that hits the earth and cause severe radiation. The sun will become so hot that it will scorch men as fire would do. We will hear Al Gore coming on TV and telling the world: “I told you so and you would not believe that we were going to have global warming.” President Obama will tell us that is why it was his number one priority when he was president. Do you suppose the solar flare will take out the national electric grid and we will no longer have any electricity? Without air conditioning and the sun becoming much hotter, won’t you be glad if you were raptured?

Isaiah 30:26 – “The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.”

Revelation 16:10 & 11 – “The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.”

The fifth punishment plunged the world into darkness. Was it because of no electricity? At this time people were suffering from sores, burns, lack of water and now complete darkness. Regardless of their fear and the Antichrist and false prophet’s control, they refused to repent of what they had done.

Revelation 16:12 – “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.”

The sixth punishment causes the Euphrates River to dry up and assisted the army’s movements toward Israel. Melting ice and snow from Mount Ararat forms the Euphrates River. With the excessive heat from the sun all snow melted and there was no source of water. There are 12 dams on the Euphrates that could also stop the flow of water. Armies from all over the world gather for the final battle of Armageddon. It is possible armies from all over the world accumulate outside of Jerusalem believing there will be an invasion from outer space, as unbelievable as that may seem. Could the Antichrist be thinking Christ and the heavenly angels will attack? Or, there will be such a hatred of the Jews that they are there to destroy them once and for all. Something drastic occurs to get every nation’s army to fight a tiny country such as Israel. We know God pulls them there.

Revelation 16:17 – 21 – “The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”

The seventh punishment earth receives an unprecedented thunderstorm. Blinding flashes of lightning burn and blaze across the sky; deafening peals of thunder crash and roll like some universal cannon going off. People will be terrified. Some indicate the earth will veer off course causing it to shake violently. It is at this time that it is believed islands will sink into the ocean and mountains will become flat. Almost everyone believes they know where Babylon is: some say it is Rome, others Jerusalem and some believe it is the United States. There is belief that it will be a rebuilt city and the capitol for the Antichrist. Most everyone believes it stands for an evil city, or an immoral empire or the focal point of anti-Christian activity.

Wherever this city or empire is located, a violent earthquake will totally destroy the city or country. It will be a quake probably greater than the Richter Scale can record. Something as gigantic as the west coast falling into the ocean or greater. Almost every phenomenon that has taken place has destroyed most every growing thing. Now hailstones weighing maybe hundreds of pounds come down to cause the final destruction. Why is it that nonbeliever’s hearts were so hard that they continually rejected and cursed God? At this point salvation had been withdrawn. All who were going to be saved have been saved. SHOULDN’T YOU BE SPIRITUALLY READY TO BE A BELIEVER THAT IS RAPTURED?

On September 28th will be the forth blood moon that falls on a Jewish religious holiday. In the past, when this happened something spectacular occurred. Joel 2:31 – “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Acts 2:20 – “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.” Every generation believed the rapture would happen since 35 A.D. during their lifetime. Jesus said a sign would be given. What if the four blood moons are the sign that the rapture is to occur?

What the Bible says happens, after Christians have met Christ in the air, will be so devastating and evil that no one will want to live through it. However, there will be a chance to accept Christ and be saved during the Tribulation, but it will require possible beheading or immediate death of some kind. Therefore, if you want to live with God throughout eternity, now is a better time to be ready to meet the Lord.

Hopefully, the following will explain what the Bible tells will happen.

In Daniel chapter 9, we are told the Antichrist makes a peace covenant with Israel for seven years. At the end of the first 3½ years of that covenant, he will put an end to their sacrificing and ritual offerings in the Temple. He will take over the Temple and exalt himself over God and any other gods. The Antichrist will desecrate the Temple and cause all kinds of disasters on those who will not bow down and worship him.

During the first 3½, God will provide two witnesses in Jerusalem that will perform miracles and teach the gospel message of salvation in Christ. They will have the power to stop anyone who tries to interfere with their message. They will have power to stop it from raining or even cause plagues anytime they want.

Finally, they will be killed and lay dead, in the streets, for three and a half days. Then God brings them back to life and fear will strike the people.

Revelation 7:4 – 8 tell us, prior to these two, God has 144,000 Jews witness and give the message of the gospel so that everyone who was not raptured have a chance for salvation. But once the two have been seen ascending into heaven, there will be no further chances of anyone being saved.

In Revelation chapter 13, John tells us that the Antichrist will have tremendous control and power that will run an evil world system. His power will be total; he can do whatever he desires. Since Pentecost, God has limited Satan’s power and it will be restrained until the church is raptured. After that, he will focus much of his power against Christians. He will become too powerful that opposing him will be futile. All nations on earth will serve him. Only those who have his mark on their bodies will be able to buy and sell in the world’s economy. There are some theologians who believe the Antichrist can be a Jew or a gentile.

Everyone will live under the same laws. He will not only be the head of government, he will be the government, speak for it, think for it and decide for it. His followers will establish a world religion with the Antichrist the one worshipped. This religion will not believe in our God or the Holy Spirit. Everyone will be required to worship him and those who will not, face death. John, the author of Revelation, tells us that Satan will copy God in order to deceive people. John says, unless a person is well grounded in faith and is knowledgeable of Revelation, they could be easily deceived. The temptation to believe in this leader will be great.

Great secrets of nature will be revealed to men. Seducing spirits will inspire the arts, philosophies and sciences. People will think the Antichrist is the greatest benefactor the world has ever known. As he sets himself up in the Temple, claiming that he is god according to Mark 13:14. In Matthew 24:15 we are told there will be an Abomination of Desolation, which means anything involving the worship of false gods in a sacred place. The old Temple has been used as a brothel by an invading army previously.

The Bible says there will be Christians during this time and the Antichrist will be out to kill everyone. (Revelation 13:15 – “The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.) These are possibly people who accepted Christ but never received the sealing of the Holy Spirit and became a true Christian. They were a Christian in name only and remained on earth after the church was raptured. Some believe this could be millions.

In addition to the Antichrist will be the False Prophet. The false prophet becomes the organizer and establishes a new religion centered on the Antichrist. The Antichrist gives him unlimited authority. The real purpose is to worship Satan through the Antichrist. The new religion will be made acceptable for everyone to believe and to practice. His speeches will be hypnotic for he will be able to move everyone to tears or motivate them to do most anything. He will make fire come down from heaven as Elijah did in I Kings 18. With his miraculous powers he will be able to distort the truth and shape world opinion into accepting the Antichrist and himself.

Mankind will be blinded to this universal religion and will easily accept the requirement of worshiping an idol. There will be no forgiveness from God for worshiping this image and not to worship the image as we said will cause one’s death. `If one refuses and continues to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, by doing so will mean martyrdom and death. There will be no middle ground. But everyone who does not take the mark of the beast will be given one final opportunity to repent and accept Christ as their Savior. (Revelation 14:9 – 11 – “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

Scripture tells us that there has never been a time before or a time after as bad as when the Antichrist rules. Why would anyone not be willing to prepare spiritually, so that they will be raptured when Christ returns to meet us in the sky? Why would you want to live through devastating earthquakes, volcanoes erupting, food being scare and plagues will be prevalent, causing all kinds of sickness? In addition, there will be a war where 1/3 of the world’s population will be killed? ARE YOU PREPARED AND READY to meet God if the rapture were to occur after September 28, 2015?

I felt led to author a book because of what God has done in my life. The book was written in 2009 and the publisher we were working with suggested I write a Christen blog to help with the sales of the book. Since  that time, I have written two blogs per week. Once I became a Christian, I tried as much as possible to read the Bible. A particular Scripture got my attention and I applied it ever since. I believe every Christian that uses the following verses and complies with them can improve.

Colossians 3:22 – 24 – “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This Scripture does not just apply to slaves but to all employees. At the end of my freshman year in college I worked for Birds Eye Frozen Foods. My first job was the hardest job in the plant. When everyone was taking a break, I was sweeping up and getting ready to begin again. My motivation was that I wanted them to know, as a Christian, I was a good, dependable worker and as Scripture advised, I was to work for the Lord. At the end of one month, I was given the easiest job and a much more responsible job. Was that a result of my hard work or did the Lord have something to do with it? My second summer I was promoted to the assistant foreman over 250 employees. I had never worked any harder and made recommendations that improved production. At the end of my junior year, that summer they asked me to be the night foreman in charge of production. During that summer a Christian high school asked me to be their athletic director and head coach. My senior year, my class schedule worked so every afternoon I could take that job. I was able to coach and in the summer work for Birds Eye. After graduation I became a full-time teacher and coach and in the summer do my summer job. How much of this was the result of my following Scripture and working hard for the Lord or the Lord making it happen?

Montgomery Ward in Longview, WA had an opening for a management trainee. Since I had been living in Longview prior to going to school, I interviewed and got the job. I used the same work principles that Colossians 3:22 – 24 suggest. I was promoted to eight different stores and the last four stores as a store manager. My last assignment was 13 years in Las Vegas, which was one of the largest and most profitable in the nine western states. Was success a result of working hard for the Lord or did God just make it happen?

I wanted to share my experience with other Christians particularly those just starting out. I believe these principles will work for any Christian that applies them. I also believe part of success comes from reading the Bible daily and praying at a particular time every day. It also helps to pray for God’s direction and guidance in making many decisions. If you find something you like doing you will develop a passion to do it as well as you possibly can. After 29 years with Wards, I felt led to become a financial advisor and work for myself. It took three years before I made enough to pay my monthly bills. Fifteen years ago my son began working with me. Ten years ago my daughter started. The three of us were able to witness God building our business. Are we enjoying life like Christ intended? As Christians shouldn’t we be living an extra-ordinary life style?

God created an ugly old worm, called a caterpillar that crawls along the ground with all kinds of obstacles blocking its way. After a time, this worm is instantaneously transformed into an insect called a butterfly, which is one of the most graceful and beautiful of all insects. What kind of life are we living, like the caterpillar or the butterfly? As a result of sin and our self-centered nature, we were born ‘caterpillar-like’. But Christ came to offer us a ‘butterfly-like’ life. If God can transform a caterpillar into a butterfly, can’t He transform a sinner into one of His children? The Bible says God will bring our life into a new dimension. (“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17). As a caterpillar, I face death. As a butterfly, the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) Each of us is made differently. Some were created with certain abilities, some handicapped and most of us average. God didn’t say let’s create another human today and watch them fail. He had the knowledge and ability to put the universe together; and He knew everyone of us prior to our birth. Then can’t He give each one of us a plan and purpose for our lives with the abilities to be successful in whatever we do? However, Satan is not pleased when Christians do things out of the ordinary. Have you been told you will not amount to much? That doesn’t come from God. I found the American dream was available to those who realized that it won’t be given to them; it had to be earned. I had to prepare. I received a degree in business management. I read many books on the power of positive thinking. I studied management principles and went to numerous seminars to improve my skills. The one book that has helped me the most is studying the Bible. One thing I learned was preparation. It also was one key to success. I also learned the importance of trusting in God’s promises. I became aware that the Holy Spirit was given to us that we might have comfort, guidance and to help us with our purpose in life. The Bible taught me to become free from the ways of society and our worldly, self-centered nature and become more Christ-centered and Christ minded. How many people are willing to work hard and prepare for success? It seems there are many that want to dumb-down Americans, give them entitlements and convince them the government will meet their needs. You may not need an education but you must become knowledgeable with a good attitude. As God is watching and the Holy Spirit guiding, why not begin believing and practicing what it takes to be a success in whatever task you have chosen? Work hard, set obtainable goals and adequately prepare. Then see where the Holy Spirit leads you. Never allow the devil or others to discourage you as they are likely to do. God’s promise that we can become successful and prosperous by complying with His teachings is available to all believers.

The tragedy in Charleston allowed the world to see the true example of spirit filled Christians who know that a believer must not allow hate to become a part of their being. Love is a God given priority and it cannot be a spiritual love with hate in one’s heart. Hate can only be removed with forgiveness. One can be angry without being hateful. What we have seen on TV must be a lesson for every person that God can gives us the ability to forgive and remove hate. It is not the nature of carnal man to do so! This may answer those who do not understand how the shooter could ever be forgiven.

A normal person would not attend a Wednesday evening prayer service and shoot nine people. Yet I read where some Christians and many unbelievers in Christ do not believe there is a Satan or that some people are just evil or may even be demon possessed. We realize that the shooter’s defense will probably be that of insanity or mentally incapacitated. Drug addiction can lead to possession and evil deeds. Apparently he had a drug problem and many want to legalize drugs. Maybe when the Antichrist takes over, as Scripture says will happen, everything will be permissible and legal.

II Timothy 3:1 – 5 – “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

I believe we are living in the last days and we should not be surprised at the moral degeneration of society around us. Man’s state of depravity is increasing exponentially all around us. When people misdirect their love toward themselves and material pleasures there can be no love left to direct toward others. Then moral corruption normally results. Here are other reasons for moral corruption: Boastful, proud – An inflated self-importance. Abusive – People who speak disrespectfully to others. Disobedient to their parents – Behavior that breaks the fifth Commandment. Ungrateful – Cannot appreciate others or give gratitude for favors. Unholy – Disregard God in order to live only to please themselves. Without love – People who love only themselves. Unforgiving – Cannot allow for other people’s mistakes or weaknesses. Slanderous – Enjoy spreading gossip and malicious reports about others. Without self-control – Cannot restrain their feelings or actions. Brutal – Live like untamed animals. Not lovers of good – People who hate anything good and hate others because of their race or religion. Treacherous – Ready and willing to betray anyone and capable of committing murder. Rash – People who act foolishly and carelessly and normally head-strong.

Conceited – A person who is narcissistic and a very high opinion of themselves. Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – People who are so misdirected that they can think only of themselves. Having a form of godliness but denying its power – People who practice a form of godliness and used godliness as a cloak of respectability while denying God’s power over their lives. Can we not see this happening daily?

Matthew 24:21 – “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”

Using the above Scripture it tells us what will happen in the end times and how morality will disappear. Why are we surprised when tragedy occurs if we are entering the end times as it is going to get even worse? When believers are raptured and meet Christ in the air and the Holy Spirit is removed, would you want to live through that time?

God sends them a powerful delusion Revelation 13:7 & 8 – “It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” (The beast refers to the Antichrist.)

2 Thessalonians 2:9 – 12 – “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

Jesus explains that believers must be on guard and ready for Him to come at any moment. He will come suddenly and swiftly. There will be no last chance for repentance or bargaining. The choice each person has previously made will determine their eternal destiny. Christ’s followers are not to let their minds and spirits be dulled by careless living or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. No human knows the date He will come but we are told to be ready at any time.
I Thessalonians 4:16 – 17 – “ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

We will begin seeing more and more demon possessed and evil people committing all kinds of crimes. Unless Americans return to God and changes what they believe and how they live. If not, expect the worst to come.

Scripture clearly states that God is in charge of the universe. Throughout the centuries, God has selected judges, prophets and kings for particular reasons. There have been times when God made nations very prosperous. Other times, He brought famine and draught. Jesus told us there would be a time when believers would meet Jesus in the air. No one knows when that day will occur. However, Jesus told us there would be signs that would give us a clue.

I Thessalonians 4:16 – 17 – “ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Mark 13:28 – 31 – “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Beginning with Genesis God said the sun, stars and the moon will be signs. God has used all three to prepare us for some spectacular supernatural event to happen during the past 1,000s of years. These past six years, America has declined in almost every area. Is it time for God to give us a sign providing a warning?

Here are some of my concerns. The national debt continues to climb. Are we getting to the point it can never be repaid. Are foreign countries and American investors no longer willing to loan the U.S. money and stop buying our bonds? The Congressional Budget Office says our debt threatens to send U.S. economy into a death spiral. There is no way the Federal Reserve can just start printing money to make up for what our government needs to continue operating as normal. If the bond or stock market goes down as it has done before, millions of retirees would be in worse shape. What if federal agencies put a hold or reduce the amounts for food stamps, Medicare, Medicaid and social security? The thing that makes me frustrated is it does not have to happen. However, if something is not done in Washington, D.C. to change their many unnecessary restrictions and policies something bad is possible to happen.

You have no idea how much I want to believe this will not happen. But, we have politicians that are living in a fantasy land. I understand, that many of you will disagree with me but, I want you to understand why I am making recommendations that everyone should be prepared as we get closer to this fall. I have written about the forth blood moon will be September 28, 2015. The next sign could be 2017, the year of Jubilee.

Why do I provide the above information? As I listened to Trump’s speech, who I do not endorse, running for president provided many of the things that need to be done to make America strong again. If we get another four years of the present policies being delivered by Mrs. Clinton or Bernie Sanders, America could end up as a third world country, completely broke, in a depression.

Since I believe God has a plan, whoever is elected president could determine how long before Christ returns as He has predicted, to take the believers to heaven with Him. The Antichrist takes over and the Tribulation begins. At the end of those seven years, is the War of Armageddon and Christ returns to rule for 1000 years. When America is no longer militarily powerful enough to cause peace in the world, Satan takes over. How long that will be is up to God. Who is elected president, may give us a sign as to how long before the church age ends.