“It seems to me our nation, and the world, is like a punch-drunk boxer. We keep absorbing forceful body blows without collapsing. But each seems a bit more telling than the last. The next may be the knockout punch that puts us down for good, yet we continue to behave as if we have our full faculties and resources.” Hal Lindsey
Well, we’re four months into the “Arab Spring.” Thus far, it hasn’t turned out quite as the Obama Administration promised. It’s true that two “oppressive regimes” have fallen and one is in a sort of slow-motion tumble. Unfortunately, the two that actually fell were allied with the West and, because of their pro-Western, secular leaders, were stabilizing forces in the turbulent and dangerous Middle East.
And though President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton assured us that these were truly popular uprisings driven by the chaste desire for democratic reforms and freedom for one and all, it’s looking more and more like they’re going to be the 2011 sequel to the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979. Coincidentally, President Carter assured us of something very similar about that one, too.
So now that we’re approaching the “Arab Summer,” how are things shaping up? The fires are still burning, but President Obama hasn’t called for anyone else to step down so no other dictators have fled their countries. Just ours and Israel’s friends. Hmmm. Could that be significant?
Well, this week, I’ll take a little closer look at how things stand on that front today. I’ll also update you a bit on the recent “Al Nakba” festivities, including the attempted invasion of Israel by overeager “celebrants” from Syria and Lebanon.
We’ll also examine some eerie echoes from the past. In 1938, Nazi thugs stirred up the German public with lies about the Jews among them. At the urging of the rising National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NAZI), the Germans went on a rampage, breaking store windows and burning synagogues and Jewish homes and businesses. The night came to be known as “Kristallnacht,” the night of broken glass.
Egypt recently had its own “Kristallnacht” of sorts. Stirred up by the flimsiest of accusations, Egyptian Muslims went on a rampage, burning Christian churches and destroying property owned by Christians. As many as 15 were killed and hundreds injured. So the Coptic Christians (who, by the way, were in Egypt centuries before Islam began) staged a sit-in at the State TV building to protest for protection from the Egyptian government. After five days, the Muslims once again attacked them, hurling rocks and firebombs. 65 Christians were injured. You probably missed the Mainstream Media coverage of that, too.
I’m sure that in the next few days and weeks you’ll hear tons more coverage of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s infidelities than you will that Christians across the Arab/Muslim world are being persecuted, driven underground, forced to flee their homes and towns, and massacred. If you listen exclusively to the Western media, you probably never knew that in recent years, more than 700 Christians in Iraq have been killed, even beheaded, and their population diminished substantially.
And because it doesn’t fit the Administration’s playbook for our push to win the hearts and minds of Iranian Muslims, you may not hear a lot about the current political crisis developing in Iran. For whatever reason — hunger for power or fanaticism for the “Twelfth Imam” (the Mahdi, Islam’s Messiah) — Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is locked in a power struggle with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. I’ll take a look behind the scenes at what’s happening in this bizarre episode occurring in a nation that plays a vital role in end-times prophecy. Here’s a hint: it involves accusations of sorcery, genies, and spells.
Speaking of bizarre episodes, they just seem to keep coming here in the United States, too. Last Monday, the US government reached its legal debt limit. Without Congressional approval, the federal government cannot borrow any more money to finance its activities. I wonder if China and Saudi Arabia are disappointed or relieved? So, rather than stop spending money it doesn’t have, the Administration announced that it will “borrow” money from federal retirement funds. Since the law won’t let them take it from the next generation, they’ll just take it from the last! Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says that should keep the gravy train chugging until about August 2nd. After that, the government will go into default.
In case you haven’t heard, seven months into the current fiscal year, the federal government still doesn’t have a budget. What would happen if you ran your business like that? Further, seven months into the fiscal year, we already have run up a deficit (that means we’re overdrawn at the bank) of $869 billion. Just so you’ll get the full impact of that figure, that’s an overdraft of $869,000,000,000. And we’re just over halfway through the year!
How does that fit in with Bible prophecy? The Bible predicts a catastrophic financial meltdown in the last days. It seems to me our nation, and the world, is like a punch-drunk boxer. We keep absorbing forceful body blows without collapsing. But each seems a bit more telling than the last. The next may be the knockout punch that puts us down for good, yet we continue to behave as if we have our full faculties and resources. The Bible also tells us that in these times, men will not even be able to think in their own best interest. I believe that’s what we’re witnessing in our nation and world today.
That means one thing, folks: the time is fast approaching for Jesus to appear and call us to be with Him in glory. Make sure you’re ready for that moment. If you’ve not already accepted His atoning sacrifice, the redemption He purchased with His death, and the eternal joy He sealed with His resurrection, do it now. Now is the appointed time. Today is the day of salvation.
Don’t miss this week’s Report on TBN, Daystar, Inspiration, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.
