We Are Living in Prophetic Times
There have always been folks who claim we are currently living in the seven-year tribulation. I suppose over the past few weeks, many of these people are telling their friends and family, “See, I told you so.”
In 1994, I drove with some friends from Omaha to Des Moines, Iowa, to hear prophecy teacher Irvin Baxter. The trip taught me that you need to research all prophetic lecturers before going to hear them speak. Right near the end of Baxter’s presentation, he told the crowd that we are currently in the tribulation.
When the real Tribulation comes, there will be no mistaking it. The removal of all Christians in the rapture will be the first warning sign. The unification of all nations and financial systems under one body will be another key Tribulation warning.
The coronavirus is unlikely to be a sign that the Tribulation is now occurring. Because, during that time period, various pestilences will kill a large portion of the world population. In those dark days, the coronavirus will seem like a mild rash.
I think my second point about global unity is what we see playing out right now. I know we are living in prophetic times because I am seeing economic events that I would never think as possible. The Federal Reserve spent $1 trillion on private sector bonds in a two-day period. During the 2008/2009 Great Recession, the most the Fed spent was $85 billion over a whole month.
A few days later, Congress passes a $2.2 trillion stimulus package, which equal 10% of GDP. During the Great Depression, the stimulus package of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal was only 3% of GDP. The Revenue Act of 1935 raised federal income tax on higher income levels by introducing the “Wealth Tax.” It was introduced to pay for what was perceived as Roosevelt’s reckless spending.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tripled downed on the stimulus package by promising another $4 trillion for loans to businesses with the purchase of debt. The current GDP of the US is $19.39 trillion, and it’s stunning to think we could be set to add $8 trillion to our national debt in a single year.
Washington Lawmakers have already wasted a full week by trying fill up this already massive bill with pet pork projects. A business is like a shark in one important way; they need constant motion to stay alive. The costs continue to add up even when the businesses are closed. Here are four business news blurbs that show how quickly bankruptcy becomes the only option:
LSC Communications Inc., one of the largest book and magazine printers in the U.S., is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after failed efforts to restructure its nearly $1 billion of debt.
The Cheesecake Factory, one of the most popular sit-down restaurant chains in the country, says it will not be able to make upcoming rent payments for any of its storefronts on April 1 because of significant loss of income due to the coronavirus crisis.
For the first time, Frontier Communications filed formal notification that it may file for bankruptcy protection, as the company toils under some $17 billion in debt amid dwindling revenues.
Neiman Marcus retail experts see bankruptcy to restructure and continue operating as the most likely scenario for the luxury retailer.
California electric company PG&E is already in bankruptcy from having to pay for wildfire damage blamed on its equipment. PG&E agreed to set up the $13.5 billion fund for the victims as part of its plan to emerge from bankruptcy this summer, with half the amount coming from stock in the company. Now that the coronavirus is cutting demand for power, PG&E’s stock is down 60%. PG&E would seem to be cursed with bad luck, but too much debt was the #1 problem.
The US national debt of $24.5 trillion is going to zoom past $30 trillion by the end of the year. I remember Christian Economist Larry Burkett warned in his book The Coming Economic Earthquake that the nation’s $350 billion federal deficits were going to destroy the nation. Larry was correct in sounding the alarm. Dozens of nations faced the meltdown of their national currency over the same level of deficit spending we had in the early 1990’s.
If we are able to get away with printing an Everest-sized mountain of new debt, I expect a brief sugar high from people spending all their free government money, followed by a headache of runaway inflation.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
— Todd
Freedom from Spirit of Fear
Recently Mike Hile, my long-time friend and traveling companion, sent me a most important email. His thoughts (which I’ve not included here) and the material contained therein couldn’t be more appropriate, even essential, for this present hour.
We are engaged in this nation in unprecedented crisis, according to many of the mainstream media and others. The coronavirus is also engendering unprecedented fear due to great fear-mongering.
Again, as I’ve written in several commentaries, this is to in no way diminish the potential detriment to the health and well-being of Americans and peoples around the world represented by this disease. However, the pandemic, as it has been designated, doesn’t even come close to matching the great plague-like killers of past ages.
Nevertheless, I believe this president is leading the governmental agencies and the rest of us in a top-notch way. He is trying his best to tap down the tremendous fear that is raging.
As good as this president might be at offering calm and assurance that all will be okay in the foreseeable future, his efforts can’t compare to the calming assurance offered by the Creator of all things, our Father in Heaven.
The Lord has, through His Holy Word, given us freedom from the spirit of fear, if we but, as Dr. Charles Stanley says beautifully, “Obey God, no matter what, and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Another way of saying that, even better, is the way God Himself has put it:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
Jesus, God’s Son, who is the very Word (John chapter 1), tells us through the Apostle Paul:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
God wants His people—those born again (John chapter 3) through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son—not to be fearful. He is in complete control at all times, including this time of crisis, be it real or contrived.
The following Scriptures that assure God’s freedom from fear to those who will study and appropriate His Word as their model for living was compiled by Debbie McDaniel. Debbie is a writer, pastor’s wife, and mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). She encourages you to join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives.
Here is a list of thirty-three Scripture verses she found to assure us that we can live a life free of fear, even in fearful times.
- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
- “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
- “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
- “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)
- “But now, this is what the Lord says… Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
- “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25)
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
- “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
- “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7)
- “Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…” (Isaiah 35:4)
- “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:22–26)
- “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
- “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)
- “Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” (Mark 6:50)
- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- “’For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:13–14)
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
- “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper.” (Psalm 118:6–7)
- “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
- “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:39–40)
- “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7)
- “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” (1 Peter 3:14)
- “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
- “Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22)
- “Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’” (Revelation 1:17)
- “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (Mark 5:36)
- “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38–39)
- “The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
- “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”…He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you…For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways… “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” ( Psalm 91:1–16)
Be Assured, God is still on the throne and your prayers can change things.
—Terry