Last Days Lawlessness and Power
In 1887, in a series of letters to Bishop Creighton regarding the moral issues of writing history about the Inquisition, British historian Lord Edward Acton wrote, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” His understanding of the human psyche bordered on prescient, it seems, considering the all-out quest for power that saturates the American political culture at present.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger famously said, “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.” Growing up in Germany as a boy, because of lawlessness among governmental leaders, he became pessimistic about human nature, skeptical about the inevitability of progress, and deeply committed to the values of order and stability. To these ends, Kissinger viewed power, not moral ideals, as the driving force of history. (This according to Henry Kissinger and the seductions of power • Iowa Capital Dispatch, https://iowacapitaldispatch.com)
In America, at this late moment of this Age of Grace, we certainly have to consider Dr. Kissinger’s viewpoint, brought about from his experience in the power struggle he witnessed early in his native country, Germany. Stability, in this world of lawlessness, in reality, comes not from moral ideals but rather from power. There is no reasoning from a morally correct position that will calm the paid-for rage chaos that has swept the streets of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities. The organized No Kings rioters claim they are protesting the Trump Administration’s use of ICE (the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) force to carry out raids against those who have illegally entered America.
While the violent rioters are held up as bastions of righteous cause by mainstream news media, and the Trump Administration is falsely accused as authoritarian and evil wielders of power, the lawlessness expands to what looks to be prophetic levels.
Jesus, in foretelling in the Olivet Discourse about how things will be as His Return nears, said: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12 NKJV).
To my way of seeing this, in an important sense, the Lord’s Words of Forewarning could be taken that the lawlessness being demonstrated to champion illegals staying inside America stems from the absence of love for this nation as founded. I realize much more is involved in the meaning in Jesus’ prophecy here, but there is an undeniable coldness in the way these vicious rioters throw chunks of concrete taken from curbs they’ve sledge hammered, frozen bottles of water they throw at police and ICE agents, and the property they loot and damage at every opportunity.
It is telling of just how appropriate it might be to consider Jesus’ prophecy for this particular time because almost one-half of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate either back the lawlessness by supporting the rioters or, at the very least, offer no condemnation.
This is because one political party has demonstrated time and time again that Power is what they seek above all else. I.e., they want to swell the voting base with illegals –most all of whom will support them—no matter the cost to other legitimate citizens. Their aim is to garner all power into their political party. Love for country and lawful conduct within government and society is out the window with this party. In this ideology, they are in agreement with –in league with the ideology that sparked the 1917 revolution in Russia. “The ends justify the means.”
To those on the totally reprobate political left in America today, power is indeed the ultimate aphrodisiac.
And indeed, as Lord Acton presciently said, power corrupts. And they –the leftists– seek absolute power, and at any price –even to the undoing of the document that gave us a constitutional republic. –The American government that founder Benjamin Franklin told someone the founders had given we the people –adding “If you can keep it.”)
The lawlessness we witness taking place on an increasing level hourly is but another ingredient that adds to the last day’s prophetic puzzle. It is a large part of all these things our Lord told us to look for at the very Moment He is about to come for us in the Rapture.
“And when you see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption is drawing near “(Luke 21:28).
Jesus will soon return to this unlawful, politically corrupted planet to establish Righteous Rule and lawful conduct among Earth’s inhabitants. It will take Christ’s Omnipotent Power to bring about His Millennial Reign for a thousand years.
But it is His Power that can bring about a Change in the minds and Spiritual hearts of mankind even now, amidst this current time of lawlessness and chaos. He can take away the sinful, destructive thoughts, thus the evil actions, of each individual who will receive His Grace Gift of Salvation.
Here again is how to receive that Gift that renews the mind and dispels lawlessness while empowering with God’s Righteousness.
“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
–Terry
The Reassuring Message of Bible Prophecy
Watching reports of the damage caused by Iranian missiles in Israel distresses me, especially after I heard about the one that struck a hospital. Governed by the satanic tenets of Islam, Iran’s objective is not just to defeat Israel but to murder as many Jews as possible.
Daniel Cohen, in a recent article on Harbinger’s Daily, quoted pastor Jack Hibbs’ explanation of Islam’s murderous rage toward Jacob’s descendants:
[The religion of Islam also demands that] “all Jews must be killed globally. “The Earth must be rid of Jews. Why? Because if there’s no Jerusalem and if there’s no Israel, then the Messiah—Yeshua Hamashiach, Jesus Christ—does not return to establish His kingdom.”
“People don’t understand that, but Satan does. If there is no Israel, then where will the Messiah return?”
God’s Word, and in particular Bible prophecy, explains the devil’s rage against Israel as manifested through the Iranian leaders. Yet so many believers dismiss prophecy as stale theology, tertiary (of third-rate importance), or irrelevant. If one follows today’s popular doctrinal teachings regarding Israel, he or she will not only miss the why of what’s happening in the Middle East, but also the calming reassurance that comes from recognizing that God remains in control of all things.
The Bible doesn’t provide us with all the specifics of the current war between Israel and Iran or what might happen in the coming weeks and months. However, God’s Word tells us what lies ahead for Israel as well as for us as New Testament saints.
The War and Israel’s Future
What reassurance do we find in Scripture regarding the future of Israel?
First, Israel will survive. No matter what happens during the remainder of the current war or in its aftermath, the nation will not only remain viable but will also continue to attract the world’s attention (in most cases, unwelcome). While we have yet to see the complete fulfillment of Zechariah 12:1-3, we already witness the world’s baffling passion for meddling in all things pertaining to Jerusalem.
Scripture also tells us that someday God will restore a glorious kingdom to Israel. At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will return to Israel, and a repentant remnant will welcome Him (Matthew 23:37-39). He will destroy Satan’s kingdom and reign over all the nations of the earth. Once we understand what lies ahead for Israel, it makes sense that our adversary would do all he can to thwart God’s plans.
Second, although the current conflict is not the Gog/Magog war foretold in Ezekiel chapters 38-39, it’s preparing the way for it. For the past several years, we have watched as nations involved in this future invasion of Israel have aligned precisely as predicted by the ancient prophet. We don’t know when, but it appears that this invasion lies in the not-too-distant future.
The Lord revealed to His prophet that the Gog/Magog invasion will happen when Israel resides securely (38:11). Should Israel soundly defeat the current regime in Iran along with its allies, which seems probable, it’s likely that such a victory could lead to the peaceful conditions that will precede this future war.
Third, the current conflict is continuing to condition Israel to accept the peace accord that antichrist will offer to its leaders. I can’t imagine what it’s like to go into bomb shelters two or three times a day and listen to intercepted missiles exploding in the air and feel the impact of those that get past the defenses. All this is on top of the October 7, 2023, barbaric massacre and the constant warfare that has ensued since then, which already has a war-weary Israel longing for peace.
Daniel 9:27 tells us that the coming antichrist will initiate a peace agreement with Israel, which he will break three and a half years later (see also Matthew 24:15).
I agree with the many prophecy experts who believe the Gog/Magog invasion will occur just before antichrist appears on the world scene. By then, Israel’s leaders will be all the more willing to agree to the terms of someone who’s able to guarantee an extended period of peace for them. Should he include the rebuilding of the temple in his deal, that will make his offer all the more enticing.
Bible Prophecy’s Consoling Message for Us
The certainty of God fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel is extremely good news for us. It reminds us that He remains in control of all things. Just as He able to bring Israel to repentance and restore a kingdom to its people in the future, so He’s able to keep all His promises to us. Jesus will surely come for us and take us home to the place He’s preparing for us (John 14:1-3). Count on it!
God cannot lie. He will not fail to bring all those He justifies to Heaven above (Romans 8:28-39). Just as the Lord exercises His sovereignty on behalf of Israel, so He will do the same to bring us safely to glory before the start of the coming seven-year Tribulation.
The reassuring message of Bible prophecy is this:
- God is sovereign over all human affairs; He’s in total control of all the outcomes that impact His people, whether it be Israel or us as New Testament saints.
- Regardless of what we experience between now and Jesus’ appearing, He will not fail to rescue us and at that time give us immortal bodies like that of His own (1 Corinthians 15:47-55; Philippians 3;20-21).
- No matter how bleak things might look for Israel or for us in days ahead, we can rest in the certainty of His promises for both. He’s both willing and able to keep all His promises.
I don’t understand why so many believers and even pastors dismiss Bible prophecy as irrelevant for their lives. Its promises bring sweet relief amid the wars, rumors of wars, violence, and rampant lawlessness of the day in which we live.
There’s no greater encouragement for perilous times in which we live than the consolation that comes from understanding and believing what the Bible reveals about the future.
-Jonathan