The Causal Nature of Sin Today

There have always been sinful people in America. What is different about sin today is that people do it with not a hint of moral hesitancy. The moral compass that God gave everyone at birth has been smashed.

I ran across a news story about the possibility of actress Elizabeth Hurley starting a reality show with her 18-year-old son Damian. Hurley chose to set the record straight by posting a racy semi-nude photo of herself on social media. The thinking was: If you want to shut down rumors, you’ve really got to grab people’s attention.

Because a reality show is nothing special, I don’t understand why she didn’t just offer a simple: NO, we are not. I don’t see the need for Hurley to draw attention to herself in such a tacky manner. Her IMDb.com profiles show that she has had steady work the last few years.

The same day, singer Madonna tried to steam up social media by posting a series of revealing photos of herself dressed in a strappy bra, lace underwear, and a motorcycle cap.

I found Madonna to be gross in her glory days in the early 1980s. Now that she’s 62, I feel my stomach churning when I see images of her. She should have realized that her sex appeal had long since faded when she made singer Drake wince when she tried to rub up against him in a seductive way.

I don’t think there will ever be a moment of self-reflection for Madonna. She will go to her grave thinking that she is still a hot number.

A couple of weeks ago, rapper Lil Nas X set off alarm bells in Christian circles by announcing the release of a shoe that would honor the devil.

Based on a Nike Air Max 97, the “Satan Shoes” are about as devilish as a pair of sneakers can get. Aside from the all-black uppers, you’ll find an Air unit filled with 60cc of ink and one drop of real human blood. The dark theme doesn’t stop there, as these limited to 666 sneakers (how very apt) are individually numbered in red on the lateral rear counter, while “Luke 10:18” graces the lateral-side front quarter also in a satanic red font. Note: 10:18 is the passage in which Luke says, “I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning From Heaven.”

Nike has distanced itself from the design and told CNN, “We do not have a relationship with Lil Nas or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes, and we do not endorse them.” Nike is suing the art collective behind the “Satan Shoes” for trademark infringement.

Religious figures in the US have criticized Lil Nas X for the shoes, including Donald Trump’s pastor Mark Burns, who tweeted, “These #SatanShoes by #Nike & #LilNasX with 666 and a drop of human blood in the sole is a reason why we Christians must be prayed up ready to battle in the spirit with the Voice of the Holy Spirit.”

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem added her voice to the criticism, saying, “Our kids are being told that this kind of product is not only okay, it’s ‘exclusive.’ But do you know what’s more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul. We are in a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win.”

The shoes went on sale online via a “drop,” and just days after Lil Nas X premiered the video for his track “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The price of the shoes is $1,018.

Lil Nas X describes himself as an “unapologetically gay” rapper, which surprised me for a music genre that was once all heterosexual. I looked up the video for Montero (Call Me By Your Name), and it was the most satanic thing I’ve ever seen in my life. It beats out Katy Perry’s occultic “Dark Horse” Witch ritual performed at the 2014 Grammy awards.

In the latter part of the video, Lil Nas X descends down a stripper pole to the pit of hell and gives Satan an extremely graphic lap dance. He then snaps the devil’s neck, puts on the devil’s horns, and his eye starts to glow with demonic power.

I doubt I’m going to have to wait another seven years to say I witnessed something more satanic than the Lil Nas X video. The next topper will likely be Satan making a live performance by indwelling the Antichrist.

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

.– Todd

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Israel’s Angel Standing By

Evil being perpetrated today by the satanic minions, both demonic and human, is made manifest for all to see. At the same time, the dynamics behind what we can easily discern tell us that powerful forces rage in prophetic stage-setting while the final battle between good and evil continues to take shape. The scope displaying this wickedness, however, allows us to only peer through that “looking glass darkly,” as the KJV puts it (1 Corinthians 13:12).

These factors were among my motivation for writing the story I believe I was given the impression to present in fictional form. While I realize many–actually most—among our Rapture Ready and Terryjamesprophecyline.com blog family rarely care to delve into fiction, I’m hoping those of you who fit in those categories will make exception in this case.

Like in using this commentary space to offer my and Gary Ritter’s The Minion Protocols a few weeks ago, this article, too, is admittedly, to some extent, a promotion for my new novel.

By way of perhaps trying to somewhat buffer the appearance of crass commercialism, I offer this explanation. I present my novel with the strong sense that much of what is happening in the world today—in the unseen, spiritual realm—can be revealed to a considerable degree through fiction.

And the interaction in that dimension must be absolutely stupefying. Maybe that’s why the Lord has us looking through that glass darkly, concerning the cataclysmic clashing going on, from which we are protected by Heaven’s power. I believe that a fictional rendering is what is now called for as a buffering, although revealing, depiction to help us see where things stand from the supernatural perspective. I hope at the same time it will entertain, which fiction, in part, should do in every case.

MICHAEL is the novel’s title. Last-Days Lightning is the subtitle. As we have gone over a number of times in these commentaries, Israel is the primary signal of where this generation stands upon God’s prophetic timeline. That supernatural nation is at the very center of the prodigious battle that will bring the epic conflict of all ages to a conclusion. It is the horrendous warfare the great Apostle Paul wrote about as recorded now in Ephesians 6:12. All who name the Name of Christ are engaged in this battle whether we realize it or can’t spiritually perceive what’s going on all around us.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6: 11–12)

That hell-spawned warfare will carry on through the campaign of Armageddon, and even arise again for a brief moment at the end of the millennial reign of Christ. Israel is the primary target the devil and his forces have in their crosshairs in their rage to destroy the house of Israel, thus to make God a liar. God has said that Israel will be a nation forever, and will be the head of all nations in the Millennium. The Jews have been the target of the evil forces of this fallen world down through the centuries–thus because it is that people through whom the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world was born.

The hatred is again building at a rapid rate. Globalism, anti-God, one-world-order ideology, is the chief stronghold of the powers and principalities in the high places of wickedness. The present American president and his administration have done and are doing all within their power to reverse any and all advantageous things the previous administration did for the Jewish state. Israel’s enemies, such as Iran, sense a renewed opportunity to destroy the nation by developing their nuclear weapons programs.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is among the top military entities on the planet. They have the capability, both in battle ready forces and in covert operations, which have made the nation to this point seemingly undefeatable.

From relatively current history, we know about the major wars in which Israel was attacked, their enemies completely routed, despite the Israeli military facing overwhelming odds in every case. But was it their military that assured those victories? Many experts in warfare still scratch their heads, and many have to admit that those victories must have had elements of supernaturalism involved, so overwhelmingly strange and complete were the victories.

This is where I believe Daniel’s prophecies for these very days in which we find ourselves come into view—not that I mean the great prophet’s prophecies have totally unfolded. But, from things we have seen in Israel’s modern history and all the geopolitical gyrations involving the Jewish state continually taking place, to me it is clear that Daniel’s prophecies for the time near Christ’s return at Armageddon are beginning to manifest, and have been for some time.

Daniel’s foretelling, given him through his spectacular encounters with a heavenly messenger, are worthy of examination.

First, the prophet was given the following directly from the throne of God. I’m convinced the time referred to is the time we have entered, probably when Israel was reestablished as a nation on May 14, 1948. The Tribulation era—the time of trouble the angel mentions—isn’t yet upon us, but things have been set in motion that will rapidly lead to that horrendous time.

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12: 1)

The angel then gave the prophet the following to write:

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)

Based upon the electrifying unfolding of issues and events involving prophetic portent at this time, we must conclude that the book likely has been opened.

MICHAEL: Last Days Lightning will be available this Wednesday, April 14. Please look for the promotion on that day to get links to the book.

Again, I believe the story gives an entertaining but discerning look behind the evil going on in recent times. And I prayerfully hope it will, even though presented fictionally, give encouragement and comfort that there is nothing to worry about—the Lord has everything fully under control within His mighty hand.

—Terry

–Terry

Europe’s Finances Are a Mess

Over the years, I’ve paid heavy attention to the US economy because the vast majority of RR’s readers are from North America. The financial situation in Europe is so dire, I think it needs special attention. The COVID-19 virus has generated massive budget shortfalls among EU members.

From 2000, Eurozone debt has risen from €5.2 trillion to €12.04 trillion in the third quarter of 2020, representing 97.3% of the euro area GDP.

Over the last year, the greatest debt to GDP increases were in Cyprus at 22.9%, Italy at 17.4%, Greece at 17.3%, Spain at 16.6%, and France at 16.5%. The EU economy is drifting into a deepening slump, so there is no way for it to grow out of these ever-expanding debt loads.

Europe is now back into its third lockdown, and it appears that 2021 will be no better than 2020 as central governments print vast amounts of money to provide stimulus checks to unemployed Europeans.

The EU vaccine program has been an absolute disaster. It is a classic example of how socialism gums up the workings of the capitalist economic system. While the US has 38% of its people vaccinated, the EU has only 12% of its citizens vaccinated.

On 27 January, officials raided AstraZeneca’s facility in Brussels, following production problems that had reduced the amount of its yet-to-be-approved supply to the EU. The Commission’s president threatened to invoke Article 122, allowing the EU to seize AstraZeneca’s factories and ban vaccine exports to the UK. Because AstraZeneca is a British firm, the concern about the safety of the vaccine seems to be more the result of political infighting than pure science.

Germany’s decision to hit the brakes on AstraZeneca’s vaccine came at a terrible time, setting back the vaccine rollout just as Europe confronts a new wave of infections that have led countries to reimpose or extend the restrictions.

All the nations that needed a bailout following the Great Recession are back into hot water: Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, and Ireland. Greece has had three official bailouts since 2010, but it has credit extended to it at least eight times. With Greece’s debt at 200% of GDP, a fourth bailout is only a matter of time.

The Greeks have no incentive to balance their budget. The European Central Bank is so sensitive to rising bond yields that it is determined that they are kept as low as possible. The degree of suppression is illustrated by a Greek 30-year bond selling at a yield of 1.93% — half a percent less than the US Treasury equivalent. It is plainly wrong for a country with a deteriorating government debt to GDP ratio of 200% and an appalling track record.

What’s different this time around is that Italy, Spain, and France have joined the list. These three nations are massively larger than the four other countries, and they have total debts equal to $7.5 trillion. Italy’s national debt equals $3.1 trillion, which is 154% of its GDP.

The Germans are going to be the ones who will need to approve this new credit. The strong work ethic has made Germany Europe’s financial powerhouse. After endless rounds of bailouts to its fellow EU members, the Germans are probably starting to feel like someone who has a joint bank account with a heroin addict.

The German government may not be able to play Santa Claus much longer. Germany had seen its national debt declined as a percent of GDP for nearly a decade. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Germany’s debt has soared from 60% to 83% of GDP.

Since many European nations owe Germany trillions of dollars from all the products they’ve purchased from their neighbor, Berlin may have no choice in voting for more bailouts. France alone owes Germany $1 trillion.

I think it’s by design that every major economic power on planet Earth has a major problem with too much debt. The day will come when central banks will lose control and panic will sweep the globe as it did in 1929. Then will come a man who has all the answers to the world’s financial woes.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:16-18).

.– Todd

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A Most Intriguing Pair…

In observing all the many indicators that the Tribulation (Daniel’s seventieth week) might be about to begin, we can, with reasonable certainty, speculate that the evil dictator of that prophesied era might be almost in view. “Is the Antichrist alive today?” is the question that is asked, right up there with, “Is America in Bible prophecy?”

The question about who this terrible tyrant will be has preoccupied many students of Bible prophecy for centuries. But it is the past few decades, with the movement into ever-increasing rebelliousness against the God of Heaven, that have been an incubator for giving the question immediately crucial importance. That is, everything is now almost in place for birthing that Beast system of control upon planet earth.

For example, society and culture have become so debased as to demand that earth’s inhabitants believe and accept that God’s way for humanity is wrong and man’s own way is how things should be. We’ve looked at this many times. Men can be in sexual relationships with other men and women with other women and we must accept it as legal, moral, and normal in every way. Marriage can be between men and men and women and women, not only relationships exclusively involving one man and one woman in the marital union for life.

A person can be the gender they want to be, not what their birth certificates indicate they are biologically. God is wrong and man is right. It is what God’s Word says is mankind “doing what is right in their own eyes.”

Antichrist’s regime of terror can be seen developing in the area of economics. Fiscal equilibrium is so out of balance nationally and worldwide as to require, as it is called, a “reset.”

This includes the globalists elite manipulating sovereign nations into a one world order of economy. It’s all moving toward the prophesied Antichrist numbers-and-mark system of Revelation 13:16–18. This is largely what the entire period of hatred for Donald J. Trump has been about. America’s dollar, thus it’s hegemony over other economies of the world, must be destroyed and US assets brought under the auspices of a central banking system. It is all to prepare for the institution of the 666 regime of economic control—over which Antichrist will be master.

In religion, the trajectory cannot be missed. Satan’s propaganda machine, the worldwide news and entertainment media, have been complicit in convincing that all religions of the world are portals to achieving godhood. Only true Christianity is equated to a hate-centered system of religion. It is called bigoted and narrow-minded to the exclusion of all of humanity who don’t adhere to Christ as the only way to salvation.

But now a man, the Roman Catholic Pope Francis, the so-called Vicar of Christ, has declared on many occasions that there are many ways to God, not just the way given in the Bible. As pontiff and acknowledged by most religious observers as head of all Christendom, this pope’s apostate view validates for the world that Christ as the only way to salvation is a lie. This, too, is a bomb-burst notice against the black skies of end-times evil that the platform for Antichrist is almost complete in its construction.

Antichrist in view?

All seems set for Antichrist to take the stage for the wind-up of human history leading to Christ’s return. Should we expect that that entity be on the scene today?

I will say here that I don’t know, but that it’s not only possible, but probable that he is somewhere on planet earth today and that he could be thrust into his blasphemous limelight at any moment. That moment would be when the Rapture happens in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Some believe strongly that that man is in view. As a matter of fact, those who hold to this belief say both the first and second beasts of Revelation 13 might be even now consulting with each other.

I’m not saying that I accept this. I’m just saying that there are many who do see that pair as already making themselves known in today’s headlines. A news item frames the scene some see as Antichrist and the False Prophet to come making their presence known.

FROM VATICAN NEWS: Pope Francis and France’s President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone on Sunday, according to a press release from the President’s Office at Élysée Palace. The call, which was requested by the Pope, marks the fifth time the two world leaders have spoken since Macron’s election in 2017.

Their conversation reportedly lasted around 40 minutes, and came after President Macron sent the Pope a message on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of his election to the papacy.

The last time they spoke was October 30th of last year, after the attacks on the Cathedral of Nice, which killed 3 people.

Iraq visit “a turning point”

The Élysée press office said that during their Sunday conversation the two spoke at length about Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Journey to Iraq. Macron said the visit marked “a true turning point” for the Middle Eastern region. The pair also dwelt on their “thoughts and concerns” about several crises affecting various parts of the globe…

According to the Élysée press statement, President Macron also spoke to the Pope about the “challenges of a post-Covid world”. Pope Francis published a book with British journalist Austen Ivereigh on the subject, in which he said humanity has been given the opportunity to build a better world after the pandemic.  (“Pope Francis speaks to French President Emmanuel Macron by phone, discussing his recent visit to Iraq and the challenges of a post-Covid world,” by Vatican News staff writer, Vatican News, Rapture Ready News March 25, 2021)

Again, I don’t know—nor does anyone else—who Antichrist and his False Prophet will be. This pair does, however, make for intriguing speculation. In the final analysis, we have only God’s Word in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 to tell us about the timing of Antichrist’s coming onto the world scene as that “man of sin.”

If you’re a true believer in Jesus Christ—that He is the only way to salvation—not one who believes the way this pope promotes, you will never know for sure who this “son of perdition” is—at least not this side of your heavenly home.

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he [God the Holy Spirit resident within true believers, the Church] who now [restrains evil]will [restrain,] until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked [Antichrist] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:7–9)

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

 

–Terry