The FUTURE: Forseeing What's Coming Through Current Events & Prophecy
Hi Everyone
I was originally going to add this to Don's great threat -- "Thriving On Choas..", but decided I didn't want to belabor it, or pull it too far from it's intended direction. This thread is meant for a more prophetic perspective. This article was written by Chuck Missler - a genius and physicist.
Enjoy.
The Vortex Strategy: Part 1
by Chuck Missler
Events over the past few years have caused many informed observers to be concerned over the increased precariousness of our strategic horizon. In addition to natural disasters-such as Hurricane Katrina-and the continuing terrorist threats promising a major sequel to “9/11,” and the probability of rogue nuclear attacks of various kinds, anyone who is relying on smooth waters over the next 12-18 months is simply among the ranks of the under-informed.
To prepare for potentially volatile uncertainties, some years ago we published a series of suggestions, which we called “The Vortex Strategy,” and in view of our current horizon, it seems appropriate to review some of those ideas.
The next major terrorist event could prove to be an even more impacting sequel than “9/11”-whether it is an Al Qaeda plot of some kind, or an EMP attack which threatens to plunge the U.S. back into the 19th century. But without indulging in speculations regarding the challenges that Homeland Security presently faces, many experts are also anticipating a possible upheaval to emerge from the current debt debacle of the United States. What would be the consequences to you and your family if America’s economic foundation was ripped out from under you? We individually can’t change the probabilities of such an event, but what is your action plan to protect yourself and your family?
The Impending Monetary Crisis
We need to understand the precariousness of the U.S. dollar and its role in the international monetary markets: two-thirds of world trade is conducted in dollars; over 70% of central banks’ reserves are held in the American currency; and, the U.S. dollar is the sole currency used by international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This has conferred on the U.S. a major economic advantage: the ability to run a trade deficit year after year. It can do this because foreign countries need dollars to repay their debts to the IMF, to conduct international trade, and to build up their own currency reserves. A move away from the dollar could have a disastrous effect on the U.S. economy as the U.S. would no longer be able to spend beyond its means.
Worse still, the U.S. would become a net currency importer as foreigners would seek to spend back in the U.S. a large proportion of the estimated three trillion dollars which they currently own. The U.S. would also have to run a trade surplus-the first time in a century-providing the rest of the world with more goods and services than it was receiving in return.
The Oil Exporters
Up until the early 1950s, the U.S. dominated world oil production, so sales of oil and natural gas on international markets had been exclusively denominated in dollars. The U.S. in those days accounted for half or more of the world’s annual oil production. That, of course, has drastically changed: we are entering a period in which we need to import almost 70% of our requirements!
The tendency to price in dollars was additionally reinforced by the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement, which established the IMF and World Bank and adopted the dollar as the currency for international loans. The “gold exchange standard” was also established: the U.S. dollar was to be convertible to gold by foreign governments. However, by the 1970s foreign dollar holdings had grown to five times the available gold. So, in August 1971, President Nixon suspended all gold payments. Today, depreciating paper dollars are backed only by the “reputation” of the U.S. Government
The Quiet Game
While the denomination of oil sales is not a subject that is frequently discussed in the media, its importance is certainly well understood by governments. For example: when President Nixon took the U.S. off the gold exchange standard, OPEC considered moving away from dollar oil pricing, as dollars no longer had the guaranteed value they previously did. The U.S. response was various secret deals with Saudi Arabia in the 1970s to ensure that the world’s most important oil exporter would stick with the dollar. What the Saudis did, OPEC followed.
The Think Tanks Warn
Countries switching to euro reserves from dollar reserves will bring down the value of the U.S. currency. Imports would start to cost Americans a lot more… As countries and businesses convert their dollar assets into euro assets, the U.S. property and stock market bubbles would, without doubt, burst…
-The Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability
The dollar’s position is already on the decline in many countries.
-Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
China has officially declared that it will diversify a part of its foreign exchange holdings into oil by building a strategic petroleum reserve. The construction of huge storage tanks has begun and will take several years until completion.
On January 24, 2007, Kuwait announced that it is considering abandoning pegging its dinar to the dollar for fear of an anticipated slide in the value of the dollar. Last year, the central banks of Italy, Russia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates had announced similar shifts out of the dollar and into other currencies, or gold, citing the United States’ “twin deficits” (federal deficit and the trade deficit) as the reasons for the expected fall in the dollar’s value.
Our Trade Balance
We buy more than we sell (we always have). We finance our purchases with debt currency and our current imbalance (deficit) grows $850 billion per year!
Our Federal Deficit
Our government spends more than it raises (in taxes, etc.), so we finance our government programs with debt. The Bush administration is forecasting that the federal deficit for the 2007 budget year will total $244 billion (a slight improvement from the $248.2 billion actual deficit in 2006). However, the improvement this year is likely to be short-lived as tax revenue growth slows and spending begins to rise to deal with increased Social Security and Medicare payments as the 78 million baby boomers start to retire. Thus, the U.S. Treasury must borrow:
Federal deficit: $250 billion/year
Trade deficit: $850 billion/year
$1,100 billion/year
That’s $3 billion per day! It’s going to be interesting to see who is willing to pick up those notes (and what interest and incentives we’ll have to offer)!
Consumer Debt
Mortgage companies are knocking on doors, sending letters and making phone calls with a simple message for struggling homeowners: They’d rather modify your loan than foreclose. New foreclosures hit their highest ever level in the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. With home values falling in some parts of the country, none of the finance companies want to be stuck owning a house that has depreciated in value.
Critics say lenders made loans to borrowers who weren’t credit worthy with terms that would be impossible for them to meet. Whether the current wave of workouts will merely postpone foreclosures-and delay bad loans hitting lenders’ books-is an open question…
David Walker
David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, has publicly expressed his professional opinion that the American public needs to tell Washington it’s time to steer the nation off the path to financial ruin. The “accountant-in-chief” spoke on a Fiscal Wake-Up Tour panel during a meeting at the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin, Texas, on September 28, 2006:
"What they don’t talk about is a dirty little secret everyone in Washington knows, or at least should. The vast majority of economists and budget analysts agree: The ship of state is on a disastrous course, and will founder on the reefs of economic disaster if nothing is done to correct it."
-David Walker
His basic message is this: If the U.S. government conducts business as usual over the next few decades, a national debt that is already $8.5 trillion could reach $46 trillion or more, adjusted for inflation. A hole that big could paralyze the U.S. economy; according to some projections, just the interest payments on a debt that big would be as much as all the taxes the government collects today. And every year that nothing is done about it, the problem grows by $2 trillion to $3 trillion (yes, that’s with a “t”). It doesn’t take a genius to recognize that an economic upheaval is in the making.
There are four traditional measures of the nation’s money supply: the M0, M1, M2, and-the most comprehensive-the M3. The M3 is the primary “report card” of the nation’s money management. However, the Fed is no longer publishing the M3, which economists have traditionally used to monitor the liquidity of the U.S. [Congressman Ron Paul introduced H.R. 4892 in an effort to reinstate publication of M3.]
U.S. Financial Report
On December 15, 2006, the Treasury issued the Financial Report of the United States as released by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The 2006 federal budget deficit was $4.6 trillion, not a previously reported $248.2 billion. The difference is that the typical report of the federal budget deficit is on a cash basis, in which all tax receipts are applied to current liabilities when received.
The Financial Report of the United States is calculated on a GAAP (“Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”) basis, which includes accruals made for current year changes in the net present value of unfunded liabilities in social insurance programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. This official report showed that the GAAP accounted negative net worth of the federal government has increased to $53.1 trillion, while the total federal obligations under GAAP accounting now total $54.6 trillion, taking into account the present value of future Social Security and Medicare liabilities. Put simply, this report shows that “arguments that the U.S. government is bankrupt have increasing merit...” (their words).
Hyperinflation Ahead?
The threat of hyperinflation isn’t just theoretical. Germany, in 1920, saw food prices double every 49 hours (a loaf of bread in 1920 cost 1 mark; in 1923 a loaf of bread cost 726,000,000 marks). (My grandparents sold a restaurant which, when the escrow was opened was worth enough to retire on; yet, by the time escrow closed, the proceeds could only purchase a loaf of bread.) In the 1990s, Russia’s currency devalued from 100/rubles/dollar in 1994 to 30,000 rubles/dollar in 1999.
The United States is now the largest debtor in the world ($48,000,000,000,000 in debt instruments). These obligations will ultimately have to be met with much cheaper dollars.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Proverbs 22:7
This cursory review hasn’t dealt with the leveraging effects of the substantial “financial derivatives” currently being employed, which would accelerate a potential crash even further! Your personal stewardship plans need to maintain surveillance on the likelihood of serious inflation ahead, and perhaps worse.
The Plot Thickens
There are serious people attempting to engineer the creation of a “North American Union,” and the establishment of a consolidated North American currency called the “Amero.” Some of the milestones which have been published would have no feasibility except under conditions of extreme urgency; however, those specific extreme circumstances may be deliberately being positioned for just such a purpose! Is our current debt debacle simply mismanagement? Or is it being engineered with a stratagem in mind? “Stay tuned. Film at eleven.”
* * *
Next: “The Vortex Strategy: Part 2.” This series will include steps you can take now to help prepare for the uncertainties ahead.
Last month we reviewed the increasingly difficult predicament we face in attempting to position ourselves-and our families-in this volatile world. In addition to the terrorist threats and other geopolitical tensions, the mismanagement of our own national financial scene appears increasingly problematic.
Another Tremor
The subprime mortgage mess metastasized into a full-blown global credit crisis last month, crushing stocks in Europe as well as the U.S.
The meltdown began in France and forced the European Central Bank to inject more than $130 billion into the continental banking system so that it wouldn’t seize up entirely. Standard and Poor’s said that move was unprecedented.
The Federal Reserve (which is neither federal nor a reserve) put more than $60 billion into the U.S. banking system. Unlike previous sell-offs, which were concentrated in specific sectors, this one cut across the entire stock market. Investors increasingly seem to fear that the problems among the big investment banks are proving bigger than expected.
International investors now own $672 billion of the $835.4 billion worth of Treasuries due in 3-10 years. A record 80% of the Treasury notes due in 3-10 years are foreign owned. Not since the 19th century have foreigners held so much American debt.
Another way to examine our reserves is to take a look at our checkbook and compare it with others:
Rank Current Account Balance
1 China $179,100,000,000
2 Japan 174,400,000,000
3 Germany 134,800,000,000
4 Russia 105,300,000,000
5 Saudi Arabia 103,800,000,000
6 Norway 63,350,000,000
7 Switzerland 50,440,000,000
. . . . . . . .
159 France -38,000,000,000
160 Austria -41,620,000,000
161 U.K. -57,680,000,000
162 Spain -96,600,000,000
163 United States -862,300,000,000
Out of 163 countries, we rank dead last. In fact, we are nine times worse off than the runner up-Spain-who is recognized as a near-bankrupt nation in the financial press.
(I understand that Spain just sold off 80 of their remaining 90 tons of gold from their national treasury to “stay afloat” a little longer.)
The Federal Government recorded a $1.3 trillion loss last year-far more than the official $248 billion deficit-when GAAP accounting standards are applied.
“The gap between future U.S. receipts and future U.S. government obligations now totals $65.9 trillion, a sum that is impossible for the U.S. to reconcile, which means the U.S. is now technically bankrupt.”
But it gets worse. In fact, our most disturbing predicament is being prepared “under the radar” and deliberately.
The Deliberate Destruction of America
That sounds like a conspiracy theory, doesn’t it? Well, it is. And it is really happening. There is no intention of our present administration to enforce our borders.
There is a well-laid-out plan to merge the United States with Canada and Mexico. There are several dozen working groups laying out the administrative regulations. There are extensive construction projects preparing a “NAFTA Superhighway” to expedite goods from Lázaro Cárdenas, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, through Laredo, Texas, to the Kansas City “SmartPort” (an electronic port of entry to be regarded as Mexican territory), on though Duluth, Minnesota to Canada.
Most of these facilities are being built by foreign investors, so we will have to pay to use them. They are being designed to expedite goods from China to the entire North American Union.
(China and Wal-Mart are investing $300 million just to upgrade the container handling facilities at Lázaro Cárdenas. China already controls facilities at Long Beach, California, and at both ends of the Panama Canal.)
What is particularly disturbing is that this is all being done covertly, without the benefit of public discourse. It is being denied by the administration, and yet it would seem to be treasonous-the very disenfranchisement of the entire electorate and its assets.
The primary whistle-blower on this is our dear friend, Jerry Corsi, whose blockbuster book, The Late Great U.S.A., just came out. It is a must read for any American.
You and I aren’t likely to change the course of history, but we can exercise prudence in our personal and family preparations.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 22:3
What is your action plan to protect yourself and your family?
Our times are uniquely uncertain and impossible to predict. Will we have a depression? Will we have hyperinflation? Will we experience logistic upheavals? The optimum strategy under conditions of uncertainty is mobility. In financial terms, that’s called liquidity. So that leads us to our basic four-step strategy, which we call “the Vortex Strategy.” It is disarmingly simple, but absolutely essential:
The Vortex Strategy
1) Lower your cost of living
2) Get out of debt
3) Guard your liquidity
4) The most important factor of all
1. Lower Your Cost of Living
Don’t count on increases in your income. Live beneath your means so that you have something extra at the end of each month. That will be your ticket to financial freedom.
A useful hint: review the allocations of your time. Are there indulgences that are expensive and yet might not stand scrutiny from a cost/reward relationship? Often our most enjoyable involvements are not necessarily tied up with capitalized indulgences. Simplify in order to win what really counts.
2. Get Out of Debt
Debt is a presumption on the future and is contrary to God’s plan for your life: the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7).
Use the increments from Step 1 to refinance variable rate mortgages and eliminate credit card debt. Establish and control your budget as if your life depends upon it: it does!
3. Guard Your Liquidity
Once debt is under control, use the margin from Step 1 to establish reserves. Diversify your holdings among different asset classes. Straddle industries, borders, and currencies.
Strive to maintain liquidity, not maximize earnings. That’s for later when the horizon is more clearly in focus.
Lastly, get your assets out of reach from your adversaries: know who they are and take precautionary steps before they’re needed. Some tactical alternatives for Step 3 will be the subject of our article next month, “The Vortex Strategy: Part 3.”
4. The Most Important Factor of All
Learn the supernatural elements of stewardship. This is the solution to all financial problems!
This article is not about politics. Rather, it supersedes all political side-taking. And, for the moment, it will hopefully draw us together rather than push us apart. Nor is this a critique on Islam, but rather a warning about radical extremists in high places, and the nihilistic terrorists they deceive and exploit. Whatever you think of Islam, whether it is a peace-loving religion at the core -- Sons of Abraham -- or whether they are all in open or secret sympathy with the terrorist cause, is well beyond the scope of this article.
M.A.D. vs. MAD
It is important to note that the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) worked all through the Cold War. Neither we nor the Russians would dare lob a nuke at each other! Nor would any sane government do so today. This is because of the instinct of self-survival. Even with communistic regimes who see no inherent value in people, this self-survival instinct prevails. M.A.D. works with everyone except those who ARE mad.
This is also why we need not worry about China, at least in this regard. And North Korea. Asians don’t throw nukes. They have a healthy sense of self-survival, too. The worry with North Korea with its cold, starving masses (while its leader lives in wealth and sumptuous feasting catered in from around the world) is this:
They've been playing the game of nuclear blackmail for years. In their desperation for hard currency and resources, they would sell the technology, even though they care nothing for the Islamo-Fascist ideology.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS
Iran, and rogue regimes like Iran, is another story. Iran is an unabashed sponsor for terrorist groups who would dearly love to get their hands on nukes. These people do not have a sense of self-survival. These are the kind who strap bombs around their chests, walk into crowded places and blow themselves up. Radical fundamentalist regimes who think outside the box in this way, would be quite willing to furnish such weapons to these groups they support.
Some comics of questionable taste in a Danish newspaper have infuriated the Islamic world. One of them suggested that heaven is running out of virgins.
Nukes + Terrorists = mass destruction. Don't be too surprised if you wake up one morning and hear that Israel was nuked. Or London, New York, Los Angeles... This is not science fiction stuff anymore. And a hit on the U.S. will destroy our economy (for various reasons) and plunge the world into global depression.
Iran, in defiance to the world, has removed the seals off their nuclear development facility. Europe is solidly behind us on this one, in hauling Iran before the U.N., after years of failed negotiations. France, who gave us such staunch resistance over Iraq, is totally with us now. It’s that serious! Even Russia and China who are so deeply in bed with Iran in huge energy deals, are backing us in referring Iran to the U.N. security council. For now, that is. When it comes down to actual sanctions, expect them to vote no, or to abstain. Russia may yet broker a deal to provide Iran with nuclear energy from Russian soil. If all else fails, expect Israel to send bombers in to destroy Iran’s facilities. The evidence that Iran seeks such weapons is so irrefutable that even Iran can hardly deny it. It is clear, based on long-term investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, that they’ve obtained vital, technical know-how from the black market. Iran’s response? “Oh, we did not buy it ... it was offered to us.” Yeah right, and look out your window. It’s raining purple cats & dogs right now.
A WINDOW INTO THE SPIRIT WORLD - AND THE TWO-TIER WORLDVIEW
Tier One - The Transcendent World of God and Spiritual Forces -- Religion
Tier Two - The Empirical World of the senses -- Science
Virtually all cultures have, in their roots, a sense of the supernatural, paranormal or something beyond their own selves. All too often, even amid the most removed native peoples, there are prescribed methods to ward off adverse or evil spirits. To the common people in Third World nations, religious practice or superstition has more practical relevance in daily life than science. In the West, we tend to think largely in materialistic terms, though most of us also believe in a spiritual world of some kind.
In the eastern hemisphere, the reality of a spiritual world is acknowledged far more. Even under Marxist regimes, suppressed and persecuted religious groups, and people in general, long for spiritual relevance for their lives.
A WINDOW INTO THE ORTHODOX JEWISH-CHRISTIAN-CATHOLIC WORLDVIEW AND WHY THEY SO DEEPLY DISTRUST IRAN
(That is, the present government of ultra-radical, ruling Mullahs, and the spirit behind them, not the precious Iranian people themselves).
You see, in the Holy writings, from which the Judeo-Christian ethic derives its moral authority, and forms the foundation for law in Western civilization, there are reoccurring references about a rebellion that took place in spiritual high places. What some see as fabled or merely symbolic, others of devout faith regard as literal. Holy writ speaks of regions (Principalities) and regional “Princes” and their subordinates from the Divine Celestial Order who were fallen and then exiled to the earth realm. They and their lower ranking angels also operate in the astral plane. The apostle Paul spoke of "The Third Heaven," a dimension wherein rules the Divine - Jehovah - Yahweh - The True and Living God. In my opinion, the astral dimension, spoken of so much in Hindu and occultic writings, is where the throne of Satan lies. This fall of Satan, known as the “Luciferian Rebellion,” is acknowledged not ONLY in religion, but is also riddled throughout the occult (hidden) (and in my view - forbidden.. "fruit") or “dark side,” in many, many writings.
For instance, Alice Ann Bailey, a leading disciple of the Russian theosophist Madame Helena Blavatsky, formed the Lucifer Trust in 1920. 1922 saw the organization's name changed to Lucis Trust though the advancement of the Luciferian beliefs remained true. Beliefs that in Blavatsky's words: “oppose the materialism of science and every dogmatic theology, ESPECIALLY THE CHRISTIAN, which the Chiefs of the Society REGARD AS PARTICULARLY PERNICIOUS." (No wonder Christian and Catholic bashing has become so fashionable in Hollywood). Lucis Trust promulgates the work of an "Ascended Master" who was working 'through' Alice Bailey for some 30 years. The Lucis Trust Publishing Company and their many fronts and organizations worship an "Externalized Hierarchy" of "Ascended Masters," who carry out the work of a Luciferian "master plan" for the establishment of a permanent "Age of Aquarius" ruled by one "Sanat Kumara," the "LORD OF THE WORLD."
In the book, "The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow" by Constance Cumbey. Mrs. Cumbey, a Christian trial lawyer, has done extensive study into New Age teachings and activities. According to Benjamin Creme, David Spangler, the Alice Bailey writings, and the Helena Petrovna Blavatsky writings, this so-called Sanat Kumara is our "God," the "Ancient of Days" and the "One Initiator." Probably, more truthfully the "Venus" link of occultism gives us a better clue as to who Sanat Kumara really is. For "Sanat Kumara" is allegedly 'the eternal youth from the Planet Venus." Lucifer is also known in occultdom as "Venus." Therefore, Sanat Kumara is merely another name for Satan or Lucifer.
THE ASCENDED MASTERS ARE THE FALLEN ANGELS
Benjamin Creme's theology is directly founded on the teachings that were published by Helena P. Blavatsky (HPB) and Alice A. Bailey (AAB) as dictated to them from various Ascended Masters. Through a closer examination of their beliefs it can be shown that the so-called "Ascended Masters" who developed their twisted theology are in fact the Fallen Angels of the Judeo-Christian tradition.
AAB writes, "Symbolically speaking, some of the sons of God fell from their high estate, led, at one time, by "Lucifer, Son of the Morning." This "fall of the angels" was a tremendous event in the history of our planet, but was nevertheless only a passing and interesting phenomenon in the history of the solar system, and a trifling incident in the affairs of the seven constellations, of which our solar system is but one. Pause and consider this statement for a moment, and so readjust your sense of values." (Esoteric Psychology, vol.1, pp394-395).
HPB writes that "Lucifer is the LOGOS in his highest, and the "Adversary" in his lowest aspect - both of which are reflected in our Ego," (The Secret Doctrine II, p.162). She then writes that "Satan is THE GOD OF OUR PLANET, and the only god," (p.234). She sums up on page 513 by writing, "Lucifer is divine and terrestrial light, the "Holy Ghost" and "Satan," at one and the same time... And now it stands proven that Satan, or the Red Fiery Dragon... and Lucifer, or "Light-Bearer," is in us: it is our Mind -- our tempter and Redeemer, our intelligent liberator and Saviour..."
The Bible describes how Satan was thrown out of heaven and came down to earth. In Genesis the serpent convinced Eve to eat from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, promising that she would become as God. Through this successful corrupting of humanity Lucifer thereby became the possessor of man and earth.
When Jesus began His earthly ministry He spent forty days fasting in the wilderness, and Satan came and offered Him the kingdoms of the world:
"All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for this is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine," (Luke 4:6-7). Satan was not making a bogus proposal, for all the kingdoms of the world had indeed been "delivered unto him, and mankind with it." Jesus later referred to Satan as "the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD" in John 12:31 and 14:30, and Paul referred to him as "the GOD OF THIS AGE" in 2 Corinthians 4, also describing the HIERARCHY OF FALLEN ANGELS as "THE RULERS," "THE AUTHORITIES" and "THE POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD" (Ephesians 6:12). When AAB describes Sanat Kumara as The LORD OF THE WORLD, she is merely referring to a cleverly repackaged Satan, the evil being in control of the earth, the Adversary of God and man, who is constantly scheming and manipulating to keep us from the saving knowledge of the one true God and of our Messiah, our way out of this mess.
Jesus Christ said in the Gospel Of Luke:
"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."
(Luke 10:18)
Jesus also said:
"You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.
If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father...
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe.
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the PRINCE OF THIS WORLD cometh, and hath nothing in me.
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do."
(John 14:28-31)
The great apostle Paul said:
"The GOD OF THIS AGE has blinded the minds of those who don't believe,
lest the light of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST,
who is the image of GOD, should shine on them."
(2 Corinthians 4:4)
Paul also said:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
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 6:10-12)
HEY JUDE
"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."
(Jude 1:6)
The apostle John again writes in Revelation:
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet,
and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew THE THIRD PART OF THE STARS [angels] of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth:
and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered,
for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:
and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne...
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;
and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not;
neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,
which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,
'Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ:
for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.'
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the death."
(Revelation 12:1-11)
The Jewish writings give potent accounts of these powerful princes of earth who rule from the unseen realm. For instance, in the book of Daniel, chapter 10, the prophet Daniel was overtaken with tremendous visions and was greatly weakened to the point of near-death.
An angelic being came and ministered to him, saying,
"Do not be afraid, Daniel,
for from the first day you set your heart on understanding and on humbling yourself before your God,
your words were heard and I have come in response to your words.
BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA WAS WITHSTANDING ME FOR TWENTY-ONE DAYS; THEN BEHOLD, MICHAEL, ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES, CAME TO HELP ME...
but I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia, so I am going forth; and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come... there is no one who shows himself strong with me against these forces except Michael your prince."
JUST CALL ME ANGEL OF THE MORNING
This is known as THE FIVE GREAT "I WILLS"
The Prophet Isaiah wrote:
"How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations!
But you said in your heart,
'I WILL ascend to the heaven;
I WILL raise my throne above the stars of God
I WILL sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north
I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds
I WILL make myself like the Most High.'"
(Isaiah 14:12-14)
My own former guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, in his book, Autobiography Of A Yogi, refers to “lower astral hells” in his footnotes, and about spirits trying to enter his Kriya Yoga initiates during this highly advanced form of Hindu meditation. A photo of his master, Swami Yukteswar appears in The Tibetan Book Of The Dead. Through George Harrison’s influence, they BOTH appear on the album cover of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, along with their higher “ascended masters” Lahiri Mahashi and Babaji. In the crowd also appears the warlock Aleister Crowley from the late 1800s, hero of many rock stars such as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath, who even devoted a song to him:
Mr. Crowley, what went on in your head
(Oh) Mr. Crowley, did you talk to the dead
Your lifestyle to me seemed so tragic
With the thrill of it all
You fooled all the people with magic
(Yea) You waited on Satan's call . . .
(No slam intended on these popular bands, but it’s good to be aware of what goes on behind the scenes. I have nothing personal against them). A large sector of Rock artists have openly professed Satanism and of power derived from the dark side of the supernatural. Some in the heavy metal scene have even advocated mass murder and nihilistic destruction upon our youth and upon themselves. Sound familiar?
“PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!”
Across history, nations, at their height of power, have taken turns at becoming world-governing empires, or attempted to do so. And usually in ruthless, earth-scorching fashion that simply crushes all opposition. Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Medeo-Persia, Greece, Rome, to name a few. Germany and Russia obviously had such aspirations, too. In my view, behind the scenes, demonic regional princes sought world domination through their earthly pawns.
Iran is not Arabic, as some may suppose. Iran is Persian. The Persian prince is very powerful, and in my view, is behind bringing Iran to the forefront in world affairs again. Some of the statements coming from the Iranian president are a bit surprising... statements like “Israel should be wiped off the map.” Surprising because it comes from a regime seeking nuclear weapons. One would think they would just lay low and pretend peaceful intentions, as they claim. It’s as though they just can’t contain their exceedingly great hatred for Israel. Or is there another motive? For certain, the president of Iran speaks at behest of the evil mullahs who hold the real power in Iran. And behind them, energizing them, is the ancient prince of Persia.
Of course, Iran should not be singled out. Any regime of hateful madmen that has no self-survival instinct and promises great reward in heaven for the martyrs’ nihilistic passions which they promote and exploit . . . they simply must not be allowed to have nukes.
FirstGarden; Good article(s) and that is what is going on on daily basis all around us!
this statement? HPB writes that "Lucifer is the LOGOS in his highest, and the "Adversary" in his lowest aspect - both of which are reflected in our Ego," (The Secret Doctrine II, p.162). She then writes that "Satan is THE GOD OF OUR PLANET, and the only god," (p.234). She sums up on page 513 by writing, "Lucifer is divine and terrestrial light, the "Holy Ghost" and "Satan," at one and the same time... he can't be 'Holy Ghost' though! he can be ''Spirit' vs '''Holy Spirit''' and thus we have "God" vs "god" this does not need explaining ?
THIS IS NOT RELIGION! THIS IS LIFE IN WORLD AS IT TURNS ! Joz
Lucifer means 'lightbearer." It is commonly believed that he led worship in heaven, and was later expelled and exiled to the earth realm. This is really fascinating stuff. I read HPB, and though I don't endorse her teachings, I find it interesting that satan's existence, and that of an entire fallen celestial order, is attested to by extrabiblical sources.
Then there's the Brotherhood of Satan. Not all witches believe in a personal satan. Anton Lavey (writer of The Satanic Bible) claims not to believe in one either. But certainly a large swath of folks do, and are become knowingly possessed by dark entities or spirits.
True believers of religious faith invite the Holy Spirit into their heart. (By "religious," we never mean the ugly man-made machine commonly called religion. It is far more organic than organizational by nature. Far more relational inwardly - LOVE - than an outward code of externals - LEGAL.)
Their human spirit is made alive and they are possessed... but by a different, very good Spirit. They are inherently NO BETTER than anyone else, and should never regard themselves as such. But they are possessed, and prompted and led, gradually transformed (very gradually) thru a willing heart and listening inner ear by this very good Spirit.
Then there's the great swath of humanity not possessed by any spirit in particular, who are still finding their way through this great and wonderful pilgrimage called Life.
It was never the intention of this thread to demonize any politician, whether they be right wing, left wing, or Indie.
When the AntiChrist rises on the scene to world domination (yet future), it will not be George W. Bush.
Are we saying that the AntiChrist just hops in and out of bodies?
If it is merely a spirit of AntiChrist, it does not rest upon one party and leave the other party alone. Oh, if life were so simple. Or simplistic.
Are we attributing the title AntiChrist to whomever we really dislike?
In every generation, someone was said to be the AntiChrist. Hitler was speculated to be that in his time. Perhaps Nero in his. But with a fresh reading of prophecy, to try to make "W" the AntiChrist would be laughable, except that people actually believe this small-minded rubbish. "W" doesn't even remotely fit the qualifications. He'll be long gone when AntiChrist appears on the scene and takes the helm of the New World Order.
This thread is not about political parties, or objects of obsessive, political hate, but rather a focus on world events as they relate to prophecy.
The concerns here involve an aerial view over humanity, transcending idealogical walls to address the human condition. There is no need to focus on but one segment, or on individuals, as the cause and symbol of all mischief, when the problem is deep and widespread, stemming from ancient times.
God is not an American, not a Republican, nor a Democrat. He weeps over us, and seeks loving reconciliation with us from all that has needlessly separated and divided.
We should likewise have this attitude in ourselves, to love one another and our fellow woman and man, regardless to persuasion, praying for those who we feel are doing great wrong, or doing a disservice to humanity.
We are against evil, against bad principle and malignant activity. There is no need to pin the ills of mankind upon individuals and make them icons of hate.
One could write pages and pages here of the abhorrent evil promulgated by the ultraliberals. But no one does that, because the considerations are obviously one-sided.
(Originally I was raised a liberal, so I have no axe to grind.)
I, for one, will not badmouth a politician, no matter how loathsome or unprincipled I regard him/her to be.
Again, the intended focus of this thread was to be on prophecy, as it unfolds through current world events.
If it is too hard to separate the sin from the sinner, then it is better not to mention the person at all.
Do you consider numerology a religion or politcal forum? I see it as a science which embraces the law of order. I just found it interesting that 666=gwb, that's all. I don't hate anyone, cause I embrace the teaching of the Christ- consciousness and the Beatitudes. I think w. placed himself in the care of satan.
My Source Energy is my glowing light that doesn't allow darkness in, and only good will prevail after all the slipping and side stepping this admin. has been putting us all through. Whatever the outcome is, it will be for the good of all concerned.
Here's some things to watch out for. Great excitement took place among the scholars of prophecy when Israel reformed as a nation in 1948. It was a direct fulfillment of prophecy. One of the prophecies that has been covered at great length is the Gog/Magog prophecy, recorded in the book of Ezekiel. What is commonly described by an impressive array of scholars is an invasion by Russia and her allies into Israel in the last days, as we approach the consummation of the ages. Interpretations often differ, but this one enjoys a surprising consensus among well known prophecy experts such as Hal Lindsey, Chuck Missler and Jack Van Impe.
Anyone who happens to be reading this - naturally, when it comes to things like prophecy, many Bible references will occur. There are very few ancient references that are prophetic in nature (that is - actually offering predictions of future events in much detail), that relate to current developments today.
Nostradamus, for one, is interesting and something to be explored. Few would call it divine revelation. And it is not very conclusive in areas such as where the Mayan calender ends, and whether that refers to the end, or consummation of the ages, or merely a transition, as it were, an "odometer rolling over to zero." Students of Nostradamus differ. But it is fascinating, nonetheless.
Please note that Bible verses are shared for reference, with no hidden agenda, no ulterior motive or intention to be overtly religious. No one wishes to bang anyone over the head with a Bible! lol. Nor is there any wish whatsoever to frighten, or engender fear. But, a good, honest read can really open one's eyes to what's going on in the world today! I will attempt over time to share some of this, in a detailed but concise way. If these interpretations were but shots in the dark, or serious stretches on reason and credibility, I wouldn't even bother to share them!
You may see why there is such absolute, rapt attention & excitement amid scholars, historians and novices alike regarding current events in conjunction with prophecy.. and why so many watchful eyes are riveted to the Middle East!
Ezekiel chapters 38-39 prophesy that several Arab and North African nations will rally together in the Latter Years and mount a massive military operation against the Nation of Israel. Despite the fall of the Berlin Wall and the "collapse" of communism, Ezekiel prophesies that a "hook in the jaw" will be placed in Russia's mouth and she will be dragged into this war virtually against her will. It will not be her smartest move. It will be the end of her armed forces.
As with most of Bible Prophecy, Ezekiel's prophetic language is symbolic, requiring an enlightened view of all Scripture. Therefore, we must carefully examine the prophetical books of the Bible and compare them with other Scripture. Prophetical books are not meant just for "filler" material ... they are intended to guide generations by revealing the future *before* it occurs. All of Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. The only question is when?
Generally prophecy books are arranged in chronological sequence. Occasionally, prophecy will take quick jumps backwards or forwards to make a point. In this case, the prophecies in Ezekiel 38-39 are dependent on the prophecies of Ezekiel 36-37 being already fulfilled. In other words, Russia and the Arabs cannot attack the Nation of Israel until after the Nation of Israel had been restored. In the 20th century, the Nation of Israel has been restored, just as prophesied in Ezekiel 36:24, Ezekiel 37 and Isaiah 66:8.
Ezekiel 38:1-7 Here God directs Ezekiel to prophesy against the land of Russia. Several nations are named such as Persia (mostly Iran but includes parts of Iraq), Ethiopia and Libya:
1) And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2) Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3) And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
4) And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5) Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6) Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.
7) Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
Ezekiel 38:8-13 In these passages, reference is made to Israel being restored from the nations she was scattered to by the Roman armies under Titus Vespasian in 70 A.D. Russian armies and their allies are massed for a swift invasion of Israel, being likened to a storm cloud. A former desolate land, Israel is now blooming again, and the temptation is too much. The nations of the West apparently offer diplomatic protest only, as no military action in response to this invasion is noted.
The return of the Jews to Israel is the key to bible prophecy. Most other endtime prophecies depend on the Jewish people living in Israel and not scattered amongst the Gentiles. Israel has not existed as a nation since hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. Israel was established on May 15, 1948.
Deuteronomy 4:27-28,30-31
27) And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
28) And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
30) When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, [even] in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
31) (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
* Moses predicted that the Jews would be scattered throughout the world and persecuted as has occurred for the last three thousand years and that one day the Jews would return to God and to the land of Israel which he promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Isaiah 11:11
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
Jeremiah 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
Joel 3:1-2 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and [for] my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
Amos 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
* Foresaw the restoration of Israel in one day (May 15, 1948).
Ezekiel 36:24,33-35
24) For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
33) "Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
34) And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. 35) And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
* Israel is restored in one day and becomes a land of milk and honey in this current time.
Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
Jeremiah 24:2-5
2) One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.
3) Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
4) Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5) Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.
* The fig tree is used by Hosea and Jeremiah to refer to Jewish people.
Matthew 24:32-33
32) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
- Jesus Christ (Christ = Greek for Messiah)
* Israel the fig tree has put forth its leaves and been reborn as a nation therefore the the coming of Christ draws near.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Russia has formed a close alliance with Iran. Keep your eyes open.
Ezekiel is one of the most fascinating prophets of the Old Testament. One of the captives with King Jehoiachin in the second of three deportations under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, He mentions Daniel three times, who had been in Babylon nine years before Ezekiel arrived.
Ezekiel ministered, as did Jeremiah, to a nation experiencing judgment for their sins. If God spared not Israel, His Chosen, when they sinned, why not America?
In his captivity he lived at the River Chebar, which was the great ship canal branching off from the Euphrates above Babylon and turning through Nippur to the Tigris. Used for irrigation, it was the primary settlement location of the Jewish captives.
Ezekiel was born in approximately 627 B.C. and lived in a time of moral decline, distress and uprooting. His messages were not well received at first, but did ultimately result in the nation being purged of idolatrous practices.
He was married and owned his own home. His wife died during his ministry and he was forbidden to mourn her.
We also learn that God intended his life to be a sign to Israel. Therefore, he does all kinds of strange things. He shuts himself up in his home, he binds himself, and he is struck dumb. He was to lie on his right and his left sides for a total of 430 days, he ate bread that was prepared in an unclean manner, and he shaved his head and beard, which was considered a shame in his particular calling.
Ezekiel was very direct. He carefully vindicated God's justice throughout the book, although he deals more in symbol and allegory that any other Old Testament prophet.
He is probably the greatest mystic of the Old Testament. He was well suited for the calling God gave him, which included a remarkable vision of God's Throne in Chapter 1. This was a dramatic vision of God which never left him - it is not just introduced in the first chapter, it is referenced all the way through the book.
The Prophet of the Regathering
The famed vision of the Valley of the Dry Bones, in Chapters 36 and 37, is not only the subject of the well-known Spiritual chorus, it is unquestionably the monumental Biblical fulfillment of the 20th century.
Beginning in the last half of the 19th century, the regathering, which climaxed in the establishment of the State of Israel, is one of the most irrefutable evidences that we are on threshold of God's climax for the nations.
The regathering is mentioned throughout the Bible, but is remarkably detailed in the writings of Ezekiel.
(There is even a possible chronological hint that is hidden in Chapter 4, which seems to identify the reestablishment of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948, and the regaining of the city of Jerusalem on June 6, 1967.)
The Millennium Temple
The final chapters, 40-48, climax with a remarkably detailed description of the Millennial Temple to be rebuilt. Ezekiel was uniquely qualified for this role from his priestly background.
He was the son of Buzi, who was also a priest. It is interesting that even though he never served as a priest, he apparently had so influenced later worship that today he called by some "The Father of Judaism." From Numbers 4:3 we know that Kohathites had to be 30 before they could begin service as priests. When Ezekiel became 30, however, that is when he was deported, approximately the eightieth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.
The Temple Ezekiel describes has never yet been fulfilled. Most scholars regard it as the details for the Temple to be established during the Millennium [Kingdom Age] on the Planet Earth.
Between the regathering of the nation in Chapters 36 and 37, and the Millennium Temple described in Chapters 40-48, there is a climactic event that intervenes.
The Intervening Event: Gog and Magog
The invasion of Gog and Magog described in Chapters 38 and 39 is among the most famous prophetic passages in the Bible.
For a variety of reasons, the identity of "Magog" as the people of Russia seems well established. One of the things that makes a careful study of the Book of Ezekiel so timely is that from a current update from the leading intelligence sources, it appears that the decision to invade the Middle East seems to have been made in the Kremlin and it is now only a matter of timing.
Almost all of the details described by Ezekiel are currently being set in place for this climactic event.
The Opportunity
In fact, you cannot really understand the caldron of the Middle East without carefully studying this book.
Last edited by FirstGarden : 02-02-2008 at 01:48 AM.
He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
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