Bible Study - Revelation Chapter 11

Revelation Chapter 11

The Measuring Rod and the Temple of God

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

·         Rev 11:1-2 synopsis

·         Describes the spiritual condition of the temple and Jerusalem as it will exist in the tribulation.

·         What do the measurements signify?

1.       All belongs to God

2.      He was to measure or judge the value, worth and character of the standards of the temple and its worship, and the people.

·         Temple - "naos", refers to the Holy of Holies.

·         Holy Place - The entire temple at Jerusalem.

Alter - Brazen alter where people could come and make their sacrifices.

·         Why was John to measure the temple?

·         This seems to indicate in effect that man and his worship are always judged by the standards of God. 1 Cor 3:11-15.

·         Believers are responsible to judge by that standard in order to avoid apostasy, and are to be instruments to turn people to Christ and true worship.  John 4:21-24

God is giving assurance that He will take note of those who faithfully worship Him in the Tribulation days.

·         Why was John to leave out the outer court?

·         It is to be left out because it is cast out, rejected by God.

·         It has been given to the nations, who in their rebellion, will tread under foot the holy city (Jerusalem) for 42 months.

·         Gentile nations will invade Jerusalem during the last half of the tribulation, beginning with the events of Dan 9:27, and as we shall see, the events of Rev 13:1-18,

·         From this point on Jerusalem will come under siege by the Gentile powers (Zec 12:2-4; Zec 14:2, Zec 14:12).

·         What about the Temple?

·         This passage shows the presence of a temple in Jerusalem.  Some have trouble taking this passage literally because there is no temple in Jerusalem at the present time.

·         This temple is referred to in Dan 9:27, 2 Thess 2:4,

·         The following are some of the informative websites and videos documenting the attempts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

·         http://www.infolive.tv/en/infolive.tv-13326-israelnews-jerusalem-special-report-building-third-temple

·         http://www.templemount.org/

·         http://www.templeinstitute.org/

·         http://www.templemountfaithful.org/multimedia/documentary.htm

·         http://www.templemountfaithful.org/

The Two Witnesses

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Rev 11:9  And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Rev 11:10  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Rev 11:12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Rev 11:13  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

·         Rev 11:3-13 synopsis

·         Describes the ministries of the two witnesses, which occurs over a 1,260 day period.

·         Their provision

·         Protection

·         Miraculous power

·         Authoritative and effective testimony

Ultimate deliverance

·         Their Ministries Nature and Character

·         They shall prophesy...  - speaking forth divine truth, as a testimony to God.

·         Some believe the gift of prophesy is not active now, but there is nothing in scripture that indicates that this died out with the apostles. Instead, we are taught the more about it. 1 Cor 14:29-33, 2 Pet 1:20-21, Rev 10:11, 1 Cor 13:2.

·         in sackcloth... - course dark cloth, often made of hair and worn like a sack. Expresses mourning, repentance, and judgment.

Their message is essentially that of John the Baptist, announcing the coming judgments and calling men to repent.

·         The Time and Length

·         1,260 days = 42 months = 3 1/2 years.

·         During tribulation, but 1st or 2nd half, or part of each? 

·         The judgments and plauges they pour out seem to fit better with the second, more volitale half.

·         The hidious acts of vs. 9 and 10 seem to fit better with the second half, although personally, I am starting to think this is certainly possible in the first half, or even in the begginings of sorrows.

·         The earthquake, with the remant affrighted seems to fit the 2nd half.

Note the witnesses are timed in days, while the unbelieving world, indicates God's daily concern and care for His own.

·         Their Identity

·         There is some belief that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses.  Mal 4:5, Mal 3:1. Also, Elijah was one of the two seen with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, Mat 17:3.

·         Some believe it will be Elijah and Enoch, both were translated and never saw death. 2 Ki 2:11, Gen 5:24, Heb 11:5.

Others believe it will be Elijah and Moses, since they both performed similar miracles to the two witnesses.

·         Are they real or virtual Old Testament saints?

·         John the Baptist was a virtual Elijah - Luk 1:17.

·         Matthew teaches that Elijah had come and that John the Baptist was that Elijah.  Mat 17:10-13

·         John agreed he was not the real Elijah, John 1:21-23, but operating as Elijah would Mal 3:1, Mal 4:6

·         Matthew adds more light to the subject  Mat 11:7-14. John could have fulfilled the Malichi passage if Israel as a nation had believed. Since they rejected both John and the Messiah, another will have to come to fulfill this prophecy.

It seems obvious that the one who will come in the future will be like John, in the power and spirit of Elijah. He does not have to be the real Elijah, or John would not have been able to fulfill that role.

The net is that the two witnesses are not literally Elijah or Moses (or Enoch), but two men with the spirit and power of them.

·         Their Traits

·         Rev 11:4 - These, the two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the Lord of the Earth - Zec 4:1-14 explains the olive tress and lampstands. In this old testament passage, they are Joshua Zec 3:1-5 and Zerubbabel Zec 4:6.

·         There is a warning given to in this passage to Zerubbabel  Zec 4:6, not by his might, but by God's spirit.

The olive tree is a source of olive oil, used to fuel lamps. The oil speaks of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This passage Rev 11:4 speaks of the olive oil in the lamps enabling them to shine brightly (witness). So the two witnesses will be full of the Holy Spirit and operating in His power.

·         Rev 11:5-6 - Their ministry is characterized by four miraculous powers. These specific power are for their protection, but are significant to Israel.

·         Kill their enemies with fire - 2 Ki 1:10-15.

·         Withhold rain for three and 1/2 years - 1 Ki 17:1.

·         Turn water into blood - Exo 7:17-21

·         Bring plagues upon the earth.  Exo 8:1 to  Exo 11:10

·         Rev 11:7-10 - When their ministry is completed, souls are saved to glory is brought to God. They were invincible, and at the completion, God allows their termination. Rev 3:7-8  This is in God good timing. This truth is illustrated over and over again, by those who are obedient and in God's will.

It is the beast from the abyss that makes war with them and kills them. This is the first mention of "the beast", and he will be discussed in Rev 13.

·         The Greek for "dead bodies" means fallen corpses, indicating they lay right where they died in Jerusalem with no burial. Old Testament law required that even criminals by buried, Deu 21:22-23.

·         Sodom (the flesh) and Eqypt (the world) refers to the sad state of Jerusalem under the lawless system of the man of lawlessness. 2 Thess 2:3.  The point of this is that Jerusalem is dominated by the world system, by the flesh, and by Satan through the beast. The city has become spiritually reprobate along with the rest of the world.

Amazingly, their bodies attract a great deal of worldwide attention.

·         They that dwell on the earth, this is similar in meaning to Eph 3:17, Jas 4:5, except that this is speaking of unbelievers.

These people have a party upon the death of these two witnesses. This is the only mention of rejoicing on earth in the tribulation. This is an indication of the strength of the torment these two caused.

·         Their Resurection

·         Rev 11:11-12 - Not only are they resurected, but the voice of God from Heaven is heard, and they are taken up in a cloud.  It's likely TV coverage will capture the people filing by the bodies, when suddenly, they stand up, and a voice will be heard by everyone from heaven, and they will disappear out of sight in the cloud of glory. This will be staggering to the world.

·         This is a parallel to the ascension of Christ on the Mount of Olives. Mark 16:19-20, Luk 24:50-53,   Act 1:9.

It is a special act of God, addressed to those who reject His grave and designed as a final warning of the supreme power of God over man whether in life or death.

·         The Great Earthquake

·         Rev 11:13 - Another judgment, perhaps some are saved through this, and some have hardened hearts beyond the turning point who bring glory to God, but continue in their state of rebellion.

The Seventh Trumpet and the Third Woe

Rev 11:14  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Rev 11:16  And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

Rev 11:17  Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Rev 11:18  And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Rev 11:19  And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Rev 11:14-19 synopsis

·         The Third Woe Announced

·         Rev 11:14 - The third woe is announced. The Second woe is completed, and the third comes without delay.

·         Christ's Reign Announced

·         Rev 11:15 - Christ's reign is announced, a great chorus is heard, indicating joy and great exuberance regarding the 7th trumpet.  Kingdom refers to the rule God intended to be under man's authority, but was wrested from man by Satan - Heb 2:5-8. Satan became the god of this world - 2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2. Through this woe, Satan's kingdom will be destroyed, and the world will come under the authority of Christ.

Here we have the fulfillment of a number of OT prophecies, Psa 2:2-9, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 6:26, Dan 7:14, Dan 7:25-27, Zec 14:9, and Mat 6:10.

·         Since the 7th trumpet starts now, and ends with the establishment of Christ rule, the 7 bowl judgments are part of the 7th trumpet.

·         Christ Adored

·         The 24 elders representing the church age saints who have already received their crowns and cast them before God. Rev 4:4, Luk 22:29-30

·         The reward is coming soon for the OT and tribulation saints.  Mat 24:42 to Mat 25:30.

·         Thanks given for:

·         God's person - Rev 11:17.

·         His complete sovereignty - Rev 11:17.

·         He now begins to reign through His great power - Rev 11:17.

·         the display of God's wrath - Rev 11:18,  a fulfillment of Psa 2:1-12

·         The judgment and reward of OT saints, and tribulation saints - Rev 11:18, Dan 12:1-3, Rev 20:3-4.

·         The Heavenly Temple and the Ark

·         This chapter starts with the apostate earthly temple, and ends with the heavenly temple.

·         Things seen in the temple are symbolic of:

·         God's Shekinah glory which hovered over the mercy seat.

·         God's faithfulness evidenced by the contents of the Ark, the law, Aaron's rod - a picture of resurection, the pot of manna - a picture of the person of Christ and daily provision.

·         God's divine holiness which could not be approached without blood, speaking of Christ's sacrifice.

·         Impending doom - lightning, peals of thunder, earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

References and Credits

·         Revelation 11 Study - Stan Feldsine

·         The basis for this study came from:
http://bible.org/seriespage/temple-two-witnesses-and-seventh-trumpet-rev-111-19

·         Credit to: J. Hampton Keathley III

·         Reference Authors:  John F. Walvoord, Charles C. Ryrie, Robert L. Thomas

Finance Update - February 2011

What is Happening - Finance

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The world of high finance seems to be running on two planes these days. On the one hand, Obama in the state of the Union states that business is producing, the economy is improving, and the stock market is reaching new heights. While he admits that the national debt is something we need to reign in, at the same time, he speaks of expensive new spending programs like high speed rail, roads, education and so on. The mainstream media appear to faithfully report the claims of the Obama administration that brighter days are ahead.

On the other hand, there is a large and growing number of economist and financial bloggers that are sounding strident alarm bells. Their accompanying charts and analysis' proclaim that financial doom for the US is, at this point in time, only moments away.  We have already witnessed financial carnage in here in the US over the last couple years.  Greece and Ireland, have received huge European Union bailouts, and there is a constant rumbling of other Euro dependent countries approaching their day of debt reckoning.

Truly, the financial arena is filled with deception, and the people seem to go along from day to day either blissfully ignorant of the whole show, believing that brighter days are indeed ahead. Either that, or they are afraid to consider that the doom and gloom economist and bloggers might be right, choosing instead to ignore prudence, and hoping and praying that ignorance really does turn out to be bliss.

So what is really going on?  In the age of deception, it can be difficult, if not impossible to really know, however, there seem to be plenty of signs that can give the person willing to look a good indication of where we are, and why.

The Book of the Revelation tells us that at some point in the future, the false prophet will bring into existence a central accounting office, that will control all commerce.  Rev 13:16-17  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.  Most scholars agree that central control like this will require a single common currency.

There have been, and are continuing to be a steady stream of articles in the news about a new global currency, and the decline of the US dollar.  While finance is a complex topic, when we boil the current state of the world's financial problems down to the basics,  these two topics seem to be fundamental as we watch the world's financial state move toward our prophesied future. These two topics appear to be inextricably linked.

Currently, the US dollar is the global reserve currency.  Historically, the US dollar has been a strong and stable currency, however, if the US dollar were to be weakened and destabilized, it's status as the worldwide reserve currency would be threatened, making way for a replacement.  So news about the decline of the dollar are important to watch. As the dollar declines, it is less attractive as a reserve currency, and this in turn, makes a new reserve currency more attractive. This video presentation clearly presents the implications of the dollars loss of reserve status to Americans.  The following recent news articles document the desire of world leaders to move away from the dollar, and towards a new currency:

Link - 09/07/2009 - UN wants new global currency to replace dollar
Link - 10/24/10 - New world currency index launched
Link - 11/12/10 - Sarkozy takes over G-20 aiming to "update" monetary system
Link - 11/24/10 - China, Russia quit dollar on bilateral trade
Link - 01/16 - Hu calls currency system "product of the past"
Link - 01/03 - George Soros: The U.S. must stop resisting the orderly decline of the dollar

If the new global currency and the status of the dollar are two of the fundamental topics to watch, the third would surely be debt.  If anything can affect the condition of the dollar, it is the US debt.  As US debt has come due, the Federal Reserve has been printing new money to meet these debt obligations. This in turn, drives down the value of the dollar. Other countries invested in our debt are feeling the results of the value of the dollar declining. Their investments in our debt are returning less and less value.  If we get to the point where the countries investing in US debt decide that the investment is not worth the risk, the dollar will be severely destabilized, and investors will refuse to invest in US debt, bringing the US to insolvency.

So if we want to stave off a global currency, then we would want to increase the value of the dollar so that the world continues to accept it as the worlds reserve currency. We would do that by reducing the debt, discontinuing the printing of money, and increasing the value and stability of the dollar.  If we want to bring about a new global currency, we only need to continue increasing our debt, print more and more money, thus decreasing it's value and stability.  So lets take a look at the news articles and see what is happening:

Link - 11/10/10 - Barack Obama: We must embrace globalism and emerging one world economy
Link - 12/17/10 - Tipping Point: 25 signs the financial collapse is now closer than ever
Link - 01/06 - Confirmed: We're literally on the brink of catastrophic collapse
Link - 01/10 - Geithner says U.S. insolvent
Link - 01/14 - S&P, Moody's warn on U.S. Credit Rating
Link - 01/17 - New debt crisis striking RIGHT NOW!
Link - 01/18 - 2011 could usher in huge financial changes  (Bible Prophecy Blog)
Link - 01/18 - Neithercorp Press: Disinformation fog intensifies as economic turmoil develops
Link - 01/18 - World needs $100 Trillion more credit, says World Economic Forum
Link - 01/19 - 12 economic collapse scenarios we could potentially see in 2011
Link - 01/21 - Which of the currencies of the world is going to crash first?
Link - 01/22 - China's ICBC moves to buy U.S. branches
Link - 01/26 - Fact Check: Obama and his imbalanced ledger
Link - 01/28 - Brace Yourself: Moody's basically just threatened to downgrade the US
Link - 01/29 - The End of the Dollar

Clearly, the Obama administration and the Federal Reserve are continuing to print money, spend, and increase our debt.  The dollar is becoming increasingly vulnerable to replacement as countries are becoming increasingly disenchanted with it's role as the global reserve currency.  While our politicians seem to have opportunities to turn this around, they are pressing forward in what is either a calculated plan to bring about a new currency, or what certainly appears to be ignorantly playing into the hands of Satan as he brings about his financial monopoly on the whole earth.

Here at home, unfortunately, the steps the Federal Reserve and the Obama administration are taking are having a devastating effect on the people of the US.  In addition to the worldwide destabilizing affect the printing of money has, the increasing supply of dollars is causing inflation here at home. We are already experiencing increased costs with less value.  The following articles from just this month drive this point home solidly:

Link - 01/10 - For millions of senior citizens, the only future ... is one filled with debt and poverty.
Link - 01/18 - Austerity in America: 22 signs it's already here and it's going to be very painful
Link - 01/18 - American Thinker: The Great Depression II
Link - 01/19 - Brazil bank raises interest rate to 11.25%
Link - 01/19 - Brazil slams brakes to curb inflation, risking hot money tsunami
Link - 01/20 - State bankruptcy option is sought, quietly
Link - 01/21 - 22 facts about California that make you wonder why anyone would want to live there...
Link - 01/24 - Only 47% of working Americans have full time jobs
Link - 01/25 - Paper Money Madness
Link - 01/30 - Obama wraps liberal ideology in GOP sheepskin
Link - 02/01 - On Mervyn King's apology that the central banks are destroying the middle class....

What is Happening - Mark of the Beast

According to the Revelation, the antichrist will use some kind of "mark" to identify people to the financial system that he will put in place.  This mark will serve as a control mechanism. It would seem that whatever this mechanism is, it will not only serve to control finances, but also provide the government with tyrannical power over people. It will facilitate information gathering, such as when and what we are buying, where we are at given times, what online social groups we belong to, as well as what we say online, and so on.  

So far, there doesn't yet seem to be a global effort to bring this about. Instead, it appears there is sporadic business and individual country involvement. The articles below document efforts on the part of countries and businesses to bring about ID programs via cards, eye scans, etc. as well as efforts to put controls on people, by eliminating freedoms. There seems to be a correlation between government control, and the financial  purpose of the mark of the beast.  This appears, at this point, to be proceeding slowly, somewhat behind the attempts to bring about a global currency. It will remain to be seen if there is a global effort underway that has just not made the news yet.

Link - 10/01/10 - India launches national e-government ID program
Link - 11/27/10 - Scientists attach barcodes to mouse embryos
Link - 12/07/10 - Mastercard develops payment solution for UID
Link - 12/22/10 - Monitoring America
Link - 01/05 - White house "insider threat" program targets government employees....
Link - 01/07 - Obama eying internet ID for all Americans
Link - 01/10 - Another tragedy vulture exploits victims to ..... kill free speech
Link - 01/21 - Mexico to pioneer iris technology on ID cards
Link - 01/25 - Polish government calls for country to become cashless in 3 years
Link - 01/27 - California residents hit with government ban on paying by cash

The Outlook

Could we suddenly turn things around, start paying down debt, stabilize the dollar, and raise the living standard of Americans?  With God, anything is possible. He told us, the church, the following: 2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. All things are possible with God, yes.

However, evidence suggests that the current tactical strategy is to continue to do whatever it takes to destabilize the US dollar.  This is likely to eventually manifest as a financial calamity in the US of sufficient strength to bring about a countrywide mindset that is willing to accept a solution that will involve the replacement of the US dollar with a new global reserve currency. This will, of course, be touted as a great step forward that will surely improve the worsening conditions the US finds itself in, but in reality, it will be a huge step forward in Satan's plan to dominate the planet's financial transactions.  Accordingly, in spite of the promises of our leaders, America will continue it's decent into poverty.

As we have already seen in other countries, either financial collapse, or austerity corrective action results in pain for the people involved, and that results in unrest. Riots and protests are, unfortunately, likely to come to America.

What Does It Mean?

When we look at the events taking place in the world today, on all fronts, it mirrors what was written about the end times. Mat 24:6-8  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  (8)  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Increasingly, we see the policies of man taking on the characteristics of Satan. During the time of the end, trouble and sorrow will increase.

Financial turmoil has a direct affect on famine, security, peace, and the future. We should not be relying on the world for a secure future. Psalm 91 tells us that the Lord is our refuge and fortress, if we abide under His shadow. To me, this means that He is more than able to sustain us through anything, famine, poverty, earthquakes, physical attacks, if, we dwell in His protection, stay in close contact with Him, hour by hour, day by day. He is, our only hope.

Psalms 91:2-4    I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  (3)  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  (4)  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 

As I wrote in the Famine Update - January 2011, we should be looking to the spiritual side of things.  Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We should be setting about ensuring our lamps are full by drawing close to Jesus, praying, and obeying his calling.  Mat 25:1-4  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  (2)  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  (3)  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  (4)  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.


We should listen for the Lord's guidance to prepare for the times to come.  Pro 6:6-11  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. 


Conclusion

If you are reading this, and have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, this would be a great time to do so. The way to salvation has been made plain to us:  John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  It is through Jesus's work on the cross that we are saved.

This salvation is the free gift of God, and it is yours if you ask.   Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Turn to God and pray: "Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Famine Update - Jan 2011

Famine

Starting at the in the middle of 2010, and continuing into the first half of January, the news of crop failure due to floods, cold weather, disease, currency collapse and government regulation has been burning the news and blogs with dire reports of critical food shortages and escalating prices. While America may not experience food shortages in the short term, a good deal of the rest of the world is already feeling the pain.

Here are two scriptures that directly relate to this phenomena: Mat 24:6-8  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Also:  Rev 6:5-6  And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

Whether we are seeing the beginnings of sorrows, or we are witnessing the early stages of the opening of the third seal, or both, this is a matter for serious contemplation. Could it be that we really are in the time that the Bible specifically prophesied about, the end of days? It is fantastic to consider!

A couple more things to think about and consider: 

1. As Americans, we are a very small part (300M) of the global population (6.8B).  We sometimes think that prophecy should have a direct impact on us, when in fact, it may impact others in the world to a devastating degree, but only a minor impact on the US. Of course, this does not mean that American wealth is going to save us from other disasters, such as financial collapse, it is just that not all prophetic events are going to effect all of the world in the same way.
   
   
2. Jesus told us that we are to "keep watch", so that we know the times.  Mat 24:38-39  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.   Mat 24:42-44  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.   It is entirely possible that the currently developing famine threat could recede, and, the prophesied famine written about could come at another time, however, it is also a strong possibility that we could in fact be in the prophesied time of sorrows and/or the third seal. We have to watch to know.

Remembering the different perspectives between the "natural man" and the "spiritual man",  1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. , let's consider the astonishing array of news articles from just the last few weeks as we contemplate the times we are living in:
Link - Investigators baffled as wheat fields wither
Link - 29% of Americans say it's difficult to afford food
Link - Food Emergency: Millions of Americans are heading to food banks
Link - Census: Number of poor may be millions higher
Link - Behold a Black Horse - World moves closer to food price shock
Link - FOX Reports - "Massive food shortages. THIS YEAR 2011!!  (Video)
Link - All evidence points to a dramatic increase in food prices worldwide, possible shortages
Link - 7 Reasons food shortages will become a global crisis
Link - Food prices spike worldwide: And the are going higher
Link - G20 to tackle food prices as countries reassure
Link - US Corn stocks seen at 15 year low
Link - One poor harvest away from chaos
Link - Freeze hits grocery shelves: Fresh fruit, veggie shortages, high prices face shoppers
Link - USDA begins surveying damages to citrus crops
Link - The great food crisis of 2011
Link - Rain puts Aussie wheat crops at risk
Link - Australia floods: Food prices to rise 30%
Link - World food price shock feared
Link - Rice shortage likely in the wake of Sri Lankan rains
Link - Flood situation worsens, impending food shortage
Link - Over 9200 cattle die from northern cold spell
Link - South Korea struggles to contain foot and mouth epidemic
Link - Food Riots 2011
Link - Germany closes 4700 farms in dioxin scare     Link -3000 German farms reopen after scare
Link - US Wheat Review: Soars on firm global demand, poor weather
Link - Food price jumps protested in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
Link - Wheat nearing record price amid supply, production fears
Link - Victoria floods to hurt Australia wheat quality
Link - Doom and Gloom
Link - Record food prices causing Africa riots stoking U.S.
Link - Obama orders military to prepare for food riots

The Outlook

Clearly, even just scanning through the headlines makes it obvious that something out of the ordinary is up. Food supplies and prices are being affected by a convergence of multiple causes: "biblical" floods, diseases affecting cattle, droughts, searing heat, and toxic chemicals. The cost of production is being affected by the economic crisis, and currency devaluations. Food riots are already breaking out. Prices are already at levels seen in 2008, at which time production costs were through the roof, as oil was at $147 a barrel.

This round of famine is in the early stages, the severity appears to be increasing rapidly. The outlook is for expanding prices, and reduction in supplies as food riots continue to erupt.

What Does It Mean?

1. The most important "meaning" that we can derive from all this is a spiritual one. Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
   
   If you believe that we are seeing the beginnings of sorrows, then it is time.  We should be busy strengthening and comforting each other,  meeting together holding each other up, for the purpose of holding fast to our Lord, that we will become increasingly ready for His coming for His bride.  This is not a time for business as usual. Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. There is a very good chance that the day understood in the phrase "the day is approaching", is upon us.
   
   
   
2. The second thing this means is that we should listen for the Lord's guidance to prepare for the times to come.  Pro 6:6-11  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. We don't know how difficult our time on earth will become before the rapture occurs, so it is prudent to prepare as our Lord leads you.This is a great topic for a care group or home church meeting.
   
   As we lean in close to Jesus during any time, we allow his grace and covering to protect us, spiritually and physically. He cares about us, and if we are obedient to follow his lead, which is different for different people, then we will all be just fine, no matter what happens. Small groups will be key, as our Lord leads different members to prepare in different ways, for the benefit of the whole group, and the lost.  Luk 12:37-38  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 
   
   

Conclusion

If you are reading this, and have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, this would be a great time to do so. The way to salvation has been made plain to us:  John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  It is through Jesus's work on the cross that we are saved.

This salvation is the free gift of God, and it is yours if you ask.   Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Turn to God and pray: "Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."