Discerning the Times: Feb 28 2022

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Audio for this article here: SermonAudio.com/StudyGrowKnow

We will have another Walk thru Revelation next week as we did not meet this past Sunday evening.

Let me remind readers that prophecy, in spite of the way some tell it, is not an exact science from where we sit. It’s only exact from where God sits. He has created/allowed not only the chronology of all events, but the timing of those events. There are things we will never know until they happen. I think it’s important to keep that in mind because it will curtail the amount of frustration that often occurs during discussions related to end times events.

Russia vs Ukraine
The world is watching war unfolding in the Ukraine, part of old Soviet Union. I have not said anything about this conflict yet because there is just way too much contradicting information out there, making it difficult to find the truth. However, on the surface, it seems Putin wants Ukraine back under the Russian umbrella. In fact, without going into detail, some of the headlines and images coming out of Ukraine purporting to show conflict have been proven to be from 2021 or earlier. This article highlights one example: “Question All of It…”

By the way, as an aside, I’ve previously highlighted articles from Martin Armstrong (Armstrong Economics). Turns out he is a convicted felon who spent years in prison for stealing millions of dollars from investors. It’s quite convoluted. If you read his articles, proceed with extreme caution. This particular website appear more credible: “Order out of Chaos…” but use wisdom and discernment always and don’t pay for any type of subscription until you are absolutely certain of integrity.

The problem with the Russia/Ukraine issue is that George Soros is completely behind Ukraine. Other prominent Leftists including many in Hollywood are as well. So what is the truth? It’s very difficult to know. Soros’ support of Ukraine is a red flag for me. Beyond that, the recent ceasefire talks ended with no agreement.

The current president of Ukraine was a comedian before he became president. During his comedy presentation, he would play the piano with a member of his anatomy. Part of his repertoire also included representing a fake political party in Ukraine, over which he was president. Interestingly enough, the party portrayed in his comedy routine became an actual political party in Ukraine and he eventually became the actual president of that party in Ukraine. How did that happen? Not sure, but I’m guessing globalists and their money helped, ultimately placing this guy in office as a puppet president, much like what the USA has now.

Ukraine used to be part of Russia and Russians still live there. When Ukraine broke away after the old Soviet Union dissolved, the Ukrainian non-Russians treated the Ukrainian Russians living there terribly, even coming to a point of forbidding anyone who did not speak Ukraine to run for office. Nationalism for true Ukrainians became extremely important. So why is Soros supporting Ukrainian nationalism but not United States‘ nationalism? Questions like these deserve answers and so far, I don’t see anyone providing any definitive answers. As I’ve noted before, there is way too much information out there and it comes at us at breakneck pace constantly, making it difficult to fact-check. It’s important to proceed with absolute caution because we cannot be sure anything we are seeing or hearing is actually real where Russia v. Ukraine are concerned.

Gog/Magog
Regarding Russia and Ukraine, I’ve read a number of posts claiming that this current Russia/Ukraine conflict will fulfill the Ezekiel 38-39 Northern Invasion prophecy. I really wish prognosticators would stop making these predictions. While it is possible that this might happen, a lot needs to occur before this. At the very least, other countries would need to get involved and some of them are on the African continent. Making categorical statements to that effect are not a good idea, in my opinion.

On one hand, yes, we could be on the verge of actual WWIII and the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39. On the other hand, we may not be watching WWIII unfold and the Northern Invasion of Ezekiel may not be connected to this. I’m watchful, but not placing my bets on anything.

ESG
Environmental Social Governance (ESG), is something that we’ll be hearing about more and more. My wife and I were listening to a prophecy video with two people who talk a great deal about prophecy. They spoke about the events that are occurring throughout society. One of the things they touched on was this ESG. Banks and financial corporations are starting to implement a grading system for businesses and individuals related to their involvement in caring for the earth (aka “climate change”).

Banks and money service corporations are joining the chorus with other investors who are looking for individuals and companies that are “socially responsible investors.” The folks in the video talked about this system of grading, connecting it with China’s current social credit system and they indicated it’s coming to the USA. In fact, in its very early stages, it is here, but what does this mean for us?

I may be missing something, but I honestly cannot see this happening in the next year or so. When the system started in China, it actually began way back in 2009. It took at least five years for testing in several large cities. All the while, the infrastructure needed to be built, including surveillance cameras, 5G wireless network, tons of new satellites, massive computer systems, etc. Currently, there are approximately 200 million surveillance cameras throughout China, roughly 1 for every 7 people.

Big Tech firms in the USA helped China create its computer surveillance and artificial intelligence (AI), system. Police officers in China can wear special glasses that provides the identity of each person they see instantly. In order for this to happen though, tons of surveillance cameras along with computers capable of instantaneous capture and transfer of information over a lightning fast network must be in place. This is why 5G is so important and tremendous computer storage capabilities.

It wasn’t until 2019 that China’s grading system went online throughout the country 24/7/365, 10 years after it began. Now, people are spied on all the time there and depending upon what they do and say, their social credit score either gives or takes away certain privileges. It all began as a type of financial credit reporting system, similar to the USA’s own credit reporting system (Experian, etc).

The big problem is that while some areas of the US already have 5G networks, many areas of this country do not. Where I live, we don’t even have good Internet service. The best we can get is satellite which is not great at all. It’s not even close to 5G. Fiber optics is coming, but the infrastructure needs to be built first for my area which will take at least three years they’ve said. For 5G, there need to be many more satellites sent up into space as well.

I think with all the talk of what is supposedly just around the corner can create undue fear in Christians. Fear causes us to lose sight of things and make poor decisions. Of course, any ESG system based on “climate change” is not a good thing and is designed to be used against people. While it is good to know what is on the horizon, if it’s provoking fear within us, then we are borrowing from the future, bringing it into the present.

We can become upset at potential WWIII as things escalate between Russia and Ukraine. We can jump ahead to believe the Northern Invasion of Ezekiel 38-39 is just around the corner. We can start seeing the mark of the beast in everything that the government is attempting to put in place for society. However, I believe it would be very helpful not to do that. Be aware but do not fear.

False Prophets
So what else is happening in society that is creating troubling times besides, war, inflation, shortages and potential social credit grading? Setting aside prophecy for a moment, we are seeing a greater level of false teaching due to the proliferation of false teachers that Jesus warned us about in Matthew 24.

False prophets and teachers appear to have arrived in mainstream Christianity. They are thoroughly mingling with and immersed in the world’s culture and calling on Christians to join them there. Remember, false prophets teach all manner of heresies and encourage people to embrace those heresies.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep (2 Peter 2:1-3 NKJV; emphasis added)

In the above text, Peter clearly teaches that false teachers arose among the people (referring to the Jewish people of Israel’s past), and notes that “…there will be false teachers...” (emphasis added), coming into the visible Church (Christendom), in order to lead people astray by:

• spreading destructive heresies
• denying Jesus as Master and Lord

Peter notes that these false teachers will “secretly” bring in and introduce destructive heresies to the congregations over which they lead and will do it for money. This is the same principle that guides some false Christians who have gained positions in seminaries and other religious institutions, who have sold books and earn millions. They lead a movement to pull people away from authentic Christianity. One of the biggest heresies is that Jesus isn’t coming back (or in the case of Preterists, He returned “spiritually” in AD 70 with the destruction of Rome). This is a direct denial of Acts 1.

Notice also that Peter warns that “…many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” What he’s saying is crystal clear, that in the future from his perspective, people would wander away from the faith because of their reliance on the “sensual,” which means people will become much enamored by following their feelings or emotions.

We need to get beyond that and focus on God’s Word. He won’t leave or forsake us and He has never promised that this life is going to be wonderful and smooth sailing. In fact, Jesus said in this life we will have trials and tribulations (general problems). We can rise above through Him or we can succumb to the pressures and problems through fear and worry (emotional responses). Using our emotions to confirm or deny truth creates huge problems that we can avoid by simply not using our emotions as a compass and instead relying on His Word.

What to Do Practically?
Since Biden took the White House, gas prices have risen. Though he recently stated he would do everything he could to lower gas prices, he’s now telling Americans that gas prices will continue to rise and we need to be ready, due to war.

Products trucked to stores are also increasing in price (due to fuel usage), along with a growing shortage of food. Buy extra food in the form of canned goods. Check dates. Create a small storehouse for yourself. Get to know people in your community who have produce, eggs, and other things like milk (including goat milk), and meat. Bypass the grocery stores for certain things. Buy more items in bulk. Cut out things that you don’t need.

Find ways to cut back on fuel usage wherever possible. We have two vehicles. We routinely now use the one that gets better mileage instead of the larger one.

Start carrying cash (gas is cheaper if paying cash), for fuel and goods rather than using a debit/credit card all the time. Most stores still accept cash.

God will provide. I also believe He provides discernment and wisdom to those who ask. Things will probably worsen as we will continue to see rising inflation and interest rates. Don’t buy big ticket items unless you have to and get other things paid off. You may have to get an additional part time job to help make ends meet. These are things that no one looks forward to, but having the option is a good thing.

Above all things, turn your eyes onto Jesus. Trust in His provision and guidance. I refuse to fear!

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective