The United States is Breaking My Heart. (Also, I have heartburn.)

I  give permission for anyone to use my posts in any way they want to.

In the past twenty years, American politics has made me angry, astonished and heartbroken. I live in Canada now, but have dual citizenship with the U.S. I lived there from the ages of 6 to 17. I had an American education and loved many facets of American life so I keep up with the news.

What hurts me is seeing democracy crumbling apart, step by step, law by law. When the Republicans would not allow President Obama to appoint a new Supreme Court judge, I knew they were ignoring the Constitution. By law, they had to let Obama nominate someone. I didn’t understand why the Democrats let the Republicans get away with it. There must have been something they could do, but they did nothing.

Now, Republicans are trying to obstruct some people groups from voting. They do that by making sure voting places are few and hard to get to. I even saw two Republicans who were running for office say they didn’t want everyone to vote. I guess that’s the only way they would get elected.  News Flash: If a country doesn’t let everyone vote, it is no longer a democracy. Yet these people say it on TV and are looked on as normal politicians of the U.S. by… I don’t know. By how many people? Who in America would think that is a normal thing or good thing to say?

Since the politicians are acting crazy, citizens have started to draft their own ballot initiatives. A great idea, but one the Republicans are fighting. Naturally. They don’t care what the majority of Americans want, they want what they want, come hell or high water. I just read about this yesterday. Here is the article:

GOP escalates fight against citizen-led ballot initiatives. (You’ll have to copy and paste.)

https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-abortion-arkansas-recreational-marijuana-0c003046cc981ebcfb38fa77c1455737

Now, my sister says it is Democrats who are tearing down democracy. She is big on Free Speech and sent me the following article yesterday. It wasn’t news to me because I remember all the hoopla on disinformation on Social Media about the Corona Virus. The Biden Government was having fits about that because they assumed many people would believe the disinformation, get sick, go to the hospital (taking up needed beds) and possibly die.

Because of this, they were using their influence, or clout, to persuade social media companies to not allow it. My sister says this is squelching free speech. And I guess she is right.

I asked her what was more important to her, making sure everyone could vote or free speech. She said, “Free speech.” I said, “Voting.” So, there you have it. We disagree a lot, but have decided to love each other anyway. Here is the article she sent me on this subject:

NCLA Suit Uncovers Army of Federal Bureaucrats Coercing Social Media Companies to Censor Speech.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Fpress-release%2Fglobe-newswire%2Fsocial-media-lawsuits-censorship-5888c4a917d4cce1993713dd2fe5ce2d%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3RVP7Yz7L5wG_Gvc92f6so_uasFCpSXdyLl90DxJRRzWDVtCljUrlKC2U&h=AT1abqPOgGqFEJfwYbs8C7RciPxWFbneq_g1ERD42M3QDtu3XOoeFAeFUZTkbPsoHt-5yDz10Z6PmTtawhZo2MVGRtMSScAMwDJ3V-SCOkDhXA4MLOtodh4FCoymUsYT_tc

My previous post was about the new abortion laws, which make me more angry and sad than anything else because it involves the persecution and suffering of women and children who are pregnant. It is entirely Religion+State, which is also against the Constitution, but what the heck, Republicans don’t care about the Constitution.

Yes, my heart is hurting from watching the true U.S. fall apart. Our only hope, as I’ve said before, is millions of women voting for the Democrats. If they don’t, they will be having lots of babies and maybe dying.

Revelation: The Third Woe.

The Third Woe: Persecution - Probation Closes.

            “And it was given to him (the US religious power, the false prophet) to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”  Rev. 13:15

 

Here we have reached what we had been warned about: a repetition of the persecutions experienced by the Thyatira and Sardis churches.  Remember in chapter five of this book that these churches were represented by two lamp stands along with the two olive trees of the Holy Spirit and Jesus?  They witnessed and were persecuted for 1260 years from 538 CE to 1798 CE.  Well, if we go back to Revelation 11, we see in verse seven that the beast who had his wound healed and came out of the abyss (see the previous section of this chapter entitled “Resurrection of the Beast”) makes war, overcomes, and kills these witnesses.  But how can that be?  Thyatira and Sardis are church eras that existed long ago.  Yes, that is true, but the Holy Spirit and Jesus (the two olive trees) are still in this world working with and for true believers, witnessing to the truth, and calling for all who will to accept salvation. 

“And their (the two witnesses, the two olive trees, the Holy Spirit and Jesus) dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city…Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.  And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”  Revelation 11:8-10

The persecutions will be widespread and will last for three and one half years (3 ½ days, see Appendix 2).  The start time for this period could be when the beast regains power, when the laws are passed requiring everyone to obey the image of the beast, or it could be another event.  We cannot know.  But during this time the beast, its image, and the false prophet will appear to have complete control over the Christian world.  The work of the Holy Spirit and Jesus will have been nullified and replaced with man-made rules and religions. The torment of a guilty conscience, the pleadings of the Holy Spirit, submission to the will of Jesus seem to have been eliminated and this will lead to great rejoicing by those bearing the mark of the beast. 

The passing of a death sentence against those followers of  God who refuse to receive the mark of the beast, ushers in the closing hours of probation.  Those of us who refuse to follow the false prophet and become part of the image of the beast (the combination of religious denominations and political powers) will be persecuted and some will be killed.  Why?  Because the religious war with the radical Muslims has killed one third of the world’s population, and the other five trumpet judgments are making life on earth a living hell.  It will be thought that God has turned his back on the Western Christian world and the only way to regain his His favor is to act perfectly, according to apostate Protestantism’s definition of perfection.  The best and easiest way they can see to do this is to pass laws enforcing compliance with whatever laws they consider of great importance. 

Once again we see works and deeds being substituted for simple faith in Jesus’ righteousness.  Our duty is to God first and foremost, so when these so-called religious laws are passed we must compare them to what God has said in his Bible.  “To the law and to the testimony!  If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” Is. 8:20  Trust in Jesus and obey him; do not trust in man-made laws or in any good deed you can perform.

Daniel 11: War Between U.S. and Middle East.

I am posting chapters from my sister's book, "The End is near. End Time Bible Prophecy Anyone Can Understand." Available at lulu.com

Continued from previous post.

Photo by: Martin Falbisoner

As an independent nation, the United States has always acted as gently as a lamb domestically by offering religious and political freedom to all its citizens, but in the world theater it speaks with the power of a dragon.  We know that a horn represents individual people, rulers of nations or a position of great power (see Appendix 2).  In the end times, under the sixth trumpet, two powers, one religious and one political, will arise in the United States.  Since the US is predominantly a protestant nation, we can surmise that the religious power will be someone who represents Protestant Christians.  The president will work with this religious leader and together they will govern America.

          Back in Daniel Chapter 11 we see what else the king of the North, the United States of America, will do at the end times.  “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the Beautiful Land. (Israel) Many countries will fall, but Edom,  Moab (modern-day Jordan) and the leaders of Ammon (partly in modern-day Syria) will be delivered from his hand. He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites (north Africa?) in submission. But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. (Jerusalem) Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him."  Daniel 11:40-45

 As this chapter is being written, the United States is involved in a prolonged conflict in Iraq…the location of the Euphrates River.  This conflict arose out of the 9/11 attacks against the US  by radical Muslims: Islam versus Christianity, the West versus the East, the king of the North versus the king of the South.  

Daniel & Revelation: The United States in Prophecy.

I am posting chapters from my sister's book, "The End is near. End Time Bible Prophecy Anyone Can Understand." Available at lulu.com

Continued from previous post.

In the last chapter we looked at the first five trumpets and the first of three woes.  Before we begin studying the sixth trumpet and the second woe, there are a few things that must be clarified.  In the past chapters of this book I would simply refer to the appendices, but I know many readers have not flipped to the back and read them.  This section on the sixth trumpet and the second woe is too important not to be understood completely; therefore we are going to define everything up front instead of using the appendices.

   King of the North/Lamb from Earth        King of the South

          In Daniel 11:1-30 we see a repeat of the three world empires that followed Babylon:  Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.  More detail is given as to the events that occurred under each empire, but we have already covered all this in enough detail to suit our purposes.  All we need to recognize is that in Daniel Chapter 11 the king of the North usually represents the dominant power and the king of the South represents a secondary power.  In verses 31 through 33 we find the Catholic Church described.  We know it is the Catholic Church because it is described as doing away with the regular sacrifice, as setting up the abomination of desolation, and as persecuting those who do not fall into line (see chapter five of this book).  

To confirm our identification of the Catholic Church here in Daniel, verse 37 says that he (the church, or the Pope) shows no regard for the desire of women.  Catholic priests are celibate and show no regard for the desire of women.

Daniel 11:40 says, “At the end time the king of the South will collide with him…” meaning a secondary power will wage war with (the) Catholic Church.  Catholicism is the largest and most visible of all Christian denominations, so if any other religion, such as radical Islam, were to want to attack Christianity, this would be a logical description for the Bible to give of the first target.  

Verse 40 continues; “…and the king of the North will storm against him (the king of the South) with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he (the king of the North) will enter countries, overflow them and pass through.”  So what is this dominant power that will fight for Christianity against the king of the South?  The answer to that question is found in Revelation Chapter 13.

                                            

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.”  Rev. 13:11  We know that a beast represents a nation, kingdom, or political power.  And we learned that the beast in the first half of Revelation 13 was the Catholic Church (see chapter five of this book), and that it came up out of the sea, meaning it arose out of a population of people (see Appendix 2). 

This new beast, however, comes up out of the earth.  This can only mean that it is a new power, one that does not rise out of an established population.  There were two brand new nations that arose around the time of the decline in the power of the Catholic Church in 1798:  Australia and the United States of America.  The United States was the only one to become an independent nation around this time and is the only one that is a dominant world power now.  Therefore, this beast from the earth must represent the United States.

Greed, God and the News.

Photo by: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:RMajouji

I read the New York Times, NBC News and CBC news each day. Of course, I don't read every article; that would take hours. I have dual citizenship and therefore I read a lot of politics and how both the U.S. and Canada are being governed.

Let's face it. The news is usually depressing. Wars, refugees and elections don't lift my spirit. But I've noticed lately the news is making me feel kind of ill. My heart starts hurting then my head and stomach. What I see everywhere is greed.

The worst thing I read about the U.S. is the greed of corporations. They move their operations to other countries and don't care at all about the thousands of Americans left without a job. The thing is, they aren't losing money; they just want to make more and more money. They want to take advantage of the people in other nations like China and Mexico. They want to pay wages no one could live on. The people in China who work in those factories are prisoners - not allowed to leave, working long hours. Many of them commit suicide. And most of us have heard of children in India chained to a wall while they are forced to make goods. I have read the people in Mexico are paid $5.64 per hour.

People who used to make a good living working in factories now work lower paying jobs that usually don't have benefits and a lot of people work a few part-time jobs. Companies have found if they only hire part-time staff, they don't have to give benefits.

The pharmaceutical companies are heartless; they care nothing for poor, sick people. One company was charging so much for epipens that the government had to get involved. I don't know if that is fixed or not, but I did find out a person can get that medication and needles for themselves from their doctor and not have to buy the pen. They were so expensive, only rich people could afford them.

Well, I could cite stories all day long about how greed is making a third world country out of the United States. All the wars since 9/11 has ruined their economy - but hey, that was all about money too. Billions made by Halliburton and who knows who else, and Cheney owns refineries there right now. When ISIS took one of his refineries, I said to my husband, "Watch, he will get it back really fast." And yes, I think it took a week. 

I've got to cut down on reading the news. I can't do anything about these evil people and how they harm everyone. I need to let it go and let God deal with it. He has a lot to say about rich people who harm the poor.

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 

Your gold and silver are corroded. 

Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. 

You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields 

are crying out against you. 

The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. 

You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you."

What does God say to the innocent?

Patience in Suffering

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. 

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, 

patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. 

The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, 

take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. 

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. 

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

James 5:1-11

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”   Mark 10:23

"Therefore because you impose heavy rent on the poor and exact a tribute of grain from them, Though you have built houses of well-hewn stone, Yet you will not live in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine. For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, You who distress the righteous and accept bribes And turn aside the poor in the gate."   Amos 5:11,12

"The Lord is a God who avenges.

O God who avenges, shine forth.

Rise up, Judge of the earth;

pay back to the proud what they deserve.

How long, Lord, will the wicked,

how long will the wicked be jubilant?

They pour out arrogant words;

all the evildoers are full of boasting.

They crush your people, Lord;

they oppress your inheritance.

They slay the widow and the foreigner;

they murder the fatherless.

They say, “The Lord does not see;

the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

Psalm 94:1-7