FOURTEEN SIGNS ANNOUNCING CHRIST'S RETURN.

CONT:
2)DROUGH AND FAMINE.  
   Drought and famine---lack of rain and lack of food---will stalk the earth on a massive scale never seen before. Yes, these things will become much, much worse.
   When there is drought, you also have wildfires---range fires and forest fires. After the fires have burned off the brush, there is always the danger of floods when it resumes raining because there is no vegetation in the burned area's watershed to retain the precipitation. These catastrophes of drought, famine, fire, and flood naturally tend to go together. Jesus predicted that "there will be famines" (MATTHEW 24:7). Worldwide famines will engender vicious competition and strife among nations over food. This will mean increased political and military danger, especially for the United States, Britain, and the British-descended peoples, whose lands have typically been seen as the breadbasket of the world. Those of us living in the advanced, developed world have thought these things would only occur in places like India, Bangladesh, or Africa. 
How could famine happen to us? 
   It is practically unthinkable to suggest that one dark day the supermarkets and restaurants would have to close due to lack of good! But famine, the pain of empty stomachs, will occur in the United States of America, Canada, Britian, New Zealand, Australia, and elsewhere among the English-speaking peoples of the world. Let us understand what GOD says and why.
   Most people just do not understand that it is GOD Almighty who controls the weather and that HE sometimes uses this power to punish nations that displease HIM! KING SOLOMON knew this. During the dedication of GOD's temple in Jerusalem he acknowledged GOD's power: "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they [the people] have sinned against YOU" (1 KINGS 8:35). 
Does GOD collectively punish a nation for mocking or ignoring his moral, ethical standards?
   You bet HE does!
   "For we know HIM who said, "Vengeance is MINE; I will repay," says the LORD. And again, " The LORD will judge HIS people". It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD" (HEBREW 10:30-31).
   The book of Revelation confirms this coming famine. "When he had broken the third seal [shortly before the coming of Christ], I heard the third Living Being [an angelic personage] say, 'Come!' And I saw a black horse, with its rider holding a pair of balances in his hand. And a voice from among the four Living Beings said, 'A loaf of bread for $20, or three pounds of barley flour, but there is no olive oil or wine' " (REVELATION 6:5-6, The Living Bible).
   Yet GOD is merciful and patient with individuals and nations that have a change of heart. Solomon also understood this point when he prayed, "When...they [the people] pray toward this place and confess YOUR name, and turn from their sin because YOU afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of YOUR servants, YOUR people Israel, that YOU may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on YOUR land which YOU have given to YOUR people as an inheritance" (1KINGS 8:35-36).
   We need to recognize that GOD CONTROLS THE WEATHER! HE punishes HIS own people when needed. If our nations would return to GOD with heartfelt repentance and begin to keep HIS laws and live HIS way, then these plagues need not come.
But how many of you believe that this will really happen?  
How many of you believe that our nations will have a heartfelt repentance and get back to the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel?
   I think most of us know better. I wish they would, but I doubt that they will. Regrettably, our nations have some very hard lessons to learn about thumbing their noses at GOD.


Next:
    

  CONT:                         

4) DISEASE EPIDEMICS;  
   A PLAGUE OF DISEASE EPIDEMICS AND PANDEMICS IS BEGINNING TO WORRY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ALL AROUND THE WORLD.   
   And many old scourges of humanity (malaria and tuberculosis to name just two) are reemerging as super, drug-resistant diseases that ignore penicillin and other drugs that were formerly used to combat them! Of course, degenerative diseases such as cancer and heart diseases continue to affect greater numbers of people, as our food and water supplies become increasingly tainted with the pollutants of our technological age.
   The Bible indicates clearly that future disease epidemics will be, in part, spread by wild animals (RRBRLATION 6:8). Some of the worst plagues of humanity have been animal borne, like bubonic plague. Bubonic plague is a naturally endemic problem among wild animals in certain regions. It is only due to society's diligence in maintaining sanitary standards that such problems stay at the fringes of civilization.
   People are aware that whenever society is disrupted due to war or natural calamities, there is always the threat of disease. But these disease problems are just a small foretaste of the deadly contagious pandemics that are prophesied to sweep the earth. "I heard the fourth Living Being say, 'come!' And now I saw a pale horse, and its rider's name was DEATH. And there followed after him another horse whose rider's name was HELL. They were given control of one-fourth of the earth, to kill with war and famine and disease and wild animals"" (REVELATION 6:7-8, The Living Bible).  
   The Greek word translated "pale" is chloros, which signifies the pale green or sickly yellow-greenish color of severe disease. Jesus Christ predicted that great "pestilences" would be one of the signs to mankind to warn of HIS imminent return (MATTHEW 24:7).
Would GOD afflict the earth with lethal disease plagues?   
   Moses was inspired by GOD to write this: "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your GOD, to observe carefully all HIS commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your GOD will set you on high above all the nations of the earth" (DEUTERONOMY 28:1). GOD, speaking directly through Moses, is saying that if HIS people today would obey HIM, and diligently observe to do HIS commandments, HE would set us on high above all the nations of the earth. That is exactly what GOD did for the ancient Kingdom of Israel at the time of King David. When King David turned to GOD with all HIS heart, HE began to bless and prosper Israel magnificently.
But what happened when "the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel" because they were disobeying? (2 SAMUEL 24:1). " So, the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from the morning till the appointed time. From Dan to Beersheba seventy thousand men of the people died. And when the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the destruction, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, 'It is enough; now restrain your hand"(vv.15-16). We, whatever our descent or ethnicity, are no better than those ancient Israelites.
   The Old Testament Israelites, who accepted a relationship with Almighty GOD, promised to live by HIS word, They praised HIS name with their mouths and thought of themselves as GOD's people. The great GOD of the universe, however, is not impressed with hypocrisy-mere words of loyalty and love---but requires us to back up our words with action, genuineness, and honesty.
What does it profit, my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  
   Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (JAMES 2:14-17,26).
    We must show ourselves as being fully faithful and engaged in our commitments to GOD. We must do, or at least make serious efforts to do, all that GOD requires of us in our family, sexual relations, business dealings, and every other area of life.
Why?
   Notice what GOD inspired to be written for our benefit: "But it shall come to pass. if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your GOD, to observe carefully all HIS commandments and HIS statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you...The LORD will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish...The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart" (DEUTERONOMY 28:15,22,27-280. diseases epidemics are clearly a tool used by GOD to punish disobedient people.  
   Yes, GOD will do all these things to this world, including the modern descendants of Israel, unless we turn back to GOD in profound, heartfelt repentance in a way that few people have ever done.
   Awesome times are bearing down on us. We are talking about the most massive, event-by-event intervention by the Creator in the history of this earth. Nothing in the past can even remotely compare to this. 
Can you grasp the massive effect these events will have on your life and on everything you have ever known?   
   LISTEN! GOD IS TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!  These soon-coming events are real. They will happen. Do not just believe me. Believe what is written in YOUR BIBLE. Check up and prove it for yourself. That is how you will come to know GOD. You MUST know GOD to receive HIS protection in this coming time.
   Remember, these coming events will not occur primarily somewhere remote from the Western nations. Disease epidemics will begin to strike America, Britian, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia in a worse way than they have ever done in our entire history.


Next:

CONT: 
6). AN ASCENDANT EUROPEAN UNION SEEKS GLOBAL PRIMACY;   
   WATCH EUROPE! 
   Revelation 13 describes the revival of a great military power. The symbolic language that the Apostle John used---about a fantastic beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns---depicts a recurring, evil political system which has greatly oppressed and heavily influenced the peoples in Western civilization, and through them, the entire world.
   The seven heads represent seven distinct revivals of this evil empire over a long period of time. The ten horns represent the then leaders (kings) of the constituent nations that will make up this ungodly federation that will, first of all, fight against GOD's saints. "It was granted to him [the leader of the ungodly empire] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (REVELATION 13:7). These ten leaders will also fight against Christ Himself at His return! The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.  These will make war with the LAMB, and the Lamb will overcome them, for HE is LORD of lords, and KING of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful"(REVELATION 17;12-14).
   This final, seventh revival will be similar in form to today's European Union---the different nations or groups of nations will be represented by the different kings or presidents. These ten heads of state "receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast" (v.12). In other words, they will rule for a very short time along with the final "Hitler".   
   THAT IS SHOCKING! The Bible is discussing a wholly evil empire that is yet to rise---not some political power way back in history somewhere. Life in the future will not be "kinder and gentler". This final system is just ahead of us, and the men and women in this oppressive government will literally fight Jesus Christ at HIS coming!  
   Right now, we are living in an unstable transition time in world history. Momentous changes are afoot in Europe. In 1966, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson remarked, "Europe has been at peace since 1945. But it is a restless peace that's shadowed by the threat of violence". Now, with the Cold War behind us and the Berlin Wall a fading memory, Europe is proceeding toward a unification that would have seemed improbable to most on the day in March 1957 when France, Germany, Italy, and the Benelux nations signed the Treaty of Rome, establishing the European Economic Community.
   Condoleezza Rice, former National Security Advisor in the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, stated in the July/August 2008 issue of Foreign Affairs, "The goal of a Europe whole, free, and at peace is very close to completion. The United States welcomes a strong, united, and coherent Europe. There is no doubt that the European Union has been a superb anchor for the democratic evolution of eastern Europe after the Cold War".
   Yet a "strong, united and coherent" Europe represents a threat to the U.S. economy. As writer Carter Dougherty pointed out on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the European Central Bank, "Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, Rome and Berlin were each, at some point, the Political economic capital of an empire containing the power of New York and Washington combined. And they all surrendered a piece of their sovereignty to a common currency...[The euro] is the currency of 15 countries and 320 million people, and as gilt-edge an investment as can be found in the current tumultuous global economy" (An Impossible Dream, the Euro Finds Its Way, "New York Times, June 3,2008).

Continue with #6, part of the 14 sign's:

CONT:
7).A POWERFUL RELIGIOUS FIGURE LEADS A RELIGIOUS REVIVAL.   
   One of the definite signs of the end times, which will herald the close of this present evil age, is the arrival on the scene of a great false religious leader, called in the Bible the "false prophet" (REVELATION19:19-21). This religious leader will possess great charisma and will exercise a very powerful influence over a political power-the soon-coming "beast" (REVELATION13,17,19). He will be the long-prophesied, influential head of a great, militant church in Europe. Together, this combination of personal charisma and awesome power to influence others will have an enormous effect on the future of the nations of the Western world.
   This coming false religious leader-a leader who is prophesied to sit astride the end-time "beast" (the revival of a governmental system having characteristics similar to the old Holy Roman Empire, which was a combination of church and state) is described in Isaiah 47. "Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon" (v.1). Notice that this is a daughter of ancient Babylon. A modern sort of Babylon is to rise up! "Sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate" (same verse).
Who, then, is this "lady" mention in Isaiah 47?  
   Scripture gives us a clear answer. "Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the Lady of Kingdoms" (v.5). This woman is called the "Lady of kingdoms" because she has a fornicating political relationship with, and actually rules over, quite a number of different Kingdoms or governments of this world. 
   Now, read on in this important end-time prophecy. God says, "I was angry with MY people"(v.6).
Who are God's people?
   There are two ways this can be properly understood: one is the Church of God, the other is God's physical people, Israel---"You [Israel] only have I known of all the families of the earth" (AMOS 3:2). This prophecy is definitely speaking nationally, so this is not talking about God's true Church. Clearly, this is speaking about the end-time nations that comprise modern Israel.
   So, God says, "I have profaned MY inheritance, and given them into your [the Babylon system's] hand. You showed them no mercy; on the elderly ['ancient' people, Isael-KJV] you laid your yoke very heavily" (ISIAH 47:6).
   Notice the word "yoke". This is a yoke of slavery laid upon us by the daughter of the ancient Babylon. "And you said, "I shall be a lady forever", so that you did not take these things to heart, nor remember the latter end of them" (v.7). And so this modern "lady", this false religious system, will put a yoke on God's birthright people---those who have received their tremendous national inheritances from God Almighty.  
   God speaks of this woman as being a "Lady of Kingdoms' putting a "yoke" on the neck of God's chosen people, Israel, and says this Babylonish "lady" will not think she is doing any terrible thing when she afflicts God's People. Then He says," Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, who dwell securely, who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, nor shall I know the loss of children "'(v.8). "But", God says, "these two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children, and widowhood" (v.9).
That is what GOD says! But where is this explained in the Bible?
How can we know that this is an end-time prophecy?   
   Turn back again to the book of Revelation, where He is talking about this same system. God says, "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury" (REVELATION 18:3). A great religiopolitical trading system!
Well, what is that trading system?  
   Verse 2 says, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit..." Yes. this modern Babylon, which is now in the process of forming in Europe, will be a very sophisticated, wealthy system that will soon dominate most of Europe. Yet it will be heavily influenced by Satan!   
   Notice God's warning to HIS people: "Come out of her, my people" (REVELATION18:4). Dwelling in this Babylonish system will be some of God's people (this applies both physically and spiritually) - and they are commanded, "Come out...lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities" (v.4-5). And so, this Babylonish system and the people in it will be warned! 
   Now notice verse 7: "In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she [this modern Babylon] says in her heart, 'I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow".'
Do you remember those words?  
   That is quoting directly from Isaiah 47. Yet modern Babylon will say those words!
   "Therefore," God says, "her plagues will come in one day [just like God said back in Isaiah 47:9]---death and mourning and famine. And she well be utterly burned with fire, fore strong is the Lord God who judges her" (REVELATION 18:8)
  But first, the modern descendants of ancient Israel will be brought down and punished by God through this system. These people will be punished as no peoples have ever punished in modern history, because of their flagrant disobedience and their going after every ungodly abomination.
A GREAT FALSE LEADER 
  The GREAT FALSE RELIGIOUS LEADER Will rise up very soon now---in our very day! He will deceive not a few hundred people---David Koresh and his Branch Davidians---but hundreds of millions! Yes, prophecy indicates that hundreds of millions of people will be deceived! That is exactly what will occur before Christ's coming.
   The Apostle Paul, in a letter concerning the Second Coming of Christ, wrote, "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him..."(2 THESSALONIANS 2:1). He then cautioned God's people "not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come" (v.2). Some were even writing letters purporting to be from Paul. "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition [or son of destruction]" (v.3).
   Clearly, a great false religious leader will rise up before Christ returns to this earth. 
What will be the attitude and modus operandi of this great false prophet?  
   He "opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (v.4).
   This man will have supernatural power to deceive! He will have the ability to perform great miracles such as causing fire to come down out of the sky (REVELATION 13:13 ).
Will you follow such a man?  
Or, will you now begin to study and understand your Bible so you will know what is ahead?  
   And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs [miracles] which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast, who was wounded by the sword" (v.14).
   This great false religious leader will have tremendous impact on the Western world---make no mistake about it! YOU need to watch for these things so that you will not be misled or deceived by him (the soon-coming great "false prophet") or by any man! Take heed that no one deceives you" (MATTHEW 24:4)! Keep alert! Keep your eyes open! Be on the lookout for a great, charismatic false religious leader-a "false prophet"! He, like the early New Testament false prophet, Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-11), will deceive hundreds of millions into thinking he is a great servant of God.
   If you know God's Word-and obey it-you will not be one of those many millions who will be deceived by the soon -coming, great "false prophet"!


Next: 
    

    

cont:
10). A CRISIS STRIKES JERUSALEM:  
   WATCH! The modern nation of "Israel," populated by the descendants of the biblical tribe of Judah (plus significant remnants of Levi and Benjamin) will suffer serious military losses with part of its territory occupied by enemies just before the Second Coming of Christ. This is of utmost significance! Many students of Bible prophecy declare that 1948 saw the great regathering of Israel in the Holy Land and the final establishment of the nation of Israel. That is absolutely wrong! This was just a precursor, a small forerunner of a gigantic regathering of the remnants of all twelve tribes of Israel that is yet to occur. Meanwhile, the hard-pressed Jewish people in Israel will be attacked and defeated once again. This is difficult to say, but the Bible makes it very, very clear.
   "Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished, Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city" (ZECHARIAH 14:1-2).
   "For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Vally of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of MY people, MY heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up MY land. They have cast lots for MY people, have given a boy as payment for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink" (JOEL 3:1-3).
   "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near" (LUKE 21:20). Jerusalem has been partially surrounded by armies in recent years, but we will see Jerusalem completely surrounded by armies. Notice this prophecy: "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (v.21). Those who trust in GOD, those who believe in Christ, those who are true Christians will understand what to do when these things occur because they will have been studying these various signs as Jesus said. They will have been watching and praying. They will flee to the mountains: "Then...let those who are in the midst of her depart and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance" (vv.21-22).
   So, in the future, Jerusalem, the political and emotional capital of Israel, will be overrun by her enemies, until Christ returns and fights the aggressor nations (ZECHARIAH 14:3). Once again, the city of prophets, kings, and the Messiah will be brought down and punished horribly. This major event in the prophetic end-time scenario will witness further outrage.


Next:

CONT:
12). THE GREAT TRIBULATION---THE COLLAPSE OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING NATIONS:   
   Before the glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish HIS Kingdom, watch for the decline and eventual conquest of the English-speaking nations by their enemies! The biblical terminology for this event is " the great tribulation".
   Your Bible reveals that the worst, most indescribably terrifying time in the entire history of this planet is soon to occur. This terrifying time (the Great Tribulation) is also spoken of as the time of "Jacob's trouble" (JERMIAH 30;7). It will be such an awful time that the destruction and genocide of World War ll will seem like a picnic in comparison!
   Let us, therefore, examine the scriptures dealing with this dramatic alteration in the world's power structure---which, like a powerful steel trap, will suddenly spring upon an unsuspecting world! Most of us will live to see these cataclysmic times, whether we realize it or not. "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people" (LUKE 21:23). When you really understand this prophecy, you can see that Jesus was speaking nationally of not only the Jews, but also of the other modern-day descendants of the ancient nation of Israel---among whom are the American and British-descendants' peoples. 
   Notice this same prophecy in a parallel account in Matthew: "For then there will be great tribulations, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved [alive]; but for the elect's sake [for the sake of God's people] those days will be shortened" (MATTHEW 24:21-22).
   In the past, it was not possible to exterminate all human life from this earth. You might have had a devastating war in Europe, or in the Middle EAST, but you would still have millions of people untouched elsewhere in the world in Africa, Asia, or Australia, or in North and South America. But Jesus prophesied of a unique time in the history of humanity. No nation can feel secure from the utter annihilation that is now possible by thermonuclear warfare!
   In the 1950's it finally became possible to blast all human life off this planet. During the last half-century, we have now multiplied our ability to assure our destruction many times over. Scientists tell us today that we now can erase all human life from this earth at least 20 times over! Christ is describing our time today! No Roman army of Jesus' day could ever boast of such murderous power.
   Here is what the prophet Jeremiah said about this same time: "Now these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel [whose modern descendants include the United States, Great Britian, and other nations of northwestern Europe] and Judah...
'We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labor with child?  
So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale?  

   Alas! For that day is great [Jeremiah prophesied under inspiration], so that none is like it"' (JERMIAH30:4-7). There has never been a time of trouble in human history like this one.
Whose time of trouble does this terrible tribulation pertain to?  
   It is the time of "Jacob's Trouble"(v.7).   
   It will be a time of trouble so great that none is like it. There cannot be two times of trouble like this. This is the same trouble described in Matthew 24:21, the same time described in Mark 13 and Luke 21, the same time of trouble described back in Ezekiel 36, Daniel 12, and elsewhere as the "great tribulation". It is the time of GOD's intervention to chastise HIS chosen people. Nevertheless, speaking of that woeful time of trouble, GOD says, "I will not make a complete end of you" (JEREMIAH 30:11). So, he will not utterly destroy us, but HE will punish us severely---to shake us to the roots of our very being in order to wake us up. HE will correct and humble HIS people in order to wake them up before it is too late!
   This unprecedented time of trouble will be directed primarily against the American and British - descended Commonwealth peoples, though the other modern-day descendants of Israel will also have troubles. 
But why against these nations?
   Because the American and British-descended peoples have been recipients of GOD's tremendous birthright promises as the descendants of the patriarch Joseph (GENESIS 49: 22-26). In GOD's eyes, blessings also impart responsibilities. We are not a favorite or pet people, but we have been chosen BY GOD for a very special purpose. Regrettably, we have failed to fulfill that purpose. Let us understand why and what will happen. 
   "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (MATTHEW 24:30)! May GOD Almighty speed that great day!
   "Then Americans and British-descended Commonwealth peoples have been materially blessed above all nations on the earth for the last 200 years. Beginning a little more than 200 years ago, the English-speaking peoples wielded power that thwarted the belligerent, aggressive nations---the Central Powers in World War l and the Axis Powers in World War ll. Twice in the twentieth century, the English-speaking peoples have restored a warring world to a measure of peace and security. Yet in spite of that, most Americans and Britons, individually, have turned away from the true GOD. At most, they continue to praise the LORD hypocritically. "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines"' (MARK 7:6-7, NRSV).
   There are numerous end-time prophecies that reveal to the American and British-descended peoples exactly what GOD Almighty says will happen to them---if they do not turn from their present wayward course of disobedience to HIM and HIS commandments. 

THE PIVOTAL OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY:
   The pivotal scripture for understanding end-time prophecy is found in the Old Testament, in chapter 26 of the book of Leviticus. When we rightly understand our national identity, this prophetic chapter takes on new, urgent meaning. Here is basic, foundational information for modern-Israel--- among whom are to be counted the American people and British-descended peoples of the Commonwealth nations. Those peoples are among the descendants of the so-called "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel". This prophecy is talking about ancient Israel, and it is also speaking of their children and grandchildren at the end of this age!
   We should watch for the fulfillment of those prophecies that foretell the downfall of the United States and Great Britain, insofar as their national prestige and power are concerned, even before their cities are totally demolished in a future round of world war---World War ll---which will be the deadliest time humanity will ever experience. 
   Speaking of the coming end-time Great Tribulation, GOD says that "if you do not obey ME, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise MY statutes, or if your soul abhors MY judgments, so that you do not perform all MY commandments, but break MY covenant, I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set MY face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you. and you shall flee when no one pursues you" (LEVITICUS 26: 14-17). GOD Almighty says HE will bring us down very low. If we continue transgressing HIS commandments, HE will discipline us in more ways than we can begin to imagine. HE goes on to say, "And after all this. if you do not obey ME, then I will punish you seven times more [or "sevenfold more" as many versions render it] for your sins. I will break the pride of your power" (vv.18-19).
    Our competitors for global power and influence are looking down on us with increasing glee as we stumble in resolving domestic and international problems. These things are happening to us because we have turned aside from GOD. We have not obeyed the GOD of our fathers.
   In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are powerful prophetic warnings for us today, because GOD does not change (MALACHI 3:6; HEBREWS 13:8). GOD promised that if we would obey HIM, HE would set us "high above all nations of the earth" (DEUTERONOMY 28:1). However, if we so not obey GOD and keep HIS commandments, "Cursed shall you be in the city" (v.16).
Are we cursed in our cities?   
   Think about it.  Millions of Americans are afraid to go out of their own homes at night. Elderly people and women and others all over this land are afraid to venture out in the evening---in this "land of the free, and the home of the brave." We are locked in our homes like prisoners! NO, we are not blessed in our towns and cities.
   Further, our disobedience would bring upon us curses in our food supply, curses in sexual relations, and curses in whatever policies or programs that we nationally attempt because we have turned aside from the Great GOD.
   The growing effect of our national sins includes escalating crime, violence, marital infidelities, sexual perversions of all sorts, lying, cheating, stealing, and every foul thing imaginable that is disgusting in the sight of a just and holy GOD. The selfishness and decadence of our "modern lifestyle"---which is based on egotistical pride and vanity---are gnawing like voracious termites at the structural frame that holds in place the edifice of our national greatness. 
How long before our house collapses?  LOOK around you and consider.
   In spite of our great material blessings, the American and British-descended peoples have turned away from GOD. These once-great nations have plummeted in their moral standards and become nations of perverts, liars, thieves, and murderers, And GOD will chastise these nations for their own good, and HE rebukes and chastens every son HE loves (HEBREWS 12:6).


Next: