You and I are living in very dangerous and ominous times; and the tragedy of it is that most of us do not really grasp it!   Yet the very revealing headlines of newspapers, news magazines, news channels on television are before us on a daily basis making this well known to the observant viewer! They should be viewed, as they portend in light of end-time Bible prophecies, that we are witnessing the beginning of the death throes of this present age.

 

Are we really aware of where we are in time? Are we so complacent that we we think that things are going to remain unchanged for some years yet to come, possibly beyond our lifetime?  Do we really grasp the terrible times we have entered into and will be far more horrible than any ever witnessed or experienced by mankind since the beginning of the world -- and not that much farther on in the future?  (Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:1).

 

I had a member to come to me last Sabbath who I could see by the expression on his face that he was really stirred up over an article he had with him from the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle, entitled: "Experts fear nuke genie's out  of bottle" After reading how rapidly the nuclear technology is spreading to smaller nations he saw the reality of what this nation and the world is facing!

 

 

The Potential of Nuclear Warfare ---

 

The very easy potential of some crazy leader to resort to explode one of those big bombs on another nation is something mankind lives with not knowing if and when this might take place! From there it could very quickly spread to other nations.  If God were to permit Satan to use such a madman then this would be the end of mankind and this planet earth would be back to Genesis 1:2; a world filled with darkness in chaos and confusion.  A totally wrecked earth with no living creatures of any kind, including mankind, yet alive.

 

People of this great nation and other nations of Israel seem to be doing their utmost to remove God from education and in all other areas of teaching and life.  Yet they will freely talk about and accept the teachings of gods that are no gods in the teaching system.  There is even now a case before the supreme court challenging the reading of the historical documents on which this country was founded because they cannot avoid the use of God in those documents for at the time these founding fathers fully realized God and His making possible the nation we came to be due to the promise of God to Abraham.

 

These same people who are trying to eliminate God from all walks of life had better hope that He exists and is in control of the leaders of this earth or we would be wiped off the face of the earth in just minutes! Thank God he reins just as king Nebuchadnezzar came to realize in the Book of Daniel and will not permit anything to happen to this nation or any other nation in Israel that is not foretold in prophecy and also fits within His timetable. 

 

The Need to be Greatly Stirred to Reality ---

 

Oh, that all of us were so stirred and this member was and far more than we now are to realize where we now are in time in respect to nuclear nightmare that is just in front of us as prophesied in holy Scripture! Wanting me to read the article about the threat to the nation and the world, he gave to me that part of the newspaper.  

 

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong stated, in a sermon that was given on January 15, 1983, titled: "The Mark of the Beast": "It was 50 years ago [1933] I knew we had entered into the time of the end."  This was also about the same year that he felt the apostle John in vision was projected forward in time and had the Book of Revelation revealed to him, around 1936.

 

In the lives of those of us who are older, we have witnessed what Jesus Christ foretold about the escalating wars we would witness in the closing part of this age (Matthew 24:3, 6-7). In this past century there was World War I. Approximately 20 years later we entered into World War II. Some few years later there was the Korean War, followed by the Viet Nam War. Of very recent years there was Desert Storm. Presently the one in  Iraq; and the still smoldering one in Afghanistan.  

 

The Insidious Warfare with Terrorists ---

 

Aside from these active wars there has been the cold war with Russia, and other skirmishes as well. Beginning with September 11, 2001, we entered into the insidious war against terrorism within the United States.  A war in which the leaders of this nation are struggling hard to keep the terrorists at bay. Experts consider this to be an impossible task.

 

They feel the terrorists already have their plans worked out and are waiting for the right time to inflict much greater destruction and loss of lives than September 11, 2001. It is their opinion that the terrorists have the suitcase atom bomb and possibly will blow up a large city or cities.

 

If God should permit them to do this, can you imagine what the fall-out would be, in addition to the massive destruction and loss of lives, 

A QUOTE: Imagine any major U.S. city without electricity for a prolonged period of time and you will quickly see a crisis beginning to emerge after as short a period of time as 48 hours. No American city is ready for the consequences of a suitcase nuclear bomb exploded within their metropolis.

From what we read and hear there is the well known fact there are the nuclear suitcase bombs around somewhere and it is suspected that one or more is in the hands of terrorist groups that are intent on inflicting as much damage and loss of lives as they possibly can on this nation. 

 

Let me add that whatever God permits the terrorist to do, blowing up one city or another one or two, will not bring about the demise of this great nation.  This nation is too big and resilient.  They will be like bees that sting and hurt but that is all! The downfall of the nation and the other nations of Israel will come about by what will come to be the 10 combined nation of Europe, by what will be called the revitalized Holy Roman Empire undoubtedly headed by Germany, anciently known as Assyria. Germany is Europe and she knows it well!

 

 

Wars and Rumors of Wars ---

 

The escalating wars that mankind were forewarned about at this time of the end by Jesus Christ almost 2,000 years ago are leading Israel and the nations of this world to the final ones that will bring about the ending of this age! Wars that will involve Europe and the Nations of Israel, particularly so the United States and Britain -- called the time of the Great Tribulation. To follow, a very short time later, Armageddon!

 

The Unstable Economy ---

 

There are the many other insoluble problems confronting this great country.  One such gigantic problem is the one everyone is in fear of and that is the nation's economy. When viewing the fall of the dollar against the Euro on the worlds market there is the prediction of only about a 10 percent chance of preventing a financial meltdown!  It appears to be an absolute certainty that the Euro will sooner or later replace the dollar in the world's markets.  We can well imagine how this would affect the financial structure of this nation. 

To prevent such a thing from taking place it is being said that there will have to be an accelerating rise in the interest rate.  And if this should take place then this will hit the indebted people very hard making it almost impossible to pay their bills. Hard and trying times are ahead for all of us.

 

A Disease Epidemic in the Making ---

 

Another terrible problem is coming very rapidly upon us and that is the prophesied pale horse of Revelation 6:8, death through incurable diseases along with the spectre of famine and real hunger. 

 

This also was prophesied by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:27. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied that both of them combined would take the lives of one/third of the people of Israel in death (Ezekiel 5:12).

 

For some little time there have been the new and incurable diseases in our midst in addition to aids, cancer, heart related problems, etc. However there are some of the old diseases making a comeback and have the potential of affecting millions of people.

 

The Old and New Testament disease of LEPROSY, known now as Hansen's Disease!  A News reports makes known this disease has been brought into this country through immigrants from crowded poor countries. Because immigrants are employed in food service, dishwashing, cooking hotels, and day care, it is spreading very rapidly. 

 

Then there is Hepatitis 'A' that is spreading as well. Also Tuberculosis is back due to globalization, immigration and poor treatment that is spreading and is more deadly than ever.

 

Dr. Lee Reichman, executive of New Jersey's Medical Schools National Tuberculosis Center, said, "We sit on the edge of potential catastrophe.  Government won't take this problem seriously, doctors don't treat it, and the public thinks TB isn't sexy enough to merit attention.  As it spreads , it will get our attention. Unfortunately, the new strains are resistant to all known antibiotics.  It'll take at least seven years  to develop new drugs."   

 

Those who are acquainted with any of these diseases knows that TB spreads very rapidly; one infected illegal immigrant will infect between 10 to 50 Americans -- depending on his or her public contact. They are very contagious!

 

I know from a close friend years ago who contracted TB that it is highly contagious. If you or yours come to be in close contact with anyone who has TB,  or the other problems, you are at risk by being very close to those carrying the disease.  If they sneeze, cough, laugh or touch your food, you and those with you are at risk.   

 

The average American citizen is at risk and the risk is growing daily with the millions of newcomers who cross our borders illegally and legally.

 

A new disease to us here in this country is making its way across our borders from South America. In addition to Aids, that can be contracted by kissing, so this new disease, called, Chagas Disease is a T-cruzi parasite that infects 14,000 people.  It is called "The Kiss of Death!" -- because it is spread by kissing that kills 50,000 annually.

 

A Wake-Up Call to Reality ---  

 

Brethren, this should be enough to help us to WAKE UP TO THE REALITY THAT IS FACING ALL OF US as we come even closer to the terrible end-times in which we entered in 1933. And it has grown progressively worse as we draw closer to the end-time.

 

Soon all of these horrors will be experienced in a far greater way than they have up to this present time. And all of us will be affected in one way or another before we are delivered from them.

 

Tomorrow, God's Sabbath, many of us as members of god's Church will be fasting to draw closer to God trusting by doing so He will intervene in the lives of God's people who are experiencing health problems -- one is critical.  Mrs. Gladys Paloma has been given at the most by the doctor of having 3 months to live. Normally from what I understand one can cut that time in half from a medical point of view.

 

We will be fasting and praying to draw closer to our God trusting He will intervene in the lives of all of God's people whoever and wherever they may live.

 

At the same time, we need to be drawn much closer to our God knowing only He can spare us from all of these very heavy and deadly problems coming down on all people in this nation, the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and the other nations of Israel.

 

Not only should be vigilant and aware but trying to be as close to our God as possible that His promise will be fulfilled in our lives as found in Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and  to stand BEFORE the Son of Man."

 

Take care my friends and love and pray for one another,

 

Don Billingsley