In our current economic, cultural, and political environment, it is easy to become anxious and full of fear.

Today, many Western political leaders are systematically destroying their entire economies through poor financial policies.

Western culture has become obsessed with overconsumption, death, violence, and a myriad of other issues.

And the utter corruption that flows through our entire political process seems to be tearing apart everything that we hold dear.

But… there is hope.

In fact, the turmoil in our world today provides those, who place their belief and trust in God’s Word, with more answers than questions.

Why is there so much political, economic, and cultural strife today? Because man is attempting to rule himself. From the dawn of creation, mankind has been in desperate need of God’s rulership. But instead, at the Fall of humanity in the Garden, man opted for self-rule.

Today, we are experiencing the fruit of mankind’s desperate attempts to rule himself. Our failure at self-rule is proof that we need Christ. This is why God’s answer to our problems is His unshakeable Kingdom.

Don’t place your hope and trust in man’s ability to rule himself. That is God’s role.

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness…”  (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

(This was an excerpt from Jerry Robinson’s best-selling book, Bankruptcy of our Nation, released in March 2009. Preview the book here.)

by Jerry Robinson

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“There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit (debt) expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit (debt) expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved.” (Ludwig von Mises)

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2 NKJV)

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OVERVIEW: As the American economic empire enters its final stages of decline, the message that arise will one of sacrifice. This coming era of ‘sacrifice’ will do more than simply reveal the absurdity of America’s immoral financial excesses. It will expose the American church’s reliance upon man-made kingdoms. Instead of focusing their adherents upon the necessity of the coming Kingdom of God, the American church has often misplaced its hope in the earthly kingdoms. When the government is finally forced to demand sacrifice from the living, an American church, inebriated by a false prosperity, may finally awaken to the need for the coming Kingdom of God. Then, various versions of the message of sacrifice will ring loudly across the United States of America. Some will be genuine, but many will not be.

Awakening from the American Dream

What is strangely missing from the majority of today’s churches is solid teaching regarding the most pressing issues of our day. This list would include: the global food crisis, movement towards global political integration, and the threat of worldwide economic collapse. These, and other important issues, are bearing down on our nation. Ignoring these matters does little to reduce their size and their scope. In the midst of the chaos and confusion confronting our world, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is mysteriously quiet. I am convinced that this silence exists for a number of unfortunate reasons. I will not go into all of those reasons here with the exception of one, which I feel is the most important and relevant to our discussion: The idea of American exceptionalism.

According to the idea of ‘American exceptionalism,’ America is such a unique and special nation that it will not face the same fates as nations and empires that preceded it. Of course, every empire that has existed before America has fallen. However, those who subscribe to the idea of American exceptionalism believe, rather vehemently, that America is a special kind of earthly kingdom. Perhaps, they believe, since America is “special,” it can somehow defy the laws of economics and even of logic itself. In essence, because America is so special, it is somehow viewed as an exception to the rule of history.

It is expected that those who do not view themselves as pilgrims in this earth would perhaps fall for these ideas. But on what basis does the American Church subscribe to these beliefs?

Some in the church have attributed America’s exceptionalism to God’s divine protection due to America’s stance on Israel. They quote God’s words to Abraham in Genesis 12: “I will bless him who blesses you and curse him who curses you,” to defend America’s insulation from the trends of history. I will certainly not debate the merit of this logic from Genesis 12 because I do believe firmly that God has future plans for the nation and people of Israel. Therefore, I believe it is in our nation’s best interests to pray for the peace of Israel. However, to claim that America’s failing economy is due to our stance on Israel is absurd and plainly uninformed. America’s economy is in peril due to same poor monetary policies that have taken down every fiat empire before it. The logic behind this becomes even more suspect when we question it further.

Does America’s support for Israel negate God’s displeasure of America’s obsession with sacrificing 5,000 unborn children every day through abortion in the name of inconvenience?

Does America’s support of Israel mean that God will suspend his disgust with the abomination of our fiat currency system?

Does supporting Israel get our nation off the hook for its unfathomable obsession with, and its exportation of, the most obscene forms of pornography?

Will God turn His head while the American church ignores the poor and the needy simply because of our ‘support’ for Israel?

This thinking is obviously very dangerous. I have heard many Christian leaders and mega-church pastors succumb to this teaching by telling their followers that God will never allow America’s economy to fail as long as our nation supports Israel! Not only are these types of teachings at the pinnacle of arrogance, they are also extremely illogical.

‘God is not an American’

I still remember my first lecture in which I explained that God was not an American, and that God’s throne was not draped in an American flag. Many in the audience that day later informed me that they had never thought about it in that way before. Yet, this concept is important to grasp. America, like all empires before it, views everything through its own special ‘Americanized’ lenses. Simply put, Americans are America-centric. Unfortunately for Americans, the Bible is not. It is Israel-centric. It is Middle Eastern centric.

To many, the logic goes something like this:

Is America facing calamity? It must be a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy!

Did America have a major natural disaster? It must be that God is sending us a special message.

Never mind that many nations around the world are facing severe tribulation today. In Sudan, millions of Christian men, women, and children are facing great tribulation and are suffering in silence. However, this means virtually nothing to the America-centric. Now let’s reverse the roles. Imagine that white American Christians were being physically persecuted for their faith. The church would declare the ‘end of the world’ to be at hand. Yet, the tortures in Sudan simply are a small piece of the “prophetic puzzle” to many with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

In North Korea, Christians face death camps and horrific persecution for their faith in Christ. But unfortunately, this does not pass the America-centric test.

Christians attending China’s underground churches number into the millions. Each week, these Chinese brothers and sisters meet in secret due to the threat of intense persecution from China’s intolerant communistic regime. However, this is not enough to get the attention of the American-centric mindset.

To the American church, “real” persecution is defined in the following ways:

• Walking into a non-Christian retail store during the Christmas season and being greeted with the words “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

• Threats and/or the removal of a ten commandments display from a local courthouse.

• Outspoken protests regarding nativity displays during the Christmas holiday season.

• Threats of removing “In God We Trust” from the U.S. currency.

Amazingly, the American church seems to want those, whose minds have not been enlightened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to at least ‘act’ like Christians. Modern Christianity appears to be extremely concerned about keeping “the outside of the cup” clean.

But should Christians expect those who do not believe in Christ to promote Him?

By attempting to force non-Christians to act like Christians, the American church exposes its own ‘Achilles heel.’ Is not this “acting” what they expect from their own as well?

Missing the Point?

As the American economic empire completely collapses, many will inevitably point to its demise as proof that God is “judging” America for its immorality and other sins. Or perhaps for its lack of support of Israel.

The truth, however, is that the American economic empire will fall due to its faulty foundations.

Because of these flawed foundations, the prosperity that America has enjoyed has in fact been an illusion of paper wealth. Other paper currency empires have enjoyed similar (albeit) smaller periods of prosperity prior to their collapse.

This means that the prosperity that America has enjoyed up to this point has been an illusion of wealth.

The absurdity becomes even clearer as we take this logic further.

Does the Christian God ‘bless’ nations with illusions of prosperity? And will the Christian God threaten to remove this ‘blessing’ of fake prosperity – made possible through deficit spending and fiat currency – depending upon our treatment of Israel?

The fact that some in the American church have misjudged this brings us right to the heart of the matter.

I will submit to you that the American church has bought the ‘illusion of prosperity’ that has been packaged and sold to America, as fact. Do we really believe that God’s ‘blessing’ involves extending our nation’s economic delusion and our debt-based paper money system which has enslaved us – and which He calls an ‘abomination’ in His Word?

“You that trample on the needy, and bring ruin to the poor of the land, saying… We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with false balances.” (Amos 8:4-5)

How the “Prosperity Gospel” Feeds the “Consumption Gospel”

It should also be noted that the American church’s fascination with ‘prosperity’ has helped create the financial excesses of America itself. In their haste to get rich, ‘in Jesus name,’ many deluded ministers inadvertently taught their flocks to value over-consumption. Some of these “prosperity ministers” teach that Christians should not settle for less and instead, they should expect the best. Bigger houses, bigger cars, more money, etc. In other words, personal spirituality is enhanced through a pursuit of visible blessings. This focus upon mass consumption by many churches has exacerbated the financial problems of millions of their loyal adherents.

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.”(Matthew 21:12-13)

But as the U.S. economy begins its all-but-certain chaotic economic descent, how will those who promote the prosperity gospel respond? How will they explain to their congregations that they have promoted a fiat currency as “God’s blessing?” How can they say that the unjust weights and balances that fueled American ‘prosperity’ is ‘God’s best’ when He clearly calls it an ‘abomination’ in His Word? Will they pray for more of the abomination to fill their bank accounts with? How will they explain their lack of wisdom in such evil and perverse days?

While confronting such questions would be the responsible thing to do, it is also the most unlikely. Instead of examining their theology, it is more likely that they will search for new ways to pick the pockets of those who believe their rhetoric. The transformation will occur before our very eyes. Those who once promoted the failed prosperity message will turn to their new message of choice: the message of ‘sacrifice.’

Why the Message of ‘Sacrifice’ is Coming To The American Church

Today, much of the American Church has embraced the economic delusion that will ultimately lead to our nation’s downfall. Unfortunately, this blind trust that has been placed into the American illusion of prosperity has rendered the Church impotent in offering solid Biblical solutions to a clueless public regarding the economic crisis. Undoubtedly, the crisis that is unfolding offers the American Church a strong evangelistic opportunity to expose the modern version of the ‘Tower of Babel’ that America has built upon its economic prowess and political exploits. But while the ‘Tower of America’ stood strong and deceived many, much of the Church instructed its members with shallow teachings on finances that rarely pointed to the futility of man-made kingdoms.

When America needed to hear a strong message of ‘sacrifice’ from the American church, what they got instead was feel-good messages designed to stroke the ego and stoke the fire overconsumption. Besides, in our modern era of ‘positive thinking,’ messages on sacrifice could be taken as “intrusive,” “demeaning,” or just plain “mean.” Obviously, this is no way to grow a church. Teaching on “sacrifice” would be an obstruction to church growth.  So the American church continues its fixation ‘growing’ its numbers, building more buildings, and spread the worldly kingdom of Republicanism to the nation.

As the economy moves into a downward spiral over the coming years, it will catch most off guard. Not because they were not warned; but instead, because the severity of the collapse will complicate their lives by ruining the effectiveness of their philosophies. Many of the philosophies that will be most under attack will be financial and theological philosophies. Those who have believed in American exceptionalism and perpetually inclining financial markets will be rudely awakened.

One of the benefits of the coming economic hardships that America will face will be found in our rediscovery of community. Neighbors will once again know each other’s names. Communities will have the chance to rally together in an effort to bring aid to the financially destitute. In the coming era of ‘sacrifice,’ life will consist of more than simply working, consuming, and sleeping. Instead, Americans will have the opportunity to band together in community-organized social networks to solve local challenges.

In a day where Hollywood, the media, and corporations urge Americans to please themselves through mass consumption, the message of sacrifice is coming.

But what about the American Church? Surely while the masses shopped till they dropped and lived above their means, the Church in America was calling for fiscal restraint, right? Haven’t they been urging sacrifice from Americans for decades? Well, perhaps a few. However, we live in an hour where much of the American church has urged its adherents to “live their best life now,” to “love their life,” and to consume ‘big’ as only “the King’s kids” should. It should be noted that the American church’s promotion of unsacrificial living is at the height of irony. This is especially true when one considers that the entire Christian religion is rooted and grounded in the idea of self-sacrifice.

But the real indictment against the American church is their sheer lack of insight into the failed kingdoms of this world. As the false prosperity bubble got bigger, the American church believed it to be real.

In fact, most evangelical Christians unknowingly considered the fiat fueled debt-based economy to be a divine ‘blessing’ from God. Only because America was ‘special’ were they able to possess such a large bubble economy. Even worse, many thought that God might prematurely terminate this fiat-based prosperity if homosexuals were allowed to marry; or if “In God We Trust” were ever removed from the worthless fiat U.S. dollar.

It is important to note that much of the American church’s numerical growth in the twentieth century came from the explosion of interest in the health and wealth gospel. When the growth of this prosperity movement is measured against the growth in American consumption, one finds a curious thing indeed. The growth of the prosperity movement is directly tied to America’s explosion in credit, debt, and money supply.

This means that when the economy goes up, times are good in the prosperity movement. However, when economic conditions become difficult, the prosperity gospel will suffer. The economy’s effect upon the prosperity movement will render it impotent in the face of the coming economic chaos that will strike America. As the economic pain becomes evident to all, those who have promoted the prosperity message will use a new message of ‘sacrifice’ to sustain their ministries. Amazingly, those ministers who had promoted overconsumption to their adherents for decades will discover the ancient principle of sacrifice. But when these former prosperity preachers begin to wax eloquent on their newfound message of sacrifice, it will be far from sincere. Instead, it will be designed to continue the cash flow.

In our current environment, the American evangelical church’s lack of insight have transformed it into a declining subcultural phenomenon; a voting bloc easily manipulated by certain keywords uttered by informed politicians that are designed to elicit the right response.

Until the American Church desires the coming Kingdom of God as desperately as it wants the American kingdom to reflect its own glory, it will remain irrelevant.

But despite their irrelevance, the message of sacrifice is still coming.

The ancient principle of ‘sacrifice’ – proclaimed by Christ himself – will ring throughout this land as America’s sins of excess and immorality become evident through the ‘false weights and balances’ created by its economy. Sacrifice will not be the natural response from a people accustomed to over consumption. However, it will be the only possible response.

Facing the Facts

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:22)

What is at the root of the problem in the American church? I submit to you that the root of our problem is the American church’s ignorance to God’s coming Kingdom and ignorance of the greatest issues facing mankind. For decades, the American church has been pillaged due to its lack of knowledge. As it says in the book of Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones, and those who have knowledge than those who have strength; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 24:3-6)

A loss of strong theological teaching in the American church has breeded a new generation of ‘believers’ that seek self-satisfaction, instead of sound doctrine.

Instead of treating the kingdoms of this world with godly suspicion, many have believed the satanic lie that men can rule men.

Instead of pointing people to the hope of the coming Kingdom of Christ, many churches have been all to willing to promote the counterfeit kingdoms of this world. The result has been disastrous.

“Its officials within it are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. Its prophets have smeared whitewash on their behalf, seeing false visions and divining lies for them… The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery; they have oppressed the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 23, verses 27-29)

In truth, the fiat currency and debt-based economic growth that has fueled America to the stratospheres of this world system were never blessed because they were flawed from the beginning. They were doomed to failure from the start.

Therefore, when the house of cards collapses, it will not be because we stopped supporting Israel, or because same-sex marriage became legal. Instead, the system will collapse because it is a man-made system.

The entire American economic system is laughable in the eyes of God because of its ineffectiveness and unsustainability. Our failed man-made systems are clear testaments to mankind’s need for God’s Kingdom.

Those who seek to blame particular political philosophies, corporate scandals, etc. are completely missing the point.

Their media-inspired focus upon the ‘effects’ have blinded them to the real culprit: the ‘cause.’

The reason that our systems are failing is because man cannot rule man. Sin is taking hold of our society and is choking it before our eyes. This is the gospel, not according to the culture at large, but according to the Bible. Those who are aware are able to view the problems as they truly are. And they realize that these problems are rooted in man’s inherent deficiencies in ruling himself.

Let’s make an important distinction: Awareness is not the equivalent of activism. However, those who favor activism will always have the loudest voices. They are quickly recognized as the ones who insist on re-arranging the furniture on the sinking Titanic. In contrast, the aware recognize the root problem and see God’s Kingdom as the only real solution.

So, Are You An ‘Activist,’ or Are You One of the ‘Aware?’

The activists are biblically aware, but politically motivated.

In contrast, the aware are politically aware, but biblically motivated.

The activists insist that by getting the right political party into office we can “take back America for God.”

In contrast, the aware realize that no matter which political party gets elected, nothing can slow man’s sin problem. They avoid political games knowing their futility.

The activists think that getting prayer back into America’s schools will change the nation.

The aware pray with their children at home and do not expect government-controlled institutions to teach their children spiritual values.

The activists extol the virtues of man’s kingdoms (political platforms) and follow them with a religious fervor.

The aware endure man’s kingdoms all the while praying and longing for God’s Kingdom.

The activists demand ‘Merry Christmas’ be spoken – even in secular settings. The phrase, ‘Happy Holidays,’ is viewed as religious persecution.

The aware do not expect non-Christians to promote Christ.

The activists want “In God We Trust” to be remain plastered on the U.S. fiat currency.

The aware realize that fiat currency systems, such as the U.S. Dollar, are “unjust weights and balances” and therefore are an ‘abomination’ to God.

The activists take their cues from, and measure themselves by, their culture.

The aware know that God will never judge anyone based upon their culture, only based upon God’s Word, the Bible.

(This was an excerpt from Jerry Robinson’s best-selling book, Bankruptcy of our Nation, released in March 2009. Preview the book here.)

Related articles

• Is God to Blame for the Japan Disaster? (jrmi.wordpress.com)

by Jerry Robinson

An inexplicably devastating natural disaster has struck our world. At 2:46pm on Friday, March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0 earthquake struck under the Pacific Ocean near Northeastern Japan. Scientists are now reporting that this quake packed so much power that it was enough to shorten Earth’s day by 1.8 microseconds. It also added an extra 6.7 inches (17 centimeters) into the planet’s wobble. GPS data has also revealed that parts of Japan were moved by as much as 13 feet as the quake shifted the underlying fault plates.

Those who have been following the media coverage of the aftermath have witnessed the heart-wrenching images and stories from the victims. Incomprehensible videos have emerged showing us the fury of nature. And, as the events are replayed on our television and computer screens, it seemed everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The largest earthquake in Japan’s history was followed by one of the nation’s worst tsunamis. And then, the sudden loss of electrical power to strategic areas of the country led one of the largest nuclear meltdowns in recent memory.

The lessons that this, and other natural disasters, seem to teach us is often the same: Human life is utterly fragile and tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

Needless to say, the broken people of Japan have been through much over the last several days. The death toll continues to climb and some experts are now predicting that in the final analysis, those who have perished will reach into the “tens of thousands.” Families have been ripped apart by unbelievable loss. Entire cities are gone forever. Fears of radiation exposure haunt the nation. Hundreds of thousands are wandering the streets in their homelessness. Fear of the future and an uncertainty of the present hold the Japanese people tightly within their grip. For millions, life will never be the same.

At times like these, it is natural to look up to the heavens and wonder: Where is God in this tragedy? And how could a loving God allow the deaths of so many innocent men, women, and children?

As often happens, some within the Body of Christ are now beginning to speculate whether the Japanese disaster is somehow related to God’s displeasure with humanity or with the Japanese people, in particular.

This week, I received a forwarded email claiming that one of Japan’s recent stances on Israel, which was considered unfavorable, could have led to the calamity.

Later in the week, I saw footage of TV entertainer, Glenn Beck, who had recently stated that the disaster in Japan could have been the act of an angry God. His solution: To have humanity follow the Ten Commandments.

It should be pointed out that throughout all of recorded history, mankind has often viewed natural disasters as judgment from the gods. History demonstrates that early civilizations perceived that it was their religious duty to placate the various gods which controlled the food harvests, the seasonal cycles, and nature in general. Much of ancient religious activity appears to be consumed with soothing the gods and keeping their explosive wrath at bay.

Even the early Israelites fell prey to this concept. Instead of obeying God and focusing on His law and precepts, many of them sacrificed to other gods to gain favor in the natural world. Some Israelites resorted to sacrificing their own children to the ancient pagan god, Molech, in an effort to avoid his demonic wrath. Suffice it to say, major natural disasters in the ancient world were viewed as the divine anger of the gods.

Given mankind’s historic propensity to view God as the source of all natural disasters, it should be no surprise that the question has arisen again. In fact, the horrific events that have transpired in Japan have, in some ways, called God’s character and motives into question in the minds of many.

So, is God to blame for the disaster in Japan? Or to state the question more directly, did God’s anger towards mankind’s sin lead to an act of Divine wrath in Japan?

We should first put to bed any discussion that would limit God’s ability. The Bible portrays Him as the omnipotent God of all nature. (Col. 1:16-17) He is in complete and total control. We can also ignore any question as to whether God has ever used natural disasters to judge mankind in the past. The scriptures clearly explain that He has. (Deut. 11:17; James 5:17; Num. 16:30-34) The Bible even predicts that God will use natural disasters to judge mankind in the future. (Romans 2:5,6; Rev. 6)

However, the question at hand is much deeper than determining whether or not God controls nature or has used it for His divine purposes in the past. Instead, our goal is to discern if God, in His wrath, is using his power over nature to selectively destroy humanity as a result of their sin in our modern era.

To get a satisfactory answer on a topic of this weight, we do well to turn to the scriptures themselves.

Our first stop should be with the words of Christ Himself. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he confronted this very topic.

About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.” (Luke 13:1-5 NLT)

Jesus explains in the simplest terms possible that death, even when it comes in tragic form, is not the result of excessive sin. Instead, death is inevitable and unstoppable. It comes to all. (Heb 9:27) According to Jesus, the question is not, “Why does death come?” Instead, the question is, “Am I myself ready to die and stand before God?” In classic fashion, Jesus tells his listeners to take their eyes off of the sins of others and, to instead, consider their own.

Given this scripture, is it plausible that those who seek to blame the untimely deaths caused by natural disasters upon God’s anger upon one nation’s sins misguided? Could it be that speculation over such matters is completely unwarranted, and even deceptive? Are such speculative conversations truly the best use of the Church’s time and energy? Especially given the Church’s dismal collective evangelism efforts?

Furthermore, is it really even Biblical to think that God issues forth his divine judgments upon the regenerate along with the unregenerate?

As stated, the scriptures are clear that God has a history of punishing the wicked in the Bible. In Genesis 6, He declared that mankind’s wickedness and sinfulness had provoked Him to destroy every living thing upon the face of earth with a raging flood. But the Bible carefully points out that not a drop of rain fell to the ground until “righteous” Noah and his family, were safely within the ark of safety.

This is an important concept as it openly displays God’s will and character. His refusal to pour out His wrath upon His own children is consistently woven throughout the scripture.

It appears again in Genesis 19. Here the Bible tells of God’s wrath being poured out on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, the raining fire and brimstone would not begin until Lot and his family had fled to safety. In the story, the angels of God commissioned with bringing destruction on the cities urge Lot to flee for the mountains. Lot begs the angels to allow him and his family to flee to a nearby city instead. The angel’s response is remarkable: “I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” (Genesis 19:21b-22 NKJV)

Friend, is there any biblical evidence to support the theological concept that God unleashes His furious wrath and judgment upon both the wicked and the righteous simultaneously? If so, where is this evidence?

Furthermore, if those who claim that the disaster in Japan was provoked by God’s furious anger at a selective people’s sin, which nation is safe? Have not all nations sinned? Have not all people groups sinned?

The Bible tells us that none who reject Christ are safe. Instead, it is full of prophecies that portend the destruction of the earth and its unregenerate inhabitants in the Book of Revelation.

The apostle Paul warned his readers of this coming judgment when he said:

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. (Romans 2:5,6 NLT)

Note the future tense of this phrase. The day of God’s anger is coming. It is a future event. It is not here yet. The Bible warns that one day, God’s righteous wrath and fury will fall upon all those who have rejected His Son, Jesus Christ.

So if that day of wrath is reserved for the future, what about today? Is God angry at the world today? Is His wrath full to the brim?

Once again, the Bible is crystal clear on this point too. When Jesus Christ took on the punishment for mankind’s sin at the cross, He bore all of God’s judgment and wrath towards sin. The wrath that had been reserved for the ungodly was instead poured out upon Christ. All of mankind’s sins, past, present, and future, were laid upon Christ at the cross. The Bible tells us that God was satisfied with the offering of His Son in our stead. All people, regardless of their current spiritual state, now have the opportunity to be at peace with God. How? God has sought to reconcile all men through the death of His dear Son.

Again, the Apostle Paul says:

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV)

Friends, this is the glorious good news of the Kingdom that true followers of Christ are called to share around the world. According to the Bible, God is not angry with his creation. Instead, He is full of mercy and forgiveness towards those who do not know Him. While those who reject His loving offer of salvation no doubt hurt Him, He remains patient and kind towards them – even causing good things for them – longing for them to turn to Him as their Savior and Lord. Why? Because the Bible says that ALL of His wrath was poured out upon Jesus Christ at the cross. God’s wrath was poured upon Jesus as He suffered on our behalf. God is totally satisfied with Jesus’ sacrifice. This is the day of salvation and the age of total grace.

And while the Bible warns of a day that is coming in which God’s judgment will come upon those who have rejected Him, that day is not here yet. And regarding that day, Paul tells us that a saving faith in Jesus will deliver us from this “wrath to come.” (1 Thess. 1:10 NKJV)

Some believe that God is now residing in heaven in a perpetual state of anger. But the Bible assures us that God is now actively engaged in loving on the world through His Church. His goal is mankind’s repentance. And the Bible tells us that “it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance.” (Rom. 2:4) God knows men’s hearts and he has chosen to lovingly call the world to repent through his earthly Body, which is made up of true followers of Christ. The Bible says that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” (Acts 17:30,31 NKJV)

Sadly, today many Christians do not lovingly reach out to those who do not know God. Instead, they detest them. They look down on them. They segregate themselves away from them. They argue and debate them. At the root of the problem is a sick body of modern believers that have become so detached from solid biblical teaching, and so enraptured with earthly politics, speculation, and superstition, that they have become completely irrelevant and spiritually impotent to a broken and dying world.

Today, there are Christians who would prefer to spend their time with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other attempting to solve the riddles of the age instead of obeying God’s call to evangelize their neighbor.

Today, there are Christians who would rather hear the latest speculations on how the disaster in Japan fits into Bible prophecy than in hearing how they can help a child buried under the rubble of stones from a massive earthquake.

Faith without works is dead. And dead faith is what produces declining numbers in America’s churches. Take one look around and you will see that dead faith on display in this nation.

God’s Word to the Hurting Japanese People

The message of Christianity to the broken in Japan tonight is simple.

To the Japanese mother whose heart is aching so deeply at the death of her child tonight, know this: God did not kill your child. He loved your child, and He loves you and He gave His very own son for you that you could have eternal life with Him.

To the middle-aged Japanese man who is desperately wandering the streets tonight searching for his beloved and precious wife who will never be found, know this: God did not take your wife. He laid down His life for you and your wife and is desperately searching for you tonight. I pray that you will find Him.

To the young Japanese child who is newly orphaned, completely scared, dirty, and entirely alone tonight, know this: God did not take your parents from you. But if you will let Him, he will become a Father to you because He is known as the “Father to the fatherless.”

This is the gospel.

Any concept, theology, or idea which is not rooted in love, mercy, compassion, grace, and meekness is not of God.

So, does the Bible give us any good reason as to why natural disasters like the one that struck Japan occur during the age of grace?

The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans:

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Romans 8:20-22 NKJV)

The Bible tells us that the earth is groaning and laboring in pain in anticipation for its redemption. There will be more natural disasters coming. The Bible tells us that these will be a sign of Christ’s return which will herald the beginning of God’s wrath upon the earth. That day is coming. It is not here yet.

So since that day has not yet arrived, let us work while we still can, for night is coming when no man can work. (John 9:4)

For now, we are charged and commissioned with sharing the gospel with the lost, with the hurting, and with the broken.

Christian, what are you doing to help?

- Jerry Robinson

by Jerry Robinson

My Story

As a young teenager, I was baptized into Jehovah’s Witnesses. While growing up in the faith, I remember a lot of rules:

Jehovah’s Witness Encounter

Watchtower Christology

Jehovah’s Witnesses and John 20:28

Understanding the Mind of one of  Jehovah’s Witnesses

The False Prophecies Of The Watchtower Society

The Watchtower’s Faulty Bible

JW Claims vs. Bible Doctrine

Jehovah’s Witnesses & Blood Transfusions

by Jerry Robinson

2010 has been marked by a number of amazing and tragic stories.

A Massive Earthquake in Haiti in January

Plus, a number of political issues including the mid-term elections, the passage of the new healthcare law, and the Wikileaks debacle.

Needless to say, 2010 has been an interesting year. But while 2010 was unique in many ways, there is at least one way it which it will not be unique. Like any other year, each of us will begin sizing up our own accomplishments as the year comes to a close. Each of us will have our personal stories about 2010. Some of us will celebrate victories or good events that we experienced during the past year. And others will just be happy that the year is finally over! And before we know it, the season for New Year’s resolutions will be upon us. Americans love to make New Year’s resolutions. I must admit that I do to. Some of my resolutions for 2011 include 1) losing ten pounds (okay, maybe more…), 2) exercising more consistently, and 3) reading more of the Bible.

But this week the Lord has been dealing with me about something different that I wanted to share with you. He began moving on me about making some year-end financial donations. Friends, I must admit that I hesitated when He told me to do so – especially when He told me the amount that He wanted me to give away! But once I realized my attitude, I quickly corrected it. But it made me wonder: “Why does giving away money and possessions seem to be one of the most difficult things that God ever asks us to do?

In my personal daily Bible study, I have been reading about the kings of Israel and Judah. In particular, the story of King Solomon interested me. Solomon was blessed with great wealth, wisdom, and peace. Yet, toward the end of His life, the Bible indicates that he began to consume his nation’s great wealth upon his own lusts. The story of King Solomon is sad and yet tells the story of every human’s tendency to find more pleasure in our money and our possessions than in our God.

Friends, fast forward to today. Those of us who live in America are blessed beyond measure. America is a nation like no other. Most U.S. citizens live lifestyles that history’s greatest and wealthiest kings could only dream of. We live in relatively enormous and weatherproof structures called homes. We transport ourselves throughout our communities with high-speed automobiles. We entertain ourselves with the finest high-tech gadgets. We have been the most prosperous nation to ever grace the confines of this planet. Yet tragically, each of us can so easily find comfort in our money and our possessions. Today, more than at any time in history, Satan is working to destroy God’s people with the love of money and possessions. Each of us must admit that it can be so easy and tempting to take comfort in our many “gadgets” and in all of the amazing technology that our money can buy. At times like this, we need constant reminders of how truly fortunate and blessed we are. Those of you who have traveled outside of America, perhaps on a mission trip to a third world country, know what “real” poverty is. Something just happens to you when you visit a poor country and see people living in abject poverty. I know that in my own case, gratitude and humility were the two attitudes that emerged. Consider the following statistics concerning our desperate globe:

• Half the world – nearly three billion – live on less than $2 a day.
• A few hundred millionaires now own as much wealth as the world’s poorest 2.5 billion people.
• Half the world – nearly three billion – lack access to basic sanitation such as flushing toilets.
• Over 1.1 billion people have inadequate access to clean drinking water.
• Out of the 2.2 billion children in the world, over 1 billion live in abject poverty.

Friends, these statistics should motivate us, not to feel condemned, but rather, to prayer and action. Unfortunately, we don’t have to leave the country to find someone who is less fortunate than we are. While no American knows the depth of poverty experienced by many outside of our country, we are still surrounded by those who are in desperate need. Jesus even told us this when he said that poor will always be among us.

In 2011, I am choosing to not become satisfied with my life and my level of giving. And before the end of 2010, by God’s grace, I am going to obey God and His Word to give the amount that He has laid on my heart. Friends, join me in choosing not to forget those less fortunate not just at Christmas but in 2011 as well. You don’t always have to give money to help the needy. You can pray! Pray for the weak, the poor, and the needy and when you do, the God of all comfort will hear and answer!

I pray that each of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2011!

May God richly bless you!

Jerry Robinson

by Jerry Robinson

Do you ever feel as if your mind is too noisy?

Recently, the Lord has been dealing with me greatly regarding the topic of spiritual warfare. We live in times of great darkness. And Satan is ever mindful of how he can deceive us or distort our views about ourselves, and our God. In addition to Satan’s consistent efforts to gain entrance to our hearts and minds, we have to deal with our own human frailties including a predisposal towards negative thinking and a general lack of faith. Once we realize the true magnitude of the fight in which we are engaged, it should come as no surprise that the apostle Paul urges us to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11)

With today’s ultra-fast paced lifestyles, even believers in Christ can sometimes forget to guard their minds from the world and from their adversary, the Devil. Recently, I began noticing that in my own life, the volume in my mind was getting way too loud. Like many people, I have a very busy life. I am responsible for running several organizations including a non-profit Christian ministry and a financial education and media company. All of this, of course, is in addition to my own important family and personal responsibilities. When I finally realized how clouded my own mind was getting, I had to take a step back to re-assess my situation. What I discovered was not pleasant. I had allowed my mind to become infiltrated with “worldly” wisdom. And many times, by the time that you actually recognize that Satan is attempting to gain a foothold in your life, it can be too late.

Friends, whether we realize it or not, we are engaged in a battle. Our opponent knows our weaknesses and he is extremely subtle in his approach. His goal is to increase the noise in our minds and to get us so distracted by “life” that we forget that we are even in a battle to begin with. Many of us may not like the idea that we are in a battle, especially since most of us came to Christ as lost and broken sheep, not trained warriors. Nevertheless, the call that rings forth from the Word of God, and from the stadium of heaven filled with the saints of God that have gone before us, is loud and clear: “Get up and fight!”

That is the exact message that the Lord laid upon my heart recently as I dove headlong into His Word, and into prayer, in search of His wisdom for this spiritual battle. And how are we to “fight” according to the Bible? The answer is simply astonishing. In fact, the primary technique that we are to rely upon is so disarming that the minds of men have resisted it since the day it was revealed.

So, just how exactly do we “stand up and fight?”

We do so by falling to our knees in absolute and utter humility.

To the human mind, this act of “surrender” in the face of battle appears to be the height of weakness. Yet, our weakness and humble “surrender” to God is the ultimate solution in spiritual warfare. The apostle Paul knew this all to well when it was revealed to him that God’s “strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

In fact, the power of Christ working in you – and through you – is your only defense against the demonic strategies of darkness. Again, this principle of “spiritual strength in weakness” is repeated in 1 Corinthians 1:27 which states that “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.”

Friend, when you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, surrender to Him, and admit your frailty and weakness, the Lord Himself becomes your defense! Satan trembles at the Christian believer who falls to his knees, acutely aware of his frailities and failures, and calls out on the name of the Lord for help. (See Psalms 34:17)

The enemy desperately wants to draw you out and engage you directly in a match of wits. He is hoping that you will try to defend yourself in your own strength when he comes with a discouraging word. He is longing to entangle you with the spirit of offense that will likely engage you in a battle of the flesh. When we “get up and fight” according to God’s wisdom, we do so by remembering who the battle belongs to: The battle belongs to the Lord.

Friend, you simply can’t win in your flesh. Satan has too much experience and there is not a single believer on earth who is a match for Him. But when we hide ourselves in God through a humble and prayerful attitude, a life of meditation on God’s Word, and by cultivating a quiet mind, Satan will lose everytime. Each time he comes chasing after us in full attack mode, he will find himself staring straight at God. And there is nothing Satan fears more than a direct confrontation with our Almighty God.

Through the years, I have learned some of the most important battles that we will ever face can be won or lost in the mind. Yet, when your mind is not at rest and “quiet” in God, things can go wrong. Most of my greatest weaknesses and failures have resulted from a mind that was too preoccupied with “other things” to hear God’s still, small voice. And when our minds become too loud to hear God’s voice, ultimately we will resort to our fleshly nature, namely pride. Obviously, pride and humility cannot peacefully co-exist in the same heart so one ultimately wins out.

If humility wins, we fall to our knees in utter dependence upon God.

But if pride wins by finding a resting place in our hearts, our downfall is not far behind.

Always remember that guarding your mind is one of the most important keys to winning in spiritual warfare and maintaining your walk with God.

Friends, none of us are qualified to be anything of worth in the Kingdom of God. We are utterly and totally dependent upon God’s wonderful grace and mercy for our very breath and our very lives. When I consider my own life and my numerous failures, I laugh and wonder why God would choose someone as flawed as me to do anything for His Kingdom. But we do good to remember that when God looks upon us, he chooses not to see our innumerable flaws and past moral failures. Instead, when God looks upon the born again believer, He sees His one and only Son who took up residence in our hearts the day we recognized our sin and cried out for God’s saving grace. God is pleased with you as a Christian, not because of your works or your good deeds, but because He is pleased with His Son, who is now living inside of you. For this reason, the Bible rightly views pride in our earthly accomplishments or our status as the height of vanity. This is why all glory is due to God the Son, and to God the Father for their amazing co-operative work of redemption that extended the hand of salvation to a dying world!

Six Key Strategies For Waging Effective Spiritual Warfare

Here are just a handful of strategies that I have found useful in my own life. By no means have I mastered any of these areas. However, I know they work from experience.

- Daily Bible Reading. Prayerfully choose a book from the Bible to begin reading daily. Commit to reading one chapter a day, preferably before you begin your day. The Bible nourishes your spirit like good food nourishes your body. Read the Word!

- Daily Devotional. Choose a daily devotional to read every evening before going to sleep. This simple act of putting the Word of God into your heart before falling asleep can be a very effective way of protecting your mind.

- Meditate on God’s Word. During the day, ponder and meditate on a Bible verse that you have recently read. Meditating on God’s Word is an especially powerful tool when negative thoughts or emotions threaten your internal peace.

- Pray Often. Learn to share your daily triumphs and concerns with God through prayer. It’s important to not only begin and end your day with prayer. Take time to pray all throughout the day and watch your relationship with God grow.

- Clothe Yourself in Humility. If pride is the armor of darkness, humility is the armor of light. Each and every day, we are all given a choice to act humbly or to express pride. Make it your goal to habitually practice humility and to resist the spirit of pride.

- Cultivate a “Quiet” Mind. Christians have inherited what the entire world is seeking: peace of mind. Our peace of mind comes through being in right relationship with God which was made possible by the redemptive work of Christ. However, some believers have never known true peace because, while their spirits have been redeemed, their minds have never been renewed. As you read and meditate on God’s Word, and give yourself to prayer, your mind will slowly begin to come into line with God’s will. Learn to focus your mind and not allow it to wander all over the place. Your mind can be used for good purposes or for bad purposes. Learn to develop a quietness of mind. It is the quiet mind that can better hear the still, small voice of God.

After reading this brief list, do you have any spiritual warfare stories that you would like to share with us? We would love to hear from you and learn what God has taught you about spiritual warfare. Send your comments to me by email at jerry@jrmi.org.

Related articles

• Is God to Blame for the Japan Disaster? (jrmi.wordpress.com)

I just arrived home late Monday night from a very busy week of travel as our ministry has been taking our vital message of understanding the current economic crisis to Christian believers all over the country.

- Our first stop was on Saturday, Oct 17, to a huge crowd in Washington state at a Steeling the Mind Conference. My topic was: “The Death of the Dollar: How We Got We Here And What You Can Do About It”  (This message was recorded and will available as a new DVD in the JRMI Store soon.)

- My next stop was on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Marion, Illinois (by way of St. Louis)  for a television taping. The television show is hosted by Dr. Wayde Goodall and his wife Rosalyn, and it is called Inspiring Life. We did two show tapings back to back. (Links to these shows will be placed into the JRMI Media Center for you to view as soon as the program airs.)

- Then on October 22, I flew back to Tulsa to record our latest JRMI Audio Briefing, “Explosive Profits in Foreclosures.” Joining me on the recording was JRMI Advisory Team member and Real Estate specialist, Darryl Baskin. Darryl understands the foreclosure process more than anyone that I know and has been showing people how to purchase them for over 20 years. And as a JRMI Advisory Team member, you can rest assured that his number one goal is to see the Kingdom message spread. And with over 10,000 foreclosures per day, and more to come, that will provide some terrific funds for God’s people to use to spread the Kingdom message! You will not want to miss this informative hour long presentation on audio CD. Look for it in the JRMI Store in the month of November!

- Then it was off to the state of Pennsylvania for Oct. 23-26.

Oct. 24… After landing in southern New York, I traveled to a small town in northern Pennsylvania called Galeton. While the town may have been small, the people’s hearts and desire to learn was not at the First Baptist Church of Galeton led by Pastor Richard Tintle. We had a fabulous turnout as I conducted a half-day ”Building True Wealth” conference. It was great to see so many light bulbs go off over people’s heads as I explained the true state of our economy and how vital it is for the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to be prepared for what lies ahead. Pastor Richard Tintle’s desire to help his people understand these truths and to effectively apply God’s solution to them was inspiring to me, and I am sure to his flock.

- Oct 25…  The next town, about a 4 hour drive south, was called Seven Valleys. There I taught at New Hope Bible Church, led by Pastor Don Clark, to three different groups. Again, the response was good and eyes were opened to the deceptions surrounding the U.S. economy.

- Oct 26… My final stop in Pennsylvania was in the town of Manheim, PA. It was there that I led a full day conference for Pastors and Church Leaders of the IFCA. One of my all-time favorite groups to speak to are leaders and influencers. This is because they are in a position to go and implement the concepts and affect change in their own communities long after I have gone. It was a pleasure meeting so many Pastors that are Kingdom-centric in their thinking.

So, as you can see, I am taking a well-deserved break this week as I recover and prepare for even more events in the days ahead. This message is vital and is changing minds and hearts on the topic of money. And don’t we need that now more than ever in this country?

God bless!

Jerry Robinson