Posted on 10/06/2012 2:17:51 PM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
There is a growing sense that America is facing a watershed moment not seen since the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1860. The Lincoln-Douglas debates presented a deeply-divided America with starkly contrasting choices concerning the future direction of the country.
Choices so stark that no matter how it was decided, at least half the country would viscerally disagree.
Of course, in the Lincoln-Douglas debate, the topic under discussion was slavery and whether or not it should be allowed to expand beyond its existing Southern boundaries.
The debates dragged the issue to the forefront of public attention. Once there, it lingered as more and more people were forced to decide between self-interest and the best interests of the nation.
As Lincoln observed during one of the debates:
"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment, goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. He makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to be executed."
Presidential debates are designed to sway public sentiment by allowing each candidate to present his own vision for where he would take the nation over the next four years.
For most Americans, they are boring, stuffy affairs that most voters blow off, preferring the "highlight" reel as summarized by the cable news talking heads. But this year, something is different.
The choices are as stark as they were in 1860 and the issue at hand is once again slavery, only this time, the economic kind.
According to Mitt Romney, somewhere around 47% of the country is already partially enslaved by the entitlement trap set for them by Barack Hussein Obama and his Marxist-socialist agenda.
Romney noted in his now-infamous comment that 47% of the country won't vote for him anyway.
That's because Romney's vision has nothing to offer them. They aren't swayed by promises of tax cuts since they pay no federal taxes and they are repulsed by spending cuts, since they are the recipients of the spending.
They see Romney's proposed spending cuts as direct cuts to their personal income and Obama's re-election as a potential income boost.
As almost every person that ripped into Romney's comments as "heartless" pointed out, many of those people feel that they have no choice due to their economic circumstances -- they have to vote for Obama.
They are enslaved by the system. If they attempt to move forward personally, they jeopardize their existing benefits. The welfare-to-work program was designed to eliminate this barrier, which is why Obama was willing to defy the law in order to water it down.
They can't vote for national austerity despite the warnings that the country is headed towards an economic abyss because they know that they will be the first ones to go over. They are trapped.
They can't go backward because their backs are against the wall. They can't go forward without risking what they already have, and so they remain where they are, doing what is necessary to keep themselves above water, always paddling but going nowhere.
Like slaves to the machine that enslaves them, they have no choice but to self-perpetuate the misery in order to keep it from getting worse.
They are as enslaved as the smoker who longs to quit but is unwilling or unable to endure the withdrawal. So he lights up another one, knowing what it is doing to him and trying not to think about it.
It is important to understand that this is by deliberate design!
The presidential debates this year will be about whether or not to expand economic slavery beyond its current boundaries.
And no matter how it is decided, at least half the country will viscerally disagree.
A member emailed me yesterday to tell me just how scared he was about this election. He writes;
"I find myself in great turmoil because I know that God places those in power and removes them according to his will. I am very much afraid that Obama will remain in power in order to further God's judgment on America. I know God is in control but the destruction of our country just tears at my heart seeing so many of our citizens actually supporting our destruction by supporting this administration. I guess I just don't know how to deal with the possibility that God will put Obama back in office to finish the destruction. It breaks my heart."
The email exactly captured the conundrum many of us find ourselves in. Knowing that God is in control doesn't really seem to make it any easier.
(I say "seem" because it really does. Make it easier, I mean. Just imagine how scary all this would look if you didn't know God was in control.)
For most of my adult life, I've been studying, reading, writing and teaching Bible prophecy as it pertains to the last days and so from my perspective, none of this is unexpected.
The Bible makes no mention of America during the Tribulation Period, and so it should come as no huge surprise that America seems to be standing on the precipice at this point in history.
Given how far we've fallen over the past few decades, it should come as no huge surprise that America would be facing Divine judgment, for as Scripture reveals:
"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:48)
Many prophecy teachers have noted a correlation between US policy and natural catastrophes befalling the country, beginning with the Oslo Agreement and Hurricane Andrew and on to the present. So, as I said, none of this is unexpected.
And there is a direct relationship between fear and faith. It could be argued that fear is the opposite of faith. If one has enough faith, what is there to fear?
And yet I find myself looking around at all that is taking place and it doesn't just cause me great turmoil, it scares the pants off me!
Great! On top of everything else I'm scared of being afraid! I'm not just scared of what is happening all around me, I'm scared I don't have enough faith to face what is to come.
Terrific! If only I had enough faith, then I could cheerfully face whatever this old world could throw at me!
But no, I'm scared. What a loser!
I'm worried about my finances. I am worried about my personal security. I worry about my kids. I'm worried about what will happen if Obama gets another four years to finish what he's started.
Still, I KNOW that if that is God's will, that is what will happen. And because it is God's will, all will be well.
And I have faith. I know that He is in control. I see it every day. Every time I read a newspaper, I see confirmation that God remains on His Throne.
I am an eyewitness to the fulfillment of the Promise -- I am part of that generation that shall not pass until ALL these things, up to and including the Second Coming of Christ, will be fulfilled.
But I'm still scared. What does that mean? How can I counsel others and tell them not to fear when I know in my heart that I share my correspondent's apprehensions. I don't really know how to deal with it all.
What if Obama gets re-elected? I cannot imagine how America could survive another term. Does that mean we're closer to the Rapture?
What if Romney gets elected? Does that mean that America's been given a temporary reprieve? Does it mean the Rapture is pushed back?
How should I pray? Do I pray my own self-interest?
"Dear God, please protect me and my family from the coming of the Evil One." Is that selfish?
Do I pray that God will hold back the time? Is that faithless?
Like I said, it isn't like I didn't know that all this was going to happen. I've been preaching about the unfolding of the last days for years and years.
And now that the time is now here, I find myself faltering -- in great turmoil, as my correspondent put it -- my own heart failing me for fear and for looking after the things that are coming upon the earth as the powers of heaven are shaken.
If I feel that way, then I can only imagine how terrifying it must look to those without Christ, or to those with no understanding of Bible prophecy.
How does one reconcile one's faith that all that is coming is according to God's will with the fear of all that is coming?
"Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt." (Matthew 26:38-39)
Jesus knew what was to come. He knew that all was according to the will of the Father. He had faith, but even so, He prayed so hard that Luke 22:44 says His sweat was mingled with blood.
Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Universe. He knew all things, including why He was there in the Garden, where He would be in a matter of hours and what He would have to endure.
Jesus Christ had no lack of faith. But He prayed that if it were possible, the cup would pass from His lips, knowing that His prayer was futile.
At the risk of being accused of blasphemy, I submit to you that Jesus was scared of what was to come.
So it is ok if I am. And it is ok if you get scared, sometimes, too. So don't be afraid that being afraid means you have no faith. That is what Scripture means when it says,
"Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh."
Don't fear being afraid. Your faith is still intact.
"For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken." (Proverbs 3:25-26)
You are going to need it in the days ahead.
Ping!
Format that better, and I might read it.
I did get as far as this statement and realized it didn't apply. The choices here are the same. GOP liberal or a 'rat liberal.
I did get as far as this statement and realized it didn't apply. The choices here are the same. GOP liberal or a 'rat liberal.
Christians can be concerned about many things and even frightened about circumstances. (I’m reasonably certain that Christians who have been burned to death had some fear.) But when a Christian expresses fear, and that fear overwhelms them, then that is outside Scripture. I understand that non-Christians won’t comprehend these statements, but I am not writing for them.
We are in the midst of a spiritual battle, and most of us are oblivious to its effects. I believe that God has set aside America to be the place where the final spiritual battle will take place. The world is watching us and they are looking for leadership.
What kind of faith will it take? The kind that Jesus told the apostles to have as He asked them to step out of the boat.
My father once told me that when he was a teenager he was babysitting some of his nieces and nephews. They would jump off the porch and he would catch them. Well, he began to get tired. He turned briefly thinking that all of them were tired too, when one little niece jumped into the air. Fortunately, he saw her launch from the corner of his eye and he turned back quick enough to catch her.
He said that what struck him most about it was her absolutely complete faith that he would catch her. He never forgot that.
That kind of faith is endearing to a God who loves us so. With that kind of faith God can do much with us and for us.
Peter outside the boat was Christ's demonstration to all of us that that kind of faith is essential for tasks contained in spiritual warfare.
Be not afraid. Have faith and when you see these things come to pass look up and know that your salvation is at hand.
Thank you for posting that.
The answer according to the Scriptures is that we love them, and demonstrate love.
However, I am struggling with this. We are also confronted with Evil in a very real sense. A homosexual man who is occupying the Presidency. A wicked, evil man.
What are we to do?
I believe we are at a crossroads. It won't be pretty. America may have had its day.
Thank you. I am scared of the short term troubles, and looking forward to the long term result. I have also worried that being scared was proof of insuficient faith. It sure helps to know that Jesus was scared too!
King James Bible Luke 21:36 - Words of Jesus:
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
I prepare for whatever may come, knowing I don’t have to worry about the outcome.
So, so many of the electorate you cite also love to tell you that they’re Christian, God-fearing and conservative. Just pay no attention to their votes.
That’s the rub.
Thanks GN!
I agree that we are living in fearful times and the country we love is at a major crossroad but, regardless of the path we take THIS time, God's will IS going to happen - HIS way. We have already been told what the ultimate outcome will be and that is why, though we are afraid for what we hold dear, we need not fear the future because we know WHO holds it and the day is coming where EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. As much as I love America, it is NOT my true home. My home is with my Father in heaven and my eternity is there, not here.
We have kicked God out. We have elected a bunch of Spiritual drunkards .If the people do not repent how can God bless this country?
This nation is being shaken and only one answer for those who really follow Christ (not counting those who just call themselves Christians but are nothing but tares among the wheat )and that is to get on your knees and pray for revival .
I plan to vote against Obama because I know my nation can not survive 4 more years . I know that my nation can not survive the implementation of Obama care and the death panels and it’s exemption for muslims (what do you think is going to happen when all those people realize they don’t have to pay for the insurance if they just convert especially when so many of them already think that allah is the same as God ?). We are just steps away from becoming Nazi Germany all over again and way to many are just keeping quite .
God is in control tho and I know he has guided me through many troubles before and he will continue to do so no matter what happens . No time to worry or be afraid , time to trust the Lord .
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The debates were in 1858, not 1860. 1860 was a Presidential election year. Douglas was never a candidate for POTUS.
Oh my. i have been struggling with all of this. questioning the whole prep thing. does this prove i have no faith? i feel dread and fear. yet He says be not afraid. glad to see i am not alone.
Amen! Thank you for that Scripture. We ARE strangers and pilgrims on earth and that “better” country is our eternal home with our Lord and Savior.
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