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Luke 22; ... he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. The words of Yahuahshua. |
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Luke 22; ... he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. The words of Yahuahshua. |
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I was recently asked by another believer, whom I had only met just a few weeks
ago, what do I think of the whole notion of an impending worldwide financial
collapse? I told him that I believe it will occur in our immediate future. In
fact, I don't quite understand why it hasn't happened yet. But I do know (in
part) the mechanics behind why it hasn't yet occurred. Simply put, the world
powers have agreed (behind the scenes) to print money to pay back their
international debts. The guarantors, in exchange, have agreed not to prosecute
the debtors by calling their debts due and payable in full. The reason for this
can only be because the global economy is so inter-connected that to collapse
the debt ridden western world would mean economic Armageddon. Even though a
"Day of Reckoning" must occur eventually, the powers "that be" have
postponed that day, obviously for the sake of finishing their preparations
(whatever they may be). I believe this is what our Mashiyach was telling us, when he spoke of the Tribulation; For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Luke 21:35 KJV A snare is a trap, that is unknowingly tripped or sprung by its intended prey. For the prey, it is sudden and completely unexpected. This is the mental condition that I see prevalent in the US today. A majority of the people have placed their faith in the government, thinking they have a plan to straighten out the mess, which ironically is the same mess they have gotten us into. Notice that Yahuahshua points out that this snare (and the resulting calamity that ensues) will affect the "whole earth." The Greek word "pas" being used and meaning, all, any and everyone, thoroughly and whosoever - the entire amount (the whole group). When I pointed this out to my fellow believer, he responded, what do I think we should do (to prepare)? My answer was simple, "prepare to defend yourself." Fill the pantry, put away additional food, make sure you have a good supply of water and bullets. To that his immediate response was, "Oh no, no, no.... I'm going to have faith, I'm not going to hoard food and shoot my neighbors." I didn't get offended, but is that what I really said? And wasn't his response actually a form of ridicule? Because by saying "I'm going to have faith," he was saying (conversely) that my approach constituted a lack of faith. But does it? Does anyone really have an idea of what will ensue during a complete worldwide economic collapse? It is a known fact that the entire supply of food (in Retail Stores) is replaced every three days. That at any given time, traveling on the roadways by truck, there is a three day supply of food. Now consider the metamorphosis that has occurred in the US over the past 200 years, regarding the nature of the average person. We began as nation of pioneers. Many people walked up on some land, with a rifle and an ax. and carved out a homestead. They were self sufficient and independent. Now compare that with the average person that lives in the US today. All someone had to do, to see a real life comparison, was to watch the news coverage back in 2005 of Hurricane Katrina. For weeks I saw people in New Orleans complaining on TV about the Government because they had no food or water. At the same time, the news cameras was filming people in knee deep water looting all of the stores, even carrying out brand new TV's while wading through the water and debris. Then there were shootings, rapes, and murders. This occurred even though the people knew that order would soon be restored, and the City rebuilt. Imagine a future calamity when there is no hope for a return to the former glory of Western Civilization and all of its perks. What will be the mindset of those individuals living at that time? And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matt 24:12 NKJV So what should be the faith-filled response to this scenario? To allow myself, my family members, and other believers to be victimized, assaulted, raped, and murdered - as a statement of faith? That's absurd. While I have previously stated my belief, that many believers will be removed from this calamity by passing through a door into another place, Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, Yahuah comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain. Isa 26:20-21 NKJV But since I don't know exactly at what point in time that will occur, I prepare for the worst that can happen. Going back to the conversation I had with my fellow believer, and his denouncement at the prospect of having to "shoot my neighbors," I can only say that, the evil person who comes to my door to harm me and my family, is not my neighbor. And He (Yahuahshua) said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. Luke 22:35-37 NKJV In these verses, Yahuahshua is telling the disciples, and by extension those believers who will come after them, to buy a sword even though it was against Roman Law for them to own one. This applies to those of you who may be reading this in other countries where you do not have the right to own a firearm. There is only one reason for a Government. to disarm its citizenry - it is because they plan to do them harm. For what threat is there to a righteous Government. if the people are armed? Some believers will argue with me saying, "....all who take the sword will perish by the sword." Matt 26:52-53 NKJV But this saying of Yahuahshu'a was meant to be a condemnation of those who were coming to take him. A study of the Greek text supports this interpretation. The word translated as "take" as in the phrase "take the sword" is #2983 "lambano" and means "to take with the hand" (get hold of) in order to use it (forcefully). These men were under orders to take him, by the power of their will - supported by the force of their swords; even though he had done nothing wrong. This taking of innocent life was in opposition to Yahuah's will. According to the scriptures, it would have been a righteous act for the disciples, and the rest of their company, to slay all of those who came to take Yahuahshua. But this atrocity, perpetrated by the Elders of Israel, was allowed by him for the greater good, according to his plan. And of course there is Romans 13, the most favored chapter quoted by those Christians who prefer not to be responsible for their own well being, as it relates to Governmental responsibilities and accountability. "For there is no authority except from Yahuah,..." Rom 13:1 NKJV Here in the United States, Yahuah gave us a Democratic Republic, formed under the auspices of a Constitution, that the Federal Government was to wear as a yoke upon its neck. The Founders of this country actually created a new legal status never before seen in this world, the status of a "natural person." A natural person is one who derives his rights from the Creator, and those rights preceded the formation of any government. Therefore, it became the primary function of Government to protect those rights. This is the authority that Yahuah gave us as a Nation, the contract we entered into, it is spelled out in our original Constitution and Bill of Rights. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. Rom 13:3-4 NKJV This is a true saying. provided the authority itself is righteous, and reflects the will of Yahuah. But what if this is reversed, and the rulers are not a terror to evil works, but to good works? What if the rulers support everything that is opposed to Yahuah and his Torah? Are we to swear allegiance and obey that form of Government? And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey Yahuah rather than men. Acts 5:27-29 KJV Continuing in Romans 13; For he (the Governmental authority) is the minister of Yahuah to thee for good Rom 13:4 KJV I ask my fellow believers, if our rulers were a force for good, why have they forced upon us as a nation abortion rights, homosexual rights, confiscatory taxes, innumerable laws, statutes, and regulations? They have limited the First Amendment by disallowing prayer in Schools and other public places. They have ceased to enforce public decency laws, allowing us (as a Country) to become the No. 1 worldwide purveyor of Pornography. And we are supposed to be a Christian nation? What a joke! Then, while all of this is transpiring, almost ALL Christian churches are enjoying their 501(c)3 tax exempt status and not saying a word in opposition to the Government. In fact, may of these cowardly Pastors and leaders hide behind Romans 13 (and other verses) to bow down to a Satanically inspired Government. They even say to the congregants (quoting scripture) "we are not to be entangled in the affairs of this world," we deal in spiritual truths only. To that I can only say, do we currently live in the Spirit realm, or are we presently alive on this earth, where there is also Political, Economic, and Social truth. Should we ignore these three aspects of life (and truth)? Is that good stewardship? Those who expect us to do so - are deceivers. Even now, they refuse to warn their congregations about what is ahead. So when the world wide financial collapse occurs, most will be unprepared. When they find out that the money they have placed their trust in is gone, they will feel bewildered, and hopelessly betrayed. All because most of the preaching done today is based on (and promotes) the prosperity we deserve (and should receive) as Christians. I find this teaching somewhat twisted in nature. To say on the one hand; it's OK to have houses and cars, vacation and travel, store up money in Annuities, stocks and bonds, savings and retirement accounts; but what a lack of faith it is to be self sufficient, and store some food and water. I will close with these exampleS from scripture which partly explain my position (in faith) to meet this impending calamity; "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. Matt 24:45-48 NKJV Does the word "food" refer to spiritual food only, or does it refer to the food one needs for physical nourishment. According to the Greek, it is meat (or food for the stomach). Consider also the parable of the 10 Maidens (Virgins) from Matthew 25: "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten maidens (or unmarried daughters) who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. [Notice that all 10 maidens knew where to go, to meet the bridegroom. All 10 have lamps that light the way] Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, "but the wise took oil in vessels (a receptacle) (along) with their lamps." [The Greek primary preposition, #3326 meta
(met-ah'); is used denoting accompaniment; and meaning "amid."
In other words, the lamps filled with oil were accompanied by an
additional receptacle that held oil.] |