Some 2019 items to ponder .....

Here are some negative events relating to 2019 by Michael Snyder:

"One of the best ways to determine where things are heading is to look at how much has changed over the past 12 months. 2019 has been one of the most memorable years in our history, and it has certainly set the stage for the critical events of the decade to come. However, not everyone views this moment in our history the same way. For example, one "expert" that is being heavily quoted by the mainstream media is claiming that 2019 was the culmination of "the best decade in human history" ... certainly, there are many other voices out there that are boldly proclaiming that we have entered a golden era of peace and prosperity and that the best is yet to come. You can buy that argument if you want, but there are other voices that believe that everything that is wrong with our society is reaching a very dangerous crescendo. For those with that perspective, it appears that we are very close to a societal tipping point and that the years ahead are when we will finally pay the price for decades of exceedingly bad decisions. 

So, what do you think?

Will the 2020s be the best of times or the worst of times? ...

Here are 50 numbers from 2019 that are almost too crazy to believe ...

#2 At 10 percent, Michaelle Obama topped the list in the Gallup poll for "the most admired woman in America" this year. ...

#5 The United States government is now more than 23 trillion dollars in debt. ...

#9 According to the IMF, total global debt has now reached the 188 trillion dollar mark.

#10 United States corporations are now close to 10 trillion dollars in debt.

#11 Total corporate debt has now reached 47 percent of the U.S. GDP. That is the highest level in our history.

#12 Total United States household debt is about to cross the 14 trillion dollar mark.

#13 A study that was recently released found that 70 percent of all Americans are struggling financially right now. ...

#21 According to the most recent government figures, 24.6 million Americans have used [illicit drugs] within the last 30 days.

#22 If you can believe it, 46 percent of all Americans have taken at least one legal pharmaceutical drug within the last 30 days. That is almost half the country. ...

#28 The suicide rate for the overall population increased by 41 percent between 1999 and 2016.

#29 One survey has discovered that 15-year-old students in China are almost four full grade levels ahead of 15-year-old students in the United States in mathematics. ...

#33 23 percent of all United States children live with a single parent. That is the highest rate in the entire world by a wide margin.

#34 Today, approximately 40 percent of all babies in America are born to unmarried women. ...

#41 58 percent of American adults under the age of 35 agree that some version of socialism "would be good for the country." ...

#44 The bird population of North America has declined by 3 billion since 1970.

#45 Scientists are telling us that at the current rate of extinction, nearly all insects could be gone "in 100 years."

(Read More: http://themostimportantnews.com/archives/50-numbers-from-2019-that-are-almost-too-crazy-to-believe).

Well then, are these the best of times or the worst of times!?

Well, indeed, some of both.

There have been massive automotive achievements and technological advancements, yet, that are ever-growing numbers of people worldwide who are living in extreme abject poverty! Along with grave morality issues, debt issues, the loss of our foul population, the insect population - which is indeed consistent with WARNINGS from Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ in Thier living Word - the Holy Bible (cf. Matthew 24:22; Revelation 11:18). Also, God's living Word teaches that in this end-time - this final hour - the grave indebted nations of the house of Israel will be plundered (Habakkuk 2:2-8).

The great United States of America is the most indebted nation in the history of nations. Indeed, Sodom and Gomorrah - according to research - were apparently very wealthy cities before being destroyed.

"Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground" - Genesis 19:24-25; NKJV throughout, unless otherwise noted.

Now, why did this actually happen!? The Apostle Jude states:

"[A]s Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth AS AN EXAMPLE, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" - Jude 7.

Amongst a number of other abominable things against God, they were sexually immoral going after "strange flesh" (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

Friends, why should we be worried about this in the 21st century!?

Here is something written by the Apostle Peter, under a great inspiration of the Spirit of God:

"[A]nd turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemning them to destruction, making them AN EXAMPLE to those afterward would live ungodly" - 2 Peter 2:6.

It is clear from Scripture that Sodom and Gomorrah were to serve as an example to those who would turn fully from Almighty God and Jesus Christ and live their life as those cities did. Yet, as so many people follow the belief of Sir James George Frazer in his book The Illustrated Golden Bough: "That man progressed from a belief in magic as a means of controlling their environment to religious belief, which propitiated gods and spirits," they are ignorant of the biblical WARNINGS to which modern leaders are advocating many forms of sexual immorality, including going after "strange flesh."

GOD, however, warns about such leaders:

"'As for My people [the nations of Israel], children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths'" - Isaiah 3:12. (See also Isaiah 9:16).

Also, notice that our Master foretold destruction coming to those who think it's the best of times - worst times are coming:

"' And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man [Jesus Christ's Second Coming]: 27) They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28) Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29) but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all'" - Luke 17:26-29.

Also, friends, there is a grave WARNING concerning complacency. As it was with Neville Chamberlain's day with his "peace for our time," we are getting ever-closer to an end-time temporary peace deal which will take place involving multiple Islamic Middle Eastern nations - Daniel 9:27.

A great many will believe - once again - that we are entering into an age of peace and prosperity. Yet, as the grave attack on our US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq shows us - the Bible WARNS that it will not end well:

"For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4) But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day [the Day of the LORD] should overtake you as a thief. 5) You are all sons [and daughters] of light and sons [and daughters] of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober [vigilent]. 7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night" - 1 Thessalonians 5:3-7.

Friends, Christians are supposed to WATCH and UNDERSTAND the world events around them in relation to biblical prophecy - what is happening around the world - as the Apostle Paul wrote.

Note the very words of our Master:

"' But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day [the Day of the LORD] come on you unexpectedly. 35) For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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'" - Luke 21:34-36.

Christians are to WATCH world events and to pray always to be counted worthy in the eyes of Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ to escape from the coming end-time great tribulation. Friends, if all Christians were indeed blessed with protection from this soon-coming end-time trauma, there would have been no reason for Jesus Christ's instructions - as He did.

Christ's messages to His Church (Revelation 2 & 3: Messages to the Churches) - conditions that exist within His Church throughout the ages - clearly teach that some will be protected and others will not. Indeed, we truly believe that Revelation 2 & 3 are speaking about churches - seven churches - which existed back in 95 A.D. that John was inspired to write. And, although He's talking about an earlier group of people - the former. He's also speaking a prophecy concerning the latter people. The latter days. An end-time prophecy.

Minister Michael C. Garrett wrote:

"Jesus Christ is saying, 'there were people who had great enthusiasm and great love for Me and for My Church, but as they got older they got more tired, more confused, and misdirected.' Well, who does the misdirecting!? The misdirecting comes from the directors. The directors are the Church leaders. And in many of these organizations, which claim to be a part of God, they are in truth only worried about themselves - or family businesses. They're not worried about Jesus Christ, because quite frankly, I know some of these people, and they don't give a hoot about Jesus Christ! He says, " ...' Repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly [that's talking about the return of Jesus Christ - and end-time event] and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent.'" - would God the Father and Jesus Christ actually bring about the end and the demise of a Church!?"

Friends, there are a great many Church of God groups (those who are descended from the Worldwide Church of God) who do not understand prophecy proper (such as those concerning the prophecy of the 'king of the South'). Then, there are other groups who will believe they see a sign and will try and flee to places such as Petra!? The Worldwide Church of God's doctrine on Matthew 24:16 was that this verse stated that all of us were going to load up on buses and boats and airplanes and somehow end up in the deserts of Jordan!? In an old sandstone pagan temple, and somehow THAT was going to be our “Safety Place.” They call it a place of safety. I find it interesting that Jesus WARNS us, “’ Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ …” – ‘Oh, there’s a little place He’s hanging out – the Petra Desert.’ “ …’ do not go out; …’” – it’s a fraud, it’s a sham! “ … ‘or ‘Look, He is in the inner [chambers]!’ do not believe it.’ – there won’t be anything secret about the return of Jesus Christ! Also, there are a great many Church of God groups who do not properly understand concerning the Two Witnesses or even the prophecy of the 144,000!

Friends, let's be remembered of this great parable of Jesus Christ's:

"' For the kingdom [from] heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15) And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16) Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17) And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18) But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19) After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ... 24) Then he who received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25) And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26) But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gathered where I have not scattered seed. 27) So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28) So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29) For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30) And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth'" - Matthew 25:14-19, 24-30.

Verse 30 - " ... 'cast the unprofitable servant ...'" those who have turned their back's on God and Jesus Christ - have driven the Spirit of God out of them, " ...' into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" There will be that eternal punishment of death in the 'lake of fire.'

If anyone has buried their talent, unbury it and use it!

"The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless. 13) The lazy man says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!'" - Proverbs 22:12-13.

Friends, be not lazy. Fear nothing when Almighty God and Jesus Christ are beside you! Are you diligently presenting yourself to be approved to God!? In his letter to his prótégé Timothy - and by extension to all of us:

"Be diligent to present [to study the Holy Bible!] yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. 16) But SHUN profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17) And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort" - 2 Timothy 2:15-17.

Now, in Jesus' parable of the talents, the man who buried his talent was very fearful. Our Master WARNS:

"' But the cowardly ... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death'" - Revelation 21:8.

And there are many Christians that heed not the following warning:

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" - Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Now, the above obviously applies to your physical work. But it also can apply to your marriage, your education, and the spiritual work you do for the Eternal God! Sadly, in this end-time - this final-hour - a great many of God's begotten children do not even help support the final phase of God's work (cf. Romans 9:28; KJV).

The Prophet Zephaniah was inspired to write:

"' The great day of the LORD is near; ... Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation'" - Zephaniah 1:14, 2:1.

O' friends, NATIONAL repentance is needed! God's living Word - the Bible - surely shows that the power of the United States (one who has the strongest military) will fall according to Daniel 11:39. Isaiah indicates that hypocrisy and or acting ungodly will be a major part of this great fall. Now, while political hypocrisy is indeed a problem all around the world, in the past few decades the bluntness of hypocrisy in America is rampant and ever-so obvious!

While this nation probably will not repent, you can. Do not wait until it’s too late (cf. Acts 17:30; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Let us also consider what God teaches - because it's in His living Word - concerning the importance of gathering together as we get closer to this soon-coming end-time trauma:

"[L]et us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope WITHOUT WAVERING, for He who promised is faithful. 24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25) NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching'"

Let us also notice something stated by our Master, along with what the Apostle Peter wrote:

"'IF you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you'" - John 15:19.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: 10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but NOW have obtained mercy" - 1 Peter 2:9-10; KJV.

Indeed, true Christians are a "peculiar people." The people that society - for the most part - does not desire. Notice what the Apostle Paul says:

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him [here speaking of the resurrection of the saints - remember, we’ll be caught up in the clouds and meet Jesus in the clouds!], we ask you, 2) not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come" - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

The Day of the Lord! Remember, all the major prophets talked about it! 75% of the “minor” prophets talked about it! The Book of Revelation talks about the Day of the Lord, and HERE Paul, who also, besides being an evangelist, and then an apostle and a writer of the Bible, he also was a prophet. And here he speaks about end-time prophecy. He talks about ‘the day of Christ.’

Friends, the Day of the Lord is at hand. □