I have been asked many times recently about my opinion concerning the dire predictions of disaster promoted by some of the week of September 11th, 2015. Based upon the extensive research and credible evidence presented by Jonathon Cahn concerning the cyclic assessment and judgement of God, many are jumping around like a toad on a hot asphalt road. The toad has good reason to hastily jump. The question I seem to be getting so often is do we who are aware of the knowledge and information concerning these events, do we have reason to be jumping anxiously around? Brother John, what do you think will happen in September?
Well, if the Lord tarries, the most important event will occur on September third, my sixty third birthday. There will be by all accounts of past years, 30 days upon which to worship the Lord of all creation. Four of them will be Sundays and time for glorious celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ. I also hope to visit my grandchildren in Alabama and enjoy sweet closeness with my wife whom I admire so very much. I believe, as I preached from Jeremiah thirty three last night, that the sun will rise and the night shall follow each day of the month. That continuing cycle is a sign of God’s commitment and continuing love of His chosen people. The birds will sing, the clouds will pass and the times of our lives will continue until they don’t.
The dire predictions of some would have us falling under the economic despair of the consequences of our poorly managed government. They would further attest to God’s well deserved judgement upon a nation who has proclaimed their blessings from Him and have turned their back on His morality, His truth, even His worship. The scriptures are quite clear that the end of the nation whose state is thusly described is not good. As the prophets of Baal beat their heads against the wall (figuratively speaking), it was without avail for the god they chose to follow was conjured up in their own minds and therefore had no more power to protect them than the rocks they built his altar out of. So if as has been suggested, God chooses to reward our iniquity at this time, then yes, it will be bad.
It is entirely possible that the economy of our nation will collapse, anarchy will reign, military might and fear will rule the people. The subsequent impact on the global economy and even the ability of common people to obtain the basic necessities of subsistence will be devastating. Millions will perish at the hands of other desperate hungry people. Violence and wickedness will prevail in ways not ever witnessed by those living. Those who are unable to defend themselves and their possessions against such cruel aggression will no doubt perish and as the scriptures declare “leave it to another not knowing what shall become of it”. The living, those who survive the initial onslaught, will be forced into alliances and protective mindsets which may alter their previously known concepts of good and evil.
Yes it is possible that all of that and much worse events will transpire. If we are among those who survive there will undoubtedly be the flood of “I told you so” prophets to listen to. Yet it may not. It need not happen that way, or at that time. Truly it is possible as we have declared from the promises of God’s scripture that “If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land”. Many believe that we are too far gone to turn back, maybe, but God is still listening and waiting for our repentance. It may not happen and in fact it need not happen at this time.
So obviously people from both points of view would like to know what to do. What if it does? What if it doesn’t? My response is the same. You should love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind. You should share the truth of the gospel with all who will listen. You should pray for the mercy of God and for the conversion of lost souls. You should live generously in this present evil world seeking to love your neighbor as yourself. Make all the preparations you deem necessary. Let every aspect of your living point others to Christ. Spend much time in communion with God the Holy Spirit and make the most read book in your library, His Holy Word.
Jeremiah 30:11 says “For I am with thee, says the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.” Jesus said” Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” The Lord has a plan and it includes you. We do not know the timing of the execution of His plan.
So I repeat, take heed. Let no one deceive you. If calamities come upon us, we look to our Lord who delivers us from His wrath. If the blessings of our normal lives continue then we look to our Lord who has forgiven our sins and trust that in following His word we will be profitable servants for His glory. What do I think will happen in September 2015? I think the sun will rise in the morning after the darkness of night is past. I think some will live and some will die and some will never see that day. I think I will wake on that morning and praise the Lord for His blessings regardless of the calamities we will face. I suspect there will be an entirely new round of dire predictions and books to be sold and internet videos to be watched.
In September 2015, come what may, I will read the Book, trust the author, and worship King Jesus!