What do you think about this?

[Rebel Hog]

By Irvin Baxter Jr. (www.endtime.com)
[/align]In Daniel 7:1-8, the prophet Daniel was given a vision of four beasts. The prophecy states that these beasts symbolize nations (verse 23). By studying the context of the prophecy, we can prove that all of the prophesied nations will exist together at the time of the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
[/align]If we can prove that these nations exist on earth right now, then we can know that we are living in the era of the Second Coming.
[/align][align=left][/align]Who are the nations?
[/align]When God chose symbols to represent nations, He did not pick them indiscriminately. Instead He chose symbols that would have meaning at the time of the prophetic fulfillment. There are prominent nations on earth right now whose official symbols are those contained in the Daniel 7 prophecy.
[/align]The lion
[/align]The Bible states that the first beast was like a lion. There is, in fact, a major nation on earth right now whose recognized national symbol is the lion. The editorial page of the January 4, 1980, edition of the Indianapolis Star featured the headline, "After the British Lion, the Russian Bear." In Webster's Third International Dictionary under lion, it states, "the symbol of a country--Great Britain."
[/align]The bear
[/align]The second beast in the prophecy was like a bear. It is widely known that the national symbol of Russia is the bear. The bear was used to symbolize Russia on the front cover of Time magazine on May 21, 1984, and on October 27, 1980. USA Today used a bear to symbolize Russia on its front page on September 9, 1988. The January 25, 1997, edition of the Economist magazine used a huge bear to represent Russia. We could give literally hundreds of examples of the bear being used in many different publications to depict Russia.
[/align]The eagle
[/align]One of the most incredible things about this prophecy is its depiction of the United States. The lion had eagle's wings. The official emblem of the United States is the eagle. Where did the United States come from? We grew out of our mother country of Great Britain, of course! And that's not all. Daniel watched as the eagle's wings were broken off from the lion. Amazingly, in 600 BC, Daniel foresaw the U.S. Declaration of Independence that would occur twenty-three hundred years later in 1776 AD!
[/align]In 600 BC, the prophecy of Daniel 7 accurately prophesied three of the most prominent nations of our times. The accuracy of this portrayal of modern nations 2,600 years ago is absolutely astounding! If this happens to be coincidence, it is one of the most incredible coincidences of all history!
[/align]The leopard
[/align]The prophecy tells us that "dominion was given to the leopard." Which nation has had dominion in this modern era? One nation has started the last three major wars. The Franco-German War of 1870, World War I and World War II were all planned, plotted and started by the same nation-Germany Furthermore, Germany's Leopard Tank is the dominant tank of both Europe and NATO.
[/align]The leopard in this prophecy had four heads. All of the other beasts had only one head each. A beast in Bible prophecy always represents a kingdom or nation. Multiple heads on a beast symbolize the number of times that nation will rise and fall. The four heads of the leopard represent the First Reich, the Second Reich, Hitler's famous Third Reich, and the Fourth Reich, which is now rising. American author Edwin Hartrich has written a book entitled, The Fourth and Richest Reich.
[/align]The ten-horned beast
[/align]The last beast portrayed in Daniel 7 was different from the other beasts in the prophecy. It was so different that Daniel could not compare it to any animal he had ever seen. However, the dominant characteristic of the last beast was that it had ten horns.
[/align]In verse 24, we are told that the ten horns represent ten kings that will be joined together into one kingdom. This ten-horned kingdom will become so powerful that it will ultimately devour the whole earth. This refers to the often-prophesied fact that, immediately before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to earth, a one-world government will gain control of the world for a very short time.
[/align]A very skilled and popular politician will rise up among the ten rulers of these ten nations, and they will voluntarily give their power to him. This powerful politician will be the endtime ruler that the Bible refers to as the beast, or the Antichrist.
[/align]It is not clear at this time who this ten-nation union will be. The two most likely possibilities are the European Union or a re-created Soviet Union. The European Union presently has 15 members. Therefore, its number would have to be reduced to ten if it is to fulfill the prophecy.
[/align]Many of the states of the ex-Soviet Union do not like being relegated to third-rate power status. Many of them would like to see the re-creation of the Soviet Union. If ten of these states came together, they would have all the nuclear weaponry of the former Soviet Union. This likelihood cannot be ignored since the Bible, in Ezekiel 38, explicitly prophesies that Russia will be the dominant force coming against Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. According to the prophecies, the Antichrist will lead the international forces of the World Community against Israel at Armageddon. So if the Antichrist would come to power at the head of a union dominated by Russia, the prophecies would be fulfilled perfectly.
[/align]Think of it! Two-thousand six-hundred years ago, Almighty God stated that Great Britain, Russia, the United States and Germany would be the prominent nations on earth at the time of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
[/align]Ultimate destiny of the U.S
[/align]In the book of Revelation, chapter 13, another prophecy is given using the exact same symbols used 700 years before by Daniel. This prophecy depicts one beast with the body of the leopard, the feet of the bear, the mouth of the lion and the ten horns of the ten-horned kingdom. This prophecy foretells the creation of the one-world government that we presently see emerging under the guise of the International Community. It specifically prophesies that Germany, Great Britain, Russia and the ten-horned union will come together to dominate the world and to eventually be dominated by the coming Antichrist.
[/align]The interesting thing is that the eagle's wings representing the United States do not appear in this prophecy depicting the New World Order. The Bible is not specifically clear on what actually happens to the U.S. during these prophesied endtimes. It is possible that the United States has been wiped out or greatly diminished by an armed conflict. It is also possible that the U.S. is included under the lion out of which we originally came. Or perhaps our leaders will see the dangers of the New World Order and will withdraw from it, allowing the center of power of the New World Order to swing to Europe.
[/align]There is only one possible indication concerning the role of the U.S. in the culmination of endtime events. Revelation 12:14 depicts modern Israel as a woman. This woman will come under great persecution during a three and one-half year period immediately before the Battle of Armageddon. When she does, the prophecy states that there will be given to her two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place where she will be protected for three and one-half years.
[/align]This prophecy may very well refer to the support for the nation of Israel that has been and will be given to her by the United States of America. It certainly indicates where the loyalties of the U.S. should be placed in these pivotal times.
[/align]What should America do?
[/align]Prophecy is clear that the United Nations will invade Israel at the time of the Battle of Armageddon. It is absolutely imperative that the United States not participate in this invasion! Zechariah 14 tells us that Almighty God will personally appear to fight for the overmatched nation of Israel at that time.
[/align]All of the nations that participate in the action against Israel will be smitten with a special plague according to Zechariah 14:12, "And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their month."
[/align]This is obviously a prophecy describing the effects of nuclear radiation. Apparently nuclear weapons will be used against the forces of the International Community at Armageddon.
[/align]Dear Lawmaker--please do everything in your power to make sure that American troops will never be used in any action against the nation of Israel!
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But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:8-10

[Chuck7]

Prophecy is never crystal clear. I have heard of interpretations like this before and it sounds good to me. I believe the White House advisors are also telling our president the same thing...to always support Israel. They also know they are God's chosen people.We are "The Wild Vine that was grafted in to provoke them to jealousy." After the last gentile is saved then God will open up their eyes "And ALL Israel shall be saved." according to
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Chuck

[Chuck7]

2 Chronicles6:26 When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;

6:27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

This is the reason why Israel prays facing Jerusalem everyday. I try to also when possible. When I was over there. It did not matter what the activity was..at least 3 times a day they would all stop at the same time and read their Bibles together . I was very impressed. One day we will worship Jesus together. It won't be long.
Chuck

[m.t.hands]

reb, thanks for the thought provoking post, i have been reading the "left behind" series, and the things will open your eyes. when i read those books and Revelations in the bible you see things that are going on that fit right into these proficies. one world economy, atm cards that tract your spending habits, no cash system's, ecological things happening in different regions of the world, it makes you think.

once again thanks for the thought provoking passages and post.

keith

[Rebel Hog]

Yes bro. Keith, it makes me think real hard!

[DaveH]

John Hagee has been doing a lecture series on this very thing. It has been very interesting and thought provoking as has this piece. It does seem that we are very close to Christ's second coming and need to make sure as many as possible are ready to meet the Lord.

[Rebel Hog]

Amen bro.Dave, Amen!

[The Rev]

I've been listening to Irving Baxter Jr. for a long time, he will make you stop and think. It's scary to think the role the U.N. is going to play in all this. Irving Baxter has been a long time supporter of the U.S. pulling out of the U. N. I am starting to wonder myself, it that wouldn't be a good move. But then, the end has already been written! We are just supposed to look for the signs, and be ready.

[Rebel Hog]

AMEN, bro.Bob!!