No Safe Place - Where On Earth Can You Hide?

By: Jim Josephsen

 
Just what on earth is going on lately? The ever-confused International Community has now focused attention on the Middle East. Whereas the United States and Great Britain, Israel’s staunchest allies have been most accurate in putting the blame for the latest conflagration between Israel and Hezbollah where it belongs, the International Community’s collective response has been harsh criticism of Israel. Israel stands firm in defending itself against the insurgence of the Hezbollah terrorist guerillas that have been appreciably sponsored by Syria and Iran.

To the north and south of Israel, maniacal Islamic terrorists, Hamas and Hezbollah, push the Middle East ever closer to all-out war and with that, a drastic change in life for all dwellers on earth. One thing is clear; democracy will never work for a modern day Bedouin-minded people acculturated by centuries of fundamentalism, self-directed narcissism, guided by a religious leader who was as corrupt and militant as they come.

To understand the outcome of the misery in the Middle East, consider what Jesus Christ spoke. “When you see Jerusalem surrounded with armies, then know that the end is near.” The end of what you may ask.

Those familiar with the Bible understand we are talking about the end of the world and society, as we know it. This may have made a catchy tune by REM back in the early 90’s but the reality is certain - unless. Christ continued by saying that except those days be shortened there should be no flesh saved (alive). Dire consequences result from the coming war that will bring the entire world to its knees. That war will commence in the Middle East. Is this the start?

The Middle East is the focus, for now. Yet, while off camera, the following realities exist as other hot spots on this earth threaten. North Korea’s Kim Jong-il still pushes forward to perfect his nation’s nuclear arsenal. Putin and Russia are making noise once again. With America’s forces stymied in Iraq and poised to aid Israel, and an American population decrying any war, the North Korean concern pushes Japan to the inevitable - rearming a domestic standing army for a possible first strike advance. Talks are already underway. Iran of course advances toward nuclear capabilities under the lunacy of Ahmadinejad and a populace rabid in destroying all infidels, beginning with the Jews and soon thereafter, Americans. Militant Islam sure knows how to isolate itself from the world. But who is taking a stance against them?

While the world convulses in the threats of catastrophic global war, an absurd reaction is common in the United States - mindless ignorance!

With all the problems raging over there, on that side of the world, the vast majority of Americans are busily pursuing their fairytale lifestyle. Why, no evil shall fall upon us!

American business chugs along, as more jobs are migrating overseas. The national debt continues to grow as the one-way world economy continues to prosper nations like India and China while sinking the United States deeper in debt. Of course, the Federal Reserve softens the American Economy at each chance it gets. Credit card debt mounts as personal IRAs and savings decrease daily. The sinking economy is oppressing the poor and is poised to devastate the middle class next.

The average American, especially the younger generation, probably could not tell you where in the world Iran is, what nation Kim Jong-il leads, or why the United Stated supports Israel. With what rages on out there, we have so soon forgotten that the enemy is now on our soil. Yet, it seems Americans are only concerned with the frustration they feel over ever-inflating fuel prices or spongy stock markets; while voyeurism, sexual freedoms, self-indulgence and the latest reality show pollutes their minds. Naively, many Americans think life will go on as usual once the politicians correct those weird people over there, once our new President and Administration take office.

The world is edging closer toward end-time scenarios, all the while religion across the globe is steadily becoming a mockery. Of course, most religious institutions would serve the world well if they were eliminated from the world scene even now, but in time Christ will take care of that.

In America, look at what passes for religion! Every Sunday Christians gather at the mega church, the local church, the rented hall, to bask in the Glory of their god and the fantasy realm of self-help, feel good happy Jesus hour. Most ministers teach the smooth things of the Lord, ignoring the sin and putrefying perversions, which are destroying the lives of Americans. Ministers are afraid to preach from the Word of God. The people are taught to disobey the Laws of God. The truth of God is rejected. God’s Word has plenty to say about the future events that will affect not only the world and the Middle East but also America, Great Britain and Israel. Still American Christianity refuses to preach or is simply ignorant of the warning message.

Problems in the world are ever increasing.  Most Christians believe they have an escape clause. Called the rapture by some or a safe place or place of safety by others, many Christians today think when catastrophe comes, when tribulation is evident, God will send them away from the mess. Nothing is further from the truth.

The Word of God teaches no such rapture; it promotes no safe place on the earth to shelter you when the war of wars commences, when the brother nations of Israel fall into the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord is manifest. On this planet earth, there will be no place to hide, no place to go and no place to escape. During the time of global distress upon all mankind, life will be as if a man did flee from a lion and a bear met him or went into his house and leaned on his wall and a serpent bit him.

Yet God provides a way of protection from and though the evils yet ahead. You can be saved from the potential death, that if it were not for the returning Christ, would prevail over all. Watch and pray always that you will be worthy to escape the devastation that is only now beginning to develop, over there. The Work of the Watchman is warning those who have ear to hear. The Work of God starts with this: that you believe on Jesus Christ, the very One whom the Father sent (John 6:29).

If you believe, obey, and remain faithful to God until the end, then the safe place for you will be right where you are, under God’s Devine protection as promised.

Though the world falls apart, the promises as follows will be your surety – a thousand shall fall at your right side and ten thousand at you left, yet nothing shall come near to you. Only with your eyes, you will see the reward of the wicked. There shall no evil happen to you nor will any plague come in your dwelling place. For He will give His angels watch over you, to keep you safe (Read Psalm 91).