Many Christians, and many who are not Christians, are quite concerned about what awaits us this coming year of 2021. 2020 has not been pleasant, and with all things considered, 2021 could be even worse. I say “could” be because maybe our attitude is a determining factor. In other words, as a Christian, are we depending on man or God? Paul said it well.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I would like to quote Dr. J. Vernon McGee with reference to a Scripture passage in Daniel [Dr. J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible Commentary Series, The Prophets, Daniel, Pages 73-74]. God, in chapter four of Daniel, is warning Nebuchadnezzar in a dream that he is going to be judged for his pride if he doesn’t repent and trust in the one true God. Keep in mind that Dr. McGee went home to be with the Lord December 1^st, 1988 … 32 years ago! Much has changed since then. Here is what he had to say:

“This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).

There are three things that we learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream:

• “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” If you think that God has abdicated today and has withdrawn from this universe, you are wrong. The universe has not gotten loose from Him. Emerson was wrong when he said, “Things are in the saddle, and they ride mankind.” There happens to be Somebody else in the saddle, and He is in control on this earth. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion” (Ps. 2:4-5).

God says He is going on with His purpose in the world. He is permitting Satan to carry out a nefarious plot for a very definite reason: God is demonstrating something to His created intelligences today. There are a lot of silly things being said about Satan which are entirely unscriptural.

Nations rise and fall to teach men that God rules and overrules the kingdoms of this world. If you think our nation happens to be His special little pet, you are entirely wrong. I believe we have already been put on the auction block: we are already judged. The downward course which this nation is traveling is going to take us right to the judgment of God. He rules in the kingdom of men.

• He “giveth it to whomsoever he will.” You probably thought that the Democrats and the Republicans put men in power. They think they do, but God disposes of these kingdoms according to His will. That thought may cause someone’s chest to puff up, and he will say, “Well, I am occupying this office by the will of God.” A lot of kings in the past had the foolish notion that they were ruling in God’s place. Don’t believe a word of it – God puts them in power. Notice that Paul says in Romans 13:1, “…the powers that be are ordained of God.” Why in the world does God permit certain powers to rule on this earth?
• He “setteth up over it the basest of men.” This third statement should be humbling to both the Democrats and the Republicans – and to all of mankind. If you think we pick the best men, we don’t – all you need to do is to read human history to see this. My study of English history shows that our ancestors in the British Isles were some pretty bloody ancestors. They were terrible, and they had some rulers who were unspeakable! May I say to you, God “setteth up over it the basest of men,” and we get the kind of ruler that we deserve. People complain about our government, our Congress, and all that sort of thing. My friend, we put them in their offices; we voted for them.

God lets the basest of men come to power. That ought to be humbling to all of us – from Washington, D.C., on down. You will never hear of someone who is trying to curry the favor of our leaders speaking on this verse at a Presidential breakfast or upon any occasion in Washington! This verse is quite upsetting, is it not?

History will substantiate the truth of this statement. The head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar, was insane; yet he was a brilliant ruler who formed the first world kingdom. He had times when he was as mad as a mad-hatter and didn’t even know who he was. As we have mentioned before, many of the great world rulers have suffered problems similar to his. And the reason our forefathers did not establish the United States of America as a kingdom is because they believed that no man could be trusted to rule. God has been demonstrating this now over quite a length of time: He “setteth up over it the basest of men.” [end quote]

I don’t know any more than the next person what lies ahead in the coming year. That’s a privilege held only by our omniscient God. Depending upon who is sitting in the oval office, I can make an educated (or uneducated) guess, and maybe I’ll be correct to some point. I do know this … The Lord Jesus Christ is in absolute control, and He knows exactly what He is doing. I know He loves His sheep of which I am one. I also know there is nothing man can do to me that can separate me from Him (Psalm 23; Romans 8:35-39).

When I read Dr. McGee’s statement above, I was especially drawn to the third statement God made in Daniel 4:17; i.e., “and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

If God is allowing the two Democrats who ran for president and vice president to govern our nation beginning January 2021, God’s statement “and setteth up over it the basest of men” seems to be a perfect fit. I can’t imagine the destruction that will ensue once these two, and the gang, take over.

I am also jolted to the reality that God may be ready to reduce our national influence upon the world and allow the stage light to be re-directed toward the revived Roman empire and its coming world leader, the Antichrist. The Antichrist may be preparing for his grand entrance upon the world’s stage.

Now, all of this is supposition. Only God knows the “how and when” of future events. Interestingly though, He has made clear the signs He has provided us for the coming seven years of Tribulation. Its arrival may not be at the door, but it’s footsteps can be heard coming up the path. In other words, the storm isn’t here yet, but the clouds are definitely darkening.

Thankfully, the Lord has promised over and over that His Church (His bride) will not be here for that period in time. So whatever happens in this new year, let Jesus’ words live in your heart.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me …Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:1, 27).

We don’t know the future, but we know Who holds the future.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

In Ecclesiastes 1:2 Solomon says, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” “Vanity” is a word that depicts pride and self-importance. It is loaded with conceit and arrogance. My first thought reminds me of the greatest narcissist of all; i.e., Satan, also called Lucifer (and many other names).

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:12-14).

My second thought is of the vanity of those today who have chosen to pick a fight with Almighty God. I speak of those in our own country who, for example, are tripping over each other to establish a one-world government based on a “eutopia” without the Christian God. God’s words to Lucifer in verses 13-14 above appropriately fit our world at large. They simply mimic their father, the devil (John 8:44).

Anarchy reigns in America as I type. An election has been stolen from the people of this once great land by open criminal acts. If by another miracle of God, the election is overturned in favor of our current President, armed thugs would once again take to the streets. Will God allow this? I don’t know.

These same people rejoice in the slaughter of innocent little babies in their own mothers’ wombs. They rejoice in every vile sexual perversion the corrupt mind can dream up.

God is anathema in their plans to live as they please. They want no mention of Him, no display that would remind them of Him, and no interference into their lives of this God of the Christians. They hate the very thought of Him.

They want a god that is all about love and never ever condemns their brazen sins.

If He exists, He is probably much like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, so they think. Besides, modern man no more believes in a real God than … than they do Santa Claus. It’s all just childish nonsense. Think so?

Another thought that comes to mind is what God says in the following passage:

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

It seems that nearly everything in our society today is reversed. For example, it’s okay to take the life of an innocent baby, but we defend a cold-blooded murderer that should be put to death.

Males think they’re females, and females think they’re males. Maybe you should stand naked in front of a mirror after you shower and rethink that.

Males commit sexual acts with males, and females commit sexual acts with females. Excuse me! God put two people in the Garden of Eden originally to continue the human race. One was male, and the other was female. Notice, God did not start with two males or two females. God said, “For this cause shall a man [male] leave his father [male] and mother [female], and shall be joined unto his wife [female], and they two [male and female] shall be one flesh” (Ephesians 5:31; inserts mine).

God calls one who is unfaithful a “whoremonger,” but society says, “It’s my body, and I’ll do as I please!”

God says all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire, but lying has become so commonplace in our society, we have to use fact-checkers to see who is telling the truth; but then again (if we’re smart), we know the fact-checker may be lying.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

There is so much happening all around us today that is … how can I say this? It just isn’t normal. It’s upside down. It’s open rebellion against anything that might be called good, especially God. It dawns on me that we, as a society, are at war with God! We fired the first shot (Bible removed, 1963) in a war we cannot win.

This world is charging forward at breakneck speed toward judgment. We have “poked the bear” once too often, and we are looking down the wrong end of the barrel to a time called the Tribulation. I just thank Almighty God that all who have come to Him through Jesus Christ will disappear from this world in the Rapture before the Tribulation arrives.

Vanity against God is at such a fever pitch in our society, the seriousness of this coming time of judgment is not even given a thought. Consider the following:

“Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they cry, ‘and free ourselves from slavery to God.’

“But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares, ‘I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.’

“The king proclaims the LORD’s decree: ‘The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’

“Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!” (Psalms 2).

God always warns before He administers His justice. God’s justice will be administered upon this fallen world in a seven-year period called the Tribulation. His warnings (via signs) are already appearing as dark clouds do before a storm. He will first remove His bride, and then the judgment will begin.

The seven years of God’s judgment upon the earth will be so terrible, no one would survive if it lasted any longer. There are 7.8 billion people in the world today. True Christians will first be removed, then over half of the people remaining will be destroyed. Many will be saved, but even so, many of them will be killed by the world ruler; i.e., the Antichrist.

There is a saying that goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” The same is true with people, especially when it comes to our spiritual need, and that need for all of us is for our soul to be saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

God is a holy God of love and justice. He is not all love and no justice, and He is not all justice and no love. He wants all who will to be saved, but the decision is ours.

The book of Revelation, which is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, is mostly all about the Tribulation that is certainly coming. In my opinion it is very close. If that were not so, we would not be inundated with so many signs of that coming judgment.

Those who belong to Christ will first be removed in the Rapture, then that terrible seven years will begin. Once the Church, the bride of Christ, is removed, it will be too late. Can you be saved during the Tribulation? Maybe, but if you are, you will probably be beheaded. And then there is 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html