The "last days" - two world views

The following is part 5 of a 5 part paper at 

https://thotsaboutgod.blogspot.com/2010/02/doom-and-gloom-of-dispensationalism.html 

I am posting this article separately for those who may not be interested in the weakness of the biblical claims behind the "last days" or "end times" teaching. I cover these claims in parts 1-3, particularly part 3 at the above link. If you wish to look at the rest of the paper after reading the below, click here or the link above. I have also put the link to the entire paper at the end.

5. Two World Views - two opposite approaches to our world

In parts 1-3, I addressed the more technical aspects of our understanding of key passages and the history of Dispensationalism in part 4. But are there any practical implications regarding this issue? Do these ¹two systems affect how we as the Church universal address our world today? I have already alluded to this in part 4 but wish to review this more closely in the following part (part 5).

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Let’s look at how each position deals with the moral decay in our society, the courts, and culture. Why do you think the Evangelical church, to a great degree, is resigned to let things continue to deteriorate morally, politically, and economically, virtually unchallenged? Whenever I have sent info or articles to my Dispensationalist friends regarding the current decline, their response is always, "It's a sign of the times and the imminent return of Christ." Then they go about their business as if there is nothing they can or should do. "Why try to fight it?" they reason. "It is all part of God’s plan and has already been predicted and predetermined," they might say. 

But how does a "Preterist" respond? (Preterist means references to the "last days" are about past events, not future ones. This is covered more in the full paper linked above). When things grow more oppressive, they pray even more earnestly and work even more diligently that God would reverse the trend to aid the advancement of His kingdom on earth. Reversal of moral corruption and the advancement of God’s kingdom is believed to not only be possible but is, in fact, God's desire, design, and will. The "preterist" sees current events as an opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God instead of a reason to "throw up our hands" in defeat and "hunker down" while we hold on and endure the decay until the Lord returns to rescue (aka "rapture") us out of this current mess. The Preterist view is the complete opposite of the all-too-common passive approach by a large number of dispensationalists.

The dispensationalists say it's all planned out, and to fight against the "signs of the times" is futile. These are the "last days." It’s all inevitable. Fighting this is the equivalent of "polishing the brass on a sinking ship" as one author suggested. Why bother?! The ship is sinking.

The "Preterist" however, says the current deterioration we are facing now is contrary to God's will (the advancement of His Kingdom on earth), and we must pray and work all the more earnestly for its reversal. The worse it gets, the greater the opportunities to do so because we are, in fact, called by Christ himself to this end. 

It is also during hard events that people are more open to hearing the good news that God has provided the way to return to Him. If the economy continues to deteriorate, what a significant opportunity to minister to people in need and point them to Christ as their comfort in a time of trouble! A very different mindset than shaking our heads at the downturn while we sit around gazing in the sky, looking and hoping for our Lord’s return to physically remove us from the world - wouldn’t you agree? Not unlike Israel, which expected the Messiah to rescue them from the hard circumstances of Roman occupation instead of their spiritual bankruptcy. 

Now consider how much greater an impact the church could have on our culture if they all held a historical/ preterist view of God's Word compared to a futurist view. Christians would be far more actively engaged in challenging and seeking to infuse God's influence into society today. And when we share Christ, it would not be as a fire insurance policy to "rapture" them out of this doomed world and save their "skin," but because they need Him to change their lives and deliver them from the MORAL decay of this present existence, not remove them physically from the earth. This would help advance His rule and reign on earth. Are you starting to see the difference? These are two VERY different views with two opposite approaches to our current world.

So there is no confusion, I am not suggesting that we change our understanding of scripture to be more effective in the world today. What I am saying is by aligning our worldview with scripture we will be more effective.

There is another very significant area that these two views influence. Would not the church be far more aggressive in seeking to point men and women of Jewish ancestry to Christ than we are today? Whenever Paul addressed the "Jew/Gentile" question regarding the gospel did he not say "to the Jew first, then the Gentile?" Yet this is not the attitude of much of the "Gentile" church today. (Actually, there should be no such distinction within the church. I am speaking only of our priority in advancing God's kingdom here on earth). How many converted Jews attend evangelical churches that you are aware of? How many converted Jews do you know personally? We know converted Hispanics, Asians, even Arabic/Moslems, etc. etc. don't we? Where are our fellow Jewish believers? Why are they not more incorporated into our evangelical churches? Why are there churches made up solely or primarily of "messianic Jews?" According to Paul, there is no longer a distinction between Jew and Gentile in Christ. Rom 10:12, Gal 3:28, Col 3:11.  Yet many evangelical churches and "Messianic Jews" today encourage and promote this distinction and have separate churches.

If we held a "Preterist" view, our focus, instead of seeking to support national Israel financially and politically, would be to reach them spiritually first. Yet we "Gentile" believers somehow (actually, it is clearly tied to a futurist view of the nation of Israel) ignore their needs spiritually and seek to advance them materially and politically instead. Was it not the focus of Christ while on earth to reach His fellow countrymen spiritually, and was this also not the same reason they missed the message of the Messiah? Wasn't it because they assumed His message of deliverance was earthly (i.e. political) instead of spiritual? Their desire for "political/earthly salvation" caused them to miss the actual message of Christ - and the Old Testament - altogether. 

Are we as evangelicals making the same mistake in seeking the political, earthly salvation of the state of Israel first, instead of their spiritual salvation? What is the greatest need of all men, the Jew first and then the Gentile? Is it not to find and recognize him as the Christ, the anointed one i.e. the Messiah and Savior first and foremost? Again, these are two unique approaches to this matter regarding the nation of Israel.

With this understanding, how differently might we handle events in the Middle East? Instead of sending billions in cash over the years to Israel, to aid them in defending themselves militarily, wouldn't they be better served if this money were used to send missionaries (of course, this is the church's role, not governments). 

And what best sustains "freedom and democracy" if not the gospel itself. No culture has ever advanced because "democracy" was the focus. The solution to man’s problems is not political but spiritual. When Christ is the focus i.e. the advancement of his Kingdom on earth through the conversion of individual men and women, it has always resulted in a dramatic change for good in society. In every culture where God's kingdom was advanced through the conversion of people to Christ; liberty, order, truth, and morality followed soon after and often for years to follow. 

There is a definite distinction between conversion to Christ and the “Americanization” of a country. I am not opposed to America. I love America for the freedom it historically has stood for and the creativity and generosity it still promotes. I love all aspects of America that recognize God's promises and grew out of a desire to honor Him. But what made America great was the humble submission of men and women to Christ and his rule/kingdom individually, which led to our submission to His rule collectively. Somehow, many in the church have confused conversion to Christ and “being American” as one and the same thing. That which is still good about America is only that which springs forth from a desire to honor God. 

America historically has been one of the best displays of this but is not the only example. Our loyalty should be to Christ first, and our country only to the extent it seeks and promotes Him and His rule over us. Everything wrong with America is exactly that which is the opposite of this. We should not be saying “America, love it or leave it” or “might makes right” but be considering how America as a whole has strayed from its original commitment to God and His truth. Understanding this is important, so we might pray with our eyes open and seek God to restore her original honor. When we, as a nation, honor Him again, not with lip service but with our resources, loyalties, and actions, He will honor us again as a nation. As long as we flippantly disregard honoring God, He will disregard us and continue to remove His hand of provision and protection.

Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Spiritual awakening… a history.

Knowing the history of our past spiritual awakenings may be a clue to future ones. 

"The First Great Awakening" occurred in the North American Colonies in the early 1730s. Do you think this played any role in the formation of our country in 1776? Look at every spiritual awakening in history. History is full of examples of this very truth. Do you think it was because we were set up as a "Republic" that we prospered as a nation, or was it rather that we recognized God was the ultimate lawgiver to whom we must give an account and sought to design a government that best reflected this? Yet in today’s US of A, we wish to transport "democracy" around the world. Democracy, however, is not the solution to man's needs, Christ is and Him alone!!! "Advancing democracy" is like hanging plastic apples on a bush and saying, "See, it's now an apple tree" and then patting ourselves on the back for how good a job WE did!! 

Yet, the hearts of men must change first before any real and lasting change in culture can occur. And that is only through the work of Christ. We know this to not only true from scripture but from history.

As one pastor of my church pointed out, the difference between the Dispensational and Preterist camps is like the contrast between two armies - one planning to endure a siege, the other planning for an extended campaign of conquest. 

But we are speaking of spiritual conquest, not military conquest. Not only are the attitudes different, but their activities also reflect the needs they anticipate. In the army expecting siege (i.e. Dispensationalism), there would be little need for leadership development or generational transfer. With Dispensationalism they gear everything toward the immediate future, not for the long-term planning of building something that will help advance God’s kingdom for years to come for our kids and theirs.

This same pastor pointed out a quote he once saw on a futurist website: “Actually, it's always darkest...just before it goes completely black!” Not a very optimistic approach to the world. 

However, a historical understanding of scripture gives you a totally different attitude with huge implications for how we approach everything. With this understanding, you seek the advancement of the kingdom and see the importance of sharing this with all who will hear it. As our world becomes increasingly bankrupt, spiritually, morally, and financially, the appeal of Christ and the need for His solutions only become more apparent, and the opportunities only increase, not decrease.

The sad truth is in much of the American evangelical church, we have a pessimistic mindset about the advancement of God’s kingdom, and it shows. The reality, however, is that God is about advancing His kingdom. It’s just not happening to a great extent in America today due to the "doom and gloom" mindset of dispensational teaching.

·      According to the author Jim Rutz’s book Megashift, until 1960, Western evangelicals outnumbered non-Western evangelicals – mostly Latinos, blacks, and Asians – by two to one. As of 2000, non-Western evangelicals outnumbered Westerners by four to one. He says in 2010, that ratio should be seven to one.

·        "There are now more missionaries sent from non-Western nations than Western nations," according to the author.

·       Church growth outside of America is now breathtaking. Every morning, there are 175,000 more Christians in the world. And if current growth rates (8% a year) continue, there will be more Christians than the present world population by the autumn of 2032... about 8.2 billion.

Does the bible say anything about this?

Yes, through King Nebuchadnezzar'a dream.

31 “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone cut out by no human hand, struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But …the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 

Further down, Daniel interprets the meaning.

Who is the stone? Christ! What is the mountain that filled the whole earth? The church universal. This is believed by both Preterists and Dispensationalists alike. 

The decline in the numbers above is no surprise because America is the strongest promoter of Dispensational theology.

When Christ said "the gates of hell will not prevail" against the church, our English translations don't do justice to the full meaning of the original Greek language. The verb tense in the original is the gates of hell will not withstand or stand up to the advancement of the church. (That was originally pointed out to me by a Dispensationalist interestingly, Dr. Ed Hindson who used to teach at Jerry Farwell's Liberty University). 

Talk about an optimistic mindset!!!! We are on the winning team, not just in eternity but here and now, and we need to act like it if we will have any chance of significantly impacting our world for Christ! How desperately the church needs to get a hold of this (myself included). How sad and unfortunate it is that because of the futurist pessimism (“It’s a sign of the times. The end is near. Hold on! Jesus is coming soon!” etc., etc.) permeating much of the church. We - the church - have disengaged to a large extent in speaking into our world. As a result, we look to the government to turn things around instead of Christ. 

Where in the bible does it tell us to look to government as our Savior? Nowhere!!! If we understood God has called us, - you and me - to be salt and light wherever there is darkness, and that the decay of our culture and society falls on us to address - by the power of His Spirit driving us and not our government - we would be on our knees day and night until His Spirit got a hold of us first. And then through us, He would get a hold of our fellow man and ultimately our culture and government. 

Government plays a role but as an instrument of God for change, not the cause of it. Desperate times call for desperate measures and desperate dependence on God and Spirit-driven action for God. Instead of enduring all the garbage and deception in the world as we look to the sky, hoping and waiting for Christ to come and rescue us from it all, we should speak out on the bankruptcy of this world and unapologetically offer the hope and power of Christ in this life and the one to come. How exciting, positive, and refreshing is that!?! May God give us the grace and understanding to see His heart regarding these things!

For a look at what the bible says about the promise to Abram (later named Abraham) regarding the nation of Israel, click here. 

For a discussion on how "last days" teaching aids the advancement of one-world government, click here. 

If you wish to read the rest of the paper this article is taken from click here.

If you wish to discuss any of the points addressed in this article or have questions, please message me at  

thoughtsaboutGod@pm.me Ask for Jim. God Speed

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*When referring to two systems I have Dispensationalism specifically in mind and not the broader category of Futurists. I do so because that was the camp I was in for years and am most familiar with. I have also been told by non-dispensational futurists that their view of the world is more optimistic than how I characterize Dispensationalists in this section. If so that is good. I never had an extended conversation with any while still in the Dispensational camp.

How "End times" teaching aids Globalism.

The following history behind Dispensationalism is part 4 of a 5 part paper at 

https://thotsaboutgod.blogspot.com/2010/02/doom-and-gloom-of-dispensationalism.html 

I am posting it as a separate article for those who may not be interested in the weakness of the biblical foundations behind the "last days" or "end times" teaching. After reading this part below, you may wish to read my entire discussion on dispensationalism. To do so you can click here or the link above. 

4. The history behind Dispensationalism

(Dispensationalism teaches the world will be destroyed by God but before it is, a rebel to God - the Antichrist - will rise up and set up a one-world government where you can do nothing economically without His permission or his mark i.e. 666 or the Mark of the beast).

The first 3 sections of the complete paper (linked here) dealt almost exclusively with various scripture passages on why the Bible does not teach this widely held view (commonly known as Dispensationalism). 

Now we will see if the history behind this teaching can shine any light on its problematic rise and influence. 

The promotion and expansion of Dispensationalism appears to have had considerably more to do with the political views of Zionism, than with the teaching of scripture. A little-known document called The Blackstone Petition or Blackstone Memorial called for the re-establishment of the State of Israel almost 120 years ago, in 1891. It was submitted by a lay minister/real estate developer named William Blackstone (not to be confused with the British attorney who wrote “Commentaries” on Common Law in the 1700s).

http://www.jewishmag.com/146mag/brandeis_blackstone/brandeis_blackstone.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Eugene_Blackstone

Blackstone was a “student” of John Nelson Darby’s teachings, who was considered the “Father of Dispensationalism."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_Darby

Even though most of us have likely never heard of Blackstone and his petition, it was not an insignificant document at the time, considering some of those who signed it. For example, J.P. Morgan, John D., and William Rockefeller, who were signers, also happened to be key “players” in forming the *Federal Reserve System implemented in 1913 under which our country’s monetary system now operates. (For an excellent book on the issues regarding the Federal Reserve I highly recommend http://www.webofdebt.com)

If the involvement by these signers seems unimportant or irrelevant, you may also wish to read

http://web.archive.org/web/20090503204211/http://www.taxtruth4u.com/money.htm which addresses our current monetary system. This will help tie this part together. NOTE: The link immediately above is from the Internet Archive, known as "The Wayback Machine" because my original site no longer exists.

Is it merely a coincidence these particular gentlemen were signers of this petition? If you understand the destruction and deception of the Federal Reserve System as discussed in the links above, this simple fact alone makes their - aka the "banksters" - early support and promotion of the dispensational system highly suspect. And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. If the connection is not apparent at this time, I encourage you to do your own research. The links above will be a good starting point. If you really dig around, it gets even more "interesting." To understand why I say this, be sure to read the article on Blackstone on the above link and also linked here for convenience.

It should be pointed out of the 413 signers of this Petition only a total of 15 were either rabbis or of Jewish or Hebrew descent. That is less than 4% of the 413 signers. In addition, one of the Jewish signers happened to be a banker and President of a bank called “International Bank.” Yet this petition was supposed to be about bringing Jews back to their “homeland” not about finance or politics (the more you dig, the more you will discover how "big money" and corrupt government have been connected for well over 100 years in the USA via the Federal Reserve. To read this list of signers, you would think this petition had more to do with some corporate business venture instead of a spiritual/religious effort.

The rest of the signers were a mixture of Protestant clergymen, representatives of several major national newspapers (early promoters of fake news?), politicians, government workers such as postmasters, judges, clerks, and even some collectors of revenue, along with a variety of businessmen. The whole list can be found at

http://web.archive.org/web/20080515083850/http://www.amfi.org/blackmem.htm (Also no longer on a website but from the internet archives). Considering the apparent nature of this petition to reestablish Israel as a nation, this was a curious mix, wouldn’t you agree?

The rabbit hole goes even deeper when you consider that J.P. Morgan and its interests also purchased controlling interest of every major newspaper - 25 in all - at that time (1915) in order to control the information going to the public to protect “their interests” but not necessarily to report the truth.

The banksters (the private banking system called the Federal Reserve) realized when they pushed through the Federal Reserve Act in 1913 that to pull off the control of the newly implemented money system they would need to also control the information to the public via the news. This would allow them to divert the public away from and hide this subtle but very significant takeover of commerce of the entire country through a totally corrupted money system, which is exactly what they did over 100 years ago.  

To the shock of anyone learning this for the first time, the mainstream media has actually been controlled by the "banksters" since that time. This is not "conspiracy theory" but documented in the Congressional Record of 1917 on page 2947. If you wish to see a photocopy and discussion of this in the actual Congressional record, click here. 

As a further indication of the influence and control of the media, I offer you these additional quotes.  

"There is no such thing, at this date of the world's history in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dare to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the street looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my' paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities, and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes. 

-John Swinton, former chief of staff, The New York Times, in a 1953 speech before the New York Press Club 

"We are grateful to the Washington Post, the New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promise of discretion for almost forty years... It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subject to the bright lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries".

-David Rockefeller, in an address given to Catherine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post and other media luminaries in attendance in Baden Baden, Germany at the June 1991 annual meeting of the world elite Bilderberg Group. 

"We are going to impose our agenda on the coverage by dealing with issues and subjects that we choose to deal with".

-Richard M. Cohen, former Senior Producer of CBS political news

 "Our job is to give people not what they want, but what we decide they ought to have" 

-Richard Salant, former President of CBS News

"Only the small secrets need to be protected. The big ones are kept secret by public incredulity"(i.e. disbelief)

-Marshall McLuhan, media 'guru'

Comments in (  )’s and or with emphasis mine.

Why take so much time to address the news media in a paper on the teaching of Dispensationalism? If you get nothing else from this article, please understand this: the current political and monetary system has subtle but clear connections to a system that is far more encompassing than simply a particular theological worldview. For this financial/political system to survive, we must remain ignorant and apathetic to the true nature of events related to the "banksters" activities and the corrupt monetary system they set up and use to control all financial transactions, and therefore the necessity and importance of controlling the information ("news") outlets. Truth, care, and action by you and me are the globalist "banksters" biggest fear. That’s why any exposure of this information is often aggressively attacked with considerable effort to discredit it. If you have read this far, you are apparently neither apathetic, and you can certainly say you are no longer as ignorant. 

But it is our fault as the church as much as anyone’s (maybe more so) on why this monetary/political system has thrived and exists to this day.  And it is also our problem to solve. Politicians have proven they are not interested in truly addressing this corrupt banking system. In fact, they helped to implement it - either directly or indirectly - benefit from it, and allowed it to continue unchecked by turning a blind eye at a minimum.  

Am I saying the "banksters" created this theological system called Dispensationalism? Not at all. I do think, however, that they saw in dispensational teaching a perfect ²opportunity and vehicle to heavily influence the church to aid in implementing a one-world system aka globalism, and gain the support of the church to advance their deception. The "banksters" no doubt realized if the church could be convinced that the Bible predicts the coming of a one-world system under some diabolical opponent to God Himself (i.e. the "Antichrist"), then to resist it is futile (remember the Borg in the Star Trek TV series?). The globalists figured no good Christian would go against what the Bible predicts is inevitable. A clever, highly deceptive, and effective strategy. As a result, a very large portion of the church universal has bought into Dispensationalism to this day. 

Though our understanding of the subject of this paper must be formed primarily from scripture (which I address here) the political/ historical/ financial roots of Dispensationalism play a far greater role in the promotion of this teaching in the church than many may realize. Since the focus of Bible students is mainly on understanding what Scripture teaches regarding the “end times” this lack of awareness of its historical roots is understandable. However, I believe knowing the history behind the promotion of this doctrine is of no small significance or consequence and should be considered more closely by all students of the Bible. Therefore, I have taken the time to address this side of this rather involved subject of Dispensationalism (which can be read here).

I believe it is the intention of globalist "banksters" who seek to rule us (whoever they may be) that we buy into the pessimistic mindset fostered by Dispensationalism (we address this pessimism in part 5 “Two World Views…”). The result is we unintentionally (on our part, not theirs) look to our "rulers" for solutions to our problems and not to God. -- I believe this also in part explains why Futurism (how the world ends) and particularly Dispensationalism is such a widespread and popular notion among many non-Christians as well. No other teaching -  purportedly based on scripture - is more widely accepted by non-Christians than this “end time” doctrine and apocalyptic view of the world's future. 

This in itself should raise a red flag about the validity of this teaching. Are not the things of the gospel normally foolishness to the world? Christ’s words “broad is the road that leads to destruction…” may be very appropriate here. I believe those who wish to rule over us count on the church, doing just what we are doing, which is next to nothing when it comes to infusing the culture with the gospel and advancing God's kingdom here and now (His reign over the hearts and minds of all who look to Christ as their king) and speaking out against the corruption at all levels, especially within ³Government. The pessimism and passivity created by the belief in an inevitable future destruction of earth taught by Dispensationalism aids the advancement of a one-world government and plays right into their hands -- after all, according to Dispensationalism, a one-world government headed by a political figure called “The Antichrist” is predicted in the Bible so why waste time to resist it. 

I think if the establishment and promotion of Dispensationalism were not expressly to create a passive church - which indirectly aids the advance of one-world government - it has certainly been cleverly utilized toward that end.

I also think attempts to label ³a Preterism as anti-Semitic - yes, believe it or not, it’s true...labeling someone as a racist of any kind is a common and effective hot-button issue. It is a convenient diversion from discovering the truth. And if you understand that Satan is ultimately behind anything that neuters or distorts the truth, the church’s effectiveness on culture and government, and the advancement of God's kingdom in the world, all of this is not beyond reason but in fact makes perfect sense. If you further study the history behind Dispensationalism, if it isn’t already apparent, it will become more apparent how all of this is connected as you dig in. 

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¹Some believe Zionism is the main player behind globalism. I have concluded it is merely a useful tool of the real players - i.e. the "banksters" (Rothschild - the founder of the central banking system in England - being an Ashkenazi Jew) 

- Zionism is a diversion used by the banksters to promote globalism (one world government). Globalism is about power, money, and control, not a particular religious view or system. Making it about a religious view (with racial implications) also aids them in creating division within the church. For a discussion on how Zionism helps promote identity politics and racism, click here. One of the strategies of globalists is to accuse their opponents of the very things they are most guilty of. 

²Possibly they saw and sincerely believed this teaching was justification for one world government. 

Most centers of influence and power, such as the church (media, government, and other major centers of influence such as entertainment, social media, sports, and the like), start out well but are infiltrated and commandeered to advance the "bankster" aka globalist agenda in one fashion or another.  This is a clever but diabolical strategy because these institutions are centers of influence for a reason - i.e. they've gained the trust of so many and are far less likely to be suspected of anything nefarious. They are perfect "candidates" to gain control over the minds and lives of others and culture and society as a whole because of the trust they gained in their beginnings.

³For those who raise the question of obeying the authorities discussed in Rom 13, keep in mind Christ’s most scathing criticisms were against the Pharisees who were the religious authorities in Israel during Christ’s time on earth. If you care to read more on this click here.  

³a which teaches the "end times" the Bible speaks of was a historical event, not in the future.

For a look at what the bible really says about the promise to Abram (later named Abraham) regarding the nation of Israel, click here. 

This is only part 4 of a 5 part paper. If you wish to read the rest of the paper this current post is taken from click here.

For a further discussion on what promises God actually made to Israel click here

If you wish to discuss any of the points addressed in this article or have any questions, message me at  

thotsaboutGod@gmail.com Ask for Jim. God Speed

socialism or capitalism?

What is the best economic system? Does the Bible have anything to say?

The challenges of Capitalism:

What is often referred to as  capitalism can result in either abuse of resources or abuse of others in acquiring them - and often does, though not automatically or necessarily. This is not so of true capitalism but rather the exploitation of it; sometimes referred to as "crony capitalism." This is what we often see today - particularly at the upper levels of government and the corporate world and especially within the monetary/banking system. This corrupted form of "capitalism" is fraudulent by design i.e. it is intentionally designed to exploit others. True capitalism - or free-market exchange or free enterprise - is intended to serve others. 

Making money isn't the primary driving force behind true free market exchange, service is. If we serve our fellow man well we also benefit. This is what is called a "win-win" scenario - when I help others acquire what they need or want I benefit in the process. This is not winning at the expense of another - which is exploitation - it is helping others get what they want or need.

Communism and socialism assume all gains (profit) are only the result of exploitation. This is not the case in a true free market system. 

Corruption of productivity also does not eliminate the necessity of production proceeding distribution (or the ⁴legitimacy of property ownership). We will address this more shortly.

Though capitalism addresses the problem inherent in socialism (having goods/resources to distribute) it poses its own set of problems. We still have to address selfish consumption and hoarding instead of sharing/charity. 

Productivity resulting in charity is actually the model promoted in the Bible. I prefer to call this free market productivity and exchange, vs capitalism, since crony capitalism and free market productivity are often lumped together. 

The limits of ¹Socialism:

¹Socialism does not work without production /productivity, i.e. you cannot give away what you do not have. Distribution of goods or services - socialism/communism - can not occur without something to distribute. This requires productivity first and the freedom (innovation) and incentive ²(fruitfulness) to be productive. Socialism kills both of these. Socialists themselves admit a productive economic system - i.e. capitalism - must be in place first before socialism - redistribution - can be exploited and implemented. 

In order for productivity to occur, several things must take place. For example, in the production of bread, you must have land to grow it on (which implies you own the land otherwise you must pay something to use it). The land must be fertile. Someone must plant, grow, and harvest the grain, grind it, bag it, mix it, cut the wood and heat the stove to bake it, pick up and deliver the bread, sell it, have a place to store it, with shelves to put it on display for customers to see and buy. The store must also be a pleasant place to visit if you are to see the maximum patronage -- or another store might offer a better buying experience and you lose customers -- etc, etc. There are many levels of effort/labor/energy that go into every level of production as well as the final product reaching the consumer. 

Giving away resources to others cannot occur without gathering, utilizing, and processing raw materials -- and raw materials must be available to process. This is why socialism or communism is often described as a redistribution of wealth. It's taking time, energy, resources, and wealth from somewhere and transferring it somewhere else...somewhere different from the origin of the energy that utilized resources to produce the product that finally reaches those who want and consume it. 

Since pure ¹socialism/ communism is an economic system that only redistributes instead of produces anything, it is parasitical in nature and design when it takes (vs gratefully receiving) from the producer and distributes it to non-producers. It can not perpetuate itself, i.e. it must have a "source" (host if you will) to draw resources from to distribute those resources. If it incorporates actual productivity (vs taking advantage of it), it is not pure socialism by definition. Why? Because productivity (capitalism, if you will) is considered exploitation in a purely socialist or communist model. 

Socialism and Capitalism are both right and wrong

The solution, however, isn't to oppose or shut down productivity/capitalism - the goose that lays the golden egg -- but to reassess charity -- what is the most God-honoring way to use those "golden eggs" he provides through our ²productivity. This is not only different from crony capitalism but from the general capitalist-consumption model. We could call this a third way. 

When productivity is only about personal/private consumption (for both the consumer and the producer) and does not take into consideration the importance of charity (blessing and benefiting others less fortunate) or proper care for the planet, it is not honoring God. The principles in scripture are to freely give what we have freely received and be good stewards of the gifts we are entrusted with. 

How is charity different from simple capitalism?

Fundamental to charity is recognizing our ability to generate a surplus (wealth) is a gift. All that we have, are, and can achieve comes from God. 

Deu 8:17  Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.  19 And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods (money can be one of them) and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. 

And since it is a gift we must heed the wishes of the Giver i.e. the source of life and all things. We should ask, who gave us our resources and why did He give them? Certainly at least to take care of those he has put under our direct care. But what about those who are not directly tied to us or dependent on us? God calls us to give as we have received. To not do so is to violate the very person and nature of God himself who is the overflowing, giving, sacrificial God of love who is always pouring out his goodness on others -- even those who don't acknowledge him or his gifts. To do so aligns us not only with the second greatest commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves but the very nature of God Himself. 

One of the most well-known statements made by Christ is, "...God so loved the world he gave…"  Jn 3:16

So the problem isn't being productive, it is being selfish. Instead of being givers, we become takers. We are however encouraged to be both fruitful, multiply, and good stewards of - "rule over" - the resources God gives us i.e. to use them as God directs. To put them to good use. To love others as we are loved.

The problem in our secular society is we have rejected the notion of God and therefore our accountability to use the gifts of life as He designed and intends. 

Christ said, "he who is faithful with a little is given more." So we are not only commanded to love our neighbor but promised an increased benefit for doing so.

We can not assume (or condemn) those who seek to be productive do so solely for ³personal consumption. Though this is certainly our tendency - and more so in a secular society - it is not necessarily the only motive or even the primary motive simply by virtue of someone being productive or having the desire to be productive. 

I once heard a Christian businessman say the following. He was making the distinction between the way of the world and the way of Christ when doing business (He was making about 2 million a year at the time he shared this...for what it's worth). 

"The world's way is to get all you can, sit on the can, protect the can, and don't let anyone get into your can. 

Christ's way is to get all you can so you can give all you can." 

A clever but accurate distinction I believe. Both involve "getting" but why we get and what we do after we "get" makes all the difference.

Institutional redistribution vs personal giving

Forced distribution - an inherent part of the socialist economic system - is not the same thing as cheerful giving. An issue of socialism is it is "charity" at the end of the barrel of a gun which is not true charity at all. It is not voluntary but imposed upon the producer by an outside authority. Law drives socialism, not love. This shuts down free association and free giving i.e. freely loving your neighbor. In short, it robs us of our dignity, freedom, and personal responsibility - not just for the provider but also for the recipient of the resources. 

Redistribution of wealth is institutionalized "charity" versus individual or private charity/giving. It is using the power of the state to enforce "charity" which actually means it is no longer true charity. Some may consider this okay as long as the person in need is cared for. But if the dignity of the giver (as well as the receiver) is to be honored and maintained, both must freely take part. Philanthropy would be an example of free (vs forced) distribution of resources. 

Difference in generations

How socialism is viewed has changed over the years. The shift began in the late 50s to early 60s. Many in the younger generations have little concept of lack that the generation before the Boomer generation experienced. The Boomer generation was closer to parents or grandparents who escaped communist or fascist oppression to seek life in "the land of the free and home of the brave." This was a major part of the "American Dream." Unfortunately, over time, much of the material elements of that dream became more important than the familial elements to the point that with the Boomer generation, both mom and dad worked and abandoned their kids to daycare, exhaustion, escape into recreation and entertainment, and the like. This naturally produced a backlash. Boomers, and even more so, kids of Boomers rebelled against consumerism and saw the damage it was doing to family and the environment. Hence eventually leading to the rise of Bernie, socialism, and environmentalism. In short, the difference between generations is not that one generation is "dumb" or wrong and the other is not -- often asserted by both sides of this debate. It's that the generations have a unique value system, shaped by their individual experiences i.e. they each value things the other generation no longer values due in large part to their individual experiences and the world they each grew up in. 

The solution:

Since there must be resources -- and the gathering, engineering, and production of goods and services needed -- before distribution can be made, pure socialism/communism cannot work alone. Some would argue socialism is the marriage of communism and capitalism. 

Since self-preservation is bound up in the hearts of humanity -- resulting in us not having a sense of accountability to our Creator  -- focus on productivity and profit alone often leads to personal consumption and hoarding. 

So do we force those who are productive to share their resources with those who are less able to produce e.g. by raising the level of taxes on the largest and most productive to the point it kills the reasons for being productive? OR do we encourage charity and seek to help man understand that all things are gifts from God and God gives to us in part, so we might, in turn, give to others, as well as reward us in doing so?

The latter is God's design i.e. to give because we have received. This is not something that government can or should implement. Government has proven to be the least effective means of implementing true charity. It's virtually impossible since mandated charity is not true charity at all. Governments may incentivize it but anything more is coercion and not charity at all. The same brokenness (natural inclination to selfishness) that keeps private citizens from properly loving their fellow man also infects those in public life i.e. government. And in some ways even more so. As the saying goes, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

Caring for others is the role of the people who trust God and believe they will be held accountable for how they acquire and use all the things God entrusted to them. 

Even if one rejects God, most agree with the golden rule...do to others as you would have them do to you. 

The bottom line? 

Due to humanity's natural fallen inclination to take care of "number one" (self), there will never be a complete utopia in this life -- the goal of all economic systems.

This does not mean we should abandon either productivity or loving others as we were designed to. However, the only way we can be who God designed us to be is when we are fully connected to God, the source of life, love, and all things i.e. The solution to the socialist/capitalist question isn't imposing or enforcing a particular economic model on any given counties citizens but our being fully connected and aligned with God himself. If the individual parts of a system - i.e. you and I - are broken, the system will not work, no matter how perfect that system may be. For this reason, there can never be a perfect system, only perfect values and people willing to pursue them. Ultimately this can only occur through people who recognize the Creator and their accountability to Him.

The solution ultimately is spiritual, not political or economic. It is in first knowing God and then making him known; not just in word but also in deed.

For a discussion on giving as you have received click here. 

For a discussion on being fruitful i.e sewing and reaping click here

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¹I am using "socialism and communism" in the political and structured sense, imposed on us by the state, not in the organic sense. We are social-relational creatures and as God's image-bearers we are designed to receive and give love. However, we are also broken image-bearers. For more on our brokenness, click here. 

²We are clearly instructed in many places within the bible to be "fruitful." Most of these verses address spiritual fruit. However, spiritual fruit translates into actions that often produce material fruit. In fact, any action that produces material fruit should be driven spiritually i.e. by the Spirit. If it is, it is valid. It is spiritual in motivation with a material outcome. 

For several posts addressing operating in the Spirit click here.

³There is nothing wrong with personal consumption. A pursuit that is solely driven by personal and excessive consumption is our challenge, not consumption. If we do not consume vital resources -- water, food, shelter etc. -- we die. Consumption is not just necessary but vital.

*private ownership of property and the opportunity to acquire property through diligence is assumed throughout the bible. The founding fathers who penned the Constitution and Declaration of Independence acknowledged this when they declared we had a "right" to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What most don't know is that the pursuit of happiness is the right to the fruits of our labor which includes owning property.  

For an interesting discussion of this, click here. 

Communism and socialism justify taking money from the producers and giving it to those who don't produce (and sometimes genuinely can't... though often those who claim they can't often can)  Because they assume all productive and profitable endeavors are built on exploitation when they are not. For a further discussion on this click here.

Communism and socialism are built on a victim mindset. A victim mindset is the fruit of not knowing God and seeing how he intends and uses pain for our good if and we trust Him.