When it comes to modern-day discussion of biblical prophecies, the Mark of the Beast is up there with the antichrist in terms of the amount of discussion and curiosity. What could it be? Most Christians today believe it to be some type of microchip or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip implanted in our foreheads or right hands. Taken literally, this prophecy would seem to suggest this as being a correct interpretation. As I have stated repeatedly, our enemy is very deceptive and because of this, I now believe that the actual mark is something else. If most of the world (secular and Christian) have at least heard of the mark and probably have associated some type of microchip implantation with it, then it stands to reason that this is not the mark. It’s too easy to discern. Too many people expect it to be a microchip under the skin. I believe that a microchip could be implanted as a result of accepting the mark (in order to buy and sell), but I don’t believe that this is the mark itself. It’s going to be something much more deceptive. It will be something that only true believers who have received their wisdom and knowledge from God, can discern and avoid. It will be something that doesn’t appear to contradict God, but will, in fact, contradict God’s Word and Law….thereby deceiving those without knowledge of God and His Law. It will also be something that is controlled by force….enforced by the world government. I will discuss my thoughts further on this subject after another excerpt from Steve Wohlberg’s book, Truth Left Behind – Exposing End-Time Errors About the Rapture and the Antichrist.
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Because the San Andreas fault line runs through the vast city of Los Angeles, those who live in the area are justly concerned about the coming of the “big one” – an earthquake above 7.0. When it comes to apocalyptic issues described in the Book of Revelation, the “big one” is definitely the Mark of the Beast. If this subject could be measured by a Richter scale capable of weighing spiritual significance, its magnitude would be well above 1,000. The consequences of receiving the mark are truly catastrophic. Those who get it will experience the wrath of God and lose their souls (Revelation 14:9-11). Therefore nothing could be more serious.
The eighth book of the Left Behind drama, The Mark – The Beast Rules the World, continues the developing saga of the “Tribulation Force” against the beast after the Rapture. At the height of his sinister reign over mankind, Antichrist Nicolae Carpathia unveils his secret weapon to gain full control of the world – a highly sophisticated “miniature biochip” to be inserted under the skin of people’s forehead’s and hands “as painlessly as a vaccination in a matter of seconds”. “The visible evidence of loyalty to the potentate,” this techno-mark also “serves as a method of payment and receipting for buying and selling. Eye-level scanners will allow customers and merchants to merely pass by and be billed and receipted”. This forces the members of the Tribulation Force to make a final decision: either submit fully to the Antichrist or expose themselves as Christians. For all who refuse to follow Carpathia, “loyalty enforcement facilitators await with sharpened guillotines”.
This incredible scenario reveals what most prophecy-minded Christians today imagine when it comes to the Mark of the Beast. They know it will come from the devil, will be enforced by the Antichrist, will be used to control buying and selling, and they assume it will be centered around some sort of high-tech computer technology. As we have already seen, the majority also believe it will come after the Rapture. Beyond this, there seems little else to know. Or is there? When it comes to the mark, could Left Behind be once again sincerely, yet mistakenly, out in left field?
“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:16). Here the Bible says a mark will be received in the hand or in the forehead. Yet the Bible does not specifically say it will be a “miniature biochip”, or even that it will involve technology at all. These modern words, “computer”, “biochip”, “technology”, “bar code”, and “scanner” do not appear in Revelation. People just assume it will happen this way. It’s a little bit like the Catholic doctrine of the assumption of the Virgin Mary established in 1950. Because Pope Pius XII proclaimed the assumption to be true, many Catholics now believe Mary was “assumed” or taken to heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. Yet this is really just a huge “assumption”, not supported by the Bible.
It’s the same with the Mark of the Beast. Christians assume the mark will involve computer technology developed by a Microsoft or an Intel, yet the Bible itself does not specifically say this. I call this the “Great Mark of the Beast Microchip Assumption.”
The Bible specifically does say, “He deceived them that had received the mark of the beast” (Revelation 19:20). Notice carefully. Those who receive the mark are deceived. Therefore, the mark of the beast must involve some sort of subtle deception. That is, it must not be too obvious or easily noticed. If it were, how could almost the entire world be mislead? Jesus warned us that Satan’s deceptions are so tricky they can “deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Mathew 24:24).
It seems to me that the Left Behind scenario portrays the mass of humankind as altogether too gullible. Think about it. How deceptive would it be for someone like Nicolae Carpathia to command everyone to accept a computerized biochip in their foreheads or in their hands? Honestly, let’s get away from fiction and talk about real people. How many real people do you know who would accept big government implanting biochip technology inside their heads? The idea becomes slightly more believable if one imagines a world in which millions of people have just vanished. But what if people don’t vanish? What if we are dealing with this world – the real world and real people? Even more than this, what if we are talking about you and me facing the Mark of the Beast? How deceptive would that be to us? How could this “deceive, if possible, even the elect”?
When we look carefully at Revelation, we discover that the Mark of the Beast is not the only thing placed in people’s foreheads. Amazingly, the forehead is mentioned many times apart from the mark. The first time the mark is mentioned is in Revelation 13:16. Three verses later John saw a group called the 144,000 with the “Father’s name written in their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1). This solitary sentence flashes new light on this whole topic. One group gets the Mark of the Beast while the other group has the name of God in their foreheads. Referring to the saved, the very last chapter of the Bible says, “They shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4). Therefore, both saints and sinners will all one day have something in their foreheads. Does this mean God’s people will walk around with actual, visible letters written on their foreheads?
John also saw an evil scarlet woman riding a beast. “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS” (Revelation 17:5). No one doubts this is a symbolic prophecy. There will be no real prostitute riding a beast. Therefore, the writing of that mysterious name upon her forehead must also be symbolic. Are the scales beginning to fall from your eyes? The real issues are more than skin deep.
This idea about the forehead or the hand is not unique to Revelation. Moses told the Israelites, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart…Thou shalt bind them for a sign on thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 8). Again Moses said, “Therefore shall ye lay up these mine words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 11:18). What did God intend the Israelites to learn from this? Did the Lord want them to take a fine-point pen and write the words on the tiny bit of skin between their eyes above their noses?
With a little bit of reflection, we should be able to understand what this idea of the forehead and hand is really all about. Anciently, God wanted His words on the foreheads of the Israelites. This must mean He wanted them inside of their minds. What about His words on their hands? This must apply to their actions. So, the forehead represents the mind, and the hand represents the actions. That’s simple enough. Therefore, what the Book of Revelation is really saying when it speaks of a mark in the forehead or in the hand is that one day the masses of humanity will fully yield their minds and their actions to some specific idea, or tradition, or “mark” that comes from the beast. They will be marked in their minds. Yet God’s true people will see through this deception. Why? Because they have the name of God in their foreheads.
What is the name of God? Is it only a specific set of syllables God would like us to use when we address Him, or does this issue involve more than mere pronunciation? When Moses ascended Mount Sinai, “The Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord” (Exodus 34:5). Then God described His character. He revealed Himself as merciful, gracious, patient, forgiving, just and full of truth (Exodus 34:6-7). These wonderful attributes are referred to as “the name of the Lord.” At the end of His earthly life, in a prayer to His Father, our Savior said, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world” (John 17:6). Jesus didn’t say this simply because He had been pronouncing certain syllables correctly, but because His life revealed the true character of God. So, when the Bible says people will have the name of God on their foreheads, this means that His gracious attributes of character have become a deep part of their thinking and actions. They are truly connected with Jesus Christ. In the final days, God will have a people who are so firmly rooted in Jesus and in His attributes of character that they will not be deceived or go along with the Mark of the Beast. Thus, we are dealing with deep spiritual issues.
The mark is mentioned eight times in Revelation (13:16, 17; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4), but there is only one unique section that specifically and comprehensively clarifies the issues and warns the entire world against receiving this evil mark. It is the three angels’ messages found in Revelation 14:6-12. Sadly, most Christians have never even heard of these messages, yet they are of cosmic significance. They are just as important as the message of Noah before the Flood. Why? Because they contain Heaven’s last call before the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:14-16).
Here’s a quick overview of these mighty messages. The first angel proclaims the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, the hour of judgment, and the importance of worshiping the Creator of heaven and earth (Revelation 14:6-7). The second angel announces the fall of the Babylonian harlot, which has made the whole earth drunk with her confusing wine of deception (Revelation 14:8). The third angel solemnly warns about the beast, the image, and the deadly mark, stating that those who receive the mark will drink the wine of the wrath of God (Revelation 14:10, 11). The third angel concludes with these highly significant words, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). As soon as God’s three angels have completed their heavenly assignment, then follows a power-packed description of the return of Jesus Christ on a white cloud to reap the final harvest of the earth (Revelation 14:14-16).
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We’ll continue with Steve’s insight into the mark of the beast in the next posting. Are you beginning to see how this is actually going to happen? Notice that the angels mention God’s commandments. We’ll discuss this in more detail in the next posting. Only those who are living for God will have the ability to discern and reject the mark. My guess is that many of us will warn the world when we see it, only to have the truth rejected by people who do not know God and don’t want to know Him. They will not understand the significance of what is happening. As a result, they will incur the Wrath of God upon themselves. Simply going to Church for an hour on Sunday is not going to get you where you need to be spiritually in order to face the tribulations that are coming, you need to turn your life over to God so that He can use you for His purpose…..everyday.
Showing posts with label mark of the beast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mark of the beast. Show all posts
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Saturday, September 30, 2006
What is the Mark of the Beast? Part 2
Let’s continue our discussion of the mark with another excerpt from Steve Wohlberg’s book Truth Left Behind – Exposing End Time Errors About the Rapture and the Antichrist.
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Let’s review the mighty issues mentioned by God’s three angels, beginning with the all-important topic of worshiping the Creator. The first angel says with a loud voice, “Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). Then the third angel thunders, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:9-10). Here people are given the ultimate choice: Either worship the Creator or worship the beast and receive his mark. Thus, the issue of worshiping the Creator is central to avoiding the mark.
The next mighty issue is one few people are aware of. Most best-selling prophecy books and blockbuster Tribulation movies skip right over it. Those who believe the mark is a biochip developed by some high-tech firm like Microsoft or Intel usually miss it entirely. As we have already seen, immediately after the third angel warns humankind about receiving the mark, the very next sentence says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Here one group receives the mark, while the other group “keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Thus, the issue of keeping the commandments of God is also central to avoiding the mark. In a little while we will place this hidden issue fully under the microscope.
When we take a close-up look at the three angels’ messages, we discover that the sweetest part of all has to do with a Person, the person of Jesus Christ. The first angel announces to the world “the everlasting gospel” (Revelation 14:6), which literally means the good news of Jesus Christ. The third angel speaks of “the Lamb”, in contrast with the beast (Revelation 14:9-10), which is another reference to Jesus Christ, pointing to His unfathomable love and sacrifice on the cross. And the very last word of the third angel’s message is “Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Thus, we discover a laser-like focus on “the gospel”, the “Lamb”, and on “Jesus” Himself. To summarize thus far: Those who believe in Jesus Christ, accept the gospel, follow the Lamb, worship the Creator, and keep the commandments of God – these will not worship the beast and receive the mark. These mighty issues regarding the mark of the beast are now rising up before our very eyes.
Jesus Christ is center stage, and so is the worship of the Creator. Therefore, when the first angel tells everyone to “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7), this is a special end-time call to worship Jesus Christ, not only as Savior, but also specifically as the Maker of all life. Amazingly, this very issue is closely tied in with the Mark of the Beast, for we have already discovered that those who worship the Creator are placed in contrast with those who worship the beast and receive his mark. Yet what exactly is the Mark of the Beast? Is it possible to know for sure without indulging in wild-eyed speculation? I believe it is. We still have a few more pieces to put together in this awesome prophetic puzzle, yet when we are finished, it will become extremely clear what the Mark of the Beast is. In fact, there will be no mistaking it.
The deadly mark is the Mark of the Beast; it’s a mark that comes from the beast itself. John saw those who gained “the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark” (Revelation 15:2). Logic tells us that in order to understand “his mark”, we must correctly interpret who “he” is. Who is this beast? The Left Behind novels portray the beast as a super-powerful, devil-indwelt Romanian who gains control of the world after the Rapture. Yet what have we learned? Who did Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, the translators of the King James Bible, Sir Isaac Newton and countless other historic Protestants think the beast was? What power rose out of the Roman Empire, has spoken great words against God, has made war on the saints, has received a deadly wound that is now healing and has fulfilled every point of this prophecy? You now know the answer. It is the Roman Catholic Church. And the mark is “his mark”. Therefore, the Mark of the Beast must be something that comes from the Roman Catholic Church itself.
Not long ago someone handed me a copy of a very old Bible from the 1800’s that belonged to a Presbyterian lay pastor. Certain texts throughout this Bible contain footnotes reflecting the beliefs of Christians in the nineteenth century. I quickly turned to Revelation 13:16 about the mark of the beast, and I discovered footnotes that would probably not appear in a Scofield Reference Bible. I was stunned when I read: “Verse 16. A mark. Submission to the rites and ceremonies of the papal communion. In their right hand. By active obedience to the papal power. Or in their foreheads. By outward profession of its doctrines and infallible authority” (The New Testament: With Commentaries, References, Harmony of the Gospels and the Helps Needed to Understand and Teach the Text. 1895. New York and St. Louis. Thompson Pub. Co., p. 530). When those words were written, Bill Gates wasn’t born yet, nor was there a company called Microsoft. In the footnotes of that Bible, when it came to the mark of the beast, computer technology was a non-issue. What mattered was submission or resistance to the Roman Catholic Church!
The third angel’s message is now crying out with a loud voice to everyone, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:9-10). Now think about it. Would Jesus tell us in Revelation, “The mark is coming, so watch out. It will be tricky, almost deceiving the very elect. I love you, and died for you, yet I can’t tell you exactly what this mysterious mark is. If you get it, you’ll be lost. You’re on your own.” Does this sound logical? Would Jesus show and not tell? Why would God send a message to the whole world about the mark, and then keep its identity a secret? How could such a message be given with a loud voice? Again, think about it. Can we know for sure who the beast is? Yes. Therefore, we must be able to find out from the Bible itself exactly what the mark is. Logic, reason, and the integrity of God’s loving character require this.
We are about to make another amazing discovery. I believe the Bible contains a golden clue to this mystery. We can find it by carefully comparing Revelation 13 with its Old Testament counterpart, Daniel 7. These two chapters fit together like a key fits into a lock. The connections are easily seen. Both chapters talk about beasts from the sea, a lion, a bear, a leopard, a dragon, ten horns, a mouth speaking great things, war on the saints, and a specific time period of three and a half years or forty two months. Interpretations may vary, but almost all Protestant, Catholic and Evangelical scholars, including the authors of Left Behind, agree that the little horn of Daniel 7 and the first beast of Revelation 13 refer to the same thing – the Antichrist. Yet there is something many people have missed that is right there in God’s Word. And not only does it tie in with the mark of the beast, but it is a golden clue as to what the mark really is.
The very first time the mark of the beast is mentioned in the Bible is near the end of Revelation 13. Now, if other aspects of the beast in Revelation 13 find such a perfect parallel in the little horn of Daniel 7, then what about the mark? Could there be something near the end of Daniel 7 that parallels the mark near the end of Revelation 13? Yes, there is. It is in verse 25. Daniel 7:25 says the little horn will speak great words against God and this idea is also found in Revelation 13:5. Daniel 7:25 says he will wear out, or make war, on the saints and this idea is also found in Revelation 13:7. Daniel 7:25 says the horn will rule for three and a half years, and this point is also restated in Revelation 13:5. Thus, every point of Daniel 7:25 finds a perfect parallel in Revelation 13. Yet there is one point in Daniel 7:25 we have not yet touched upon. Most people miss it, few ever explain it, yet there it is. It is our golden clue. You may not believe this, but the final destiny of the world is connected with it.
Are you ready? Here it is. The little horn will also “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). What does this mysterious sentence mean? Most have no idea. Notice that little word “change”. The horn will “change” something, then the beast will enforce his mark. Could this change, whatever it is, be connected with the mark? Let’s think about it. Can a change be a mark? Has anyone ever entered your life and changed you so deeply that it can truly be said, “He left his mark?”
What will the little horn think to change? He shall “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). Because the antichrist comes during New Testament times, it is evident that some of God’s “laws” must still exist this side of the Cross. When Jesus died, He put an end to the sacrificial laws of the Old Testament, which pointed forward to His death, and this is why we no longer sacrifice lambs. Those laws are gone. What about the Ten Commandments? Do they still apply to us?
The answer is yes. The following New Testament verses tell us that the laws still apply to us: Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 6:1-2, Ephesians 4:28, James 2:11, Luke 16:17-18, John 14:15. It is clear in the New Testament that although there is a new covenant through Jesus Christ that puts an end to the sacrificial laws, we are still to obey God’s commandments. What does this have to do with the mark of the beast? You are about to find out. First, let me summarize some major points. Just as there are Ten Commandments, even so there are ten fundamental facts in our Bibles about the Mark of the Beast. These facts do not represent Left Behind fiction, but real truths found in God’s Word:
1. The Mark of the Beast is deceptive, not obvious (Revelation 19:20).
2. The mark will be received on the forehead, which represents the mind, or on the hand, which represents actions (Revelation 14:9, Deuteronomy 11:18).
3. The three angels reveal a comprehensive message from God before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to all the world to help people understand the mark (Revelation 14:6-16).
4. Those who worship Jesus Christ as Creator will not get the mark (Revelation 14:7, 9-11; John 1:3, 10).
5. Those who keep the Ten Commandments will not get the mark (Revelation 14:9, 12).
6. The mark comes from the beast, which represents the Roman Catholic Church.
7. The warning against the mark will be given with a loud voice, thus it must be clear and easy to understand (Revelation 14:9).
8. The mark involves a special sin against God himself, for those who receive it will drink the wine of His wrath (Revelation 14:9, 10).
9. The mark has something to do with the changing of God’s law (compare Daniel 7:25 with Revelation 13:16).
10. The mark of the beast has something to do with the changing of the times and laws of God (Daniel 7:25).
Let’s take a look again at our little-known golden-clue text, he shall “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). Now notice that word, “times”. We know that the word “laws” has to do with the Ten Commandments, which continue after the Cross. What about “times”? You are about to discover something you will hardly believe. It shatters all false interpretations, which may sincerely, yet deceptively, hide the real issues. If you pray and humbly study this out, you will know for sure it’s true. Are you ready? There is only one of the Ten Commandments that has to do with “time”. There is only one that has to do with the Creator of heaven and earth. This single, solitary commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments that the Roman Catholic Church specifically says it has changed. It is the commandment that says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
Before we go any further, I want to share with you a very important thought. The Bible says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). This verse tells us that in the final times, God will be giving new light to His people. This especially applies to an increase of knowledge of the book of Daniel, which includes our golden-clue text: He shall “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). In the final days, God will help His people understand what this changing of “times” is really all about.
God Almighty did not write the ten suggestions, but the Ten Commandments. The fourth says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work,….For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).
Where do we remember the Sabbath? In our foreheads. With what do we work? With our hands. Thus, the Sabbath commandment deals with both the forehead and the hand. The “seventh day” is specified as “the Sabbath of the Lord”. It is not the Sabbath of the Jews, but of the Lord. “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day”. These words are directly quoted in the first angel’s message (see Revelation 14:7). And who is this “Lord” that “made heaven and earth”? As we have already seen, according to the New Testament, it is Jesus Christ. Thus, the Sabbath commandment, in a unique and special sense, reveals Jesus Christ as Lord and as the Maker of all life.
A well-known Roman Catholic catechism declares:
Q. Which is the Sabbath day? Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.
Q. Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday (The Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, by Peter Geiermann, 1946, p. 50).
The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday (The Christian Sabbath, p. 29. Printed by the Catholic Mirror, the official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore, MD, 1893).
The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, change, or interpret even divine laws (Farraris’s Ecclesiastical Dictionary. Article, “The Pope”).
Of course the change [from Sabbath to Sunday] was her act…and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters (Signed by H.F. Thomas, Chancellor for Cardinal Gibbons, in a letter dated, November 11, 1895).
Thus, the Catholic Church claims the pope has power to change God’s law, just as Daniel 7:25 says. This church claims to have changed the Sabbath into Sunday, which is a changing of “times”, just as Daniel 7:25 says will occur. Papal Rome also calls this change a ‘mark’ of her authority, which makes this a perfect fit with Revelation 13!
This issue of Sabbath or Sunday is now the hottest, most intense, and most explosive issue facing the Christian world. An entire book could be written on this topic alone. Let’s look at ten key Sunday facts found in the New Testament:
1. Jesus Christ rose on Sunday, “the first day of the week” (Mark 16:9).
2. The New Testament refers to “the first day of the week” eight times (Mathew 28:1; Mark 16:1, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Acts 20:7).
3. Five of these references are about the Resurrection (Mathew 28:1; Mark 16:1, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
4. One Sunday text refers to a fearful gathering of the disciples on that day before they knew Jesus was alive (John 20:19).
5. One Sunday text refers to a special collection of money on that day in the city of Corinth for a group of poor believers in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Romans 15:25-26).
6. One text refers to a solitary instance in Troas where believers gathered late one Saturday night as a farewell to Paul (Acts 20:6-13).
7. None of these references even remotely suggest that Sunday is now holy or that it has been set aside in honor of the Resurrection.
8. Jesus Christ never said a word about Sunday in any of His teachings.
9. Jesus Christ gave His Church authority to teach only what He taught (Mathew 28:19), which forbids any emphasis on Sunday keeping.
10. The New Testament is as silent as a cemetery about any change from Sabbath to Sunday.
By way of contrast, here are ten key Sabbath facts found in your own Bible:
1. Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).
2. Jesus taught much about the Sabbath (Mathew 12:1-14).
3. Jesus said He is “Lord of the Sabbath”, thus revealing that it is His own special day in honor of the fact that He is the Creator of all life (Mark 2:28; Mathew 12:8).
4. Jesus often healed people on the Sabbath, revealing His love and power (Mathew 12:9-13).
5. Jesus freed the Sabbath from the burden-some traditions of the Pharisees (Luke 13:10-17).
6. The Sabbath was kept by Christ’s disciples after the Cross (Luke 23:46, 54-56).
7. The Sabbath was kept in the book of Acts by both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 13:42-44; 16:13; 17:1-4; 18:4).
8. The entire Book of Revelation was given “on the Lord’s day” which is the Sabbath day (Revelation 1:10; Exodus 20:10; Isaiah 58:13; Mathew 12:8).
9. The Sabbath is not just for Jews, but is also for Gentiles (Isaiah 56:1-8).
10. The Sabbath will be kept in the new earth by all the saved (Isaiah 66:22-23).
I want to clarify something of the utmost importance. No one has this mark right now. Most Christians have never really studied this subject before. There are true Christians in all churches, including the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, God has sincere people everywhere. Yet one of these days, according to the Book of Revelation, this mark of Rome’s authority will be enforced by law around the world. Then, after people’s minds have been enlightened, the final time of choice will come.
This may shock you, but Sunday laws have been enforced in various degrees for 1,700 years. The first Sunday law was enforced by the Roman Emperor Constantine on March 7, A.D. 321. His famous edict declared, “On the venerable day of the sun [Sunday], let the magistrates and people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed” (Schaff’s translation, History of the Christian Church, vol. iii. p.75.). Why did Constantine pass this Sunday law? The reasons are both fascinating and relevant for us today. In the fourth century, the Roman Empire was disintegrating. Morality was at an all-time low. Yet religion was far from dead. Constantine himself was a dedicated sun worshiper, as were the majority of his subjects. In fact, the very name “Sunday” stems from pagan sun worship. By this time, a growing number of Christians were following the Catholic Church’s example of giving up the Sabbath and keeping Sunday in honor of the Resurrection. Constantine had already seen the moral strength of Christianity as revealed in the courage of its martyrs, and this gave him an idea. He thought to himself, “Why not unite the Christians and the pagans together through their mutual respect for Sunday?” That’s why he passed his famous Sunday law hoping to bring unity to his empire, thus saving it from ruin. His plan failed and Rome still went down.
After Constantine, the Roman Catholic Church continued to enforce the keeping of Sunday in Europe for over 1,000 years. Sunday laws were also enforced in England for centuries. Amazingly, this practice was continued in colonial America. In the 1600’s, if you lived in Massachusetts, Virginia, or Connecticut, you were required by law to attend church on Sunday. Disobedience was punished by heavy fines, whipping, confinement in a cage, and in some cases, even by death. Thus, Protestant America still followed the example of Constantine and the Catholic Church in the uniting of church and state, and in the enforcement of Sunday laws.
On May 31, 1998, Pope John Paul II issued a lengthy pastoral letter, Dies Domini (The Day of the Lord), which contained a passionate appeal for the revival of Sunday observance. The pope said the prevailing neglect of Sunday reflects a spiritual crisis inside the Catholic Church and within Christianity in general. Notice his words: “The Lord’s Day has structured the history of the Church through two thousand years: how could we think that it will not continue to shape the future?” Shockingly, the pope then urged world governments to enforce Sunday laws! “In the particular circumstances of our own time, Christians will naturally strive to ensure that civil legislation respects their duty to keep Sunday holy.” Such statements are right in line with this official Vatican position: “Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p.528, 1994).
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Steve continues this chapter with additional examples of current Protestant Christian leaders who are also calling for America to keep the Sabbath.....on Sunday. So, does Scripture point to the Sabbath as the mark? It would appear that it could, but I have my doubts. I'm not going to say with 100% certainty that this is the mark because it is the political beast, the New World Order, that enforces the mark and requires the mark to buy and sell. This enforcement is also mentioned after the 'image' of the Catholic Church is created. The mark is created after the Catholic Church's judgement. Will this image of the Catholic Church demand Sunday observance of the Sabbath? Hard to say at this point.
We are given a clue in verse 17 that I believe will confirm what the mark is when we see it.
'He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16-17)
I have read many theories on the mark that say the mark and the number 666 are somehow tied to the Popes (if you add up all of the numbers following all of the Papal names, you get close to 666) and the Catholic Church. As Steve Wohlberg and others believe, it is certainly possible, but I believe the Catholic Church will be replaced by the image before the mark is introduced into the world. There is something here we are missing. When verse 17 mentions that the mark is 'the name of the beast or the number of his name', it is referring to the political (NWO) beast, not the religious beast. To me, this is very clear - the mark is related to a name and number (666) of the coming world government. It will involve complete submission to the world system/government while also denying Jesus Christ - so this is definitely a spiritual mark - as Steve mentions. I believe a key to discerning the mark is given to us here in verse 17 and another key is certainly the need to accept the mark to buy and sell. It is quite possible that we are seeing this name and number now and don't even recognize them for what they will become.
Remember, this freemason/illuminati beast is evil and deceptive and has been deceiving us for generations. They are arrogant and feel they control all things from the shadows. They feel they are untouchable and all-powerful. They tell us what their plans are (through money, architecture, hidden messages in public speaches, the media, etc.) and then laugh at our inability to see and understand. They feel they are the 'illuminated' ones, while we are in the dark as to what is really happening. They are the definition of pride. Because of who they are and who leads them, it would not surprise me if this name and number is already known to them and has somehow been shown to us....although we cannot understand its meaning.....yet.
The important thing to remember is that this coming world government is going to be taking orders from our spiritual enemy. Because of this, ever-increasing pressure will be placed on true Christians. This will eventually lead to the ultimate choice....worship our Lord or the beast and his mark. Whether or not it is the Sabbath, you can be sure that it will be deceptive. Those that don’t know Jesus Christ will not even be able to discern what it is. I have no doubt that God will raise up believers to preach the truth in a final attempt to save the lost, but without true faith, will they be able to stand? Most unbelievers will not. This is why it is so important for all of us to come close to Jesus now. Let Him comfort you, strengthen you, correct you and guide you. Do I fear the mark? No. Do I fear the coming beasts that will enforce the mark? No. Do I fear the men that are bringing this upon us? No. Why? Because God’s Word tells me not to fear anything in this world. His Word tells me that the Lord is a shield and protector of the righteous. The Lord is forever faithful and I trust Him. I’m going to spend time in a future posting discussing what the Bible says about fear, because I believe the enemy has used fear as the main weapon to bring about his beasts. You’ll be amazed at what the Bible tells us about fear. How relevant is it? The Bible warns us against the very thing that America is doing right now…and it will lead to the destruction of our nation and the emergence of the 2nd beast of Revelation 13.
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Let’s review the mighty issues mentioned by God’s three angels, beginning with the all-important topic of worshiping the Creator. The first angel says with a loud voice, “Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7). Then the third angel thunders, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:9-10). Here people are given the ultimate choice: Either worship the Creator or worship the beast and receive his mark. Thus, the issue of worshiping the Creator is central to avoiding the mark.
The next mighty issue is one few people are aware of. Most best-selling prophecy books and blockbuster Tribulation movies skip right over it. Those who believe the mark is a biochip developed by some high-tech firm like Microsoft or Intel usually miss it entirely. As we have already seen, immediately after the third angel warns humankind about receiving the mark, the very next sentence says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Here one group receives the mark, while the other group “keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Thus, the issue of keeping the commandments of God is also central to avoiding the mark. In a little while we will place this hidden issue fully under the microscope.
When we take a close-up look at the three angels’ messages, we discover that the sweetest part of all has to do with a Person, the person of Jesus Christ. The first angel announces to the world “the everlasting gospel” (Revelation 14:6), which literally means the good news of Jesus Christ. The third angel speaks of “the Lamb”, in contrast with the beast (Revelation 14:9-10), which is another reference to Jesus Christ, pointing to His unfathomable love and sacrifice on the cross. And the very last word of the third angel’s message is “Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Thus, we discover a laser-like focus on “the gospel”, the “Lamb”, and on “Jesus” Himself. To summarize thus far: Those who believe in Jesus Christ, accept the gospel, follow the Lamb, worship the Creator, and keep the commandments of God – these will not worship the beast and receive the mark. These mighty issues regarding the mark of the beast are now rising up before our very eyes.
Jesus Christ is center stage, and so is the worship of the Creator. Therefore, when the first angel tells everyone to “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation 14:7), this is a special end-time call to worship Jesus Christ, not only as Savior, but also specifically as the Maker of all life. Amazingly, this very issue is closely tied in with the Mark of the Beast, for we have already discovered that those who worship the Creator are placed in contrast with those who worship the beast and receive his mark. Yet what exactly is the Mark of the Beast? Is it possible to know for sure without indulging in wild-eyed speculation? I believe it is. We still have a few more pieces to put together in this awesome prophetic puzzle, yet when we are finished, it will become extremely clear what the Mark of the Beast is. In fact, there will be no mistaking it.
The deadly mark is the Mark of the Beast; it’s a mark that comes from the beast itself. John saw those who gained “the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark” (Revelation 15:2). Logic tells us that in order to understand “his mark”, we must correctly interpret who “he” is. Who is this beast? The Left Behind novels portray the beast as a super-powerful, devil-indwelt Romanian who gains control of the world after the Rapture. Yet what have we learned? Who did Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, the translators of the King James Bible, Sir Isaac Newton and countless other historic Protestants think the beast was? What power rose out of the Roman Empire, has spoken great words against God, has made war on the saints, has received a deadly wound that is now healing and has fulfilled every point of this prophecy? You now know the answer. It is the Roman Catholic Church. And the mark is “his mark”. Therefore, the Mark of the Beast must be something that comes from the Roman Catholic Church itself.
Not long ago someone handed me a copy of a very old Bible from the 1800’s that belonged to a Presbyterian lay pastor. Certain texts throughout this Bible contain footnotes reflecting the beliefs of Christians in the nineteenth century. I quickly turned to Revelation 13:16 about the mark of the beast, and I discovered footnotes that would probably not appear in a Scofield Reference Bible. I was stunned when I read: “Verse 16. A mark. Submission to the rites and ceremonies of the papal communion. In their right hand. By active obedience to the papal power. Or in their foreheads. By outward profession of its doctrines and infallible authority” (The New Testament: With Commentaries, References, Harmony of the Gospels and the Helps Needed to Understand and Teach the Text. 1895. New York and St. Louis. Thompson Pub. Co., p. 530). When those words were written, Bill Gates wasn’t born yet, nor was there a company called Microsoft. In the footnotes of that Bible, when it came to the mark of the beast, computer technology was a non-issue. What mattered was submission or resistance to the Roman Catholic Church!
The third angel’s message is now crying out with a loud voice to everyone, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:9-10). Now think about it. Would Jesus tell us in Revelation, “The mark is coming, so watch out. It will be tricky, almost deceiving the very elect. I love you, and died for you, yet I can’t tell you exactly what this mysterious mark is. If you get it, you’ll be lost. You’re on your own.” Does this sound logical? Would Jesus show and not tell? Why would God send a message to the whole world about the mark, and then keep its identity a secret? How could such a message be given with a loud voice? Again, think about it. Can we know for sure who the beast is? Yes. Therefore, we must be able to find out from the Bible itself exactly what the mark is. Logic, reason, and the integrity of God’s loving character require this.
We are about to make another amazing discovery. I believe the Bible contains a golden clue to this mystery. We can find it by carefully comparing Revelation 13 with its Old Testament counterpart, Daniel 7. These two chapters fit together like a key fits into a lock. The connections are easily seen. Both chapters talk about beasts from the sea, a lion, a bear, a leopard, a dragon, ten horns, a mouth speaking great things, war on the saints, and a specific time period of three and a half years or forty two months. Interpretations may vary, but almost all Protestant, Catholic and Evangelical scholars, including the authors of Left Behind, agree that the little horn of Daniel 7 and the first beast of Revelation 13 refer to the same thing – the Antichrist. Yet there is something many people have missed that is right there in God’s Word. And not only does it tie in with the mark of the beast, but it is a golden clue as to what the mark really is.
The very first time the mark of the beast is mentioned in the Bible is near the end of Revelation 13. Now, if other aspects of the beast in Revelation 13 find such a perfect parallel in the little horn of Daniel 7, then what about the mark? Could there be something near the end of Daniel 7 that parallels the mark near the end of Revelation 13? Yes, there is. It is in verse 25. Daniel 7:25 says the little horn will speak great words against God and this idea is also found in Revelation 13:5. Daniel 7:25 says he will wear out, or make war, on the saints and this idea is also found in Revelation 13:7. Daniel 7:25 says the horn will rule for three and a half years, and this point is also restated in Revelation 13:5. Thus, every point of Daniel 7:25 finds a perfect parallel in Revelation 13. Yet there is one point in Daniel 7:25 we have not yet touched upon. Most people miss it, few ever explain it, yet there it is. It is our golden clue. You may not believe this, but the final destiny of the world is connected with it.
Are you ready? Here it is. The little horn will also “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). What does this mysterious sentence mean? Most have no idea. Notice that little word “change”. The horn will “change” something, then the beast will enforce his mark. Could this change, whatever it is, be connected with the mark? Let’s think about it. Can a change be a mark? Has anyone ever entered your life and changed you so deeply that it can truly be said, “He left his mark?”
What will the little horn think to change? He shall “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). Because the antichrist comes during New Testament times, it is evident that some of God’s “laws” must still exist this side of the Cross. When Jesus died, He put an end to the sacrificial laws of the Old Testament, which pointed forward to His death, and this is why we no longer sacrifice lambs. Those laws are gone. What about the Ten Commandments? Do they still apply to us?
The answer is yes. The following New Testament verses tell us that the laws still apply to us: Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 6:1-2, Ephesians 4:28, James 2:11, Luke 16:17-18, John 14:15. It is clear in the New Testament that although there is a new covenant through Jesus Christ that puts an end to the sacrificial laws, we are still to obey God’s commandments. What does this have to do with the mark of the beast? You are about to find out. First, let me summarize some major points. Just as there are Ten Commandments, even so there are ten fundamental facts in our Bibles about the Mark of the Beast. These facts do not represent Left Behind fiction, but real truths found in God’s Word:
1. The Mark of the Beast is deceptive, not obvious (Revelation 19:20).
2. The mark will be received on the forehead, which represents the mind, or on the hand, which represents actions (Revelation 14:9, Deuteronomy 11:18).
3. The three angels reveal a comprehensive message from God before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to all the world to help people understand the mark (Revelation 14:6-16).
4. Those who worship Jesus Christ as Creator will not get the mark (Revelation 14:7, 9-11; John 1:3, 10).
5. Those who keep the Ten Commandments will not get the mark (Revelation 14:9, 12).
6. The mark comes from the beast, which represents the Roman Catholic Church.
7. The warning against the mark will be given with a loud voice, thus it must be clear and easy to understand (Revelation 14:9).
8. The mark involves a special sin against God himself, for those who receive it will drink the wine of His wrath (Revelation 14:9, 10).
9. The mark has something to do with the changing of God’s law (compare Daniel 7:25 with Revelation 13:16).
10. The mark of the beast has something to do with the changing of the times and laws of God (Daniel 7:25).
Let’s take a look again at our little-known golden-clue text, he shall “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). Now notice that word, “times”. We know that the word “laws” has to do with the Ten Commandments, which continue after the Cross. What about “times”? You are about to discover something you will hardly believe. It shatters all false interpretations, which may sincerely, yet deceptively, hide the real issues. If you pray and humbly study this out, you will know for sure it’s true. Are you ready? There is only one of the Ten Commandments that has to do with “time”. There is only one that has to do with the Creator of heaven and earth. This single, solitary commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments that the Roman Catholic Church specifically says it has changed. It is the commandment that says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
Before we go any further, I want to share with you a very important thought. The Bible says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). This verse tells us that in the final times, God will be giving new light to His people. This especially applies to an increase of knowledge of the book of Daniel, which includes our golden-clue text: He shall “think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25). In the final days, God will help His people understand what this changing of “times” is really all about.
God Almighty did not write the ten suggestions, but the Ten Commandments. The fourth says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work,….For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).
Where do we remember the Sabbath? In our foreheads. With what do we work? With our hands. Thus, the Sabbath commandment deals with both the forehead and the hand. The “seventh day” is specified as “the Sabbath of the Lord”. It is not the Sabbath of the Jews, but of the Lord. “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day”. These words are directly quoted in the first angel’s message (see Revelation 14:7). And who is this “Lord” that “made heaven and earth”? As we have already seen, according to the New Testament, it is Jesus Christ. Thus, the Sabbath commandment, in a unique and special sense, reveals Jesus Christ as Lord and as the Maker of all life.
A well-known Roman Catholic catechism declares:
Q. Which is the Sabbath day? Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.
Q. Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday (The Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, by Peter Geiermann, 1946, p. 50).
The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday (The Christian Sabbath, p. 29. Printed by the Catholic Mirror, the official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore, MD, 1893).
The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, change, or interpret even divine laws (Farraris’s Ecclesiastical Dictionary. Article, “The Pope”).
Of course the change [from Sabbath to Sunday] was her act…and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters (Signed by H.F. Thomas, Chancellor for Cardinal Gibbons, in a letter dated, November 11, 1895).
Thus, the Catholic Church claims the pope has power to change God’s law, just as Daniel 7:25 says. This church claims to have changed the Sabbath into Sunday, which is a changing of “times”, just as Daniel 7:25 says will occur. Papal Rome also calls this change a ‘mark’ of her authority, which makes this a perfect fit with Revelation 13!
This issue of Sabbath or Sunday is now the hottest, most intense, and most explosive issue facing the Christian world. An entire book could be written on this topic alone. Let’s look at ten key Sunday facts found in the New Testament:
1. Jesus Christ rose on Sunday, “the first day of the week” (Mark 16:9).
2. The New Testament refers to “the first day of the week” eight times (Mathew 28:1; Mark 16:1, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Acts 20:7).
3. Five of these references are about the Resurrection (Mathew 28:1; Mark 16:1, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
4. One Sunday text refers to a fearful gathering of the disciples on that day before they knew Jesus was alive (John 20:19).
5. One Sunday text refers to a special collection of money on that day in the city of Corinth for a group of poor believers in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Romans 15:25-26).
6. One text refers to a solitary instance in Troas where believers gathered late one Saturday night as a farewell to Paul (Acts 20:6-13).
7. None of these references even remotely suggest that Sunday is now holy or that it has been set aside in honor of the Resurrection.
8. Jesus Christ never said a word about Sunday in any of His teachings.
9. Jesus Christ gave His Church authority to teach only what He taught (Mathew 28:19), which forbids any emphasis on Sunday keeping.
10. The New Testament is as silent as a cemetery about any change from Sabbath to Sunday.
By way of contrast, here are ten key Sabbath facts found in your own Bible:
1. Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).
2. Jesus taught much about the Sabbath (Mathew 12:1-14).
3. Jesus said He is “Lord of the Sabbath”, thus revealing that it is His own special day in honor of the fact that He is the Creator of all life (Mark 2:28; Mathew 12:8).
4. Jesus often healed people on the Sabbath, revealing His love and power (Mathew 12:9-13).
5. Jesus freed the Sabbath from the burden-some traditions of the Pharisees (Luke 13:10-17).
6. The Sabbath was kept by Christ’s disciples after the Cross (Luke 23:46, 54-56).
7. The Sabbath was kept in the book of Acts by both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 13:42-44; 16:13; 17:1-4; 18:4).
8. The entire Book of Revelation was given “on the Lord’s day” which is the Sabbath day (Revelation 1:10; Exodus 20:10; Isaiah 58:13; Mathew 12:8).
9. The Sabbath is not just for Jews, but is also for Gentiles (Isaiah 56:1-8).
10. The Sabbath will be kept in the new earth by all the saved (Isaiah 66:22-23).
I want to clarify something of the utmost importance. No one has this mark right now. Most Christians have never really studied this subject before. There are true Christians in all churches, including the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, God has sincere people everywhere. Yet one of these days, according to the Book of Revelation, this mark of Rome’s authority will be enforced by law around the world. Then, after people’s minds have been enlightened, the final time of choice will come.
This may shock you, but Sunday laws have been enforced in various degrees for 1,700 years. The first Sunday law was enforced by the Roman Emperor Constantine on March 7, A.D. 321. His famous edict declared, “On the venerable day of the sun [Sunday], let the magistrates and people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed” (Schaff’s translation, History of the Christian Church, vol. iii. p.75.). Why did Constantine pass this Sunday law? The reasons are both fascinating and relevant for us today. In the fourth century, the Roman Empire was disintegrating. Morality was at an all-time low. Yet religion was far from dead. Constantine himself was a dedicated sun worshiper, as were the majority of his subjects. In fact, the very name “Sunday” stems from pagan sun worship. By this time, a growing number of Christians were following the Catholic Church’s example of giving up the Sabbath and keeping Sunday in honor of the Resurrection. Constantine had already seen the moral strength of Christianity as revealed in the courage of its martyrs, and this gave him an idea. He thought to himself, “Why not unite the Christians and the pagans together through their mutual respect for Sunday?” That’s why he passed his famous Sunday law hoping to bring unity to his empire, thus saving it from ruin. His plan failed and Rome still went down.
After Constantine, the Roman Catholic Church continued to enforce the keeping of Sunday in Europe for over 1,000 years. Sunday laws were also enforced in England for centuries. Amazingly, this practice was continued in colonial America. In the 1600’s, if you lived in Massachusetts, Virginia, or Connecticut, you were required by law to attend church on Sunday. Disobedience was punished by heavy fines, whipping, confinement in a cage, and in some cases, even by death. Thus, Protestant America still followed the example of Constantine and the Catholic Church in the uniting of church and state, and in the enforcement of Sunday laws.
On May 31, 1998, Pope John Paul II issued a lengthy pastoral letter, Dies Domini (The Day of the Lord), which contained a passionate appeal for the revival of Sunday observance. The pope said the prevailing neglect of Sunday reflects a spiritual crisis inside the Catholic Church and within Christianity in general. Notice his words: “The Lord’s Day has structured the history of the Church through two thousand years: how could we think that it will not continue to shape the future?” Shockingly, the pope then urged world governments to enforce Sunday laws! “In the particular circumstances of our own time, Christians will naturally strive to ensure that civil legislation respects their duty to keep Sunday holy.” Such statements are right in line with this official Vatican position: “Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p.528, 1994).
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Steve continues this chapter with additional examples of current Protestant Christian leaders who are also calling for America to keep the Sabbath.....on Sunday. So, does Scripture point to the Sabbath as the mark? It would appear that it could, but I have my doubts. I'm not going to say with 100% certainty that this is the mark because it is the political beast, the New World Order, that enforces the mark and requires the mark to buy and sell. This enforcement is also mentioned after the 'image' of the Catholic Church is created. The mark is created after the Catholic Church's judgement. Will this image of the Catholic Church demand Sunday observance of the Sabbath? Hard to say at this point.
We are given a clue in verse 17 that I believe will confirm what the mark is when we see it.
'He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16-17)
I have read many theories on the mark that say the mark and the number 666 are somehow tied to the Popes (if you add up all of the numbers following all of the Papal names, you get close to 666) and the Catholic Church. As Steve Wohlberg and others believe, it is certainly possible, but I believe the Catholic Church will be replaced by the image before the mark is introduced into the world. There is something here we are missing. When verse 17 mentions that the mark is 'the name of the beast or the number of his name', it is referring to the political (NWO) beast, not the religious beast. To me, this is very clear - the mark is related to a name and number (666) of the coming world government. It will involve complete submission to the world system/government while also denying Jesus Christ - so this is definitely a spiritual mark - as Steve mentions. I believe a key to discerning the mark is given to us here in verse 17 and another key is certainly the need to accept the mark to buy and sell. It is quite possible that we are seeing this name and number now and don't even recognize them for what they will become.
Remember, this freemason/illuminati beast is evil and deceptive and has been deceiving us for generations. They are arrogant and feel they control all things from the shadows. They feel they are untouchable and all-powerful. They tell us what their plans are (through money, architecture, hidden messages in public speaches, the media, etc.) and then laugh at our inability to see and understand. They feel they are the 'illuminated' ones, while we are in the dark as to what is really happening. They are the definition of pride. Because of who they are and who leads them, it would not surprise me if this name and number is already known to them and has somehow been shown to us....although we cannot understand its meaning.....yet.
The important thing to remember is that this coming world government is going to be taking orders from our spiritual enemy. Because of this, ever-increasing pressure will be placed on true Christians. This will eventually lead to the ultimate choice....worship our Lord or the beast and his mark. Whether or not it is the Sabbath, you can be sure that it will be deceptive. Those that don’t know Jesus Christ will not even be able to discern what it is. I have no doubt that God will raise up believers to preach the truth in a final attempt to save the lost, but without true faith, will they be able to stand? Most unbelievers will not. This is why it is so important for all of us to come close to Jesus now. Let Him comfort you, strengthen you, correct you and guide you. Do I fear the mark? No. Do I fear the coming beasts that will enforce the mark? No. Do I fear the men that are bringing this upon us? No. Why? Because God’s Word tells me not to fear anything in this world. His Word tells me that the Lord is a shield and protector of the righteous. The Lord is forever faithful and I trust Him. I’m going to spend time in a future posting discussing what the Bible says about fear, because I believe the enemy has used fear as the main weapon to bring about his beasts. You’ll be amazed at what the Bible tells us about fear. How relevant is it? The Bible warns us against the very thing that America is doing right now…and it will lead to the destruction of our nation and the emergence of the 2nd beast of Revelation 13.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Our Monetary System - Part I - How Central Banks Control the World's Economy
If you are a Christian and have had discussions on the ‘mark of the beast’ and how only those with the ‘mark’ will be able to buy and sell at some point in the future, you have probably wondered how this could happen. How could anyone really gain financial control of the entire world? If you are not a Christian, chances are that you have heard about this ‘mark’ and its control over the world’s financial system and have rejected this as being completely ridiculous – how could anyone control the world’s financial system? If you throw in the popular Christian interpretations of end time prophecies – that one future ruler of the world will somehow unite the world’s government, the world’s religion and the world’s financial system – all within a period of 7 years – it becomes almost unbelievable. How could someone – anyone – do all of this within a 7 year time period? If I were not a Christian and had never heard about these things and someone told me that all of these things will happen within 7 years – I would find it very difficult to believe – if not impossible – the world simply does not cooperate this easily. As you’ve seen in previous posts, Satan’s control of the world’s government and religion is not taking place during 7 years – and financial control of the world is no different. What you will find as you read this post, is that a few men have already gained worldwide financial control – and they did it before you and I were born. It didn’t take 7 years – it took hundreds of years. You and I rely on an economic system that has placed us in financial bondage – and most of us don’t even know it. What you will find, once again, is that our spiritual enemy is much more cunning and deceptive than you have been led to believe.
Let’s start this with a simple question – do you know how our money is created? Whether you are wealthy or poor, highly educated or not – chances are this question causes you some concern – because you really don’t know the answer. Most people (and I was included) would say that the United States creates our own money through the U.S. Treasury – correct? No. It did until the early 20th Century. It is correct that the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (agencies of the U.S. Government) create the hard currency we use, but the U.S. Treasury is not responsible for creating and managing our money supply. Who then, is responsible for creating and managing our money supply? A private corporation - The Federal Reserve Banking System.
If the U.S. Government needs $20 billion in hard currency (paper and coins), the Federal Reserve creates this $20 billion out of nothing (there is nothing of value that backs our currency), the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing creates the paper and coin currency and the U.S. Government gives the Federal Reserve an IOU for $20 billion in exchange. The U.S. Government then pays interest on this $20 billion. On the surface, it may seem to you that this is logical – what’s wrong with the U.S. Government paying a private bank/corporation to print our money? Actually, there is a whole lot wrong with it. This is what I’m going to explain in this post.
We’ve seen how physical currency is created and added to our economy, but physical currency – coins and paper – makes up less than 5% of the overall dollars in circulation in the world. The other 95% is made up of all of the electronic dollars in checking accounts, savings accounts, CD’s, money market accounts, etc. How is this money created? The majority of our money is created by private banks. This is where things get interesting.
If you have purchased a home, then you know that you apply for and receive a mortgage to pay for your home. The question then becomes – where does the bank get the money to pay for your home? If you are like most Americans (and I was certainly included in this group), you assume that this money somehow comes out of the bank’s profits or from deposits made at the bank. It seems logical, but this isn’t what happens. By authority of the bank’s charter, it has the ability to create the dollars needed for your home. In the same manner that the Federal Reserve creates money out of nothing, your bank once again creates money out of nothing and places the dollars needed into your account. The funds are then used to pay for your home. I know what you’re thinking – this is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard, there’s no way this is what happens. You’d be wrong. In our current monetary system (commonly referred to as a Fractional Reserve System), your act of signing for debt - creates money. Every time someone signs for an auto loan, home loan, home equity loan, etc. – money is created. This is how money is created in our system. In our current monetary system, money is not created from value, money is created from debt. It doesn’t matter if our money is created because the U.S. Government needs hard currency or if it is created through bank loans, the only way money is created in our current system is through debt. Get ready - because this leads to some very interesting analysis.
If you’re thinking this through, then you’re beginning to feel very uncomfortable – and you should. Even though it may seem strange to you that our money is created by debt, it might initially seem like this could work – that our economy has – and will continue to – function under this system. There’s one very big problem inherent in this system. If you’ve seen the movie ‘The Matrix’, then you remember that the massive computer simulation in the movie had a flaw in the program – an anomaly that over a long period of time would eventually crash the system. We have the same type of ‘anomaly’ in our current economic system that over time – will have the same result. What is the ‘anomaly’ in our system? Interest. When you take out a loan for $200,000 to pay for your home, is this all you need to pay back? Of course not. You must pay the $200,000 plus interest. The total amount of money you will pay back with interest will be more than $400,000 if you have a 30 year fixed rate (around 6%) and don’t pay it off early. Remember, our money is created from the principle, not the principle plus interest. So, you bought a house for $200,000, and as a result, added $200,000 to our total money supply of dollars. Do you see the problem? If our money is only created from the principle payment, where do we get the money to pay interest? This is where things really start to get interesting.
Let’s look at another example. Let’s say that the total debt (new debt – retired debt) created in a given year in the United States is $1 trillion dollars. Based on our current system, $1 trillion dollars would then be added to our money supply. As I mentioned above, because this is debt, the total actually owed is much higher – let’s say the total debt actually owed is $2 trillion. So, we have created $2 trillion in liabilities that must be repaid, but we’ve only created $1 trillion dollars in the system to pay this debt. Do you see the problem? We never add enough money into our economy to pay for the debt. Our debt continues to rise and our money supply continues to rise – but the money supply can never equal the total amount owed. What this means is that we can never pay off our debt under our current monetary system.
Let’s make it really simple. If you and I each owe $100 and there’s only $150 in currency available to us – one of us isn’t going to have enough to pay our debts. It’s a catch-22 that we cannot get out of. In our current system, there will always be a certain percentage of people and businesses that cannot get enough money to pay their bills, debts, etc. It’s mathematically impossible for everyone to have enough money to pay what they owe. We can talk all day about why certain businesses fail (poor management, supply and demand, changing markets, etc), why businesses and people go bankrupt, but the bottom line is this - if there’s not enough money in our economy to pay for all outstanding debts, it doesn’t matter what we do, how we manage our budgets, we will never pay off our debts as a nation – never. Of course I’m talking about our nation as a whole. Individually, we can make good financial decisions and manage our money in a prudent manner, but on a national level, we are in a never ending cycle of ever increasing debt – personal debt, corporate debt, government debt, etc. If our system never changes, it is mathematically impossible for us to ever pay off our national debt.
I now find it interesting when I hear our President or members of Congress debating ‘fiscal irresponsibility’ or when I hear our leaders talking about reducing our national debt. The truth is that all of us – our Government included – must continue to create debt in order to keep our economy from crashing. The meter is always running on the current interest (which is now enormous). In order to keep creating additional money to pay for our ever increasing debt, we must create more debt to create more money. I know what you’re thinking – this has to be the most ridiculous economic system ever devised. It’s actually quite ingenious – when you realize why it exists. We’ll examine this more later.
Since our money is created from debt, as our debts increase – our money supply increases. The only thing that has prevented this system from collapsing years ago is due to the lag time we have to pay back the interest on our loans. We are not required to immediately pay back the principle plus interest. Although this system seems to have worked for a very long time, we’re going to see that it cannot continue forever. You will see that it’s mathematically impossible for our economic system to continue without eventually collapsing.
If this hasn’t blown your mind yet, consider what would happen if we paid off all of our debt – personal debt (home loans, auto loans, etc), corporate debt and Government debt. Since debt equals money in our system, if there is no debt, there would be no money! I know – it keeps getting more ridiculous. Your mind wants to reject this outright. This is crazy! Unfortunately, it’s the truth. Our entire economy is based on the creation of debt. Without debt, our economy would crash completely. You now know the real reasons why we are all always fighting to get enough money to pay our bills and debts (there’s not enough money in the system for all of us). You now know why we consistently have a steady stream of people and businesses that file for bankruptcy (there’s never enough money in our economy), why inflation has dramatically reduced the buying power of the dollar in the past few decades (our money supply is always increasing – it never stabilizes), why the total volume of dollars in the world economy has sky-rocketed in recent decades (leading to a decline in the value of the dollar – worldwide) and why we’re always being bombarded with loan offers (home, auto, home equity, etc), credit cards, etc. Without debt, we have no economy. How is this possible you ask? Why would anyone allow this to happen? How did this happen? The most important question that you should be asking yourself is this – if we are creating so much debt, who are we indebted to? What you will find later in this post is that this is all very deliberate – it’s not by chance. There is a plan at work here – and it’s evil. The honest truth is that every person in the United States has been placed in financial bondage since 1913 – and most don’t even know it. Have I mentioned how deceptive our spiritual enemy is? Keep reading.
I mentioned earlier that our current banking system is referred to as a Fractional Reserve System. Basically, this means that banks can issue loans for much more money than they have on hand. It depends on the type of account, but as an example, let’s say that the Federal Reserve sets the reserve requirement at 9:1 (or a 10% reserve ratio). The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has the power to change this ratio within limits set by law. This means that for every dollar that a bank has held in ‘reserve’ at the Federal Reserve, it can lend out 9 times that amount. Let’s say that a new bank holds approximately $1,111 dollars at the Federal Reserve. It can then lend up to $10,000 dollars (9 x $1111 = $10,000). Money on reserve at the Fed is sometimes referred to as ‘super’ money – since the banks get to multiply its volume. The bank then loans this $10,000 to you for a new car. You pay the car seller who then deposits the money in their checking account. Their bank (this is a closed loop system – it doesn’t matter which bank receives the deposit) then takes the $10,000 – adds $1,000 of it to their reserves (the same 9:1 reserve ratio – reversed) – and loans out $9,000 to someone else who then deposits the money in their checking account. Their bank takes the $9,000 – adds $900 to their reserves (9:1 reserve ratio) – and loans out $8,100 to someone else. At this point, the original reserve of $1,111 has generated $27,100 in new money ($10,000 + $9,000 + $8,100). If we do the math and continue to carry this through (and everyone deposits their money in a bank – not in a mattress), then this original reserve of $1,111 generates just under $100,000 of currency in our economy. It’s like a huge game of musical chairs – as long as we’re creating money from debt, the music doesn’t stop playing. Also remember – the original reserve deposit at the Fed ($1,111) was money created by debt – it has no value. Some types of accounts in this system only require a 20:1 or 30:1 reserve ratio and some accounts do not require a reserve at all. Should anyone be surprised that we always have inflation?
What happens when the Federal Reserve changes the reserve ratio? Is this significant? Absolutely. Let’s examine this more closely. If the current ratio is 9:1 and the Fed changes this to 5:1 – what impact does this have? If you’re a bank that has loaned millions of dollars at a ratio of 9:1, and have planned future loans around this ratio, what happens to you if the ratio changes to 5:1 (the reserve requirement increases)? If you don’t have additional reserves to meet the new requirement - you instantly become under-capitalized. Here’s a simple example: if a bank has a reserve of $1,000 and plans to make a loan of $9,000 – it can no longer make the loan if the reserve ratio is reduced to 5:1. At 5:1, the reserve requirement on $9,000 would be $1800. The real world result is – the bank must generate significantly more capital to increase its reserves or stop lending in order to meet the new reserve requirement.
What should we learn from this? Most of us know that the Federal Reserve has the power to raise and lower interest rates and therefore, has the power to raise and lower overall prices within our economy. What most people don’t realize is that they also have the power to raise and lower the total volume of dollars in our economy. If they raise the reserve requirement (requiring banks to have more reserves at the Fed), banks will lend less money and since our money is based on the creation of debt, less money is created. If this happens, the gap between the amount owed within our economy (interest never stops accumulating) and the amount of money to pay the debt – widens. We are often told that this is used to fight inflation – inflation that is caused by this system of money creation through debt. The truth is that an increase in the reserve requirement results in even less money in the overall economy to pay back debt – which could easily lead to a recession or depression. This is the continual game central banks around the world play every day – more money in the economy means economic growth, but higher inflation – reducing the money supply reduces inflation, but will also cause economic growth to slow or contract.
The following chart shows the impact of the reserve ratio on our money supply. It’s easy to see that as the reserve amount required is lowered, the amount of money generated increases significantly. The reverse is also true – as the reserve required by the Fed is raised, the amount of money generated decreases.
What really happens when our money supply contracts? Periods of recession or depression. What we’re consistently told is that periods of economic growth and periods of economic contraction are unavoidable, when the truth tells us something different. The Federal Reserve has the power to create periods of growth (increased money supply coupled with low interest rates) and periods of contraction (reduced money supply coupled with higher interest rates). How are we told to categorize these periods of growth and contraction? This is the ‘business cycle’. While everyday business transactions certainly affect our overall economy – there is nothing that private business or individuals can do that will overcome the debt based economic system we’ve been placed under.
You have also learned why the current credit ‘crunch’ is being referred to as a ‘crisis’. What happens if banks reduce lending and consumers reduce taking on more debt? Less money is created in the system – and a vicious cycle starts. Wall Street refers to this as ‘de-leveraging’. We’re going to explore the real reasons this happens. Before we look closely at what is going on today, let’s examine another problem with our current economic system. We have discussed how our economy must continue to grow in order for debt creation to continue in order to create additional money in order to pay the debt – a never-ending cycle of debt creation. The question becomes – can this continue forever?
If you were to ask people about economic growth, some will know that our economic (GDP – Gross Domestic Product) growth rate typically averages about 3% (annually) in recent years. Most of us assume this is a linear growth rate. A linear growth rate looks like this:
The problem is that our economic growth is not linear. As an example, let’s assume that the current overall value of our economy is $100. If our economy grows 3% this year, then the overall value at the end of this year is $103. If our economy grows an additional 3% next year, will the overall value of our economy be $106 at the end of next year? No. Since we grew our economy 3% this year, next year’s growth will be 3% of $103 and the total value of our economy at the end of next year will be $106.09 ($103*.03 + $103). Our economy does not grow linearly, it grows exponentially. What this means is that 3% growth this year is actually more growth than 3% last year since our growth is compounded annually. This is what exponential growth looks like:
You are probably starting to feel uncomfortable, because you are beginning to see where this is going. In theory, exponential growth remains relatively low for a given period of time – but as you can see, as each year’s growth compounds on the previous year, overall growth begins to accelerate rapidly at a given point in time. A simple example of this phenomenon can be seen in the growth of a company. A company that plans to grow 10% with annual revenues of $10 million only needs to grow $1 million. A company that plans to grow 10% with annual revenues of $10 billion needs to grow $1 billion. As growth compounds upon itself, the system requires ever more resources to grow the same amount (%).
In our current economic system that relies on continual growth to stave off a collapse, we must continually burn through more and more natural resources to keep the system going. In a theoretical world, this exponential curve continues on to infinity. Is this possible in a finite world with finite resources? Of course not. If we take a logical look at our economic system, mathematics tells us one of two things must happen to our current system. The first scenario is that we burn through all of our resources and the system collapses. We can certainly see the beginning of this from a global perspective. As more economies around the world have instituted the same economic system as ours, we are seeing more and more concern that natural resources (oil, forests, water, etc.) are being depleted at an alarming rate – demand is outstripping supply – adding to inflationary pressures. Although this is certainly possible in our distant future, since we are much farther along the exponential curve than other economies in the world, there is a much more likely scenario for the United States.
The second scenario is that our current system collapses under the weight of the debt it has created. If the rate of debt increases much more quickly than the rate of the supply of money in the system, eventually the amount of money in the system will not be able to support the increased debt. There will not be enough money to make interest payments, pay utilities, buy consumer goods and create additional money. As the exponential curve gets steeper and steeper – it will be more and more difficult to grow our economy, while supporting the existing debt in the system. At some point, since we live in the real world, our monetary system will collapse under the weight of its debt – long before we burn through all of our resources.
Before we get too far into this – let’s ask a question. Where are we on this exponential curve? If we look at trends of some of the most widely used economic indicators, can we determine if we should be worried about imminent collapse? As you will see, we have reason to be concerned.
Let’s start by looking at our debt. The following is a graph of our nation’s federal debt:
Does this look linear or exponential? You don’t have to be a mathematician to see the answer.
The following is a different look at our national debt that calculates the debt as a percentage of GDP:
We hear politicians and economists talk about how there’s nothing to worry about since our debt remains in line with past years - as a percentage of GDP. The problem is that they are only focusing on the amount of debt as a % of GDP in a given year and not the effect of our cumulative debt. As we’ll soon see, what is even more important is the ratio of debt to the money supply.
We also have much more debt than just the federal debt. The following chart shows total debt over time (state, federal, personal, corporate). Once again, we see an exponential curve.
What about our money supply? We should expect to see the same trend – and we do.
(Source: wikipedia.org)
Hard currency appears to be somewhat linear, but it’s an illusion. If we reduce the scale (since hard currency is such a small percentage of the total money supply), we see the same trend:
Since the Federal Reserve stopped publishing M3 (total amount of dollars in circulation) money supply data in 2006, a couple of economists have worked to re-create it. The next graph was created by John Williams at shadowstats.com. Take note of how the year over year growth of our money supply has steadily increased since early 2005. Also note how the rate of growth is beginning to slow since the beginning of 2008. (I originally wrote this post in early 2008 - I have updated the graph below to show money supply growth through July 2010 - you can see how the current credit 'crisis' is now causing our money supply to contract).
I believe we’re going to see our money supply growth continue to slow since we are now at the point that we cannot create enough new money (through debt) to support the existing debt. If we’re not able to create enough new money (through debt) each year to service the interest on the existing debt – the system begins to collapse (loan defaults & bankruptcies begin to increase). The world tells us that our economy is ‘maturing’, which is why our economy’s growth is slowing. The truth, as you see, is much different. We are beginning to see the very real signs of an economy on the brink of collapse under the weight of its monetary system. We’ll talk about these signs later in this post.
Let’s continue by viewing inflation. Once again, we hear the world tell us that inflation is running at a rate of 3% a year and we all accept this as normal – and we forget that this rate is compounded year after year. If we see our money supply increase at such a fast pace, we should expect to see inflation also rise at an exponential rate – and we do.
Now you know why cars that once cost $3,000 now cost $30,000 or a loaf of bread that once cost $0.25 now costs $2.50. Prices increase within the system if the volume of money increases at a higher rate than economic activity (goods & services).
More people with more money to spend places upward pressure on prices for everything – cars, fuel, food, natural resources, etc. As money supplies throughout the world increase at an exponential rate, we see inflation skyrocketing across the globe. More on this below.
What about other economic indicators? We see the same trend.
Government Spending:
Government Revenues:
Commercial Bank Credit:
Total Revolving Credit:
Total Consumer Credit:
Sobering isn’t it? What you are seeing is a system on the brink of total collapse. With no way to ultimately pay off our debts (since money is created by debt), this was inevitable at some point.
Even though our money supply is also on an exponential curve, it cannot (mathematically) keep up with the runaway debt. We are nearing the end of an inevitable cycle. A cycle that ends with the economic collapse of the United States. As I mentioned earlier, this would not be a surprise to the men who created the system in the U.S. in 1913, nor is it a surprise to the men who are controlling the system today.
What about the rest of the world? Can’t they continue to finance our debt? Won’t this help delay our collapse? What you are about to see is that every major world economy also has a Central Bank – and therefore is on the same exponential curve as us. At some point, the entire world system will be unable to sustain itself unless the entire system changes. We’ll just take a look at money supplies of some of the world’s biggest economies. As you view these graphs, also take note of the total amount of Euros (European Union) in circulation compared to the amount of dollars in circulation. If you consider that there are trillions more dollars in circulation throughout the world compared to pounds and euros and also consider the massive amount of U.S. debt – it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the overall value of the dollar is declining against the world’s major currencies.
Global Money Supply:
European Union:
Australia:
New Zealand:
India:
(Source: wikipedia.org)
In addition, in recent months China’s money supply (M1+M2) has been growing at a 16-18% annualized rate. So, it’s easy to see that the same insane economic/monetary system has been instituted the world over. The question is – why? Before we answer this, let’s take a look at what is going on in the U.S. economy today.
Let’s think about what we would expect to see if the economic system of the United States begins to collapse due to this monetary system. As the amount of total debt continues to increase faster than the money supply, we would expect the number of personal and corporate bankruptcies to continue to increase. As global inflation also continues to increase prices on a broad range of products and commodities (due to increases in money supplies the world over), we would expect this to also negatively affect individuals and corporations in America. We would also expect to see those of us with the lowest cash reserves to be affected first. Are we seeing these things? Absolutely. We see them everyday in our news. The current ‘credit crisis’ began when subprime borrowers began defaulting on their home loans. Now, we see that the number of Alt-A and Prime borrowers falling behind on their mortgages is also increasing. Home prices are now decreasing across the nation as a result. How does this affect the money supply? If a homeowner defaults on a loan, the bank must ‘foreclose’ and take a loss on its books. The bank then must sell the home – but sell it in a depressed housing market. If the home was originally purchased for $100,000; and the bank can only get $75,000 now - based on what we now know about how money is created - you can see how the money supply will begin to be affected in a very big way. As home prices decline, the amount of money generated from the home loans from consumers also declines. As banks tighten credit due to the rising defaults, the vicious cycle continues – fewer loans and lower prices equals less money created (thanks to this debt based monetary system). Less money created means less money to loan and less money to buy things – and the exponential money creation cycle from debt begins to reverse itself. It’s also easy to see that falling housing prices and falling housing sales are not the only problem here – all of the suppliers, subcontractors, etc. are also affected. The rapid increase in the money supply generated by private banks that we’ve seen over the past decade is beginning to slow significantly. But as you know, this isn’t all that’s happening.
You’ve watched as the value of CDO’s (Collateralized Debt Obligations), CLO’s (Collateralized Loan Obligations), SIV’s (Structured Investment Vehicles) and other derivatives are now plunging in value resulting in huge write-offs for banks. As foreclosures have risen, the value of the bonds created from these mortgages have plunged in value – even those bonds based on ‘prime’ mortgages. All of these things are reducing the money supply. If you have an investment that you thought was worth $100, but now is only worth $60 on the open market, your access to money has been substantially reduced. Auction rate securities, once thought as safe as cash, now can’t be sold – there are no buyers. What you are seeing are the cracks beginning to form in the dam.
What is the Federal Reserve doing? Basically, they are trying to plug the holes by injecting money into our economy to delay the inevitable. Money creation through the private banking system is faltering, so someone has to step in or something catastrophic is going to happen. As the process has accelerated, not only are banks slowing their lending to consumers, they have also significantly reduced lending to each other. In order to get the capital they need, many banks are now borrowing more money directly from the Federal Reserve discount window. Remember, the Fed isn’t giving the money away; banks are borrowing this money from a private corporation. We can see the impact from the current credit crisis from the graph below.
We see this problem developing with the money supply, but there is one area of our financial system that has yet to suffer a significant drop in value – the stock market. It’s been very volatile, but has not really suffered a prolonged decrease in value. Think about this – what happens when financial conditions worsen, people can’t pay their bills/debts, all other investments have significantly declined in value and there’s only one remaining large source of wealth remaining? People will sell their stocks to survive. There’s an obvious problem with this – if a large number of people start selling – what happens? Prices drop significantly. Since stocks are one of the most volatile investments in the world, the coming decline in the stock market will, in all probability, be much worse than the current decline in value of CDOs/SIVs, Auction Rate Securities and other bonds. One thing is for certain, it’s not a matter of if, but when this will happen.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (1970 - 2008):
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Take a look at the above graph of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Share volume is also shown). Look familiar? Once again, we see an exponential curve. The DJIA is shadowing both our debt and our money supply. Why? Think about how the world tells us to invest. We’re constantly told that stocks offer the best long term returns. If you only look at stock returns over the past 30 years – this would appear to be good advice (if you ignore the possibility of something negative happening tomorrow). The problem is that there are two very good reasons why the stock market has continued to increase over this time period – and they have nothing to do with the stock market itself. As money has increased exponentially over the past 30 years – more and more liquidity has been placed in the hands of investors. What is another consequence of this exponential money growth? Inflation has also increased exponentially. We have more and more money in a system where inflation is eroding the value of this money. In this situation, everyone is trying to at least maintain the value of their money – by trying to earn a return higher than the inflation rate. So, we see more and more people investing more and more money into risky investments (stocks, hedge funds, CDO’s, SIV’s, Auction-Rate Securities, etc.) in an attempt to outrun the inflation rate.
There’s also another problem that no one in the mainstream media is discussing. We assume that our inflation rate has been approximately 1%-5% in recent years because this is what our government tells us. The problem is that since the early 1980’s, the government has changed the way it measures inflation. I won’t go into details here (please watch Chris Martenson’s video for further information on how our government has changed how it calculates inflation and other economic data: http://www.chrismartenson.com/fuzzy_numbers). The truth is that the actual annual consumer inflation rate has been between 8%-12% over the past 10 years – which means that you would need to average an annual return of around 10% over the past 10 years just to break even. The current rate of inflation is closer to 13% and increasing - not 5% as we’ve been told (I have updated the graph in 2009 to show how the current crisis is causing deflationary pressures).
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If we also consider the impact that the actual inflation rate has on real GDP (inflation is subtracted from nominal GDP to calculate real GDP) – we see why businesses and consumers are telling us that we’re in a recession – while our government tells us that our economy is still growing. The current state of our economy starts to make sense when we see inflation in double digits and negative GDP for several quarters.
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Do you know people who have lost their jobs recently? Wonder why it’s difficult to find a job right now? It’s because the current unemployment rate is closer to 13% - not the 5% that we’ve been told (I have updated the graph in 2009 to show the continuing impact of the current recession/depression - real unemployment is now approaching 20%). The government selectively removes ‘discouraged workers’ from total unemployment in order to calculate the lower rate. It’s simply a way for our government to manipulate the data to show more favorable percentages.
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What is going to happen to the stock market as our money supply growth continues to slow, GDP continues to contract, inflation continues to increase, housing prices continue to fall and more people lose their jobs? The stock market will, once again, shadow our money supply straight down as the system collapses. We’re beginning to see how this is affecting the stock market today. The market has been extremely volatile as earnings reports from companies seem to contradict government economic data. When it becomes clear to everyone that we’re in serious trouble – we’re going to see a mass exodus from stock markets worldwide.
If you’re wealthy, you may feel somewhat secure that you’ve got a nice nest egg to see this through. Where is your money? It’s most likely in dollar currency in the system – checking/savings accounts, money market funds, stocks, bonds, 401(k)’s, retirement accounts, etc. What happens if it’s not just a segment of the system that collapses, but the entire system? It won’t matter what you have - $5 or $5 million – your wealth will vanish before your eyes. We are facing a far worse scenario than 1929. From 1929 through 1933, our money supply contracted approximately 30% after a period of money supply expansion in the 1920’s. As you can see from the money supply trends in previous charts, we have also been through a period of significant money supply expansion from 1995 until 2007. It appears that 1929 was a trial run for what will happen in the near future to us.
Was wealth destroyed during the Great Depression? No. Wealth was transferred. If you read the biographies of some of the great bankers of that era (J.P. Morgan and others), you will see that the majority of them did not have their money in stocks. Earlier in 1929, they moved their investment holdings to cash and gold. For them, the crash of 1929 was not a catastrophe, it was a buying opportunity. A buying opportunity they created. The price of assets dropped dramatically during this time - and guess who happened to have the cash on hand to buy assets at depressed values?
Until now, you’ve probably thought that we’re all playing by the same rules – we’re not. This really isn’t about money – it’s about power and control of the world. It’s about a ruling elite enslaving humanity on a worldwide scale. A ruling elite given power by the world’s spiritual ruler. Now you know a little more about why the Lord has warned us. He warned us that this beast would be deceptive and would deceive the whole world – and you’re beginning to see why. When God tells us in His Word that something in our future will be deceptive on a worldwide scale – it’s a warning we should heed.
This leads us to why our monetary system exists. In 1913, the battle for the control of the United States banking system was lost – and the Federal Reserve Bank was created. The name of this private corporation should tell us all we need to know – it’s a lie. It’s a bank that is not Federal and there are no reserves. The truth is that this ingenious monetary system was created by some highly intelligent men for one purpose – global power. Whoever controls interest rates and the volume of money in a nation controls the nation (and ultimately the world). In a world focused on money and the pursuit of money, whoever controls our money has the power – absolute power. These men created a monetary system that forever places our nation in debt and one that can be manipulated by them for their purposes. What is going to happen when markets collapse? Guess who, once again, will be there to acquire depressed assets?
As I’ve said before, this was inevitable. If you give a banking system, in our evil world, the ability to control the money supply and the ability to charge interest on the money they create, the bankers will slowly, over time, exchange worthless money (paper and electronic fiat currency) for real assets – gold, silver, land and property. If you view this from a spiritual standpoint, you begin to understand why Jesus told us that building the foundation of your life on the things of this world is not wise. As has happened before, and will happen again, wealthy people of this world will see the foundation of their lives (money) slowly sift away through their fingers. Our wealth is an illusion. Satan has offered wealth and power to many in this nation and they have gladly accepted. They are about to witness what happens when you do a deal with the devil. Take him on by yourself and sooner or later – he’s going to find a way to get his tentacles into you. What happens when wealth is taken away from people who are focused on wealth? It’s not pretty. How do we overcome? As I’ve said before, and will continue to say until I leave this world – you will not overcome this world and its ruler until you humbly ask forgiveness from God. Until you acknowledge your sins and truly believe the Lord’s promise of salvation through His Son, you will never get free of the world. You will always be susceptible to the world’s many disappointments. When you truly repent and are born again, what happens in the world no longer matters because you know the Lord and the Lord stands with you – until the end.
At some point you’ve probably wondered how on earth this monetary system has survived until now. If you read the many quotes throughout recent history from bankers, world leaders, economists and tycoons about central banks – and really pay attention to what they’re saying - it’s no secret that those in power knew what was happening (I have listed many of these quotes on my website). Why hasn’t anyone stopped this madness? It’s not hard to figure out – fear. If you attain a position of power and are told to look the other way or face the consequences – what do you do? Most people in the world will gladly take the money and power….and look the other way. Why place my life at risk when I can continue living this nice lifestyle by not rocking the boat? Yes – I said that by standing against this beast – you place your life at risk. I’m not saying this merely to make a hypothetical point. Take a look at this list. These men had three things in common.
Abraham Lincoln
James Garfield
John F. Kennedy
All were Presidents of the United States. Each man spoke out against the issuance of money by anyone other than our Government and made it clear who they were targeting with these comments – and all were assassinated. Lincoln refused to attain loans from the European banks to finance the Civil War (he was offered loans at 24%+ interest) and instead had the U.S. Treasury issue its own money. JFK gave a speech in 1961 about a worldwide ‘monolithic and ruthless conspiracy’ which is ‘a system that has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations’. I have added a link to the speech on my website. (Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeYgLLahHv8) JFK even had the audacity in the summer of 1963 to give the U.S. Government the authority to, once again, create its own money via Executive Order 11110 (based on a Silver standard). The U.S. Treasury actually began to print its own money in 1963….but as we all know, this didn’t last long.
As you read the quotes below, notice carefully what these men are telling us. They didn’t realize it at the time they made these statements, but each one of them learned about and then commented on – one of the beasts of Revelation 13. Some of them paid the ultimate price for doing so. The Lord doesn’t arbitrarily label something a ‘beast’ without reason. He uses the term ‘beast’ to tell us who and what we’re dealing with – an organization that will kill, steal and destroy anyone and anything in its path – anything that opposes it. This beast obeys its father – the father of lies and deceit who walks in complete darkness. There is only one way in this world that you and I can oppose this beast and survive – by standing with and obeying the Lord.
“The very word secrecy is repugnant in a free and open society – and we are, as a people, inherently and historically, opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings.” –JFK
“We are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covet means for expanding its sphere of influence – on infiltration instead of invasion – on subversion instead of elections – on intimidation instead of free choice. It is a system that has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine - that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations. Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no secret is revealed.” -JFK
“I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people.” –JFK referring to the worldwide conspiracy mentioned above
“Whoever controls the volume of money in our country is absolute master of all industry and commerce….and when you realize that the entire system is very easily controlled, one way or another, by a few powerful men at the top, you will not have to be told how periods of inflation and depression originate.” -James A. Garfield
“The Government should create, issue and circulate all the currency and credits needed to satisfy the spending power of the Government and the buying power of consumers. By the adoption of these principles, the taxpayers will be saved immense sums of interest. The privilege of creating and issuing money is not only the supreme prerogative of government, but it is the government’s greatest creative opportunity.” -Abraham Lincoln
“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 the promises 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 to Trilateral Commission Meeting, 1991
"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that willgrow up around them (around the banks), will deprive the people of their propertyuntil their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." –Thomas Jefferson
"Capital must protect itself in every way... Debts must be collected and loans and mortgages foreclosed as soon as possible. When, through a process of law, the common people have lost their homes, they will be more tractable and more easily governed by the strong arm of the law applied by the central power of leading financiers. People without homes will not quarrel with their leaders. This is well known among our principle men now engaged in forming an imperialism of capitalism to govern the world. By dividing the people we can get them to expend their energies in fighting over questions of no importance to us except as teachers of the common herd." -J.P. Morgan
"We shall have World Government, whether or not we like it. The only question is whether World Government will be achieved by conquest or consent." –James Paul Warburg (Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, speaking before the U.S. Senate, 1950)
"The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the large centers has owned the government of the U.S. since the days of Andrew Jackson. History depicts Andrew Jackson as the last truly honorable and incorruptible American president." –Franklin D. Roosevelt
"[The task is to] covertly lower the standard of living, the whole socialstructure, of America so that we can be merged with all other nations." –Rowan Gaither (President of the Ford Foundation, 1954)
“I am myself persuaded, on the basis of extensive study of the historical evidence, that... the severity of each of the contractions - 1920-21, 1929-33, and 1937-38 - is directly attributable to acts of commission and omission by the Reserve authorities and would not have occurred under earlier monetary and banking arrangements.'' –Milton Friedman (Nobel Prize-winning economist, economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan)
"Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men's views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the U.S., in the field of commerce and manufacturing, are afraid of somebody, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it." –Woodrow Wilson
"A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is privately concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men who, even if their action be honest and intended for the public interest, are necessarily concentrated upon the great undertakings in which their own money is involved and who necessarily, by very reason of their own limitations, chill and check and destroy genuine economic freedom." -Woodrow Wilson
"We have restricted credit, we have restricted opportunity, we have controlled development, and we have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated, governments in the civilized world--no longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and the duress of small groups of dominant men." –Woodrow Wilson
"This Act (the Federal Reserve Act, Dec. 23rd 1913) establishes the most gigantic trust on earth. When the President (Woodrow Wilson) signs the Bill, the invisible government of the Monetary Power will be legalized... The worst legislative crime of the ages is perpetrated by this banking and currency Bill." –Charles A. Lindbergh Sr. (Congressman and father of the famous aviator)
"The most wonderful thing of all is that the distinguished Lutheran andCalvinist theologians who belong to our order really believe that they see in it (Illuminati) the true and genuine sense of Christian Religion. Oh mortal man, is there anything you cannot be made to believe?" - Adam Weishophf upon establishing his "Order of the Illuminati", on May 1, 1776
"It is ironical that the only nation which affirmatively expresses a dependence upon and belief in Almighty God in its birth certificate, should now be in mortal combat for its very existence with a godless conspiracy intent upon conquering the world, and reverting human society to the hazards and indignities of the Dark Ages." –Loyd Wright (Former President of the American Bar Association, 1961)
"From the days of Spartacus, Weishophf, Karl Marx, Trotski, Belacoon, Rosa Luxenburg, and Ema Goldman, this world conspiracy has been steadily growing. This conspiracy played a definite recognizable role in the tragedy of the French revolution. It has been the mainspring of every subversive movement during the 19th Century. And now at last this band of extraordinary personalities from the underworld of the great cities of Europe and America have gripped the Russian people by the hair of their head and have become the undisputed masters of that enormous empire." –Winston Churchill, 1920
"The real menace of our Republic is the invisible government which like a giant octopus sprawls its slimy legs over our cities, states and nation. At the head is a small group of banking houses generally referred to as 'international bankers.' This little coterie... run our government for their own selfish ends. It operates under cover of a self-created screen...[and] seizes...our executive officers... legislative bodies... schools... courts... newspapers and every agency created for the public protection." –John Hylan (Mayor of New York, 1918-1925)
"The sovereignty fetish is still so strong in the public mind, that there would appear to be little chance of winning popular assent to American membership in anything approaching a super-state organization. Much will depend on the kind of approach which is used in further popular education." (Council on Foreign Relations, 1944)
If you spend some time studying these international bankers who have instituted this debt based monetary system worldwide, you will find that at the top echelon of power there are approximately 300 names. These are the same 300 families who own stock in the Federal Reserve of the United States and all of the other central banks the world over. These are the people who wield the world’s real power from the shadows and provide the wealth and power needed to infiltrate the world’s monetary and political systems. These are the people the Lord describes in Revelation 13 – this ‘beast out of the earth’.
If you continue to study how they have gained this power, you will be led back in time to the early 1690’s to the founding of the Bank of England – the world’s first central bank. And if you continue to search for the truth, you will find that all roads on this journey eventually lead to one name – Rothschild. The world will tell you that the Rothschild’s banking empire has been reduced to a ‘niche’ bank – catering mainly to very wealthy investors. The truth is that they control approximately 70%-80% of the world’s wealth from the shadows. If I had told you this at the beginning of this post, you would have probably rejected this statement outright. Now you know how it’s possible – they print the world’s money and exchange it for the world’s real assets. As I mentioned at the beginning, it’s really an ingenious plan – when you realize why it was created. It’s evil, but ingenious. The Rothschilds and every member of these ‘elite’ families would tell you that this plan was devised by them for their purposes – but we know the truth. The Lord has told us Satan’s plans – they’re simply obeying the one they serve.
We now see how the world’s financial system has been overtaken by a few very powerful men. If we take what we know and think about the ‘mark of the beast’, we realize that control of the world’s financial system isn’t enough to satisfy the prophecies about the ‘mark’. Controlling the world’s financial system is one piece of the puzzle, but something else is needed – enforcement. Everyone throughout the world will be ‘forced’ to accept the mark. These powerful men need a way in which to deceive us into believing that humanity needs protecting – and now we know why the Lord tells us in the book of Revelation about ‘miraculous signs’ used by this beast. The beast creates these ‘signs’ to strike fear among us – fear that will eventually drive humanity to give over its freedom to the beast – and Satan. We’ve seen many of these ‘signs’ already, but they are only the beginning.
When it comes to spiritual deception, you are beginning to see just how blind we really are in this world when we walk away from our Creator. We focus on the things in the world – money, careers, cars, houses, addictions, stuff, etc. – and we forget about the subtle things that are missing from our lives. Some of these things are big picture – How did we come into being? Why are we here? Does God really exist? If He exists, why can’t I see Him? Can I really know God - personally? Where do I go when I die? Am I really alone in this fallen world? How can I get free of this mess? Other questions are smaller picture, but would also lead us to the truth if we would just slow down for awhile and think about what we’re consistently told in this world and compare it to God’s truth – could someone really consolidate the world’s government, world’s religion and world’s financial system within 7 years? If God has allowed His children to experience pain and suffering throughout human history in order to strengthen them in this world, why would He change now? Sometimes it’s a very simple question that leads us to some very important answers – how is our money created? Think about how many times in your life – friends, parents, teachers, professors – someone has explained our monetary system to you. Never? You’re not alone – and there’s a reason it’s being hidden. If I were to ask 1000 Americans today what is the greatest threat to our nation’s sovereignty – how many do you think would respond - ‘the war on terror’? My guess is that 99% of us would agree that ‘the war on terror’ is our greatest threat. Our spiritual enemy has created a perceived threat – while his true ‘beasts’ gain control of the world through deceptive means – subversion, infiltration and intimidation. Again, an ingenious plan – and not of this world. The only way to overcome it is to obey the One spiritual being that Satan cannot deceive, intimidate or overcome – our Father in heaven.
The truth is that never before, in the history of the United States, have we faced a greater threat to our national sovereignty as we do now – never. We are facing an enemy that is much more intelligent and powerful than you and I - an enemy that has not used brute force against us, but works in the shadows to deceive and infiltrate. At times in the past I would think about the book of Revelation and wonder how the people of the world could ever allow themselves to be subjected to an evil world government. I simply didn’t want to believe it was possible and I, like most people today, disregarded the Lord’s warnings about how this beast would deceive the whole world. Now that I’ve humbled myself and know the truth, I listen to this beast talk to us everyday through corporate, governmental, banking and religious leaders – leaders of the United States. It’s no longer a mystery. Their plan has almost come to fruition. At some point, you might think that all hope is lost – that they are too powerful and the plan is too far along. How can we possible stop this? I’m not fearful of these things because I know that God could see this coming since the creation of the world – and I don’t need to figure out what to do on my own. I will simply continue to seek the Lord’s will for me – His plan, not mine. What you are about to see throughout the world is that God is going to go on the offensive – and he’s going to do it with you and me. Now is not the time for weak people with weak ministries to proclaim a weak message. Now is the time to allow ourselves to be strengthened spiritually. Now is the time to stand in the face of overwhelming odds – and succeed.
At different times in your life you have probably felt that something wasn’t quite right. You could ‘sense’ it, but you couldn’t ‘see’ it. You couldn’t really explain it, but you knew that there was something not quite right about the world you live in. The economy is up – the economy is down. Life is good – life is not so good. Chaos seems to rule the world. It’s like we’re walking on very thin ice that is constantly cracking – about to give way. You are now beginning to understand that there is a method to the madness. When the world chose death over life, sin over righteousness – when we chose to believe lies instead of the Truth – this was the inevitable result. What gets the true Christian through all of this is that this isn’t the end – it’s only the beginning – and we’re not alone. The end is glorious for us – end of story.
You’ve seen me reference the movie ‘The Matrix’ and how many aspects of the movie are similar to the spiritual battle being waged in the world. I’m going to end this post with some dialog from the movie because it certainly relates to most of us. The following scene takes place right before Neo learns the truth about his world.
Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know *exactly* what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Neo: The Matrix.
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
Neo: Yes.
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.
I finally found a video that does an excellent job of explaining our monetary system in simple terms. I recommend that you watch it to get a better understanding of what I have discussed here. The video was created by Paul Grignon and is only 47 minutes long. Money as Debt I have used a couple of Paul’s examples in this post.
http://moneyasdebt.net/
http://johngilmore.org/
Let’s start this with a simple question – do you know how our money is created? Whether you are wealthy or poor, highly educated or not – chances are this question causes you some concern – because you really don’t know the answer. Most people (and I was included) would say that the United States creates our own money through the U.S. Treasury – correct? No. It did until the early 20th Century. It is correct that the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (agencies of the U.S. Government) create the hard currency we use, but the U.S. Treasury is not responsible for creating and managing our money supply. Who then, is responsible for creating and managing our money supply? A private corporation - The Federal Reserve Banking System.
If the U.S. Government needs $20 billion in hard currency (paper and coins), the Federal Reserve creates this $20 billion out of nothing (there is nothing of value that backs our currency), the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing creates the paper and coin currency and the U.S. Government gives the Federal Reserve an IOU for $20 billion in exchange. The U.S. Government then pays interest on this $20 billion. On the surface, it may seem to you that this is logical – what’s wrong with the U.S. Government paying a private bank/corporation to print our money? Actually, there is a whole lot wrong with it. This is what I’m going to explain in this post.
We’ve seen how physical currency is created and added to our economy, but physical currency – coins and paper – makes up less than 5% of the overall dollars in circulation in the world. The other 95% is made up of all of the electronic dollars in checking accounts, savings accounts, CD’s, money market accounts, etc. How is this money created? The majority of our money is created by private banks. This is where things get interesting.
If you have purchased a home, then you know that you apply for and receive a mortgage to pay for your home. The question then becomes – where does the bank get the money to pay for your home? If you are like most Americans (and I was certainly included in this group), you assume that this money somehow comes out of the bank’s profits or from deposits made at the bank. It seems logical, but this isn’t what happens. By authority of the bank’s charter, it has the ability to create the dollars needed for your home. In the same manner that the Federal Reserve creates money out of nothing, your bank once again creates money out of nothing and places the dollars needed into your account. The funds are then used to pay for your home. I know what you’re thinking – this is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard, there’s no way this is what happens. You’d be wrong. In our current monetary system (commonly referred to as a Fractional Reserve System), your act of signing for debt - creates money. Every time someone signs for an auto loan, home loan, home equity loan, etc. – money is created. This is how money is created in our system. In our current monetary system, money is not created from value, money is created from debt. It doesn’t matter if our money is created because the U.S. Government needs hard currency or if it is created through bank loans, the only way money is created in our current system is through debt. Get ready - because this leads to some very interesting analysis.
If you’re thinking this through, then you’re beginning to feel very uncomfortable – and you should. Even though it may seem strange to you that our money is created by debt, it might initially seem like this could work – that our economy has – and will continue to – function under this system. There’s one very big problem inherent in this system. If you’ve seen the movie ‘The Matrix’, then you remember that the massive computer simulation in the movie had a flaw in the program – an anomaly that over a long period of time would eventually crash the system. We have the same type of ‘anomaly’ in our current economic system that over time – will have the same result. What is the ‘anomaly’ in our system? Interest. When you take out a loan for $200,000 to pay for your home, is this all you need to pay back? Of course not. You must pay the $200,000 plus interest. The total amount of money you will pay back with interest will be more than $400,000 if you have a 30 year fixed rate (around 6%) and don’t pay it off early. Remember, our money is created from the principle, not the principle plus interest. So, you bought a house for $200,000, and as a result, added $200,000 to our total money supply of dollars. Do you see the problem? If our money is only created from the principle payment, where do we get the money to pay interest? This is where things really start to get interesting.
Let’s look at another example. Let’s say that the total debt (new debt – retired debt) created in a given year in the United States is $1 trillion dollars. Based on our current system, $1 trillion dollars would then be added to our money supply. As I mentioned above, because this is debt, the total actually owed is much higher – let’s say the total debt actually owed is $2 trillion. So, we have created $2 trillion in liabilities that must be repaid, but we’ve only created $1 trillion dollars in the system to pay this debt. Do you see the problem? We never add enough money into our economy to pay for the debt. Our debt continues to rise and our money supply continues to rise – but the money supply can never equal the total amount owed. What this means is that we can never pay off our debt under our current monetary system.
Let’s make it really simple. If you and I each owe $100 and there’s only $150 in currency available to us – one of us isn’t going to have enough to pay our debts. It’s a catch-22 that we cannot get out of. In our current system, there will always be a certain percentage of people and businesses that cannot get enough money to pay their bills, debts, etc. It’s mathematically impossible for everyone to have enough money to pay what they owe. We can talk all day about why certain businesses fail (poor management, supply and demand, changing markets, etc), why businesses and people go bankrupt, but the bottom line is this - if there’s not enough money in our economy to pay for all outstanding debts, it doesn’t matter what we do, how we manage our budgets, we will never pay off our debts as a nation – never. Of course I’m talking about our nation as a whole. Individually, we can make good financial decisions and manage our money in a prudent manner, but on a national level, we are in a never ending cycle of ever increasing debt – personal debt, corporate debt, government debt, etc. If our system never changes, it is mathematically impossible for us to ever pay off our national debt.
I now find it interesting when I hear our President or members of Congress debating ‘fiscal irresponsibility’ or when I hear our leaders talking about reducing our national debt. The truth is that all of us – our Government included – must continue to create debt in order to keep our economy from crashing. The meter is always running on the current interest (which is now enormous). In order to keep creating additional money to pay for our ever increasing debt, we must create more debt to create more money. I know what you’re thinking – this has to be the most ridiculous economic system ever devised. It’s actually quite ingenious – when you realize why it exists. We’ll examine this more later.
Since our money is created from debt, as our debts increase – our money supply increases. The only thing that has prevented this system from collapsing years ago is due to the lag time we have to pay back the interest on our loans. We are not required to immediately pay back the principle plus interest. Although this system seems to have worked for a very long time, we’re going to see that it cannot continue forever. You will see that it’s mathematically impossible for our economic system to continue without eventually collapsing.
If this hasn’t blown your mind yet, consider what would happen if we paid off all of our debt – personal debt (home loans, auto loans, etc), corporate debt and Government debt. Since debt equals money in our system, if there is no debt, there would be no money! I know – it keeps getting more ridiculous. Your mind wants to reject this outright. This is crazy! Unfortunately, it’s the truth. Our entire economy is based on the creation of debt. Without debt, our economy would crash completely. You now know the real reasons why we are all always fighting to get enough money to pay our bills and debts (there’s not enough money in the system for all of us). You now know why we consistently have a steady stream of people and businesses that file for bankruptcy (there’s never enough money in our economy), why inflation has dramatically reduced the buying power of the dollar in the past few decades (our money supply is always increasing – it never stabilizes), why the total volume of dollars in the world economy has sky-rocketed in recent decades (leading to a decline in the value of the dollar – worldwide) and why we’re always being bombarded with loan offers (home, auto, home equity, etc), credit cards, etc. Without debt, we have no economy. How is this possible you ask? Why would anyone allow this to happen? How did this happen? The most important question that you should be asking yourself is this – if we are creating so much debt, who are we indebted to? What you will find later in this post is that this is all very deliberate – it’s not by chance. There is a plan at work here – and it’s evil. The honest truth is that every person in the United States has been placed in financial bondage since 1913 – and most don’t even know it. Have I mentioned how deceptive our spiritual enemy is? Keep reading.
I mentioned earlier that our current banking system is referred to as a Fractional Reserve System. Basically, this means that banks can issue loans for much more money than they have on hand. It depends on the type of account, but as an example, let’s say that the Federal Reserve sets the reserve requirement at 9:1 (or a 10% reserve ratio). The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has the power to change this ratio within limits set by law. This means that for every dollar that a bank has held in ‘reserve’ at the Federal Reserve, it can lend out 9 times that amount. Let’s say that a new bank holds approximately $1,111 dollars at the Federal Reserve. It can then lend up to $10,000 dollars (9 x $1111 = $10,000). Money on reserve at the Fed is sometimes referred to as ‘super’ money – since the banks get to multiply its volume. The bank then loans this $10,000 to you for a new car. You pay the car seller who then deposits the money in their checking account. Their bank (this is a closed loop system – it doesn’t matter which bank receives the deposit) then takes the $10,000 – adds $1,000 of it to their reserves (the same 9:1 reserve ratio – reversed) – and loans out $9,000 to someone else who then deposits the money in their checking account. Their bank takes the $9,000 – adds $900 to their reserves (9:1 reserve ratio) – and loans out $8,100 to someone else. At this point, the original reserve of $1,111 has generated $27,100 in new money ($10,000 + $9,000 + $8,100). If we do the math and continue to carry this through (and everyone deposits their money in a bank – not in a mattress), then this original reserve of $1,111 generates just under $100,000 of currency in our economy. It’s like a huge game of musical chairs – as long as we’re creating money from debt, the music doesn’t stop playing. Also remember – the original reserve deposit at the Fed ($1,111) was money created by debt – it has no value. Some types of accounts in this system only require a 20:1 or 30:1 reserve ratio and some accounts do not require a reserve at all. Should anyone be surprised that we always have inflation?
What happens when the Federal Reserve changes the reserve ratio? Is this significant? Absolutely. Let’s examine this more closely. If the current ratio is 9:1 and the Fed changes this to 5:1 – what impact does this have? If you’re a bank that has loaned millions of dollars at a ratio of 9:1, and have planned future loans around this ratio, what happens to you if the ratio changes to 5:1 (the reserve requirement increases)? If you don’t have additional reserves to meet the new requirement - you instantly become under-capitalized. Here’s a simple example: if a bank has a reserve of $1,000 and plans to make a loan of $9,000 – it can no longer make the loan if the reserve ratio is reduced to 5:1. At 5:1, the reserve requirement on $9,000 would be $1800. The real world result is – the bank must generate significantly more capital to increase its reserves or stop lending in order to meet the new reserve requirement.
What should we learn from this? Most of us know that the Federal Reserve has the power to raise and lower interest rates and therefore, has the power to raise and lower overall prices within our economy. What most people don’t realize is that they also have the power to raise and lower the total volume of dollars in our economy. If they raise the reserve requirement (requiring banks to have more reserves at the Fed), banks will lend less money and since our money is based on the creation of debt, less money is created. If this happens, the gap between the amount owed within our economy (interest never stops accumulating) and the amount of money to pay the debt – widens. We are often told that this is used to fight inflation – inflation that is caused by this system of money creation through debt. The truth is that an increase in the reserve requirement results in even less money in the overall economy to pay back debt – which could easily lead to a recession or depression. This is the continual game central banks around the world play every day – more money in the economy means economic growth, but higher inflation – reducing the money supply reduces inflation, but will also cause economic growth to slow or contract.
The following chart shows the impact of the reserve ratio on our money supply. It’s easy to see that as the reserve amount required is lowered, the amount of money generated increases significantly. The reverse is also true – as the reserve required by the Fed is raised, the amount of money generated decreases.
(Source: wikipedia.org)What really happens when our money supply contracts? Periods of recession or depression. What we’re consistently told is that periods of economic growth and periods of economic contraction are unavoidable, when the truth tells us something different. The Federal Reserve has the power to create periods of growth (increased money supply coupled with low interest rates) and periods of contraction (reduced money supply coupled with higher interest rates). How are we told to categorize these periods of growth and contraction? This is the ‘business cycle’. While everyday business transactions certainly affect our overall economy – there is nothing that private business or individuals can do that will overcome the debt based economic system we’ve been placed under.
You have also learned why the current credit ‘crunch’ is being referred to as a ‘crisis’. What happens if banks reduce lending and consumers reduce taking on more debt? Less money is created in the system – and a vicious cycle starts. Wall Street refers to this as ‘de-leveraging’. We’re going to explore the real reasons this happens. Before we look closely at what is going on today, let’s examine another problem with our current economic system. We have discussed how our economy must continue to grow in order for debt creation to continue in order to create additional money in order to pay the debt – a never-ending cycle of debt creation. The question becomes – can this continue forever?
If you were to ask people about economic growth, some will know that our economic (GDP – Gross Domestic Product) growth rate typically averages about 3% (annually) in recent years. Most of us assume this is a linear growth rate. A linear growth rate looks like this:
The problem is that our economic growth is not linear. As an example, let’s assume that the current overall value of our economy is $100. If our economy grows 3% this year, then the overall value at the end of this year is $103. If our economy grows an additional 3% next year, will the overall value of our economy be $106 at the end of next year? No. Since we grew our economy 3% this year, next year’s growth will be 3% of $103 and the total value of our economy at the end of next year will be $106.09 ($103*.03 + $103). Our economy does not grow linearly, it grows exponentially. What this means is that 3% growth this year is actually more growth than 3% last year since our growth is compounded annually. This is what exponential growth looks like:
You are probably starting to feel uncomfortable, because you are beginning to see where this is going. In theory, exponential growth remains relatively low for a given period of time – but as you can see, as each year’s growth compounds on the previous year, overall growth begins to accelerate rapidly at a given point in time. A simple example of this phenomenon can be seen in the growth of a company. A company that plans to grow 10% with annual revenues of $10 million only needs to grow $1 million. A company that plans to grow 10% with annual revenues of $10 billion needs to grow $1 billion. As growth compounds upon itself, the system requires ever more resources to grow the same amount (%).
In our current economic system that relies on continual growth to stave off a collapse, we must continually burn through more and more natural resources to keep the system going. In a theoretical world, this exponential curve continues on to infinity. Is this possible in a finite world with finite resources? Of course not. If we take a logical look at our economic system, mathematics tells us one of two things must happen to our current system. The first scenario is that we burn through all of our resources and the system collapses. We can certainly see the beginning of this from a global perspective. As more economies around the world have instituted the same economic system as ours, we are seeing more and more concern that natural resources (oil, forests, water, etc.) are being depleted at an alarming rate – demand is outstripping supply – adding to inflationary pressures. Although this is certainly possible in our distant future, since we are much farther along the exponential curve than other economies in the world, there is a much more likely scenario for the United States.
The second scenario is that our current system collapses under the weight of the debt it has created. If the rate of debt increases much more quickly than the rate of the supply of money in the system, eventually the amount of money in the system will not be able to support the increased debt. There will not be enough money to make interest payments, pay utilities, buy consumer goods and create additional money. As the exponential curve gets steeper and steeper – it will be more and more difficult to grow our economy, while supporting the existing debt in the system. At some point, since we live in the real world, our monetary system will collapse under the weight of its debt – long before we burn through all of our resources.
Before we get too far into this – let’s ask a question. Where are we on this exponential curve? If we look at trends of some of the most widely used economic indicators, can we determine if we should be worried about imminent collapse? As you will see, we have reason to be concerned.
Let’s start by looking at our debt. The following is a graph of our nation’s federal debt:
The following is a different look at our national debt that calculates the debt as a percentage of GDP:
(Source: U.S. White House)
We hear politicians and economists talk about how there’s nothing to worry about since our debt remains in line with past years - as a percentage of GDP. The problem is that they are only focusing on the amount of debt as a % of GDP in a given year and not the effect of our cumulative debt. As we’ll soon see, what is even more important is the ratio of debt to the money supply.
We also have much more debt than just the federal debt. The following chart shows total debt over time (state, federal, personal, corporate). Once again, we see an exponential curve.
(Source: Michael Hodges, Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury)
What about our money supply? We should expect to see the same trend – and we do.
(Source: http://www.babylontoday.com/)
(Source: wikipedia.org)Hard currency appears to be somewhat linear, but it’s an illusion. If we reduce the scale (since hard currency is such a small percentage of the total money supply), we see the same trend:
(Source: wikipedia.org)
Since the Federal Reserve stopped publishing M3 (total amount of dollars in circulation) money supply data in 2006, a couple of economists have worked to re-create it. The next graph was created by John Williams at shadowstats.com. Take note of how the year over year growth of our money supply has steadily increased since early 2005. Also note how the rate of growth is beginning to slow since the beginning of 2008. (I originally wrote this post in early 2008 - I have updated the graph below to show money supply growth through July 2010 - you can see how the current credit 'crisis' is now causing our money supply to contract).
(Source: http://www.shadowstats.com/)
I believe we’re going to see our money supply growth continue to slow since we are now at the point that we cannot create enough new money (through debt) to support the existing debt. If we’re not able to create enough new money (through debt) each year to service the interest on the existing debt – the system begins to collapse (loan defaults & bankruptcies begin to increase). The world tells us that our economy is ‘maturing’, which is why our economy’s growth is slowing. The truth, as you see, is much different. We are beginning to see the very real signs of an economy on the brink of collapse under the weight of its monetary system. We’ll talk about these signs later in this post.
Let’s continue by viewing inflation. Once again, we hear the world tell us that inflation is running at a rate of 3% a year and we all accept this as normal – and we forget that this rate is compounded year after year. If we see our money supply increase at such a fast pace, we should expect to see inflation also rise at an exponential rate – and we do.
(Source: Federal Reserve)
Now you know why cars that once cost $3,000 now cost $30,000 or a loaf of bread that once cost $0.25 now costs $2.50. Prices increase within the system if the volume of money increases at a higher rate than economic activity (goods & services).
More people with more money to spend places upward pressure on prices for everything – cars, fuel, food, natural resources, etc. As money supplies throughout the world increase at an exponential rate, we see inflation skyrocketing across the globe. More on this below.
What about other economic indicators? We see the same trend.
Government Spending:
(Source: wikipedia.org)Government Revenues:
(Source: Mark Wieczorek)
Commercial Bank Credit:
(Source: Federal Reserve)
Total Revolving Credit:
(Source: Federal Reserve)
Total Consumer Credit:
(Source: Federal Reserve)
These are all interesting, but the most
important graph will show us the rate of increase of our debt and the rate of
increase of our income. If we see a widening gap between the two, then we know
that the system is beginning to break down as the rate of increase in debt (new
debt – retired debt + interest) is outpacing our ability to service the debt
and keep the system from collapsing.
(Source: Michael Hodges, Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury)
Sobering isn’t it? What you are seeing is a system on the brink of total collapse. With no way to ultimately pay off our debts (since money is created by debt), this was inevitable at some point.
Even though our money supply is also on an exponential curve, it cannot (mathematically) keep up with the runaway debt. We are nearing the end of an inevitable cycle. A cycle that ends with the economic collapse of the United States. As I mentioned earlier, this would not be a surprise to the men who created the system in the U.S. in 1913, nor is it a surprise to the men who are controlling the system today.
What about the rest of the world? Can’t they continue to finance our debt? Won’t this help delay our collapse? What you are about to see is that every major world economy also has a Central Bank – and therefore is on the same exponential curve as us. At some point, the entire world system will be unable to sustain itself unless the entire system changes. We’ll just take a look at money supplies of some of the world’s biggest economies. As you view these graphs, also take note of the total amount of Euros (European Union) in circulation compared to the amount of dollars in circulation. If you consider that there are trillions more dollars in circulation throughout the world compared to pounds and euros and also consider the massive amount of U.S. debt – it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the overall value of the dollar is declining against the world’s major currencies.
Global Money Supply:
(Source: Dollardaze.org)
European Union:
(Source: wikipedia.org)
Australia:
(Source: wikipedia.org)
New Zealand:
(Source: wikipedia.org)
India:
(Source: wikipedia.org)In addition, in recent months China’s money supply (M1+M2) has been growing at a 16-18% annualized rate. So, it’s easy to see that the same insane economic/monetary system has been instituted the world over. The question is – why? Before we answer this, let’s take a look at what is going on in the U.S. economy today.
Let’s think about what we would expect to see if the economic system of the United States begins to collapse due to this monetary system. As the amount of total debt continues to increase faster than the money supply, we would expect the number of personal and corporate bankruptcies to continue to increase. As global inflation also continues to increase prices on a broad range of products and commodities (due to increases in money supplies the world over), we would expect this to also negatively affect individuals and corporations in America. We would also expect to see those of us with the lowest cash reserves to be affected first. Are we seeing these things? Absolutely. We see them everyday in our news. The current ‘credit crisis’ began when subprime borrowers began defaulting on their home loans. Now, we see that the number of Alt-A and Prime borrowers falling behind on their mortgages is also increasing. Home prices are now decreasing across the nation as a result. How does this affect the money supply? If a homeowner defaults on a loan, the bank must ‘foreclose’ and take a loss on its books. The bank then must sell the home – but sell it in a depressed housing market. If the home was originally purchased for $100,000; and the bank can only get $75,000 now - based on what we now know about how money is created - you can see how the money supply will begin to be affected in a very big way. As home prices decline, the amount of money generated from the home loans from consumers also declines. As banks tighten credit due to the rising defaults, the vicious cycle continues – fewer loans and lower prices equals less money created (thanks to this debt based monetary system). Less money created means less money to loan and less money to buy things – and the exponential money creation cycle from debt begins to reverse itself. It’s also easy to see that falling housing prices and falling housing sales are not the only problem here – all of the suppliers, subcontractors, etc. are also affected. The rapid increase in the money supply generated by private banks that we’ve seen over the past decade is beginning to slow significantly. But as you know, this isn’t all that’s happening.
You’ve watched as the value of CDO’s (Collateralized Debt Obligations), CLO’s (Collateralized Loan Obligations), SIV’s (Structured Investment Vehicles) and other derivatives are now plunging in value resulting in huge write-offs for banks. As foreclosures have risen, the value of the bonds created from these mortgages have plunged in value – even those bonds based on ‘prime’ mortgages. All of these things are reducing the money supply. If you have an investment that you thought was worth $100, but now is only worth $60 on the open market, your access to money has been substantially reduced. Auction rate securities, once thought as safe as cash, now can’t be sold – there are no buyers. What you are seeing are the cracks beginning to form in the dam.
What is the Federal Reserve doing? Basically, they are trying to plug the holes by injecting money into our economy to delay the inevitable. Money creation through the private banking system is faltering, so someone has to step in or something catastrophic is going to happen. As the process has accelerated, not only are banks slowing their lending to consumers, they have also significantly reduced lending to each other. In order to get the capital they need, many banks are now borrowing more money directly from the Federal Reserve discount window. Remember, the Fed isn’t giving the money away; banks are borrowing this money from a private corporation. We can see the impact from the current credit crisis from the graph below.
We see this problem developing with the money supply, but there is one area of our financial system that has yet to suffer a significant drop in value – the stock market. It’s been very volatile, but has not really suffered a prolonged decrease in value. Think about this – what happens when financial conditions worsen, people can’t pay their bills/debts, all other investments have significantly declined in value and there’s only one remaining large source of wealth remaining? People will sell their stocks to survive. There’s an obvious problem with this – if a large number of people start selling – what happens? Prices drop significantly. Since stocks are one of the most volatile investments in the world, the coming decline in the stock market will, in all probability, be much worse than the current decline in value of CDOs/SIVs, Auction Rate Securities and other bonds. One thing is for certain, it’s not a matter of if, but when this will happen.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (1970 - 2008):
(Source: Wall St. Journal Online)
Take a look at the above graph of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Share volume is also shown). Look familiar? Once again, we see an exponential curve. The DJIA is shadowing both our debt and our money supply. Why? Think about how the world tells us to invest. We’re constantly told that stocks offer the best long term returns. If you only look at stock returns over the past 30 years – this would appear to be good advice (if you ignore the possibility of something negative happening tomorrow). The problem is that there are two very good reasons why the stock market has continued to increase over this time period – and they have nothing to do with the stock market itself. As money has increased exponentially over the past 30 years – more and more liquidity has been placed in the hands of investors. What is another consequence of this exponential money growth? Inflation has also increased exponentially. We have more and more money in a system where inflation is eroding the value of this money. In this situation, everyone is trying to at least maintain the value of their money – by trying to earn a return higher than the inflation rate. So, we see more and more people investing more and more money into risky investments (stocks, hedge funds, CDO’s, SIV’s, Auction-Rate Securities, etc.) in an attempt to outrun the inflation rate.
There’s also another problem that no one in the mainstream media is discussing. We assume that our inflation rate has been approximately 1%-5% in recent years because this is what our government tells us. The problem is that since the early 1980’s, the government has changed the way it measures inflation. I won’t go into details here (please watch Chris Martenson’s video for further information on how our government has changed how it calculates inflation and other economic data: http://www.chrismartenson.com/fuzzy_numbers). The truth is that the actual annual consumer inflation rate has been between 8%-12% over the past 10 years – which means that you would need to average an annual return of around 10% over the past 10 years just to break even. The current rate of inflation is closer to 13% and increasing - not 5% as we’ve been told (I have updated the graph in 2009 to show how the current crisis is causing deflationary pressures).
(Source: Shadowstats.com)
If we also consider the impact that the actual inflation rate has on real GDP (inflation is subtracted from nominal GDP to calculate real GDP) – we see why businesses and consumers are telling us that we’re in a recession – while our government tells us that our economy is still growing. The current state of our economy starts to make sense when we see inflation in double digits and negative GDP for several quarters.
(Source: Shadowstats.com)
Do you know people who have lost their jobs recently? Wonder why it’s difficult to find a job right now? It’s because the current unemployment rate is closer to 13% - not the 5% that we’ve been told (I have updated the graph in 2009 to show the continuing impact of the current recession/depression - real unemployment is now approaching 20%). The government selectively removes ‘discouraged workers’ from total unemployment in order to calculate the lower rate. It’s simply a way for our government to manipulate the data to show more favorable percentages.
(Source: Shadowstats.com)
What is going to happen to the stock market as our money supply growth continues to slow, GDP continues to contract, inflation continues to increase, housing prices continue to fall and more people lose their jobs? The stock market will, once again, shadow our money supply straight down as the system collapses. We’re beginning to see how this is affecting the stock market today. The market has been extremely volatile as earnings reports from companies seem to contradict government economic data. When it becomes clear to everyone that we’re in serious trouble – we’re going to see a mass exodus from stock markets worldwide.
If you’re wealthy, you may feel somewhat secure that you’ve got a nice nest egg to see this through. Where is your money? It’s most likely in dollar currency in the system – checking/savings accounts, money market funds, stocks, bonds, 401(k)’s, retirement accounts, etc. What happens if it’s not just a segment of the system that collapses, but the entire system? It won’t matter what you have - $5 or $5 million – your wealth will vanish before your eyes. We are facing a far worse scenario than 1929. From 1929 through 1933, our money supply contracted approximately 30% after a period of money supply expansion in the 1920’s. As you can see from the money supply trends in previous charts, we have also been through a period of significant money supply expansion from 1995 until 2007. It appears that 1929 was a trial run for what will happen in the near future to us.
Was wealth destroyed during the Great Depression? No. Wealth was transferred. If you read the biographies of some of the great bankers of that era (J.P. Morgan and others), you will see that the majority of them did not have their money in stocks. Earlier in 1929, they moved their investment holdings to cash and gold. For them, the crash of 1929 was not a catastrophe, it was a buying opportunity. A buying opportunity they created. The price of assets dropped dramatically during this time - and guess who happened to have the cash on hand to buy assets at depressed values?
Until now, you’ve probably thought that we’re all playing by the same rules – we’re not. This really isn’t about money – it’s about power and control of the world. It’s about a ruling elite enslaving humanity on a worldwide scale. A ruling elite given power by the world’s spiritual ruler. Now you know a little more about why the Lord has warned us. He warned us that this beast would be deceptive and would deceive the whole world – and you’re beginning to see why. When God tells us in His Word that something in our future will be deceptive on a worldwide scale – it’s a warning we should heed.
This leads us to why our monetary system exists. In 1913, the battle for the control of the United States banking system was lost – and the Federal Reserve Bank was created. The name of this private corporation should tell us all we need to know – it’s a lie. It’s a bank that is not Federal and there are no reserves. The truth is that this ingenious monetary system was created by some highly intelligent men for one purpose – global power. Whoever controls interest rates and the volume of money in a nation controls the nation (and ultimately the world). In a world focused on money and the pursuit of money, whoever controls our money has the power – absolute power. These men created a monetary system that forever places our nation in debt and one that can be manipulated by them for their purposes. What is going to happen when markets collapse? Guess who, once again, will be there to acquire depressed assets?
As I’ve said before, this was inevitable. If you give a banking system, in our evil world, the ability to control the money supply and the ability to charge interest on the money they create, the bankers will slowly, over time, exchange worthless money (paper and electronic fiat currency) for real assets – gold, silver, land and property. If you view this from a spiritual standpoint, you begin to understand why Jesus told us that building the foundation of your life on the things of this world is not wise. As has happened before, and will happen again, wealthy people of this world will see the foundation of their lives (money) slowly sift away through their fingers. Our wealth is an illusion. Satan has offered wealth and power to many in this nation and they have gladly accepted. They are about to witness what happens when you do a deal with the devil. Take him on by yourself and sooner or later – he’s going to find a way to get his tentacles into you. What happens when wealth is taken away from people who are focused on wealth? It’s not pretty. How do we overcome? As I’ve said before, and will continue to say until I leave this world – you will not overcome this world and its ruler until you humbly ask forgiveness from God. Until you acknowledge your sins and truly believe the Lord’s promise of salvation through His Son, you will never get free of the world. You will always be susceptible to the world’s many disappointments. When you truly repent and are born again, what happens in the world no longer matters because you know the Lord and the Lord stands with you – until the end.
At some point you’ve probably wondered how on earth this monetary system has survived until now. If you read the many quotes throughout recent history from bankers, world leaders, economists and tycoons about central banks – and really pay attention to what they’re saying - it’s no secret that those in power knew what was happening (I have listed many of these quotes on my website). Why hasn’t anyone stopped this madness? It’s not hard to figure out – fear. If you attain a position of power and are told to look the other way or face the consequences – what do you do? Most people in the world will gladly take the money and power….and look the other way. Why place my life at risk when I can continue living this nice lifestyle by not rocking the boat? Yes – I said that by standing against this beast – you place your life at risk. I’m not saying this merely to make a hypothetical point. Take a look at this list. These men had three things in common.
Abraham Lincoln
James Garfield
John F. Kennedy
All were Presidents of the United States. Each man spoke out against the issuance of money by anyone other than our Government and made it clear who they were targeting with these comments – and all were assassinated. Lincoln refused to attain loans from the European banks to finance the Civil War (he was offered loans at 24%+ interest) and instead had the U.S. Treasury issue its own money. JFK gave a speech in 1961 about a worldwide ‘monolithic and ruthless conspiracy’ which is ‘a system that has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations’. I have added a link to the speech on my website. (Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeYgLLahHv8) JFK even had the audacity in the summer of 1963 to give the U.S. Government the authority to, once again, create its own money via Executive Order 11110 (based on a Silver standard). The U.S. Treasury actually began to print its own money in 1963….but as we all know, this didn’t last long.
As you read the quotes below, notice carefully what these men are telling us. They didn’t realize it at the time they made these statements, but each one of them learned about and then commented on – one of the beasts of Revelation 13. Some of them paid the ultimate price for doing so. The Lord doesn’t arbitrarily label something a ‘beast’ without reason. He uses the term ‘beast’ to tell us who and what we’re dealing with – an organization that will kill, steal and destroy anyone and anything in its path – anything that opposes it. This beast obeys its father – the father of lies and deceit who walks in complete darkness. There is only one way in this world that you and I can oppose this beast and survive – by standing with and obeying the Lord.
“The very word secrecy is repugnant in a free and open society – and we are, as a people, inherently and historically, opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings.” –JFK
“We are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covet means for expanding its sphere of influence – on infiltration instead of invasion – on subversion instead of elections – on intimidation instead of free choice. It is a system that has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine - that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations. Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no secret is revealed.” -JFK
“I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people.” –JFK referring to the worldwide conspiracy mentioned above
“Whoever controls the volume of money in our country is absolute master of all industry and commerce….and when you realize that the entire system is very easily controlled, one way or another, by a few powerful men at the top, you will not have to be told how periods of inflation and depression originate.” -James A. Garfield
“The Government should create, issue and circulate all the currency and credits needed to satisfy the spending power of the Government and the buying power of consumers. By the adoption of these principles, the taxpayers will be saved immense sums of interest. The privilege of creating and issuing money is not only the supreme prerogative of government, but it is the government’s greatest creative opportunity.” -Abraham Lincoln
“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 the promises 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 to Trilateral Commission Meeting, 1991
"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that willgrow up around them (around the banks), will deprive the people of their propertyuntil their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." –Thomas Jefferson
"Capital must protect itself in every way... Debts must be collected and loans and mortgages foreclosed as soon as possible. When, through a process of law, the common people have lost their homes, they will be more tractable and more easily governed by the strong arm of the law applied by the central power of leading financiers. People without homes will not quarrel with their leaders. This is well known among our principle men now engaged in forming an imperialism of capitalism to govern the world. By dividing the people we can get them to expend their energies in fighting over questions of no importance to us except as teachers of the common herd." -J.P. Morgan
"We shall have World Government, whether or not we like it. The only question is whether World Government will be achieved by conquest or consent." –James Paul Warburg (Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, speaking before the U.S. Senate, 1950)
"The real truth of the matter is, as you and I know, that a financial element in the large centers has owned the government of the U.S. since the days of Andrew Jackson. History depicts Andrew Jackson as the last truly honorable and incorruptible American president." –Franklin D. Roosevelt
"[The task is to] covertly lower the standard of living, the whole socialstructure, of America so that we can be merged with all other nations." –Rowan Gaither (President of the Ford Foundation, 1954)
“I am myself persuaded, on the basis of extensive study of the historical evidence, that... the severity of each of the contractions - 1920-21, 1929-33, and 1937-38 - is directly attributable to acts of commission and omission by the Reserve authorities and would not have occurred under earlier monetary and banking arrangements.'' –Milton Friedman (Nobel Prize-winning economist, economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan)
"Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men's views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the U.S., in the field of commerce and manufacturing, are afraid of somebody, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it." –Woodrow Wilson
"A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is privately concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men who, even if their action be honest and intended for the public interest, are necessarily concentrated upon the great undertakings in which their own money is involved and who necessarily, by very reason of their own limitations, chill and check and destroy genuine economic freedom." -Woodrow Wilson
"We have restricted credit, we have restricted opportunity, we have controlled development, and we have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated, governments in the civilized world--no longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and the duress of small groups of dominant men." –Woodrow Wilson
"This Act (the Federal Reserve Act, Dec. 23rd 1913) establishes the most gigantic trust on earth. When the President (Woodrow Wilson) signs the Bill, the invisible government of the Monetary Power will be legalized... The worst legislative crime of the ages is perpetrated by this banking and currency Bill." –Charles A. Lindbergh Sr. (Congressman and father of the famous aviator)
"The most wonderful thing of all is that the distinguished Lutheran andCalvinist theologians who belong to our order really believe that they see in it (Illuminati) the true and genuine sense of Christian Religion. Oh mortal man, is there anything you cannot be made to believe?" - Adam Weishophf upon establishing his "Order of the Illuminati", on May 1, 1776
"It is ironical that the only nation which affirmatively expresses a dependence upon and belief in Almighty God in its birth certificate, should now be in mortal combat for its very existence with a godless conspiracy intent upon conquering the world, and reverting human society to the hazards and indignities of the Dark Ages." –Loyd Wright (Former President of the American Bar Association, 1961)
"From the days of Spartacus, Weishophf, Karl Marx, Trotski, Belacoon, Rosa Luxenburg, and Ema Goldman, this world conspiracy has been steadily growing. This conspiracy played a definite recognizable role in the tragedy of the French revolution. It has been the mainspring of every subversive movement during the 19th Century. And now at last this band of extraordinary personalities from the underworld of the great cities of Europe and America have gripped the Russian people by the hair of their head and have become the undisputed masters of that enormous empire." –Winston Churchill, 1920
"The real menace of our Republic is the invisible government which like a giant octopus sprawls its slimy legs over our cities, states and nation. At the head is a small group of banking houses generally referred to as 'international bankers.' This little coterie... run our government for their own selfish ends. It operates under cover of a self-created screen...[and] seizes...our executive officers... legislative bodies... schools... courts... newspapers and every agency created for the public protection." –John Hylan (Mayor of New York, 1918-1925)
"The sovereignty fetish is still so strong in the public mind, that there would appear to be little chance of winning popular assent to American membership in anything approaching a super-state organization. Much will depend on the kind of approach which is used in further popular education." (Council on Foreign Relations, 1944)
If you spend some time studying these international bankers who have instituted this debt based monetary system worldwide, you will find that at the top echelon of power there are approximately 300 names. These are the same 300 families who own stock in the Federal Reserve of the United States and all of the other central banks the world over. These are the people who wield the world’s real power from the shadows and provide the wealth and power needed to infiltrate the world’s monetary and political systems. These are the people the Lord describes in Revelation 13 – this ‘beast out of the earth’.
If you continue to study how they have gained this power, you will be led back in time to the early 1690’s to the founding of the Bank of England – the world’s first central bank. And if you continue to search for the truth, you will find that all roads on this journey eventually lead to one name – Rothschild. The world will tell you that the Rothschild’s banking empire has been reduced to a ‘niche’ bank – catering mainly to very wealthy investors. The truth is that they control approximately 70%-80% of the world’s wealth from the shadows. If I had told you this at the beginning of this post, you would have probably rejected this statement outright. Now you know how it’s possible – they print the world’s money and exchange it for the world’s real assets. As I mentioned at the beginning, it’s really an ingenious plan – when you realize why it was created. It’s evil, but ingenious. The Rothschilds and every member of these ‘elite’ families would tell you that this plan was devised by them for their purposes – but we know the truth. The Lord has told us Satan’s plans – they’re simply obeying the one they serve.
We now see how the world’s financial system has been overtaken by a few very powerful men. If we take what we know and think about the ‘mark of the beast’, we realize that control of the world’s financial system isn’t enough to satisfy the prophecies about the ‘mark’. Controlling the world’s financial system is one piece of the puzzle, but something else is needed – enforcement. Everyone throughout the world will be ‘forced’ to accept the mark. These powerful men need a way in which to deceive us into believing that humanity needs protecting – and now we know why the Lord tells us in the book of Revelation about ‘miraculous signs’ used by this beast. The beast creates these ‘signs’ to strike fear among us – fear that will eventually drive humanity to give over its freedom to the beast – and Satan. We’ve seen many of these ‘signs’ already, but they are only the beginning.
When it comes to spiritual deception, you are beginning to see just how blind we really are in this world when we walk away from our Creator. We focus on the things in the world – money, careers, cars, houses, addictions, stuff, etc. – and we forget about the subtle things that are missing from our lives. Some of these things are big picture – How did we come into being? Why are we here? Does God really exist? If He exists, why can’t I see Him? Can I really know God - personally? Where do I go when I die? Am I really alone in this fallen world? How can I get free of this mess? Other questions are smaller picture, but would also lead us to the truth if we would just slow down for awhile and think about what we’re consistently told in this world and compare it to God’s truth – could someone really consolidate the world’s government, world’s religion and world’s financial system within 7 years? If God has allowed His children to experience pain and suffering throughout human history in order to strengthen them in this world, why would He change now? Sometimes it’s a very simple question that leads us to some very important answers – how is our money created? Think about how many times in your life – friends, parents, teachers, professors – someone has explained our monetary system to you. Never? You’re not alone – and there’s a reason it’s being hidden. If I were to ask 1000 Americans today what is the greatest threat to our nation’s sovereignty – how many do you think would respond - ‘the war on terror’? My guess is that 99% of us would agree that ‘the war on terror’ is our greatest threat. Our spiritual enemy has created a perceived threat – while his true ‘beasts’ gain control of the world through deceptive means – subversion, infiltration and intimidation. Again, an ingenious plan – and not of this world. The only way to overcome it is to obey the One spiritual being that Satan cannot deceive, intimidate or overcome – our Father in heaven.
The truth is that never before, in the history of the United States, have we faced a greater threat to our national sovereignty as we do now – never. We are facing an enemy that is much more intelligent and powerful than you and I - an enemy that has not used brute force against us, but works in the shadows to deceive and infiltrate. At times in the past I would think about the book of Revelation and wonder how the people of the world could ever allow themselves to be subjected to an evil world government. I simply didn’t want to believe it was possible and I, like most people today, disregarded the Lord’s warnings about how this beast would deceive the whole world. Now that I’ve humbled myself and know the truth, I listen to this beast talk to us everyday through corporate, governmental, banking and religious leaders – leaders of the United States. It’s no longer a mystery. Their plan has almost come to fruition. At some point, you might think that all hope is lost – that they are too powerful and the plan is too far along. How can we possible stop this? I’m not fearful of these things because I know that God could see this coming since the creation of the world – and I don’t need to figure out what to do on my own. I will simply continue to seek the Lord’s will for me – His plan, not mine. What you are about to see throughout the world is that God is going to go on the offensive – and he’s going to do it with you and me. Now is not the time for weak people with weak ministries to proclaim a weak message. Now is the time to allow ourselves to be strengthened spiritually. Now is the time to stand in the face of overwhelming odds – and succeed.
At different times in your life you have probably felt that something wasn’t quite right. You could ‘sense’ it, but you couldn’t ‘see’ it. You couldn’t really explain it, but you knew that there was something not quite right about the world you live in. The economy is up – the economy is down. Life is good – life is not so good. Chaos seems to rule the world. It’s like we’re walking on very thin ice that is constantly cracking – about to give way. You are now beginning to understand that there is a method to the madness. When the world chose death over life, sin over righteousness – when we chose to believe lies instead of the Truth – this was the inevitable result. What gets the true Christian through all of this is that this isn’t the end – it’s only the beginning – and we’re not alone. The end is glorious for us – end of story.
You’ve seen me reference the movie ‘The Matrix’ and how many aspects of the movie are similar to the spiritual battle being waged in the world. I’m going to end this post with some dialog from the movie because it certainly relates to most of us. The following scene takes place right before Neo learns the truth about his world.
Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know *exactly* what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Neo: The Matrix.
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
Neo: Yes.
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.
I finally found a video that does an excellent job of explaining our monetary system in simple terms. I recommend that you watch it to get a better understanding of what I have discussed here. The video was created by Paul Grignon and is only 47 minutes long. Money as Debt I have used a couple of Paul’s examples in this post.
http://moneyasdebt.net/
http://johngilmore.org/
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