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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Debt Ceiling

The "Debt Ceiling" as it is being called is nothing more than actual, physical (and fiscal), bankruptcy in our government. The name debt ceiling sounds so much nicer though, doesn't it?

The fact is, we're broke. We're flat broke! We’re in debt up to our eyeballs. What the House and Senate (and perhaps the President; I'm unsure of his motives) are trying to do is simply come to some agreement on what 'plan' we should put in effect to put off the date of reckoning for our lack of fiscal responsibility. If an agreement is not reached we face ‘judgment day’, so to speak, NOW. If they can come to some agreement, we keep the judgment at bay another day.

I’m no expert on world affairs and I may not have all the facts but the way I see it, here's what's at stake… If we pass through the deadline tonight, at midnight, without a solution in place, then our country defaults on it loans and therefore has no money to pay its bills. What bills does a country have? Well, there are plenty but I'll name a few: US Savings Bonds that are mature seem to be what's making the news. They seem of little consequence to most people, but read on because I'll deal with them in a moment. Another big news item is governmental employees paychecks. I agree this is an issue, however much bigger problems are just down the pike. “Like what?” you ask. A MUCH bigger problem is Welfare, Unemployment, Disability payments, Food Stamps, and etcetera. The people receiving these payments would very soon stop receiving anything what-so-ever. Then, because of savings bonds having no value, (here we go) interest rates would rise making inflation run rampant. Finally, in light of all the other things, the US dollar devalues. If the dollar is devalued, it doesn't even matter if you have money, it will be nearly useless. This could happen because our US dollar is no longer backed by gold. It’s just paper. The bible talks about a loaf of bread costing a day's wage. That is exactly what will take place if our dollar loses its value. All of this would be devastating and would cause widespread panic and unrest, perhaps even civil war or a revolution, but certainly riots at the least.

Even more disturbing, is the fact that a loan in default suggests a borrower and a ‘lender’. We are the borrowers, but who do we owe this money to? Mostly, we owe China, the other world superpower. What happens next is anyone’s guess, but if there is a loan, whether it’s defined or not, there is also collateral. If we default on our loans to China, no matter what the analysts might say, we are in danger of invasion because if we aren’t able to keep our commitment in paying off our debts they will want something of value in return for their loan. Besides just wanting repayment, if they are defaulted on then their economy begins to tank as well.

Here’s the long and short of it. Even if the Senate and the House come to an agreement and the debt ceiling is raised and the deadline is extended, until December; or whenever. Even if they make an allowance and give the U.S. Government more money to operate on, we are in a very precarious position as a nation. We had better wake up and look around us, these are the end times. Months or years aren’t needed for things to fall apart in the world, or even for us as a nation. Within days, our nation could be on its knees because of poor management. Within weeks the world economy could follow. We are in a precarious position indeed, and perilous times I might add.

Be wise. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, but expect the return of Christ soon. What does that mean to the common person? First, know Christ intimately. If ever there was a day to be close to God, it’s now. Second, don’t follow the example of our nation. Get out of debt if you can, and don’t go further in debt. Put aside some reserves; by that I mean food, water, bartering items, and procure means of protection for your family - whatever that may mean for you.

I warn you of this not out of fear, but for wisdom’s sake. Proverbs 22:3 says, “A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.” Even if the ‘judgment’ of this nation is stayed tonight, it’s coming shortly. If it isn’t the judgment of God, it will be the judgment of our peers, and we have brought it upon ourselves. We as a nation have allowed for no other option than judgment. When it’s coming is the question.

Will Jesus come before all this? Who knows. Even so… come quickly Lord Jesus.