The modern Israelitish nations face a grim future.  Without heartfelt repentance, the plight of these once richly blessed nations including the U.S.A., the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa is foretold to be one of national correction, war, and eventually even forced labor in far-off foreign countries.  But, how could this happen? Many will reply, "This could never come about!"  But sadly, to dismiss these warnings is to ignore clear and sobering Bible prophecies.  It is to ignore current news headlines and it is to put your future in jeopardy. 

When Czech President Vaclav Klaus addressed the E.U. parliament, he blasted the European Union for alienating voters and oppressing member states.  Standing before a shocked parliament, Mr. Klaus then escalated his attack.  He compared the E.U. to the Soviet Union – permitting no freedom.  Parliament members threw their hands into the air and exited the chamber in protest (Associated Press, February 19, 2009).

On Thursday, February 19, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama made his first foreign tour as head of state, traveling to his northern neighbor, the gentle giant, Canada. President Obama restored a decades-old tradition of presidents making Canada the destination of their first foreign trip.

Back in 2009, I visited my parents in the New Jersey town where I grew up. On a bright Sunday afternoon, we journeyed by car a short distance to the Monmouth Battlefield State Park, just outside town. This was the site of the last major battle in the north, during the American Revolution, on June 28, 1778, and it was the largest one-day battle of the war (in terms of participants). It was a needed victory for George Washington and his troops after their dreadful winter in Valley Forge. Major General Lafayette described this bloody battle in oppressive heat as Washington's finest hour.

Our local newspaper last week reprinted a Groundhog Day cartoon by Mike Luckovich from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  It depicted two gentlemen in old-fashioned garb staring forlornly at Punxsutawney Phil who has keeled over (having fainted or died). One gent says to the other, "He saw his 401K." We might display a guarded smile after reading this sign of our economic times. But what can this hibernating marmot tell us about our future – seriously?