Russian Analysis: Doom, Demise, Breakup of America
I start my day with the daily reading before I hit my news and favorite weblogs. For the past week we’ve been reading from the book of Revelations… with all its mystic symbology.
Today’s Gospel was an eye opener and kind of ominous as Jesus speaks of the ‘end-times’ (Lk 21:5-11) -NAB
I had to read the whole chapter, I just couldn’t’ leave it at verse 11.
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1 When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury
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and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
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He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
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for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
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2 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said,
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"All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
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Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
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He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' 3 Do not follow them!
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When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."
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Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
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There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
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"Before all this happens, 4 however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.
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It will lead to your giving testimony.
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Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
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for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking 5 that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
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You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
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You will be hated by all because of my name,
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but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
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By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
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6 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.
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Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
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for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled.
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Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
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They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles 7 are fulfilled.
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"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
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People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens 8 will be shaken.
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And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
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But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."
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He taught them a lesson. "Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
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When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
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in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
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Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.
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Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise
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like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.
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Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."
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During the day, Jesus was teaching in the temple area, but at night he would leave and stay at the place called the Mount of Olives.
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And all the people would get up early each morning to listen to him in the temple area.
After I reviewed the daily readings I was surprised to see and article on the Drudge Report entitled: RUSSIAN ANALYST PREDICTS DECLINE AND BREAKUP OF USA.
Here’s a clip:
A leading Russian political analyst has said the economic turmoil in the United States has confirmed his long-held view that the country is heading for collapse, and will divide into separate parts…
…He predicted that the U.S. will break up into six parts - the Pacific coast, with its growing Chinese population; the South, with its Hispanics; Texas, where independence movements are on the rise; the Atlantic coast, with its distinct and separate mentality; five of the poorer central states with their large Native American populations; and the northern states, where the influence from Canada is strong. He even suggested that "we could claim Alaska - it was only granted on lease, after all." Panarin, 60, is a professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has authored several books on information warfare.
Woo baby,
Market failings, bailouts to everyone … corporation level pay grade only. Russian warships in Hugo Chavez country, China buying up American debt, 401k converted to 201k (mines down 39%).
Sounds like the end-time may truly be here, right?
Well, I don’t know about that. Are times hard? Very hard? Sure they are.
I think in today’s Gospel, Jesus is reminding us that we shouldn’t put too much trust in the man made empires. The Jerusalem temple was the center piece in the Jewish community back then, yet in 70AD it was destroyed.
Today we see banks going under, mighty corporations on their knees, things we’ve learned to trust over time are now on shaky ground and times don’t look as secure as we would like.
Will times get harder?
Maybe, but Jesus tells us to focus our trust in Him and to stay alert.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
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"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise
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like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.
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Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."
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Jesus said these words just before his last Passover Supper, just before the beginning of his Passion.
I was talking with my kids who are young adults, about the news events of the day last night. They have the same concerns as everyone.
“I’ve just graduated from college… what does the future look like for me?”
“I’m getting married… what will my life be like in the next 5 years?”
I wish I could say that they would find good jobs and that their future children would grow up in peaceful times with prosperity all around them,
But I couldn’t say that.
The only advice I could give was a reminder what ultimately life’s goal is and that’s what our focus should be on. Yes we have to deal with jobs, food, and shelter. We need to remain involved with our communities, helping each other out, and remain focused on the banquet Christ has prepared for us.
Trust in His providence, remain alert.
I don’t mean this post to instill words of wisdom. There are plenty of folk out the in weblog land with ABC’s after their names and theology educations that rightfully would say my ramblings are remedial at best and laughable nominally.
These are just the some thoughts I had while reflecting on today’s gospel and today’s news….
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