NOTE: The following post gives more details on the topics covered below: “The Daniel 11:22 War”, “Sheep/Goat Nations”, “Satanism”, “London = Babylon the Great?” https://dangreenup.com/geopolitics-and-bible-prophecy/
The Daniel 11:22 War
For a while, there have been discussions between Russia and Belarus about adopting a single currency. Apparently, by 2022, Russia and Belarus plan to have an economic confederacy. The Moscow Times reported that this confederacy “entails the creation of a single tax code, civil code and list of foreign trade rules, in addition to unified oil, gas and electricity market regulators.” That’s significant integration and would effectively make Belarus a client state of Russia. Apparently, over the past few months, the relationship has cooled off.
A little while back, to take advantage of soured relations between the two countries, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went to Belarus and explained, “The United States wants to help Belarus build its own sovereign country. Our energy producers stand ready to deliver 100% of the oil you need at competitive prices.” Prior to the visit, an official in President Trump’s administration said, “This is an era of great power competition and an opportunity to compete for influence.” Indeed, it is. In fact, this is precisely why Russia needs the Middle East. American oil and liquefied natural gas exports are freeing Eastern Europe from dependence on Russian energy, giving them less leverage in the region. The Russian elites may dream of a united Eurasia under their control, but as the fledgling Eurasian Economic Union shows, the Middle East and Africa are much easier targets.
Sheep/Goat nations
Get ready for a new world order. In 2019, according to Reuters, “Global direct foreign investment (FDI) dipped slightly around the world.” Despite some optimism about a potential rise in FDI in 2020, “geopolitical uncertainties and protectionist pressures are tempering expectations.” Unsurprisingly, Capital “flows to the United States, the largest FDI recipient worldwide, were stable.” In a world of uncertainty, the US is going to become the ultimate safe haven.
Here’s the deal. The United States is done being the world’s policeman. After all, the US is the world leader in consumption and production of natural gas. Likewise, we’re on track to “become one of the world’s top gas exporters by 2020.” Just recently, the US became a net exporter of oil. We’re energy independent. We don’t need to protect the Persian Gulf or prop-up friendly dictators in oil-rich nations. On top of that, we don’t need to bribe countries to be our friends anymore. We’re the world’s destination market. Every country wants access to our huge consumer market. So-called developing nations, such as those in Southeast Asia, won’t be able to get rich off of American outsourcing and offshoring. Our taxes aren’t going to pay for Europe’s defense anymore. Tariff-free access to our market, which hurt our exports and crushed our industries, is a thing of the past. The free ride is over.
With a now energy-independent United States gradually withdrawing from global affairs, the next several years are going to be a mad scramble for resources and influence amongst the world’s regional powers. Without unrestricted access to the American market and without the US Navy to guarantee the safety of international shipping, get ready for a more chaotic world, in particular a more chaotic Middle East.
Satanism
In early February, it was reported that “At least 20 people were killed and more than a dozen hurt in a stampede as worshippers rushed to be anointed during a church service in northern Tanzania.” The pastor told everyone there to run toward one part of the stadium to be anointed with a special oil. He’s been arrested for his recklessness. As it turns out, he’s probably not the only guy doing this sort of nonsense. Lots of Tanzanians “flock to Pentecostal churches, whose main source of income is “tithe”, the 10% or so of income that worshippers are asked to contribute.” Sadly, “Tanzania has seen a rise in the number of “prosperity gospel” pastors in recent years, who promise to lift people out of poverty.” This is a complete distortion of the biblical teaching on the matter.
God wants us well, but our greatest enjoyment will come from Him, not in anything this world has to offer. We’ve been promised financial blessing in this life, but these blessings come with persecutions. Simply put, we are blessed to be a blessing. In other words, our wealth should lead to authentic generosity, not giving out of obligation. Tithing doesn’t apply to Christians at all. Be wary of anyone that tells you otherwise.
London = Babylon the Great?
Let’s be blunt. The European Union has no leverage in trade negotiations with the United Kingdom because the Anglosphere is getting the band back together. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s message has been simple: British sovereignty is more important than free trade. Yes, it could get very ugly for Europe. To make matters worse, Johnson has prioritized signing a trade deal with the United States post-Brexit. President Trump has repeatedly said that he looks forward to a bilateral trade deal with the United Kingdom, likely with tariff-free movement of goods both ways. In such an arrangement, European companies would flock to the UK to get tariff-free access to the US market. Likewise, US companies would have tariff-free access to the EU by shipping to the UK.
Meanwhile, former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is in favor of the UK signing a free trade agreement with Australia, with movement of goods “absolutely free of tariffs or quotas.” Current Primer Minister Scott Morrison agrees. After Johnson’s victory, Morrison said, “The sooner we can get a new relationship with the UK post-Brexit, the better.”
He has also expressed that “if the U.K. wanted to get the deal done in a period of months, maybe even weeks, well, we would be willing to move as swiftly as they were able to.”
The UK remains the world’s biggest net exporter of financial services. The City of London, a local government district in London, is still the financial capital of the world. It has been for a long time. Home to the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England and countless other banks, Brexit isn’t going to change the City of London’s status. This is significant, because Babylon the Great is the financial center of the world’s economy and a global trading hub. True free trade agreements with the US and Australia would turn the UK into Europe’s biggest economy again. Revelation 18:11-20 describes Babylon the Great in exactly the same way. All things considered, don’t be surprised if there’s a post-Brexit economic boom in the UK.
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading and Godspeed!