SCRIPTURE TELLS US THE ANTICHRIST IS COMING

Seat of the Antichrist both weak and strong -- how does this speak of Europe?

By Michael Bresciani

May 25, 2018

Modern versions of eschatological thought concerning the appearance of the antichrist are more varied today than at any other time in the last century. 

The idea that modern Europe is the seat of the antichrist remains the most acceptable viewpoint among students and scholars of prophecy.

The idea of a revived Roman empire comes largely from Revelation 17, but the true identity of the antichrist's kingdom is found in Revelation 17: 9.

"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."

While there are over forty cities sometimes referred to as 'the city of seven mountains' including Amman, Jordan and Seattle, Washington, only one city is recognized the world over as the city of seven mountains and that has always been Rome.

The proof text used to explain the mix of strength and weakness in the antichrist's kingdom comes to us from the Prophet Daniel.

Not only does Daniel reinforce the concept of the revived Roman Empire, but he describes some peculiar aspects of that last kingdom.

"And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." (Da 2: 41-43)

Present day Europe is a hotbed of PC divisiveness and cultural confusion. Millions of Europeans still stand against gay marriage and homosexual perversions. Even more are against abortion even though in some EU nations they are losing ground. 

Post Christian Europe is not keeping Satan up at night planning countermoves, but has become part and parcel to the world wide apostasy (falling away) of the church.
The Pope has become the proverbial 'reed shaken in the wind' and EU protestants are in full retreat. The continent has stepped of its rock and is now subject to the whims and wiles of the Devil.

Nothing shows the EU confusion more than the ongoing rift about immigration. Some nations have drawn a line to halt immigration, but the EU parliament is trying to bring all into conformity and allow yet more Muslim and Arab intrusions on a large scale.

Most western countries have welcomed immigrants since the close of WWII pretty much with open arms, but in the last decade what was a normal influx has become a full scale invasion. It is what America is trying to avoid with things like Trump's travel ban and tighter restrictions on the numbers of immigrants allowed in on a yearly basis.

These are just some of the headlines from across the Continent which reflects the rising tide of resistance.
Support for anti-immigration party Sweden Democrats at record level

Hungarian DPM: Europe has become vulnerable because it lost its identity and allowed Islam to penetrate it without resistance

AfD sues Merkel over migrant crisis: The chancellor can't act like a dictator

Thousands of German bikers head to Berlin to protest against Merkel in show of patriotism

Danish minister calls Ramadan dangerous for society

It begins: New Swedish party organises protest against Islamic call to prayer – Wants to stop Islamisation

New 'Italy First' coalition wants to deport 500,000 migrants

Greece: Migrants set detention centre alight during protest – It's a 'miracle' nobody died

Sweden's right-wing AfS party censored by YouTube for wanting to deport 2,000 Islamists

Almost 1,400 minor girls abused by mostly migrant pimps in the Netherlands

These are but a few examples of a growing confusion as seen in the EU on almost all major issues. 

It is this kind of uncertainty that sets the stage for the reception of the antichrist. 

He is presented to the world as the great problem solver. 

Because he is fully powered by the god of this world (Satan) almost all of his solutions to economic, military and cultural problems will be initially solved with ease.
The world gladly accepts the order antichrist provides and thus are lulled into submission to his reign and the subsequent final insult he proposes and carries out against the Living God. 

When he presents himself as the appearance of God on the earth, better known as the 'abomination of desolation' (Matthew 24:15-16) time is short. In fact, there will be less than four years until the interventional judgments of God throughout the entire earth.

It is the world's present confusion that leads to the ultimate confusion.

Michael Bresciani is the editor of American Prophet.org since 2005. The website features the articles and reports of Rev Bresciani along with some of America's best writers and journalists. Millions have read his timely reports and articles in online journals and print publications across the nation and the globe. Visit https://socialcross.org/amprophet also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

© Michael Bresciani

My comments: From the apostle Paul, the next Event on God's Time Table is the Great Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). It is the Full Blown Apostasy that brings forth the Revealing of the Antichrist. And the Apostasy is well underway at this time. Today, many are Falling Away from Faith in Jesus Christ. When the Antichrist is revealed it will be Obvious to everyone, no matter where he comes from.

THE BIGOTED AND INTOLERANT JESUS

The bigoted and intolerant Jesus?

By A.J. Castellitto

May 27, 2018

http://pulpitandpen.org/2018/05/21/the-bigoted-and-intolerant-jesus/

If you believe what the bible says about Jesus, the world will hate you but if you start preaching a Jesus that is not the Jesus of the bible the world will love you. – Paul Washer

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

May Jesus rightly be deemed intolerant of the original and actual sin and propensities of fallen mankind? Could it be said that he practiced a form of 'spiritual conversion therapy'? Should he be considered one who attempted to force his own spiritual morality upon the people?

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:5b

By today's standards, Jesus would indeed be deemed intolerant, regardless of the mercy and kindness he bestowed upon the multitude. 

The PC police of our day would swiftly label Jesus a bigoted hate speaker for promoting himself as the only true source of redemption and for expounding on the consequence of sinful rebellion.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

During his brief earthly ministry, Jesus acted with little regard for the religious establishment. Jesus was the truth incarnate and could never deny himself. There would be no appeasement:
"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" Matthew 23:33
Jesus is the source of all that is righteous and good. He is a complete and utter offense to the strong and the proud.

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32

His was a message that was totally unacceptable to the religious and political powers of his day. Even most of the common folk would come to reject this bold messenger, despite the amazing works and miracles he wrought upon the people.

"He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth" John 3:31

It would be the same today. 

If Jesus walked among us he would be completely rejected. 

Sin, in particular, has become a foreign concept deemed too offensive for mainstream, secular society and even many churches of today.
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:19-21

When we take a moment to consider those who were truly impacted by the man responsible for turning the social order and spiritual establishment upside down, it is clear that the proud and haughty were often passed by due to their own resistance.

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast , and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." Matthew 19:21-22

Rather, it was they who thought the least of themselves who were the ones who fell before Jesus in need of the mercy and grace that only he could provide. 

They were the rejected and the outcasts. They were the humble, the hated, the afflicted, the somber, the destitute, the sober-minded, the desperate, the needy, the shamed, the distraught, the weak, the rebellious, the awakened, the SINNER...

"And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." Luke 15:21

There will come a time in our lives when we will be brought to our knees. Will we call upon Jesus and seek deliverance or will we keep fighting a losing battle?

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

Redemption cannot be had outside of repentance and submission. Those who facilitate (and are seduced by) the prideful, boastful schemes of men will need to undergo a violent awakening (likened to Saul of Tarsus' conversion on the road to Damascus) to be made receptive to these hard realities. A seared conscience is a tragic thing.

"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5b

Jesus wasn't an activist. He's not merely a religious icon or a mythical concept. He didn't befriend rulers or seek world domination. He didn't lead global economic conferences or promise to end human suffering. He did not seek the approval of the masses or the respect of kings. He didn't seek earthly utopia or the liberation of the oppressed. He did not endorse state-sponsored wealth redistribution.

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15

Jesus knows who we were created to be and would have no part with race theories, gender identities, and victim mentalities.

"Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matthew 19:4-6

Jesus did not come to validate our depravity. He came to annihilate our depravity.

He diagnosed our problem as one of a spiritual nature and offered himself as the remedy. I think it's time us Christians, true and so-called, cease placing our own works and conditions upon him.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26

Do our acts of obedience flow from a desire to reflect and uphold Biblical truth or a desire to use Jesus' good name to mold a society that fits our own personally-designed values and ideals? If it be the latter, we are wholly deceiving ourselves:

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 18:11-14


© A.J. Castellitto

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/castellitto/180527

PASTORS TO BLAME FOR AMERICA'S DOWNFALL

Pastors to blame for America's downfall!!

By Rev. Austin Miles

May 27, 2018

Back in the 40's church pastors had a certain mystique for those who knew who they were and observed them. Vandalism to any church was considered unthinkable.

First of all, a church was considered a sacred place even to those who did not believe. Churches kept their doors open 24 hours a day so people could come in at any hour and pray or simply think quietly. Even the hardest of hearts would not even THINK of vandalizing or stealing from a church.

What was the secret of this invisible protective power surrounding the pastor and even an empty church that kept everyone on their best behavior? Simple, it was the consistent moral behavior of those devoted men at all times.

Preachers, please take note.
We are not supposed to be like very body else. We are set apart. We don't yell and scream at someone, ogle a female, or have a drink to prove that we're just one of the guys, or 'just like everyone else.' That would be hurtful to any minister, especially this one, if that were said about me. No we are not, nor were we intended to be 'just like everyone else.'

Once I caught a member of my church yelling and screaming at a cashier demanding a discount he was not entitled to. He was dismissed from attending my church. Another time I caught a member ogling and following a scantly clad homeless woman heading toward the river. I knew this man and what he was up to, and when he heard my voice boom out, "What are you doing?" he knew that I knew exactly what he was doing. He could never come back to my church. Members were required to exhibit absolute integrity at all times.

People will try to tempt you to be "one of the guys." Don't fall for it. Years ago when I was in my preteens, a very popular pastor in town was Reverend Zapp (first name lost in the dustpan of history), a Methodist minister back when that church was a church.

Rev. Zapp became a member of the Shriners, beginning with the Masonic Lodge. I personally was not in favor of that since the Masons take a sideways approach to Christianity. But he was a member. One day he walked in the Shriners Club, and the whole room came alive to greet him as he came through the doors. Then some wise acre said, "Hey preacher, how 'bout buying us all a drink." "Sure," Rev. Zapp replied, "Bartender, give everyone here a cup of coffee....on me."

Everybody of course laughed but with that laugh came new respect. So he still remained, 'set apart.'
With the respect of preachers and the churches and the positive way they presented themselves in public, the public itself made sure their own conduct was above reproach, wherever they went. They didn't want the town preacher to see them going into a burlesque show or a bar. This rubs off on the community.

Everyone had a respect for the pastors, since they no doubt walked with God. They never compromised, but were always approachable and friendly. They lived what they represented.

And Christians, YOU are sometimes the only Bible anyone reads. With that mystique, simply for living your testimony and stated beliefs, this also creates a bit of fear along with the respect. In other words, people are often challenged simply by being in the vicinity of a minister. And that is not a bad thing if it keeps us on our toes.

A minister's presence should be a healthy challenge to everyone they interact with. Indeed, notice how any man who is a respectable man with unwavering integrity who moves in confidence and in authority at all times will automatically be shown courtesy and respect.

I remember back in high school, when young men did not know what to do with their raging hormones, and most every girl was mentally undressed by these little bucks on the prowl. That is, except for one whom I will never forget.

His name was Jimmy Sanders. He was a very good looking Irish boy who played basketball, had a beautiful tenor Irish voice and sang in assemblies and special programs.

Once I walked into the gym as the players were practicing. A very cute curvy girl in shorts, walked by the team. Everyone looked her up and down fantasizing 'what it would be like with her.' That is with the exception of one handsome young man,Jimmy Sanders, who also went to church every week. He kept his eyes straight ahead with no lewd looks. And what's more, he was very popular and well liked by everybody.

Yes, it impressed me too, very much so. I too wanted to be known and respected. And here was a living illustration as to how to achieve that. And Jimmy Sanders was an example to me all my school life. He would become a professional singer last we heard.

I do know that back then, in the 40's, life was much more peaceful and enjoyable. Rarely was a preacher busted for not keeping his zipper activated, misusing church funds or being seen with nefarious people and taking part in their activities. And certainly not partnering with Planned Parenthood, a horrific baby killing factory.

And yes, this was the way it was until the 1960's, when Billionaire Communist George Soros stirred up the "question-authority" movement, which promoted free love everywhere and drugs to get smashed out of reality. Until then the churches had healthy attendances on Sunday mornings and any other time a church activity was planned.
The 60's uproar did not just happen spontaneously, Think about it. How could every teenager to early 20's, all over America, suddenly, at the same time, get the same idea, to leave their walk-up apartments and cover every city and town with chaos like a huge blanket? Greenwich Village became Hippie Town.

This was not a spontaneous movement, but was all carefully planned, organized and implemented. People were PLACED in the various churches to sabotage the pastor and his message along with the people of the congregation. Yep, money talks.

Are you aware that years ago, George Soros managed to get inside the Vatican? Yes he did, is still there, and has been shaping the Catholic Church ever since.

How else could one explain Pope Francis? Nobody had any idea who he was until suddenly he was paraded to the center of the College of Cardinals who had 'voted' him in as the new pope. So it is true. Money not only talks but conquers.

This writer had absolutely no knowledge of him even being in The College of Cardinals. He was placed there by Soros. This new 'pope' then said to us, now get this, "the first thing I intend to do is to Redistribute the Wealth." That is right out of the Book of Marx.

It did not take long to realize that the so-called Pope Francis is an out and out Communist. He has scuttled many of the sacred Catholic doctrines and recently told a young homosexual who had come to him; "God made you homosexual and that you should simply enjoy and accept your life."

The churches in Europe are some of the most beautiful in the world. However I never saw one with more than a hand-full of people on Sunday mornings. The Salvation Army Church in Oslo, was one of the only ones that was full.

The other churches don't worry about collections. A mandatory church tax is imposed on everyone to keep the churches open. But the pastors, were highly respected, and when I spent time in Europe (before the Muslim invasion) the people were well behaved.

In Switzerland, a woman pointed out a man going into a store, and stated to me that he was a pastor. She went on to say that he was very well educated and well respected in the community. He was invited to speak to the schools and other gatherings because of his intellect and wisdom.

Meanwhile, churches in America were mostly filled on Sunday mornings. 

Then, the 60's brought in disrespect for ALL authority and especially targeted the churches. And they were able to persuade pastors that their messages are no longer relevant for today, that we are living in a whole new age, and that his messages needed to be updated or the church will go downhill.

The pastor's began watering down the Gospel so as to not offend anyone with the sin question. 

The pastors began acting in worldly ways, not living like a Pastor in words, deeds or overall carriage. And crime began to rise. To be conned into "fitting in with the world," torpedoed their moral authority. This of course, disturbed citizens, causing their respect for pastors to diminish. And as they coasted downhill, they picked up speed.

This was fatal. 

When the respect was there due to the proper conduct of all pastors, crime was not a major event. When pastors were persuaded to be like everyone else, and began acting like it, the crime rates began to rise, indeed even churches began to be vandalized and robbed. Church doors had to be double locked when no services were scheduled.

Out and out public attacks on Christianity, the church and Jesus Christ Himself began to climb with a new boldness of atheists, the sexually confused and criminals,

Pastors' began promoting sexual deviance, defiling marriage as proclaimed by God and began, of all things, doing "wedding ceremonies" for same sex couples. They allowed LGBT folk to become workers in the church, even ordaining some as pastors. All of this which angers God.
Then some joined in providing "blessing services" to the baby murder factory, Planned Parenthood, which brutally kills babies about to be born who are simply "inconvenient" for the parents.

More and more pastors were caught in adultery with many pastors being charged with sexual harassment by...women...and men. This made a splotch on the whole church and pastors were no longer a figure of respect and authority. People in general became argumentative, rude, and disrespectful to one another.

Life morphed into a chaotic free-for-all. 

Lawlessness was able to take over and kept all people on edge. Confused people became weak. The Soros' Communists' became bolder as church attendance began to drop away. A peaceful everyday life evolved into violent unrest. Any why? 

Pastors had simply abdicated their authority, integrity, moral compass and then manipulated the Gospel.
This is why our lives are what they are today. 

Had the pastors been totally dedicated to the truth of God and held their pulpits throughout the years, and not been so weak as to be influenced by people like George Soros, America, would be a much better place today.
So the headline reads: 

Pastors to Blame for America's Downfall and that is no exaggeration. 

This is exactly what has taken place. Pastors would not man their pulpits, were not as totally dedicated as they should have been. How could Soros convince them to water down the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Money, women, and recognition. The greatest weakness of mankind. Three of the devil's most effective weapons.

Most pastors today are corrupt. Yes, MOST. 

However we still have enough true ministers that we call, Remnant Pastors, to turn this series of events around. 

These are Faithful, true men of God. 

They can be found. 

Let us strive to get together, and work together to reclaim our pulpits and drive out the fakes.
This CAN be done. CHARGE!

ANALYZING TODAY'S NEWS FOR TOMORROW'S HISTORY

© Rev. Austin Miles

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/miles/180527

My comments: Listen to the apostle Paul: "For the time will come when men will not put up with Sound Doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a Great Number of Teachers to say what their Itching ears want to hear. They will Turn away from the Truth and turn aside to Myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) 

STUDENTS PERFORMED SEX ACTS IN CLASSROOM - AND TEACHER WAS THERE

Students performed sex acts in a classroom — and the teacher was there, SC board says

A veteran South Carolina teacher was suspended, then resigned after a classroom sex scandal at an Upstate school.

Elizabeth Bennett was an art teacher at Byrnes High School, but she resigned and retired after it was revealed that she was present in the classroom when two students engaged in sexual acts, foxcarolina.com reported.

Bennett was placed on administrative leave on Dec. 8, 2017, after the Spartanburg County School District received information about incidents that reportedly occurred multiple times in the back of the classroom, according to wspa.com.

Bennett resigned in January after 24 years of teaching, foxcarolina.com reported.

http://www.thestate.com/news/local/education/article212229829.html

RUSH LIMBAUGH SAYS THIS SMOKING GUN PROVES THE FBI TRIED TO FRAME TRUMP

Rush Limbaugh Says This Smoking Gun Proves The FBI Tried To Frame Trump

Spygate is a quickly growing scandal that proves every Trump supporters worst fears.

Conservatives who warned of a Deep State coup against the President believe the FBI and Obama administration colluded to sabotage Trump.

Now Rush Limbaugh says this is the smoking gun that proves the FBI tried to frame Trump.

The FBI claims the investigation into the Trump campaign and Russia – codenamed “Crossfire Hurricane” – began after the Australian government informed the FBI of a months-old conversation between one of their former diplomats and Trump foreign policy aide George Papadopoulos.

Papadopoulos allegedly told the diplomat that was he approached by a mysterious professor who informed him that Russia had Hillary Clinton emails.

The professor was Joseph Mifsud and the plea agreement Papadopoulos reached with special counsel Robert Mueller claimed Papadopoulos knew Mifsud was known to have connections to Russian intelligence.

But this fact – and the substance of his conversation with Papadopoulos – is now in dispute.

In an interview with Real Clear Investigations, authors Stephan Roh and Thierry Pastor, who wrote the book “The Faking of Russia-gate: The Papadopoulos Case, an Investigative Analysis,” explained who Joseph Mifsud really was:

“IN INTERVIEWS WITH REALCLEARINVESTIGATIONS, ROH AND PASTOR SAID MIFSUD IS ANYTHING BUT A RUSSIAN SPY. RATHER, HE IS MORE LIKELY A WESTERN INTELLIGENCE ASSET.

PASTOR AND ROH, WHO HIRED MIFSUD AS A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT IN 2015, WRITE THAT FAR FROM BEING A RUSSIAN SPY, MIFSUD  “HAD ONLY ONE MASTER: THE WESTERN POLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC AND INTELLIGENCE WORLD, HIS ONLY HOME, OF WHICH HE IS STILL DEEPLY DEPENDENT.”

Mifsud has since disappeared which led to speculation that he either went into hiding once his ties to the Kremlin became known or that the Russians had him killed.

This is not the case as Roh and Pastor’s book has an interview with Mifsud and they claim he is in hiding in Italy with the help of an Italian intelligence agent.

In addition, as Great American Daily previously reported, Roh and Pastor’s book confirms that Mifsud never told Papadopoulos that the Russians had Clinton emails – only merely damaging information.

On his Wednesday broadcast, Rush Limbaugh put two and two together and stated that the whole deal with Papadopoulos was a set-up by the FBI.

Limbaugh stated:

“NOW, YOU IN THIS AUDIENCE KNOW THAT PAPADOPOULOS DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING ON HIS OWN. THE TRUMP DID NOT KNOW THAT THE RUSSIANS HAD HILLARY CLINTON EMAILS. TO THIS DAY NOBODY KNOWS WHETHER THAT’S TRUE. AGAIN, A MAN NAMED JOSEPH MIFSUD IN APRIL OF 2016, HE’S AN ASSOCIATE OF THE FBI INFORMANT STEFAN HALPER. HE’S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, BY THE WAY…

…THAT’S PAPADOPOULOS. PAPADOPOULOS DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING UNTIL IT WAS PLANTED! CERTAINLY, GOWDY KNOWS THAT. MAYBE HE DOESN’T BELIEVE THAT’S TRUE. MAYBE THE FBI TOLD HIM THAT THAT STORY ABOUT PAPADOPOULOS AND HALPER IS ALL BS; THAT PAPADOPOULOS DID KNOW IT INDEPENDENTLY. BUT THIS IS A KEY ELEMENT OF THIS WHOLE THING THAT IT APPEARS, AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, IS BEING IGNORED.”

This is what Congress and the media should be investigating.

And the fact-pattern Limbaugh lays out provides a good explanation as to why the Department of Justice and the FBI have been slow-walking Congresses document requests.

The real scandal here is the conduct of the Obama administration, the FBI, and intelligence agencies.

They may have manufactured a basis for launching a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign.

We will keep you up to date on any new developments in this story.

http://greatamericandaily.com/fbi-tried-to-frame-trump/

IS ANOTHER FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE HORIZON?

Here comes another global financial crisis ...

Is another global financial crisis on the horizon?

Investors are increasingly worried that an escalating political crisis in Italy could lead to a populist, euroskeptic government taking power. 

As a result, there's rising uncertainty about whether the country might eventually abandon the euro currency zone or default on its giant debt pile. To make things worse, the Trump administration continues to toy with the idea of a trade war with Europe and China. That would be the last thing the global economy would need if the Italian situation deteriorates further. Debt crises and trade wars are a toxic combination.

To fully understand the risk, it's helpful to recall that before there was a Brexit, there was the threat of Grexit. There was widespread concern a few years ago that Greece's government debt crisis would force it to exit the eurozone, and that such a shock departure would be a crushing blow to both the broader European economy, in the middle of recession, and the American economy, which was still recovering from its own downturn.

These fears prompted what is perhaps the most amazing — albeit apocalyptic — research note ever published by a major Wall Street bank or investment firm. In December 2011, Citigroup clients were treated to dark speculation by the firm's chief economist, Willem Buiter, on what might happen if Greece's departure led to a daisy chain of eurozone exits and the eventual collapse of the European Union:

A breakup of the euro area [currency zone] would be rather like the movie War of the Roses version of a divorce: disruptive, destructive, and without any winners. ... If Spain and Italy were to exit, there would be a collapse of systemically important financial institutions throughout the European Union and North America and years of global depression. ... Even if the breakup does not destroy the EU completely and does not represent a prelude to a return to the intra-European national and regional hostilities, including civil wars and wars, that were the bread and butter of European history between the fall of the Roman empire and the gradual emergence of the European Union from the ashes of two made-in-Europe world wars, the case for keeping the euro area show on the road would seem to be a strong one: financially, economically, and politically, including geopolitically. [Willem Buiter, Citigroup]

So, yeah, pretty much everything other than pestilence, famine, and zombies roaming through Manhattan. Now generally, Wall Street research doesn't read like the Book of Revelations or a dystopian alt-history novel. But Citigroup was hardly the only financial player pondering the worst.

Thankfully, the worst didn't happen. Europe muddled through thanks to a combination of Greek debt bailouts and massive money printing by the European Central Bank. But Italy poses a far bigger threat than Greece ever did.

Italy is the eurozone's third-largest economy, 10 times the size of Greece's. It also has the world's third-largest sovereign debt market, some $2.7 trillion. Only Greece has a higher public debt-to-GDP ratio in the eurozone. My AEI colleague Desmond Lachman, a former International Monetary Fund official and Wall Street emerging market strategist, argues that Italy's troubles have the potential to roil the global economy much like the 2008 Lehman bankruptcy. (The 10th anniversary of "Free Market Day"is coming!) America wouldn't be spared.

That's just one of the problems with Donald Trump's America First worldview. It ignores how America is deeply and irreversibly enmeshed in the global economy through linkages we probably don't fully understand, as the original global financial crisis of 2008 showed.

Italy is a mess. It's too big to fail, but also too big to bail out. To a large extent, it will need to save itself though economic reforms that boost its lagging productivity and reduce its debt load as a share of the economy. And America cannot simply sit idly by and pretend that this is not our problem.

MORE PERSPECTIVES

RYAN COOPER

The right to raise a family without going broke

PAUL WALDMAN

MS-13 is Republicans' new Willie Horton

Unfortunately, the Italian populists — much like America's — are promising a budget-busting economic fantasy if elected, including a universal minimum income guaranteed to all citizens and a flat income tax. Such a large dose of debt-financed fiscal stimulus, Goldman Sachs warns, threatens the nation's debt rating, the nation's banking system, support from the European Central Bank, and "could eventually call into question Italy's participation in the euro area [with] possible spillovers to other countries."

Italy must get its financial house in order. 

But America also has a role to play, such as avoiding trade disputes with Europe or China that will exacerbate market tension and potentially weaken global growth. There is little evidence that any of the trade actions currently being contemplated by Team Trump would have much impact on economic or job growth. But a second global financial crisis surely would.

http://theweek.com/articles/776020/here-comes-another-global-financial-crisis-

My comments: This Debt Ridden World is always teetering on the brink of Collapse.

NETHERLANDS: AXE WIELDING MUSLIM ATTACKS POLICE

Jihad in Netherlands: AXE wielding Muslim screaming “Allah Akbar” attacks police, HACKS police dog to death

By Pamela Geller - on May 31, 2018

Three jihad attacks on police in as many days across Europe – Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Any opposition to this genocidal ideology is deemed “islamophpboic.” The continent has been subsumed by the hijrah. And the left demands more immigration.

Oh, dogs are “dirty” and are haram under Islam. Respect it, Islamophobes.

Just this week I reported on a number of the other wonders  of Muslim immigration?

• Dutch Antisemitism Reaches Five-Year High, Despite Scant Jewish Population
• Muslim Migrant Grooming Rapists Lure 1,400 Underage Dutch Girls Into Sex Slavery in Netherlands Every Year
• The Dutch Public Prosecution Service reported almost half of the hate crime attacks almost half  were targeting Jews. Only 7 percent, by comparison, targeted Muslims.

POLICE DOG DIES AS AXE-WIELDING MAN SHRIEKING ‘ALLAHU AKBAR’ ATTACKS ARMED OFFICERS WHO SHOOT HIM TO THE GROUND IN DUTCH CITY OF SCHIEDAM

• The 26-year-old screamed Arabic for ‘God is greatest’ according to witnesses
• Officers entered his apartment and were attacked as they tried to taser him
• During the fighting the man stabbed a dog, which later died of its injuries

By Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline, 31 May 2018:

Dutch police have shot a man who was shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as he tried to attack them with an axe.

The 26-year-old man was heard screaming the Arabic for ‘God is greatest’ while waving the weapon and fatally wounded a police dog.

According to Netherlands news site NU, police entered his apartment after reports of a disturbance on Wednesday afternoon.

This police dog was killed in the attack as the man fatally stabbed it. Police initially thought the dog was okay but it later died

Dutch police have shot a man who was shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as he tried to attack them with an axe.

The 26-year-old man was heard screaming the Arabic for ‘God is greatest’ while waving the weapon and fatally wounded a police dog.

According to Netherlands news site NU, police entered his apartment after reports of a disturbance on Wednesday afternoon.
This police dog was killed in the attack as the man fatally stabbed it. Police initially thought the dog was okay but it later died
+6

This police dog was killed in the attack as the man fatally stabbed it. Police initially thought the dog was okay but it later died

Emergency workers were seen carrying the 26-year-old out of the apartment as they rushed him to the operating theatre

Armed police were pictured in the streets after they shot a man who shouted Allahu Akbar while wielding an axe

Pamela Geller's shocking new book, "FATWA: HUNTED IN AMERICA" is now available on Amazon. It's Geller's tell all, her story - and it's every story - it's what happens when you stand for freedom today. Buy it. Now. Here.

https://gellerreport.com/2018/05/jihad-netherlands-axe-wielding-muslim-screaming-allah-akbar-attacks-police-hacks-police-dog-death.html/

HE CHOSE TO BE YOUR FATHER

He Chose to be Your Father

David Wilkerson (1931-2011)

May 31, 2018

Some Christians are constantly overcome by fear. Some are always despondent while others wallow in guilt, afraid they will never have victory over sin. 

They fear losing their job, their health, their family. They have absolutely no peace, joy or rest. That is when I hear Jesus asking, 

“Have I been with you this long and yet you do not see? Do you still not know God as your Father?”

Out of your intimacy with Christ must come a revelation that you have a Father in heaven who has painstakingly shown you what he is like and what he longs to be to you!

First, he chose to be your Father. You did not choose him, he chose you. Is God ruler of heaven and earth? Is he almighty? Omnipotent? Does he sit king of the flood? The answer to all those questions is a resounding yes. But in these last days, God wants you to have another revelation of him — he wants you to understand that you are his son or daughter.

When Jesus walked the earth he lived every hour under the sunlight of his Father’s love, never in confusion, never in doubt. Therefore, he could face anything the enemy threw at him — any hardship, any trial — because he knew his Father was with him. He could say, 

“My Father sent me; he chose me and appointed me and he is always with me. I am never alone!”

Your Father tells you, “I want to hover over you, to be your protector, to supply every need, to see you through all your trials. I choose to be a Father to you, so accept my love.”

God chose to be your Father on the basis of love and mercy alone. There is no other condition. He did not wait until you were good enough or had all your doctrine figured out. No, he said, 

“Even when you were lost in sin, I loved you.”

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