{"id":6494,"date":"2020-05-15T19:08:48","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T23:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christskingdom.org\/staging\/8402\/?p=6494"},"modified":"2026-06-03T21:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T01:02:21","slug":"the-pandemic-the-u-s-decline-and-the-end-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christskingdom.org\/staging\/8402\/the-pandemic-the-u-s-decline-and-the-end-times\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pandemic, the U.S. Decline, and the End-Times (170)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Pandemic, the U.S. Decline, and the End-Times<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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By Steven J. Hogan<\/p>\n

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~ A Saturday Morning Post #170 ~

<\/em>What\u2019s been taking place in our country these past two months is unlike anything I have ever seen before. People\u2019s lives have been dramatically changed, and some, forever so. Major sectors of our country have been terribly devastated, and some permanently so. It\u2019s important to take a step back and think about God wants to teach each of us.\u00a0

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* This pandemic is but one of many \u201cbirth pains\u201d <\/em>(plagues, wars, earthquakes, and famines) that will be taking place before Christ\u2019s return to rapture the church. Matthew 24:4-8, 31
* This pandemic gives us an idea of what these \u201cbirth pains\u201d <\/em>feel like – there has been, and will be, a lot of fear, anxiety, unrest, anger, confusion, discomfort, and death. \u201cIn those days it was not safe to travel about\u2026 God was troubling them with every kind of distress.\u201d<\/em> 2 Chronicles 15:5-6
* God wants to use these \u201cpains\u201d<\/em> to teach us lessons of faith, hope, love, and perseverance. “As for you be strong, and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” <\/em>2 Chronicles 15:7

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* God wants us to know that there\u2019s a much more dangerous and deadly plague, and it\u2019s sin – it’s pride, greed, hate, idolatry, and immorality, and it\u2019s corrupting individuals and this entire country. This sin has been increasingly prevalent in the United States these past 50-60 years. Because God is holy, He can\u2019t ignore this sin, and let US do whatever we want – He must judge US. I strongly believe this present damage, this national devastation occurring in our country, is His judgment of our sins. And God will continue to judge US and we will continue to decline in power, which means that the U.S. won\u2019t be the world\u2019s #1 superpower much longer. To be honest, we are beginning to see the end of American greatness. (But as Christians, let\u2019s ask God to show US some mercy, to hold back the full force of His punishing hand.)

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Let me sum up what’s been recently taking place in our country:<\/span>
We see what\u2019s happening physically.<\/strong> We have been focused on this pandemic, and rightly so, for tens of thousands have died from COVID-19, and there will be thousands more in the coming months. In addition, there are the increasing addictions, suicides, cases of domestic violence, as well as tens of thousands of health problems that have been going undiagnosed and untreated. \u201cThe wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life.\u201d<\/em> Romans 6:23

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We see what\u2019s happening governmentally.<\/strong> The political divide is severe and is getting worse and worse. The anger, hate, lying, deception, and extreme partisanship, is unlike anything I have ever witnessed; and many in the media are helping foment this division. Then, and sadly so, there\u2019s the politicization of this pandemic. Not only that, we are seeing authoritarian and heavy-handed orders by some governors and other leaders, resulting in people protesting against them. \u201cIf a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.\u201d<\/em> Mark 3:24

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You see what\u2019s happening economically.<\/strong> You have heard about millions who have lost their jobs, about businesses temporarily and permanently closing, and the disruption of supply chains. Now the government is printing trillions of dollars out of thin air, and just giving it away. Yes, this may help us a little bit in the short run, but it will surely and greatly hurt us in the long run. Sooner or later there will be inflation, causing even more economic problems and financial hardship. \u201cA quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius.\u201d<\/em> Revelation 6:6

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You see what\u2019s happening spiritually.<\/strong> In the past two months, most church buildings in this country have closed their doors. Many churches have decided not to meet, and others have been told not to meet. Yes, pastors and church leaders are adapting, but it has been quite challenging. And think how many churches must be hurting financially. All this, I believe, is a sign of things to come. \u201cYou will be hated by all nations because of My name.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 24:9

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I have written about this coronavirus<\/strong> for the past 2 months, and that\u2019s because it\u2019s a major calamity with disastrous and deadly consequences. And no one knows if we will ever get back to normal, or if there will be a new normal. We have looked at this pandemic from a human perspective, but what is the spiritual perspective, what does God want us to know and do?

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* God is sovereign.<\/strong> This pandemic did not catch God by surprise and, in fact, is part of His plan in the end-times. God knew and ordained exactly how this virus would affect every person, family, church, city, and country in the world. Not only that, God is sovereign over every single thing that needs to happen in your life and on this earth before the coming of Christ. \u201cBe still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.\u201d<\/em> Psalm 46:10

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* Know that Jesus Christ is still building the church.<\/strong> Yes, most church doors have been closed during this pandemic, but not the hearts of people. Do not be discouraged, for Christ did not take time off – He has been continually working in the lives of people. The gospel is being preached, people are being saved, disciples are being made, and the one true church is still growing. \u201cI will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 16:18

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* Do not be afraid, do not fret, do not get angry, do not be discouraged. <\/strong>We often react wrongly when there are difficult trials, but we must learn to respond in a Christ-like way. As God\u2019s child, know that He is always in control, and trust Him, and then you will be filled with His grace and peace. Do not live according to your experiences, circumstances or emotions, but be led by God\u2019s word and God\u2019s Spirit. \u201cWe walk by faith, not by sight.\u201d <\/em>2 Corinthians 5:7

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* Trust God\u2019s word, believe His promises, and obey His commands. <\/strong>The way to stay on the path God has planned for you is by loving His word and having it abide in you. By His Word, He can lead, protect, and strengthen you, and enable you to do what He wants you to do. \u201cMan shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.\u201d<\/em> Matt. 4:4

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* Stay in fellowship.<\/strong> God made you to have a relationship with Himself and with others. You need other Christians and they need you. During this difficult time, keep having fellowship with believers, \u201c\u2026 encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.\u201d <\/em>Heb. 10:25

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* Fulfill God\u2019s plans for your life.<\/strong> God placed you on this earth at this time in history to carry out certain tasks. During stressful times, like this pandemic, don\u2019t be distracted, but stay the course, be part of a good church, and keep using the time, money, and gifts God has given you for His purposes and glory. \u201cDo business with this until I come back.\u201d<\/em> Luke 19:13

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Without question, this is a unique, strange, and challenging time in our history, and let\u2019s not forget, a time of intense spiritual warfare. Be thankful that Jesus Christ is always working and fighting, and that nothing will ever thwart Him. Though there are and will be great struggles and seeming defeats, His plans will always be carried out, and we, with Him, will be victorious. \u201cIn all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.\u201d<\/em> Romans 8:37

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P.S. A super-big problem has affected our world these past two months, which means God wants to use it to teach us some important lessons. Let’s be good learners! “God’s Time Frame For Your Life”<\/a><\/em> shares my story in learning about prophecy. “Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End-times”<\/em> <\/a>summarizes what needs to take place before the rapture of the church.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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