"Independence"
Day
                                                                                     By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                     June 29, 2018
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed,"  
                                                                                          John 8:36.
Introduction
     The United States of America has now existed 242 years as a nation.  It's Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.  On July 4th of this present year it will begin it's 243rd year of existence as a nation.  Will it complete it's 243rd year?  That remains to be seen.
     Are our readers aware that historians who have seriously studied human history, state that most of the large, powerful,  nations in human history seldom reached or exceeded 200 years of existence before being destroyed or ceasing to exist?  Compare this historical truth with the present age of America.    
The Establishment of America
     America was founded on Christian principles by Christian people, who believed they were establishing a Christian nation upon the earth. And for the first 140 years of America's existence, the American people followed and practiced those Christian principles.
The Apostasy of America
     No!  It didn't happen suddenly, or all at once.  It gradually began following the end of the First World War in 1918. The seeds of apostasy were sown in America when "Johnny came marching home" from Europe.   Our founding fathers had strictly warned us to "stay out of foreign wars."  This exact statement is set forth in the writings of some of the founding fathers of this nation.  But our leaders at that time didn't have sense enough to follow the advice of our Chrisian forefathers.  
      When our soldiers came home, they began spreading the word about those "cute little foreign women" who wore shorter dresses and made themselves available to our American soldiers.  They also introduced homosexuality into America, which up to that time was practically non-existent in this country.   The "leaven" of apostasy, turning away from God and Christian principles,  was planted in America. The Bible still says, "Know ye not that a little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump?" 1 Corinthians 5:6.  American women, who had previously worn their skirts and dresses down to their ankles, began gradually raising them up to just below the knees, in order to please their men.
     Then exactly 23 years later [1941] America entered the Second World War.  "23" is the number in the Bible signifying "death!"  
     By that time moral values in both Europe and America had seriously declined, and our soldiers shipped overseas to Europe were exposed to even worse moral decline.  Yes, America won the war, but lost the moral battle.  This time our soldiers came home from Europe spreading the word about the European women who wore short dresses and even "shorts" in the brothels of Europe.  Where morals were concerned, this just greased the slide of apostasy in America.  
From Decline
     I was born in 1934, during the Great Depression.  Therefore I have been an eye witness to the moral and spiritual decline of the American people.  It was after the Second World War in approximately 1947-48, when American women first began wearing "shorts," and never in publiic.  It began in the privacy of the homes of America.  I actually remember hearing women apologize for being caught in public wearing a pair of "shorts."  But that didn't last long.  Neither did their "shorts."  
     The very first "shorts" worn by American women were long, with the legs coming down to, or just above, the knees.  With every passing year, the "shorts" got shorter and shorter, and more and more women wore them in public, until it became an accepted "norm."  Also, at some point during those years, the "halter top" was introduced to wear with the "shorts," and was quickly adopted by most "shorts" wearing women.  
     Finally, some fashion designer decided to come up with the "bikini" swim suit.  This was immediately followed by "bikini shorts," which are publicly worn by many women today.
  To Depravity
      Folks, every person is an individual, and each of us have certain parts of our bodies which are different.  Different color eyes and hair, different facial features,  different height, etc. And even the hair on our head, face, and bodies, grows at different rates and lengths.  So.......  
      I have actually seen women wearing "shorts" in public, which had so much pubic hair pushing  out from beneath the legs on their shorts, that it could be easily seen.  They must have known it, for they were pulling at their shorts attempting to cover it up, and it wasn't working.  I still see such from time to time when I go into  stores where a lot of women are shopping.
Honest Questions
       What is so beautiful about a woman's legs and thighs that women feel they must expose them to every man on the street, or wherever they go in public?  Yes, I am well aware that a woman's thighs and legs do contribute to the sexual pleasure of her husband in the privacy of their own bedchamber.  Shouldn't it be kept that way?  Read again Leviticus, chapters 18 and 20.  These chapters repeatedly state that "the nakedness of the woman" is not to be uncovered, other than by her own husband.  Now when a woman wears "shorts," are her legs and thighs "naked" or are they not?  Does her exposure of her legs and thighs cause sexual lusts in men other than her husband?  No!  Then why does the rate of rape of women continue to rise nearly every year, just as it has since the end of the Second World War?   Well.....??
     Criticism of My Observations
     I am well aware that some women who read this may take offense to my observations, and accuse me of trying to tell women what they should and should not be wearing.  If the reader is such a woman, and you don't like what I have written, I have no apology to make to you, and you have my express permission to "lump it, or stay mad."  Is this stated clearly enough?
Back to America's Birth Date
     Dear readers, this 4th of July will complete 242 years since America became a nation.  "2" is the Bible number which signifies, "to separate; to divide; to call out."  Then the number, "42" is the number in the Bible which signifies, "the coming of Christ."  Glory to the Lord!  Yes, what I am suggesting is that the Lord may come to resurrect and rapture His Church and believing saints to glory during this Independence Day observance on July 3rd and 4th.  I am not setting a "date," but only suggesting a "possibility."  
     Over the years of my life, I have personally known of people who died on their birthday; the same day of the year on which they were born.  This is not as rare as some might think.  In fact, it was reported on the news just recently that a certain celebrity died on his birthday.  
     If this sometimes happens to individuals, then why could it not happen to a nation?  This nation!  Think about it!
     It is quite obvious that the leftist liberals in this country literally despise President Trump and want him out of office.  They have tried to get his election declared illegal, by claiming that the Russians interfered in the electoral process in 2016.  That hasn't worked, as their so-called evidence was as phony as a four dollar bill.  But they haven't given up!
     President Trump was elected by some 80 percent of the American people, many of whom just didn't want Hillary Clinton elected.  But if the reader is familiar with Daniel 2:20-22, the inspired Word of God states quite plainly that Almighty God is the one who removes and sets up rulers over nations.  
     Folks, God gave America  President "Trump."  It ought to be glaringly obvious to our readers that this name at some time in the past was originally derived from the word, "Trumpet."  In other words, our President is God's Trumpet of warning to America, giving this country one last opportunity to repent and turn back to Him and to the Christian principles on which this nation was founded.  Has America as a nation and people paid attention to God's warning trumpet?  Not at all!
 America Today
     I have the habit, ever since I was a teenage child, of listening to the news on the radio, and today on the TV.  I like to know what is going on in the world, even if it is bad.  Folks, I have never previously  seen such wickedness and evil abounding [Matthew 24:12] in this country as I am seeing today.  And it is becoming steadily worse; not better, 2 Timothy 3:13.  Vicious crimes; murders, rapes, robberies, beatings, and mass shootings, are now occurring on a daily basis throughout America.  It is no longer safe to walk the streets of America alone at night.  Brazen home robberies and murders are occurring frequently all over this country.  Addiction to drugs and alcohol, are at an all time high, and growing worse with every passing day.  
     And yes, Bible believing Christians are not exempt.  Christian people are being publicly and privately ridiculed, and sometimes bodily attacked.  Arson and robbery of churches is steadily increasing. Desecration of Christian and Jewish cemeteries now often occurs.  There are actual movements against Christianity and the Bible today.  Folks, it is only going to get worse as time passes.  If the reader is a true believer and is not praying for the Lord's SOON coming, you ought to be!  
The Political Aspect of This Independence Day
     I have received information that the liberal left has planned a coup to take over and seize control of our American government, quite similar in detail to the coup by the Russian Bolsheviks in 1917.  And what happened to the King and his family ruling Russia at that time? And what will happen to President Trump and his family?   Need I say more?   
     And what "date" is this coup planned to occur?  Why, on America's birthday, of course;  July 3rd & 4th, 2018.   As I write, we are only four days away from Tuesday, July 3rd.   There may be some real "fire works" taking place on this 3rd & 4th of July.  
     Please understand that I am not dogmatically saying that this will happen on these dates.  I am only saying that I have received information about the possibility of such a coup happening.
      The Spiritual Aspect
      Are our readers aware that the Orthodox Jews teach that the Messiah will come for His bride on a Tuesday?  Now look at these numbers from a Biblical viewpoint.......
      July is the 7th month of the year.  "7" is the Bible number which signifies, "completion; to fulfill, finish, or complete."
      July 3rd is the third day of the month.  "3" is the Bible number which signifies, "The Trinity; the resurrection; the rapture."  
     2018 is the 18th year of this century.  "18" is the Bible number which signifies, "Bondage; slavery; and is a multiple of three sixes; 666."  
     But now let's add these three numbers drawn from July 3, 2018.  
     7 + 3 + 18 = 28.  "28" is the Bible number which signifies, "Eternal life."  All of this taken together appears to indicate that something is going to be completed on July 3rd, and one or more are going to receive eternal life.  Could it be that "the fulness of the Gentiles" [Romans 11:25] will be completed at that time, and the Dispensation of Grace will come to an end?  
     But what about July 4th?  The only numerical difference in the two days is that the number is increased by one.  Instead of it being the 3rd, it will be the 4th.  So now let's add up these numbers for July 4, 2018.
     7 + 4 +18 = 29.  "29" is the number in the Bible which signifies, "Departure; to depart; leave; go out."  Now who is it that is going to depart or leave or go out, on or during this July 3rd and 4th independence day celebration?  Could it be the Lord's Church and believing people?  Could it be that the resurrection and rapture will occur on Independence day, July 4th?  Could it be that God's people will be set FREE of this present evil world [Galatians 1:3-4], and FREE of our  fleshly "sin nature"  on that day?  Is this a possibility?
Conclusion
     Oh yes it is!  It is "possible" that within another five days we true believers could be "home" with our Lord in glory.  Folks, let's make this a matter of prayer.  Pray over this weekend like you have never prayed before.  Pray for the mercy of our Lord God in coming to take His people unto Himself, John 14:3.  Pray for our President and his family.  
     And any reader who does not have salvation or the assurance of salvation needs to seek the Lord in prayer for the salvation of your soul right now.  Time is running out, and you don't want to  be left behind when the rapture occurs, to enter into the terrible Tribulation period that is coming upon mankind on the earth following the rapture.  Call upon the Lord to save you right now!  Romans 10:8-13.  
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     Any reader wanting to contact me can do so by email or phone.  It is too late to get anything to me by postal mail.  My email address is.......
     francismriley34@gmail.com.    My phone number is 573-202-6493.  
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