Moneychangers Destroying America, And Christians Don't See It

[Kelly4C]

By Pastor Chuck Baldwin

February 26, 2008

NewsWithViews.com

"And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables." John 2:13-15 (KJV)

The moneychangers of Jesus' day were the equivalent of the international bankers of our day. With the consent and approbation of the Jewish leaders, these bankers set up shop in the Temple. Their purpose was to exchange whatever currency the Jewish worshipper brought with him or her into Jewish currency, which would then be used to purchase whatever sacrifice the worshipper required. Of course, the exchange rates benefited only the bankers and Jewish leaders (and Caesar, who collected a tax on the exchange, of course). For everyone else, the system was nothing more than legalized extortion.

When Jesus saw what the bankers were doing, He was incensed. And throughout the Gospel narratives, this is the only occasion where Jesus is recorded as resorting to violence. He made a scourge (or whip) and drove the bankers out of the Temple by force and destroyed their tables, along with their records, receipts, etc.

It is too bad that today's pastors and Christians do not share Jesus' disdain for the current generation of moneychangers, because it is the moneychangers who are in the process of destroying these United States of America--and our pastors and Christians either do not see it, or, if they do see it, do not seem to care.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/26/food.unitednations

[Nova]

Kelly, the link is for the UN food situation. Is there another link.

[Jaybird74]

The moneychangers of Jesus' day were the equivalent of the international bankers of our day. With the consent and approbation of the Jewish leaders, these bankers set up shop in the Temple. Their purpose was to exchange whatever currency the Jewish worshipper brought with him or her into Jewish currency, which would then be used to purchase whatever sacrifice the worshipper required. Of course, the exchange rates benefited only the bankers and Jewish leaders (and Caesar, who collected a tax on the exchange, of course). For everyone else, the system was nothing more than legalized extortion.

When Jesus saw what the bankers were doing, He was incensed. And throughout the Gospel narratives, this is the only occasion where Jesus is recorded as resorting to violence. He made a scourge (or whip) and drove the bankers out of the Temple by force and destroyed their tables, along with their records, receipts, etc.

It is too bad that today's pastors and Christians do not share Jesus' disdain for the current generation of moneychangers, because it is the moneychangers who are in the process of destroying these United States of America--and our pastors and Christians either do not see it, or, if they do see it, do not seem to care.


Jesus was incensed by what I bolded and underlined above - these moneychangers were doing their business in a place of worship - the most holy place for the Jewish faith - and their greed was tainting the image and surroundings of the Temple. THAT'S what got Jesus mad - i.e. do in the streets - but don't you DARE do it in My Father's House!

We can't control what the international bankers do in regards to currency - especially as long as they're not doing it in houses of worship. :idunno HOWEVER, if these bankers - or businesses associated with them - are making contributions, or back-alley deals with so-called religious congregations or spiritual groups (can't call them true churches), then I think all involved should be exposed - whatever denomination, whatever branch of faith.

The falling value of our currency - and the rising value of others' currencies - it's just a sign of the times - that we are in the End Times - that a one-world currency is inevitable because God says so in His Word. It's just coming more quickly than we thought - or else we're feeling the beginning pains of the change from our currency to the global one and it's not quite so beneficial. However, in comparison to the untold millions across this planet in third-world countries with widespread abject poverty - we've got it pretty good.

[SumSam]

Kelly, the link is for the UN food situation. Is there another link.

http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin431.htm

[seekingtruth1]

it may be a sign of the times and predestined but it was a choice......fiat currency is a scam! It has and will always fail.

Jesus was incensed by what I bolded and underlined above - these moneychangers were doing their business in a place of worship - the most holy place for the Jewish faith - and their greed was tainting the image and surroundings of the Temple. THAT'S what got Jesus mad - i.e. do in the streets - but don't you DARE do it in My Father's House!

We can't control what the international bankers do in regards to currency - especially as long as they're not doing it in houses of worship. :idunno HOWEVER, if these bankers - or businesses associated with them - are making contributions, or back-alley deals with so-called religious congregations or spiritual groups (can't call them true churches), then I think all involved should be exposed - whatever denomination, whatever branch of faith.

The falling value of our currency - and the rising value of others' currencies - it's just a sign of the times - that we are in the End Times - that a one-world currency is inevitable because God says so in His Word. It's just coming more quickly than we thought - or else we're feeling the beginning pains of the change from our currency to the global one and it's not quite so beneficial. However, in comparison to the untold millions across this planet in third-world countries with widespread abject poverty - we've got it pretty good.

[Kelly4C]

http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin431.htm

Thanks SumSam:)

[SumSam]

You're welcome! :hug

[Jaybird74]

seekingtruth - I don't disagree at all.

http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin431.htm

Interesting how the author shamelessly promoted Ron Paul . . . and I did a little further research into Paul's position with Israel, since the story of Jesus and the Temple was in the OP. While Paul favors elimination of foreign aid to Israel, he in a very libertarian fashion favors elimination of foreign aid to all countries. He stated that the Israel lobby (AIPAC) is a powerful force, controls votes, is for the war in Iraq - but ironically the one group that is opposed the current war in Iraq is American Jews - with 77% opposed to the war. Anti-semitic? Not so sure. Non-interventionalist? Yes.

Although some would call our lack of the support of Israel a very bad thing. However, with the amount of money we send their way, we have been actively putting in our two cents' worth regarding the division of not only the country, but the holy city of Jerusalem - if not vocally, then by the monies we send not only to the Israelis, but also the Palestinians.

My 2 cents.

[Christopher Clemons]

seekingtruth - I don't disagree at all.



Interesting how the author shamelessly promoted Ron Paul . . . and I did a little further research into Paul's position with Israel, since the story of Jesus and the Temple was in the OP. While Paul favors elimination of foreign aid to Israel, he in a very libertarian fashion favors elimination of foreign aid to all countries. He stated that the Israel lobby (AIPAC) is a powerful force, controls votes, is for the war in Iraq - but ironically the one group that is opposed the current war in Iraq is American Jews - with 77% opposed to the war. Anti-semitic? Not so sure. Non-interventionalist? Yes.

Although some would call our lack of the support of Israel a very bad thing. However, with the amount of money we send their way, we have been actively putting in our two cents' worth regarding the division of not only the country, but the holy city of Jerusalem - if not vocally, then by the monies we send not only to the Israelis, but also the Palestinians.

My 2 cents.

Well, I believe in the Republican debates, Mr. Paul made the argument that if we cut off foreign aid to Israel and the Arab countries both at the same time, the Arab nations would be hit FAR worse. Also, I agree with him when he said that a policy like that makes us look like we're treating Israel like a helpless child, which they most certainly are not.

[Nova]

Now that I read it. I don't agree with his conclusions.

As things get tougher, there is going to be alot of finger pointing. Who is to blame? I heard everything from conspiracy theories, to either political parties, to middle east groups, to banks, etc.

It is very hard to topple an economic system that is stable & debt free. Very, very hard. In fact, apart from war or a natural disaster that wipes out the country, just about impossible.

So if I were to choose one scripture that sums up why & how we got here-It would be

"the borrower is slave to the lender"

That is the factor that is driving our government's money policy. And by extension some of our foreign policy. We are in debt, deeply, deeply in debt. And without a solid manufacturing base, our foreign trade deficit will rise. Sure, because the value of the dollar is low, we are able to sell more cheaply overseas than in the past. But we have too few goods to sell to offset what we import.

And where does this money come from to fund our government & it's rising national debt? From revenues (ie taxes), investors in T-bills, or increasing currency (ie circulating more money.) Since the author is making banks out to be the evil meanie (and yes they are as greedy as the next person), let's go back to the Bible example. In our case, we aren't exchanging one item for another item of equal value. We are saying, let me borrow money & here is my IOU. And doing it year after year. The stack of IOUs to foreign governments & foreign investors (who hold more than 50% of T-bills) is adding up. Who would Jesus say is foolish? Both parties. But when foreign investors get tired of taking those IOUs, who will be worse off? We will.

There is talk that if the US collapses, then the whole world economy will collapse as well-paving the way for the One World government. And that is certain quite likely.

But if Jesus does tarry, then we is the US are heading for very hard times, maybe this year, maybe 10 years from now. I can't see us lasting more than 20years, at the rate our debt is rising. Another bubble would buy us time, but without fixing the core problems, we are destine to crash.

When the US crashes & if it takes other economy with it-what will the world say? Well, legitimately they will be pretty angry with us. Since other parts of the world have savings (like India & China), they will have an easier time recovering. But what will it say about our Christian witness, if our excess tanks their economies?