From My Perspective - - -

The news is saturated with coverage of upheavals in North Africa and the Middle East. In the United States, the news is focused on State Governments on the brink of bankruptcy and Labor Unions who have called for strikes so Collective Bargaining will be preserved and enforced by the Labor Union. What will the end result be in North Africa and the Middle east – democratic governments formed and elected, or Islamic rule stepping into the chaos and confusion and asserting authority and control? Will the current regimes with the most guns and bullets quell the demonstrations and win? Will a religious instinct cause the unsuspecting and wearied to allow and embrace Islamic order and control?

In the United States, will elected officials exercise their responsibilities in their home state, or hide from those responsibilities and duties by escaping to a neighboring State? Is the action of the State Government primarily Budget Balancing or Union Busting? Is the issue one conjured up by Union Leadership that will enable the Union to maintain a position of power and influence in the financial affairs of the State? What should one make of the reports that have been headlined by the Maclver News Service of Wisconsin: “Fake Doctors’ Notes Being Handed Out at Wisconsin Government Union Rally”? The following is part of that report: “On Saturday, a group of men and women in lab coats purporting to be doctors were handing out medical excuse notes, without examining the ‘patients. I asked this doctor what he was doing and he told me they were handing out excuses to people who were feeling sick due to emotional, mental or financial distress…They never performed an exam – he asked me how I was feeling today and I said I’m from California and I’m not used to the cold, so he handed me a note.” The report states that the Doctor’s note contains the following: “The notes read – Date, Patient’s name, Date of birth - - To Whom it May Concern: This is confirm I have seen and evaluated the above named patient. Please excuse from work/school due to a medical condition from – (Dates) ______ through _____. Please contact me at badgerdoctors@gmail.com if additional information is needed. Thank you. Sincerely, Physician  Signature, Physician Name. WI license number.” If this report is true, there is obvious fraud and a breach of ethics by both the striking school personnel and the sympathetic medical physicians. One’s hope would be that this proves to be false.

There are some who are fearful that the world has moved too rapidly into chaotic conditions and that the beginning of Armageddon is upon us. Will sick notes for a sick society be sufficient to “save the day” and bring order and peace in all areas of the world? What do you think Jesus meant and alluded to in Matthew 24:3-14 (ESV), “…the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age? And Jesus answered them, See that no one leads you astray.For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray.And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places…Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.But the one who endures to the end will be saved.And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Does any of this sound familiar? Is it possible this is what is occurring in several places right now? Should we be warned and prepared by these world-wide reports today?

The only sick note for the sick society is not found in a physicians signed form. It will require a turning to The Great Physician who warns about the false hopes and proclamations made by charismatic and influential people calling out to be The Answer and desiring one to follow, His Word is – Matthew 24:27, “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Let your hope, purpose and confidence be placed in Him alone. Consider these things with me!