What if...12/28/2005 by Joel Akin

Lets start with a story that began a long, long time ago. It was the late 1700's and an order was made by the British to arrest two signers of the Declaration of Independence. Samuel Adams and John Hancock. It was known that the British were planning to come but no one knew when or how so a signal was made from the highest church tower that one lantern would signify by land and two if by sea. The British came by sea and two lanterns were lit.

The message had to get out and the messenger of the revolution was Paul Revere. Riding all night, barely escaping the British, he shouted across the countryside from town to town the Regulars are coming, the Regulars are coming.

We speak of things that have not yet happened here in America but I speak of things that could be and might be. I speak of things that need to be spoken. And sometimes God speaks to us in ways that are so unusual that we do not really understand the fullness of those things.

A few weeks ago, as of this writing, there was an explosion at a Petrochemical plant in Jilin, China. The explosion released Benzine into the Songhua river. It took awhile for the message to filter down river as the Chinese officials tried to keep secret that a derivative of gasoline was on its way down the river to the city of Harbin. When news finally reached the city of millions everyone had to plan ahead. Some went into the country, some stocked up on bottled water, some fled by plane and by train.

Why Harbin? It may surprise some that the map above is from National Geographic 1904 edition. It was in 1903 that the Jewish people came to Harbin fleeing persecution in Russia. There are deep Jewish roots in this part of China. And the name Harbin? Is it any coincidence that the word Harbinger must be a derivative from this city? We know that a harbinger is a warning of things to come. In an old dictionary I have, the Universal Dictionary of the English Language, it speaks of several key things in relationship to harbinger. (A harbourer)

1. One who not merely announced the approaching arrival of a guest, but made all ready for his reception.

2. A messenger who announced the coming of the king

3. One that goes before and foretells what is coming.

It was the harbinger who carried the news but the word harbinger is odd in that it also means harborer. A harborer is a refuge, a place of security, a port, a haven.

If we study the root meaning of the word it comes from herr-an army and bjarga to save or shelter.

In Paul Reveres case we have some prophetic images. First the British Regulars had to cross a harbor before they could reach land. Once they reached land they had to make their way by road to reach the two men they were sent to arrest.

But somehow word escaped of the British plan and two lanterns were swung from the church belfry to signify the enemy was coming by sea. This was before the days of telegraphs or telephones and the only way to signify the coming of the enemy was by two lights shining from the highest points of the land.

Lets go back to the city of Harbin in Manchuria. There was an explosion at a Petrochemical plant and Benzine along with a few other toxins were spilled into the river. What is so odd about this? First we have to understand a few small details. Benzine actually is a derivative which comes from a tree and is found in the Asia region. The area of the explosion was not far from North Korea and Russia. Two close nations. Benzine is a derivative used in the production of gasoline. Now this may sound awkward and strange but to put these things together you have to arrive at a destination and there has to be a warning of things to come.

For America we know that the biggest weakness we have in the natural is oil and gasoline. President George Bush has been doing everything in his power to try and prevent an explosion in the middle east so that the oil fields of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran and so forth are not set on fire. But the real question here is "Is it a losing battle"? For what if?

So here is the story as a what if. American liberalists take over the white house and force out those who desire independence and are not afraid to fight for it. They have staked their life that America shall reign and be free of foreign influence. They remove the army from Iraq. Suddenly there is an explosion in the middle east. The oil fields of the entire region are on fire and the flames and smoke reach our shores. Suddenly you have cataclysm that carries on the rivers all around the world carrying their poisons with them.

Not only is America short on oil but suddenly Russia, North Korea, China are also short of oil. Their economy is on the verge of collapse. But by Gods grace America stands a chance of being independent. For I believe that God has prepared a way for America to stand against the oil of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. I believe God is sending a message to us just as He did with Paul Revere. Paul shouted the Regulars are coming. I know this is far-fetched but is it strange that when you used to go to the gas station the first question they would ask is "regular or unleaded?" We are living in a strange prophetic time when we are still asked that same type of question.

So what is the key we are seeking? Who is the harbinger and what is that message? Are we ready for the world that is coming? Are we prepared for the coming of Christ Jesus? Even the scripture is clear that he comes on horse with his army. There is a war that threatens us. A question of ideologies and dreams. Of men with opposition in beliefs who wish to stamp out the fires of independence. The toxins are flowing towards us leading us to a shortage in the things that count the most.

But there are a few messengers ready and willing to carry forward by shining their light from the highest point in the land. In Paul Reveres time they were not waiting for the sounding of the bell or the one that shouted the loudest. They were looking for the lights to shine. But they didn't know if it would be one light or two. And sometimes we have to be careful so that when the enemy comes in like a flood that we have the Standard to raise against him.