The tenth day of the fifth month in the 2729th year of our dispersion.

Does the localization of government power affect the way יהוה deals with a nation? After all, the Scriptures have plenty of stories about how an entire country was affected based on the decision of the monarch. Our federal government currently usurps most of the power that should have been granted to the states and local governments. Therefore, יהוה is more likely to look at the United States as a whole. As a whole, it is a very sinful place full of moral disease and filth.

What if power were decentralized? Defederalized? What if the states had the power originally granted to them by the Constitution? What if the federal government gave up all that did not belong to it? Would יהוה be more likely to deal with the states individually? Here is what I am thinking: If the righteous gathered themselves in a single state, in one location, would that location receive the blessings of יהוה? Or is it better to have us spread out like we are? It seems like the few thousand in Elijah's day who did not bow the knee to Ba'al were unknown to him, which suggests that they were spread out and acting sort of "incognito." I'm trying to reconcile the notion that the children of light just put up with oppression and incopetence in government and pray for change, and the way of Phineas who bypassed the whole system, acted as judge, jury, and executioner, and received יהוה's full blessing for it. Either way, though, the freedom to enact Godly legislation at the local and state level without interference and oppression from the Federal government will only come if we elect Ron Paul. I just wish we all lived together in a community where we could enforce the Torah on a broader scale.

I am fascinated with the concept of gold and silver forming the basis for both ancient and future currency. Depending on how literally one takes the prophecy of the Apocalypse, the metals will return again to prominence; I believe Revelation 18:12-13 lists the economic priorities of the satanic Babylonian kingdom of the end times in order from most to least important: "The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men." However, afterward when the judgment of יהוה comes, according to Ezekiel 7:19, "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity." So it seems to me that in the future, gold and silver will be extremely valued, and then when things get really bad they will have no value. At some point the wise decision will be to exchange gold and silver for commodities like food and water. Of course, our Father knows what we need and will be happy to continue providing for us. But smart economic decisions are also recommended by the Almighty. (The smartest being to transfer wealth into the Kingdom of Heaven which lasts forever.) Some would also argue that "gold and silver" are an idiom for any instrument of currency. Looking at the history of fiat and the recent bull market in the precious metals market, though... makes me wish I would have sunk everything into metal about seven years ago.

Either way, though, we will be fugitives at some point. The world is going to hate us for following the laws of יהוה. Therefore electronic currency which can be easily "frozen" or confiscated might be unwise. (The latest horrible EO from our President allows for the confiscation of all property by the Treasury dept. for some very vague and undefined crimes.) Things one would be able to use in a black-market barter system would be much more appropriate. Gold and silver just happen to have the small size and large relative value that make them easy to use as currency. It's not too hard to trade a cow for some grain, but it is hard to stock up on cows or grain in this age, depending on where you live. (They are also both perishable.) A good amount of gold or silver, untraceable, unknown, hidden away on one's property, might be useful in such a situation. More useful than "federal reserve notes" at least. I only wish I could afford those kinds of investments. One measly troy ounce of gold is now worth $685.