(November 20, 2008) The economies of the world seem to be on the verge of collapse and it is causing fear around the world. (Fear stalks the world’s economies) According to this article, “Market analysts said panic had set in among traders. ‘Markets are utterly unhinged,’ said Bill O’Donnell, a strategist at UBS. ‘One problem is that financial institutions are powerless to take the other side of panic trades.’” As I pointed out in other news items in this section, the Bible declares that in the last days there will be worldwide chaos leading to famines, pestilences, and worthless economies. The use of the word fear has a prophetic air, “25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:25-28) Jesus said in the last days men’s hearts will fail them for fear and on earth there will be distress of nations.
The Book of Revelation speaks of an earth-shaking economic collapse, “1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 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, 13 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. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” (Revelation 18:1-24) The historical Babylon is located in Iraq however John may be speaking of a metaphorical Babylon representing the evil in this world. In this instance it is the evil economic systems that have turned people from God and oppressed the people of the world. John is describing what he sees in at least the 21st century since this hasn’t taken place yet. He says that he sees this collapse occur in one day and the world is devastated by it. They had put their trust in riches and now those riches are gone. Fear and distress will indeed be the appropriate responses.
More predictions of the decline and fall of America
Reuters reports that the National Intelligence Council foresees a decline in American power and influence. (UPDATE 2-US clout down, risks up by 2025 -intel outlook) The article states, “U.S. economic and political clout will decline over the next two decades and the world will be more dangerous, with food and water scarce and advanced weapons plentiful, U.S. spy agencies projected on Thursday.” I believe that America has to become either economically or militarily impotent or both and therefore become unwilling or unable to protect Israel. (The Decline & Fall of America) The Bible prophesies of a war where countries surrounding Israel invade it to their own peril in the last days. (Coming Invasion of Israel) No non-Arabic country in the world would take on Israel as long as the powerful United States is protecting it. If the U.S. becomes impotent militarily then there is no more deterrent to those who would destroy Israel. The article further states, “‘A world with multiple power centers has been less stable than one with a single or two rival superpowers, and there was a growing potential for conflict…Strategic rivalries are most likely to revolve around trade, investments and technological innovation and acquisition, but we cannot rule out a 19th century-like scenario of arms races, territorial expansion and military rivalries,’ the report said.” According to this assessment, a weakened America will lead to a more unstable world in which military alliances (like the one mentioned in Ezekiel) will be able to act upon their territorial expansion designs.
Professor Igor Panarin, a leading Russian political analyst, stated that the United States is headed for an economic collapse, confirming a prediction he made in 1998 when America’s economy was strong. (RUSSIAN ANALYST PREDICTS DECLINE AND BREAKUP OF USA) The article reports him saying that the U.S. will break up into six sections: “Asked why he expected the U.S. to break up into separate parts, he said: ‘A whole range of reasons. Firstly, the financial problems in the U.S. will get worse. Millions of citizens there have lost their savings. Prices and unemployment are on the rise. General Motors and Ford are on the verge of collapse, and this means that whole cities will be left without work. Governors are already insistently demanding money from the federal center. Dissatisfaction is growing, and at the moment it is only being held back by the elections and the hope that Obama can work miracles. But by spring, it will be clear that there are no miracles.’” When asked who would replace the U.S. as the economic power of the world he said, “Two countries could assume this role: China, with its vast reserves, and Russia, which could play the role of a regulator in Eurasia.” According to biblical prophecy Russia is going to lead a coalition of countries against Israel (click on the link above “Coming Invasion of Israel”). China too may be the prophetic fulfillment of two passages in Revelation that describes a coalition of countries that invade the Middle East: “13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand [i.e. 200 million men]: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.” (Revelation 9:13-19) “12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Revelation 16:12-14)
(December 27, 2008) The governor of Oregon is looking for ways to increase tax revenue for the state’s transportation system. He wants to initiate this new source of funding during the 2009 Oregon legislative session. (Kulongoski to pursue mileage tax) It seems that Oregonians like the rest of America has been traveling less and consequently using less gas. This results in lower fuel tax revenues for the state. The governor’s solution is to use satellites to track the mileage each citizen uses and tax them based on each mile they drive. The article points out there are some critics of this proposal who are afraid the government would use the technology to track the travel locations of drivers. As with all other technology, its use by benign governments would not seem to be a problem. However, one day the governments of the world will come under the control of a malignant force who will use technology to impose its will on the citizens of the world. (see Revelation ch.13)
