Posts Tagged ‘Revelation’

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“And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun…and men were scorched with great heat” – Revelation 16:8-9

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

(June 6, 2010)  In the last couple of years Hollywood has produced two apocalyptic movies (Knowing and 2012) in which the sun played a role in devastating the earth. I do not know whether or not the Bible played any role in the development of the storylines of these two movies. However, according to the Bible the sun does play a part in the judgment of the earth towards the end of the seven-year Tribulation Period.

John saw the future and wrote what he observed in the Book of Revelation (“Write what you see in a book” - Rev. 1:11) . He witnessed the Tribulation Period when men’s judgments and God’s judgments devastate the earth. The final judgments he saw were the seven bowls being poured out on the earth. He writes what occurred when the fourth bowl judgment takes place, “8 And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory.” John doesn’t say exactly how the sun scorches men (i.e. solar eruptions, deterioration of the earth’s atmosphere, etc.) only that they are still alive after this judgment occurs. 

Scientists are meeting this Tuesday at the Space Weather Enterprise Forum in Washington D.C. to discuss severe space weather events and how they will impact the earth (As the Sun Awakens, NASA Keeps a Wary Eye on Space Weather). This article reports:

“Earth and space are about to come into contact in a way that’s new to human history. To make preparations, authorities in Washington DC are holding a meeting: The Space Weather Enterprise Forum at the National Press Club on June 8th.

Many technologies of the 21st century are vulnerable to solar storms. Richard Fisher, head of NASA’s Heliophysics Division, explains what it’s all about:

‘The sun is waking up from a deep slumber, and in the next few years we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity. At the same time, our technological society has developed an unprecedented sensitivity to solar storms. The intersection of these two issues is what we’re getting together to discuss.’”

The article goes on to speak of some of the possible technological problems the earth might experience as a result of increasing solar activity:

“The National Academy of Sciences framed the problem two years ago in a landmark report entitled “Severe Space Weather Events—Societal and Economic Impacts.” It noted how people of the 21st-century rely on high-tech systems for the basics of daily life. Smart power grids, GPS navigation, air travel, financial services and emergency radio communications can all be knocked out by intense solar activity. A century-class solar storm, the Academy warned, could cause twenty times more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina.”

A History Channel You Tube video discusses this very subject:

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Some have tried to connect any cosmological upheaval with the Mayan prophecy which states the year 2012 is the end of a long cycle of time (although not the end of the world). On another You Tube video a NASA scientist dismisses the idea that there is a correlation between the Mayan prophecy and an increase of solar activity over the next couple of years:

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I too see no eschatological significance to the year 2012. Since the prophesied bowl judgments occur at the end of the seven-year Tribulation Period it will probably be at least six years from the beginning of that time period before those judgments take place. When they do occur though, somehow the sun will heat up the earth to a point where many of the inhabitants of the earth will curse God.

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Hell Came Up

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

(January 16, 2010) There was a recent headline on the Drudge Report that stated “Hell Came Up”. It linked to an article describing the incredible devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. As I watched the news reports and images of the pain and suffering of the Haitian people I thought that headline was the most accurate description of what was happening in Haiti. It also reminded me that according to End-Times prophecy the Devil is going to unleash his demonic hordes from the pit of hell upon the inhabitants of the earth: “1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (Revelation 9:1-6) Jesus said concerning the Devil, “10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10) By the end of the Tribulation Period, the tragic devastation that occurred in Haiti will have been experienced by the whole world. Truly a global holocaust. Thus it is understandable why Jesus and the prophet Daniel said that time will be unlike any other time in the history of humanity.

I would point out that the greatest demonic activity in history occurred while Jesus walked the earth. I believe that demonic activity will increase the closer we get to the Tribulation Period. Once that time begins the demonic activity will surpass the three and one half years that Jesus spent among His creation. The spirit of Antichrist will arise and devastate the world yet it will be crushed at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

[ There are many Christian organizations reaching out to help the people of Haiti during this horrific time. If you wish to help I would suggest you check out World Vision which has been involved in helping underdeveloped countries for decades in the name of Christ. Their website is www.worldvision.org ]

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World ending in 2012 according to ancient Mayans and others?

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

2012(October 13, 2009)  Between the History Channel, Jack Van Impe, Hollywood, and the Media one could get the idea that something cataclysmic is going to occur in December of 2012. Two days ago the Drudge Report linked to an article titled “2012 isn’t the end of the world, Mayans insist”. The article states,

 “Apolinario Chile Pixtun is tired of being bombarded with frantic questions about the Mayan calendar supposedly “running out” on Dec. 21, 2012. After all, it’s not the end of the world.

Or is it?

Definitely not, the Mayan Indian elder insists. “I came back from England last year and, man, they had me fed up with this stuff.”

It can only get worse for him. Next month Hollywood’s “2012″ opens in cinemas, featuring earthquakes, meteor showers and a tsunami dumping an aircraft carrier on the White House.

At Cornell University, Ann Martin, who runs the “Curious? Ask an Astronomer” Web site, says people are scared.

“It’s too bad that we’re getting e-mails from fourth-graders who are saying that they’re too young to die,” Martin said. “We had a mother of two young children who was afraid she wouldn’t live to see them grow up.”

Chile Pixtun, a Guatemalan, says the doomsday theories spring from Western, not Mayan ideas.

A significant time period for the Mayas does end on the date, and enthusiasts have found a series of astronomical alignments they say coincide in 2012, including one that happens roughly only once every 25,800 years.

But most archaeologists, astronomers and Maya say the only thing likely to hit Earth is a meteor shower of New Age philosophy, pop astronomy, Internet doomsday rumors and TV specials such as one on the History Channel which mixes “predictions” from Nostradamus and the Mayas and asks: “Is 2012 the year the cosmic clock finally winds down to zero days, zero hope?”

Hollywood has a movie coming out in November of this year called 2012. The trailer reveals all types of catastrophes that might take place in that year:

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The God who created the world has revealed His plans for the End-Times in His word, the Bible. He states, “9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)  Only God can say when future events will take place. Jesus said concerning His return, “36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)  Jesus said this after giving signs to His followers to watch for so that they would “know that [the end] is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:33)  But of the day and hour (and therefore the year) no one knows. Not the Mayans nor Nostradamus nor astrologers nor cult leaders nor any human being or angel knows the exact time of Jesus’ return.

Even End-Times evangelist Jack Van Impe seems to be caught up in the hype surrounding this Mayan “prophecy”:

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One of the points of contention I have with Dr. Van Impe is that he declares the Bible says the world is never going to end. To support this he references Isaiah 45:17, “17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end” and Ephesians 3:21, “21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”  These two passages are from the King James Version of the Bible. However, the other major translations render the phrase “world without end” as “to ages everlasting” (NIV), “to all eternity” (NASB), “to all eternity” (ESV), “forever and ever” (New King James) etc. The Bible makes it clear that there is going to be a new earth and that the old earth is going to pass away, “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (II Peter 3:10-11)  In the Book of Revelation John says, “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1)

The world is going to end one day but that is at least seven years away because of the biblical prophecies which  declare seven years of trouble are coming upon the earth in the form of God’s judgments. In describing this future time of apocalyptic events Jesus said, “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22) 

The world will not end in 2012 but the time of tribulation could start at any time from here on out.

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Is the way being prepared for the “kings of the east”?

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
China's army

China's army

(March 26, 2009)  China disputed a new U.S. report that assessed its increasing military power “as a ‘gross distortion’ and interference in its affairs.” (China criticizes new U.S. report on its military)  The most revealing statement the report made was “that China is developing longer-range capabilities that could have an effect beyond the Asia-Pacific region.”  In the Book of Revelation there are three sets of seven judgments that occur during the seven-year Tribulation Period that is coming upon the whole world. Concerning this time Jesus declared, “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22). The first set is the opening of the seven seals, the second is the sounding of the seven trumpets, and the third set is the pouring out of the seven bowls (vials in the King James English). In the second set of judgments, John the servant of God to whom God revealed the future, describes the sounding of the sixth trumpet, “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: 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)  John hears the command for the four angels who are apparently guarding the Euphrates River to prepare to  release an army of 200 million soldiers so that they can cross the river and slay a third of the humans still living on the earth at that time. Some scholars believe this means that the Euphrates River will dry up so that a large army can pass through it. John describes what seems to be an army of 200 million supernatural beings on horses. However, he was using his First Century experiences to describe something that happens in at least the 21st Century so the language he uses could be referring to a modern mechanized army. The actual crossing of the river doesn’t take place until the sixth bowl judgment (which is the second to the last judgment of the earth during the Tribulation Period) as John states, “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…16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” (Revelation 16:12-14,16) Who are these “kings of the east” (literally in the original Greek: “kings of the rising [sun]“)? Among some prophecy students the belief is that these kings are leaders of an Asian confederation. It is obvious that China alone could field a 200 million soldier army. This army will cross the Euphrates River on its way to Israel where it will fight against the armies of the Antichrist on the plains of Israel in a final battle known as Armageddon. This war will be interrupted by the second coming of Jesus Christ who will destroy the armies of the world and set up His kingdom on earth (Revelation ch.19). As I said at the beginning, the U.S. report on the strength of the Chinese military made a revealing statement when it said that “China is developing longer-range capabilities that could have an effect beyond the Asia-Pacific region.” 

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EU presidency: US stimulus is ‘the road to hell’

Friday, March 27th, 2009
EU President Mirek Topolanek

EU President Mirek Topolanek

(March 25, 2009)  This recent headline may be more prophetic than the leader who said it realizes:  EU presidency: US stimulus is ‘the road to hell’  Czech Prime Minister and current President of the European Union Mirek Topolanek declared, “All of these steps, these combinations and permanency is the road to hell. We need to read the history books and the lessons of history and the biggest success of the (EU) is the refusal to go this way. Americans will need liquidity to finance all their measures and they will balance this with the sale of their bonds but this will undermine the liquidity of the global financial market.” The article states that other EU leaders tried to downplay his remarks, “It was the strongest pushback yet from a European leader as the 27-nation bloc bristles from U.S. criticism that it is not spending enough to stimulate demand. Shocked by the outburst, other European politicians went into damage control mode, with some reproaching the Czech leader for his language and others reaffirming their good diplomatic ties with the United States. The leaders of EU’s major nations — France, Britain and Germany, among others — largely ignored Topolanek and his remarks.”

One day a global economic collapse will lead to the rise of the Antichrist. In the Book of Revelation John saw a judgment come upon the earth that caused economic distress. He wrote what God showed him, “5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6) This passage is saying that it will take a day’s wages to buy food at the beginning of God’s final judgment of the earth. Jesus declared that some of the signs before His second coming would be, “7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:7-8) Economic chaos can lead to famines and pestilences. As a result of the tribulation the world is thrust into an evil leader will rise on the global scene. He will seem to have all the answers to the world’s problems and Revelation ch. 13 declares that the world will “wonder” or worship and follow after him. However, his true nature will be exhibited when he is possessed by the Devil who will give him his full authority to take his wrath out on the world.  Just as Adolph Hitler came to power out of the economic crisis in Germany after WWI so too the Antichrist will arise out of a global economic crisis. Then the world will truly be on “the road to hell”. Whether or not the current global situation is the precursor to his ascendancy remains to be seen. If not, then it will be a very similar scenario sometime in the future that will lead to the fulfillment of biblical End-Times prophecy.

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ABC News: Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

apocalypse(June 12, 2008)  ABC is promoting a September television special in which experts will discuss the survival of humanity. (Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts) In times of severe trouble most people look to God for the answers to what they are experiencing. Is what the world going through currently of biblical significance or just a cyclical experience that humanity has endured throughout the ages? This article quotes both skeptics and believers. However, there is more to the biblical apocalypse than just ecological upheaval. Humanity itself is going to be judged. Along with cataclysmic disasters, evil world leaders will strive for ascendancy on the political and economic systems of the world. One in particular will succeed for a time. Eventually the other leaders will come against him in a final war. The difference between the disasters and human rulers of the past 1800 years and now is that Israel has become a nation again. Prophecies that could not have been fulfilled (e.g. such as the whole world being able to witness the same event or the Third Temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem) are now in play.

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Oil prices spark food riots in Egypt

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

(May 14, 2008)  As I have pointed out in other news stories, oil prices affect the costs of almost all commodities including food. In Egypt the price of bread is skyrocketing and leading to violence over the increasing costs of food staples. (OPEC Stands Silent While Oil Prices Spark Food Riots In Neighboring Egypt) The article states that ten people have been killed while waiting in bread lines. A three dollar bag of flour costs forty-five dollars on the black market. Thus far, OPEC nations have been unwilling to help out their Arab neighbor. The Bible predicts famines in the End-Times that will cause an upheaval in the global community. Out of this an evil world leader will arise seemingly having the answers to all the world’s problems. With China and India’s population growth and thereby oil consumption increases, it seems unlikely that the oil problem will go away in the long term. This means that the price of commodities will continue to increase and societal unrest will follow in its wake.

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CIA director warns of Chinese military buildup

Thursday, May 8th, 2008
chinaarmy

China's army

(May 8, 2008)  CIA director said that China’s military buildup and international behavior could lead to an adversarial relationship with the rest of the world. (CIA: China’s military could get ‘adversarial’) The article reports, “China and India will affect strategic planning, he said. ‘Competition for influence will characterize the relationships between China, India, Japan and other emerging powers,’ Hayden said during a speech at Kansas State University.
‘But China, a communist-led nuclear state that aspires to and will likely achieve great power status during this century, will be the focus of American attention in that region of the world.’”

I believe it is biblically significant that the director mentions India and Japan along with China as seeking a greater influence in the world. It seems that they are following an aggressive military policy which will one day lead them to involve themselves in a devastating worldwide war.

In the Book of Revelation God showed to His servant John what would take place at the end of the current age. He told him to write down the things he saw and heard. In Revelation 9 John saw the judgments of God falling on the earth. Each of these judgments were preceded by an angel blowing a trumpet. When he heard the sixth angel blowing his trumpet he saw and heard the event that was unleashed by this angel:

“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: 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 9:14-19)

Later on John saw the final series of God’s judgments on the world. These were initiated by angels pouring out vials or bowls of judgment upon the earth:

“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)

John heard the command for the angels in charge of the Euphrates River to go into action. As we see this action involves the drying up of this river. It would appear the reason for this is to allow a large army to pass through it uninhibited. John heard the number of soldiers in this army to be 200 million “horsemen”. The description of the devastating capabilities of these horsemen can lead one to believe that what John saw was unfamiliar to his “First Century” eyes. It may very well be that he was seeing a modern mechanized army. This army will be led by the “kings of the east”, those that live east of the Euphrates River. These kings could consist of China, India, Japan, and the other Asian countries. The combined population of these countries consists of billions of people which would be more than enough to field a military force of 200 million soldiers. It is interesting that at this time the Euphrates River is under the control of the United States military in Iraq. However I cannot say what, if any, role the U.S. would play in this area leading up to the “battle of that great day of God Almighty” or Armageddon as it is more popularly known.

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Worldwide famine in the near future?

Friday, April 18th, 2008

(April 18, 2008)  The last couple of months global food prices and shortages have been in the news. The price of the world’s food staple, rice, is soaring to all-time highs. (Jump in rice price fuels fears of unrest) Rising prices affect over 2.5 billion people in Asia alone. Egypt and India are protecting their own supplies of the grain.

The Financial Times reports that record levels of oil and rice prices could lead to widespread social unrest. (Oil and rice race to record levels)

Australia’s drought is contributing to the shortage of rice around the world. (As Australia dries, a global shortage of rice)
This article states, “The collapse of Australia’s rice production is one of several factors contributing to a doubling of rice prices in the last three months — increases that have led the world’s largest exporters to restrict exports severely, spurred panicked hoarding in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and set off violent protests in countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, the Philippines, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Yemen.”

Rising oil prices are affecting the cost of most commodities. Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press Economics Writer, reports that wholesale prices have increased substantially. (Wholesale prices soared in March) The article states: “With the crude oil price rising to a record close of $113.79 per barrel on Tuesday, analysts said consumers should be braced for more bad inflation news to come. ‘Wholesale prices are rising and the consumer should expect more shocks at the supermarket and the gas station,’ said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors.”

Ellen Simon, AP Business Writer, also reports on the rising food costs and how they affect the population, especially lower income families:
“For the U.S. poor, any increase in food costs sets up an either-or equation: Give something up to pay for food.
‘I was talking to people who make $9 an hour, talking about how they might save $5 a week,’ said Kathleen DiChiara, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. ‘They really felt they couldn’t. That was before. Now, they have to.’ For some, that means adding an extra cup of water to their soup, watering down their milk, or giving their children soda because it’s cheaper than milk, DiChiara said.” (Food Costs Rising Fastest in 17 Years)

An article in the British newspaper The Independent is titled “USA 2008: The Great Depression” and speaks of the growing number of Americans (28 million) using food stamps (USA 2008: The Great Depression)

According to CBS News: “there have been food riots in Haiti, Bangladesh, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mozambique and Senegal. Rising prices have hit poor countries like Peru (and even developed countries like Italy and the United States).” (Food Shortages Herald “New Era Of Hunger”)

There seems to be no glimmer of hope in the future with rising fuel prices adding to the cost of everything. The Bible indicates that near the time of the end there is going to be a worldwide famine:

“5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)

The cost of wheat and barley in this passage declares that a day’s wages will be necessary to pay for food staples at some point in the future. Out of this famine a global leader will arise and seem to have all of the answers to the world’s problems including the economic woes of the people. Just such a scenario played out in the 1920s and 30s when Adolph Hitler used the people’s suffering to rise to power. So too will the Antichrist.

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Foreclosures a sign of hard economic times ahead?

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

(March 11, 2008)  USA Today reports that home foreclosures are having a rippling effect on the U.S. economy. (Foreclosure crisis has ripple effect)

The foreclosure crisis in the U.S. is spreading to other areas of American society. According to this USA Today article:

“The mortgage foreclosure crisis has caused a drop in cities’ revenues, a spike in crime, more homelessness and an increase in vacant properties, a survey of elected local officials out today shows.”

This problem along with the U.S. dollar’s value falling around the world and oil and gas prices spiraling out of control are indicators that the economy of America and possibly the whole world is in dire straits. History has shown us that America and the world have rebounded from economically tough times in the past. However, the Great Depression of the 1930s led to the rise of evil dictators who eventually led the world into a devastating World War. How far the economic indicators fall remains to be seen. The Bible does indicate that at some future point there will be economic devastation around the world that will eventually lead to the rise of a world leader who will seemingly have the answers to the world’s problems.

In Revelation 6 God’s servant John is shown some events that have worldwide effects. He sees these four horsemen who are unleashed upon the world who initiate a series of judgments upon the earth:

“5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:5-8)

What John saw was food staples such as wheat and barley costing a day’s wages. This would indicate that some economic calamity had occurred in the world. After this he sees death from hunger and the animals of the world. These too would be the result of an economic disaster that would cause not only humans to starve but animals also who would resort to killing people in order to eat. The rest of Revelation deals with what Christians call the Tribulation Period and the rise of the Antichrist and the devastation of the earth and its inhabitants that follows it. As I stated above, it was just such circumstances that afforded a type of Antichrist to enter into world history in the 1930s.

I believe that one day America will cease to be a superpower. The reason for this is because the Bible declares that in the future Israel will be attacked by numerous countries in and around the Middle East. (See my article on this site “Coming Invasion of Israel”) Right now America is protecting Israel from the aggression of other countries. However, if we become militarily or economically impotent then these countries will not have to fear America’s military forces and would feel they could attack Israel with impunity. Like all prophecies in the Bible, the timing of these events is in God’s domain and His alone.

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