This past Monday morning I was mowing my front lawn. I was about half done when I thought I heard a rather loud, roaring sound. At first I thought it might be something wrong with the mower, so I ignored it. -- But a few seconds later the roaring returned, so I turned off the mower to listen --- and heard nothing but silence. - So I continued on and finished the job.
Thinking no more about it, I went up to my study and switched on the news. The headlines were focused on a cluster of rather large earthquakes taking place in Baja, California. --- And then it struck me...this roaring I heard took place at the same time as the events in Baja. -- How could it be that I was able to "hear" this since I was some 1300 miles away?
And then it occurred to me that in our morning Bible readings, my wife and I had covered Mark 13 which specifically talks about Christ's teachings on events leading up to His victorious return. In fact, verses 7 and 8 speak directly about earthquakes as well as other signs. It states, "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."
Those of you that have been around me know that its not my nature to over state of "run" with something like this. -- But I'm convinced that what I heard and what took place at the same moment in Baja was no coincidence.
To take it a step further, I believe that those of us who study prophetic scripture and how it relates to our world today will be, and are, "tuned in" to the actual events. I believe God is using us as messengers to trumpet His impending return. It's like the last chance for people so urgency is of the utmost priority. - to "hear" His judgements beginning to take place is a confirmation of this.
For years I've experienced periods of "spiritual noise" and these seem to be intensifying as of late. -- But to have it be this specific is a step to another level. It's exciting and a bit unsettling. I will keep you posted as to how it progresses along the way.
Having said that, why don't we take a quick look at some of the current "noise" on the prophetic world scene?
Just like when we see the convergence of certain meteorological events, we are now seeing this with the many worldly events that are currently taking place. It's like it's all lining up to be a prophetic "perfect storm".
It would be difficult to cover all of them, so today we'll cover just a few of the specifics --
World Economy - Although the powers that be in Washington and elsewhere in the world are saying we have passed the crisis point and signs of life are appearing on the economic horizon, let me tell you that it's only temporary, at best. -- Here's just a few highlights as to why:
• America's national debt already exceeds $11 trillion and the "geniuses" in power keep pushing additional programs that will only compound the problem. On top of that, the current global recession is starving the government of tax revenue, the source of which we pay our bills. To be specific, we've just experienced the biggest tax revenue drop since 1932, which was at the height of the Great Depression.
• China, which currently "owns" over a trillion dollars of U.S. debt, is extremely concerned about another market crash. If you weren't aware, their stock market is up more than 80% this year, and that's generally because of the one trillion stimulus package they implemented to help their struggling economy.
Between these two countries (the two largest economies), their currencies are not worth the paper they're printed on. Once all these loans come due, super inflation will hit their markets and their money will be worthless. -- I wonder how long the masses will remain calm when this happens.
• Oil, always a player in the world economy, is a major concern for the entire global picture. In fact, because of the lack of any substantial foundation, this same economy cannot sustain any further rise from the current level of $70 per barrel. - Fatih Birol, the International Energy Agency's chief economist, told the Financial Times that prices higher than $70 could dampen any chance of a world economic recovery.
Other huge concerns on the agenda besides "wars and rumors of wars" and Israel/Jerusalem are:
• Famine, drought, and newly emerging killer diseases (pestilence). Note: For specifics on these topics, see commentary "Behold - A Pale Horse Cometh" - dated 07/17/09.
And what about natural disasters such as earthquakes and killer storms? -- This area of prophecy has always been the least respected , even among believers. The mere mention of it usually evokes negative comments such as, "Come on, what else is new? There have always been earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes."
But those who have this attitude forget that Jesus said the signs would be like "birth pains" (Matthew 24:8). That means they will increase in frequency and intensity the closer we get to the Lord's return.
Here's just a few quick stats to support this:
• The British humanitarian coalition, Oxfam International, says that natural disasters have quadrupled in just the past two decades -- and they believe, because of climate change, that this is only the beginning.
• Also according to Oxfam, the number of people affected by natural disasters has surged by almost 70% -- from 174 million a year (1985 - 1994) to 254 million people (1995-2004).
So the "good" news continues. - Here's an example of what we hear from the U.N.:
• If you live by the coast, move inland to escape hurricanes and rising sea levels
• If you live inland, you may want to move closer to the coast to escape the increasing tornado strikes and the coming droughts
• If you live in the mountains, you might want to move to lower ground to escape the extreme cold weather, or ---
• If you live in the valleys, you might want to seek higher ground against tsunamis and flooding
--But no matter where you go, you are doomed!!!
Now if we do manage somehow to escape all this along with -- the Middle East on the brink of war -- the global economy on the edge of total collapse -- If we survive all this -- NASA says asteroids will hit us or Al Gore says global warming will kill us!
I find this "asteroid thing" interesting -- another modern-day phenomenon. National Geographic says, and I quote, "It is almost certain that Earth will be hit by an asteroid large enough to exterminate a large percentage of our planet’s life, including possibly over a billion people, according to researchers."
Since that article, we've heard this sentiment echoed again and again on talk shows, in Congressional testimony, in newspapers, and even movies ("Deep Impact", "Armageddon", etc.)
Scientists are now saying it isn't a matter of if, but when a killer asteroid will hit the earth, and we must do something now!
Over the past decade, America, as well as every other industrialized nation, has spent billions on systems to both track and destroy these N.E.O.'s (Near Earth Object).
Here's an interesting point -- there has NEVER been a killer asteroid strike in the recorded history of the human race -- but in the past decade, the fear of this occurring has reached panic proportions in some circles, especially NASA.
Are we having fun yet? Isn't this all so uplifting? -- But what does this picture mirror? -- It is the one painted by the Bible - what Jesus and the prophets spelled out in their teachings.
Jesus Himself warned of wars and rumors of wars, He predicted famine, earthquakes and pestilence, He warned of signs in the sun, moon and stars and of natural disasters. He also warned of the stress of nations. He said that men's hearts would fail them for fear of all these things that became out of their control.
Luke 21:25-27 states, "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."
This will be the result of those who are lost - for those who do not accept Jesus as their savior. That is why I continue to urge each of you to reach out to those you know who don't have the comfort and peace of knowing Jesus.
These are scary times, but what does our Savior tell us? I Peter 3:14 says, "Do not fear what they fear: do not be afraid."
So remember, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28)