January 30, 2009
Last week, I talked about how I didn't think that Obama was the Anti-Christ, but mentioned the similarities of how it will be when the evil one emerges. --- Well, have any of you noticed what's going on around the world? As we speak, not only is the financial meltdown happening in America, it's spreading like wildfire across the globe. In fact, the world economy is deteriorating more quickly than most leading economists predicted only a few weeks ago.
Let's start with Iceland. Its banks have failed and not long after, its coalition government collapsed. Needless to say, this has caused major turmoil and unrest in a country that otherwise has always been calm and steadfast.
Just down the ocean a ways, Britain posted its worst quarterly contraction since 1980 on the heels of sharper than expected slowdowns reported from Germany to China to South Korea. The grim data, analysts said, underscores how the burst of the biggest credit bubble in history is seeping into the economies around the world, silencing construction cranes, bankrupting businesses, and throwing millions of people out of work.
"In just the past few days, we've had a big downward revision. We're seeing that an even bigger deceleration is on the way, much bigger than we thought", said Simon Johnson, former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund.
Continuing, analysts are extremely concerned about the slowdown in China and the recession in Europe. China, a nation of over one billion people, fears massive unrest as unemployment soars. -- The problems in Europe now appear to be bad, if not worse, than those in the U.S. -- In fact, the European Union has began closely monitoring the spread of civil unrest. There are signs of rapid deterioration in many areas such as Germany, France, and elsewhere. We've certainly seen major civil disruption in Greece. The problems are, on the surface, blamed on a teen shooting, but believe me when I say it was just the trigger to a loaded gun.
And what about Eastern Europe? Latvia just exploded into riots and its public is demanding early elections. There's no jobs and dwindling supplies. Lithuania, along with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are not any better off. Europeans by and large have compared the current unrest to the events of the 1930's when the Great Depression fueled upheaval across the continent and gave rise to isolationism and fascism.
I could go on, but you get the picture. -- So what does all this mean? -- Let's take a short walk down memory lane for a moment. After World War I the defeated nation of Germany was in chaos, both politically and financially. In fact, their currency was so worthless that it took a wheel barrow full to buy a loaf of bread! -- To say the least, they were desperate and vulnerable.
So, who comes along to solve their problems? -- None other than Adolph Hitler. -- Simply put, he had a plan and a desperate people bought it. He came to power by rebuilding their economy and giving them a renewed hope. -- Of course, we know the rest of the story. As Germanys leader, he became a monster sweeping the world into the Holocaust (Yes, it was real) and brought twelve years of living hell to the earth.
Today, we are not far from the same exact scenario, only this time, it's worldwide! The table is being set for the next "savior of the world" and I'm speaking, of course, about the Anti-Christ.
The three main places in the Bible that provide most of what we know about this coming world ruler is Daniel, Chapters 7 through 12, II Thessalonians 2, and Revelation 13. -- In Revelation 13, we have a description of this Anti-Christ who, in my opinion, will soon be the head of the European Union, the revived Roman Empire. This will be His platform and power base. (A complete, detailed study of Daniel as well as the Anti-Christ is soon forthcoming to this website).
This charismatic political wonder will do great things and will convince people that he has all the answers to solving the world's problems. He will come to power at a time of international economic crisis. He will cause craft and deceit to prosper. No person will be able to buy or sell anything without having the mark of the beast on is or her right hand or forehead. (See Revelation 13:17.)
This Anti-Christ will control the world's economy with a vengeance. -- For a short time, the world economy will flourish. Then, like Hitler, he will drag the world into the Battle of Armageddon, a bloodbath the equal of which the world has never seen.
Summing up, I believe time is extremely short for snatching those who are lost from the fire (Jude 22-23). We as individuals and as a Church must stop wasting time and get to the work we are here for. I do know, from personal experience, that what we have to say isn't always well received or accepted, but remember that this isn't a popularity contest. This is all about saving souls for Jesus.
Galations 1:10 comes to mind. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
And remember, as the world continues to spiral out of control, our popularity will only continue to decline. 
It will get darker, but we are the light. -- And remember, no matter how difficult it gets, I Thessalonians 1:10 says, "Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." --He promised, so it is so.
Until next time,
Red