I was contemplating several different thoughts to share with you this week when, while perusing the world news headlines this morning, I came across these particular ones that I just could not ignore .... *Drudge Report - "Stocks Down Hundreds: Worldwide Selloff" *Telegraph - Panic Pushes Gold Prices to Highest Level since 2008 Crisis" *Yahoo - Scramble For Safety" *Reuters - European Stocks Plunge on renewed Banking Fears" *Fox News - Hong Kong Market Closes Down in Worst Day since August" *CNBC - "Panic: Gold Lines 'Round the Block as Recession Fears Mount" ... and that is just some of them! .. As many of you know, I've been predicting deteriorating economic conditions to persist going forward, which will ultimately culminate in a worldwide collapse of the entire economic structure, which will lead to panic & civil unrest never before witnessed on this planet. ... Even before today's news headlines, we've already been witnessing signs of this economic chaos in many places across the globe - much of South America & southern Europe as examples. .. Even America, the world's #1 economic power, is confronted with massive economic problems that more & more experts believe are unprecedented in its history, and most likely irreversible. So why is all this worth talking about and how does it relate to the Bible's teachings? .. Is this how it will be in these closing days before our Lord's coming return? .. I'm glad you asked! .. Like I said earlier, I've believed for many years now that a worldwide economic collapse will be the catalyst for the complete coming social collapse, which will lead to the door being thrown open for the coming world government and its leader, the anti-christ. .. Think of it this way ... If you've studied any history concerning pre-World War 2 conditions in Germany, it shows you a glimpse of what the economy is like after it totally collapses. .. It shows a people desperate for anything that will save them from what they know is coming - a complete national & societal collapse which will lead to a quick destruction of their families & way of life. ..... So what happened next? .. You got it! .. a rising leader who claimed to have all the answers if they would just trust & follow him. ... Remember who he was? .. Hitler, the man who started a war that would eventually kill some 60 million people, not to mention the attempted complete destruction of the Jewish people, ... But hey, when you're desperate ...... So why this possibility now & how does scripture support this 'prediction?' .. Let's look to the beginning of the prophesied 'Tribulation Period' which will soon descend upon this world. .. This all starts in Revelation, chapter 6 & concludes in Revelation 19, verse 10. .. We see at the beginning of chapter 6, verse 2, a coming ruler .. "I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conquerer bent on conquest." .... So what do we see ... first, a white horse which most always represents a conquering ruler in scripture. .. Next, we see he has a bow, but interestingly, no arrows. .. Why is this important? .. Because I believe he will 'conquer' by a means other than war. .. Like Hitler, he will come to power as apparently the only hope of a desperate people. ... Next, we see he is given a crown, which simply means the masses accept him as their ruler. .. (Note: I believe he is alive today and will soon rise up from somewhere in Europe). .. I will share more as to why I believe this in the coming weeks. Now, besides the economy, there are other specific ominous prophetic signs as well. .. Some examples are the coming World Government (Revelation 13 & much of Daniel), the World Church (Revelation 17), social and spiritual collapse (2 Timothy 3:1-4 ), and many, many more. ... In fact, if you were to go back to my July-August 2015 commentaries, you can peruse a 6-part outline (Living on Borrowed Time) of end-time prophetic categories that will continue to increase as we move ever closer ...They are 1)Israel - 2) The Signs of Nature - 3) The Signs of Society - 4) The Spiritual Signs - 5) The Signs of World Politics - 6) The Signs of Technology.. ... Once you begin to look at the current events from a prophetic lens, it will all start making much more sense to you. ... The Lord Jesus Christ tells us clearly as to how it will be in these final days ... "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'the time is near.' Do not follow them. 9) When you hear of wars and revolution, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. 10) Then He said to them, 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.' " (Luke 21:8-11) ... Clear enough I would think. .. But then, He also told us that the vast majority of people will be oblivious to what is taking place ... It will be like 'The Days of Noah - Matthew 24:36-39. ... How tragic! But for those of us who are familiar with what the scriptures tell us, this 'Noah condition' will not be the case. .. We will have an understanding as to why the world is descending in chaos. .. Let me once again conclude these thoughts with scripture. .. 2 Peter 1:19 says it perfectly ... "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." ... What a beautiful statement. .. Simply, we DO NOT have to live in all this darkness when we have an understanding of our Lord's teachings! .. He is our hope & salvation & deliverer. .. Hallelujah!! Until next time, Red Note: 'Light in the Darkness' classes - I will be teaching prophecy and how it relates to the days we are living in starting Saturday, February 20, 6:30 PM. .. I will be covering current news headlines relating to Bible prophecy as well as the books of Daniel & Revelation. .. Questions & open discussion will be welcomed. ... And we WILL HAVE FUN! .. Location is Newberg Friends Church, 307 So College Street (3rd & College) in the classroom located in the back parking lot. I truly hope some of you will be able to attend. .. Discovering biblical truths together is always a good thing .... God Bless each of you ...