Sobering article from the Jerusalem Post

The following article from the Jerusalem Post is one of the most sobering things I have read in quite a while. The premise of the article is that if the uprisings that we see going on in the Middle-East were to spread to Saudi Arabia, the world economy would collapse. Read the article to find out the specifics about why this would happen.

If such a scenario would develop like the one written about in this article, the world as we know it would cease to exist. The world would be in complete chaos and desperate for change. It is out of such a world condition that one man could, and one day will, step onto the world stage with promises of peace and prosperity. Desperate and hopeless, the world will follow after this one man. Every day the world moves closer and closer to the day when the conditions for such a scenario will occur.

http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=209605

Middle-East uprisings could have nasty effects on U.S. economy

The following article states how continued turmoil in the Middle-East could have disastrous consequences for the U.S. economy. We already see the rise in gas prices from what is happening in Libya, the situation will only get worse if the riots spread to other countries.

Whether or not the scenarios in the following article come to fruition or not, something has to happen to reduce the influence of the United States on the world scene. The U.S. is not mentioned anywhere in Bible prophecy so a decline has to happen sometime. It could be an economic crisis brought about by high oil prices that furthers the process along.

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/5-dollar-gas-get-ready-to-pay-an-arm-and-a-leg-for-gasoline

China and food prices

And you thought food prices were high now? A severe drought in China that is affecting its wheat production could have a massive negative impact on the price of food worldwide.

China, the world's most populous nation, has always been self-sufficient as far as food production goes. However, the drought they are experiencing now could force them to look outside of their own nation for a supply of food. If China is forced to buy food on the open market, the price of food worldwide could skyrocket. There is only so much food to go around. If China becomes a bidder then market prices for grain will shoot through the roof. Couple this with the increase in food prices due to shipping costs going up as the price of oil goes up, and we could be looking at major increases in the cost of food at our local supermarket.

We read in Revelation 4 about the Black Horse of the Apocalypse. This horse is representative of food shortages and inflation of food prices. It sure looks like the conditions for such an event are coming into place.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/when-china-goes-hungry-the-world-shakes-20110211-1aqgl.html

Violence continues in Libya

The violent crackdown on protesters continues in Libya bringing even more unrest to an already unstable region.

Prophetically speaking any instability in Libya is interesting due to Daniel 11:42-43. Libya is listed along with Egypt and Ethiopia as three nations that will fall to the Antichrist when he comes. The continued instability in the region seems to be setting the stage for future, significant end-time events.


http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/21/libya-protesters-security-clash-capital/#

Three thoughts on Mid-East uprisings

It seems like every day recently has brought news of a new Middle-Eastern nation dealing with protests and uprisings. Iran, Bahrain, and Libya are three of the nations to join Egypt in dealing with civil unrest.

Following these events through the lens of Scripture, I have three thoughts on things I am keeping an eye on.

1. I believe the unrest in this region is further preparing the world stage for the appearance of the Antichrist. Egypt and Libya are two nations mentioned in Daniel 11:42-43 that will be taken over by the Antichrist when he comes to world power. Any unrest in these nations helps to lay the foundation for his arrival.

2. The Islamic nations of the Middle-East may find themselves looking for a strong leader to bring peace to the region. Islam teaches that in the last days an Islamic leader will arrive called the Mahdi. The similarities between the Islamic Mahdi and the Antichrist of the Bible are eerie. Here are a few:

Muslims believe the Mahdi will unite the world under an Islamic Caliphate (a one-world government), he will kill all the Christians and the Jews who won't convert to Islam by beheading (make war on the saints), he will cause all men to convert to Islam (one world religion), and he will rule for seven years (this one is obvious).

Recently Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that the arrival of the Mahdi is at hand. Ahmadinejad believes it is his duty to hasten his arrival by causing war and chaos in the world. The Mahdi is supposed to arrive during a time of war and great chaos in the world according to Islam.

It could be that the recent events in the Middle East are further preparing the way for Antichrist.

3. I would not be surprised to see Iran try to provoke Israel as a means of trying to unify protesters against someone other than the Islamic regimes they have been protesting against.

We may be entering into one of the most significant seasons of table setting and putting the pieces in place for the unfolding of end-time events that we have ever seen.

Iran not backing down

Egypt has granted permission to two Iranian warships to pass through Suez Canal. Israel has already stated they consider this a provocative act and would consider taking action if they tried to pass through.

As the situation progresses Christians should pray for wisdom for the leaders of Israel, and for the peace of Jerusalem.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/report-egypt-has-approved-iran-warships-to-use-suez-canal-1.344310

Potential Iran/Israel conflict

Israel is closely monitoring two Iranian warships headed for the Suez Canal. The Israeli government has already stated that they might act if the progress farther.

With the recent uprising in Egypt sparking similar protests in other Arab nations, including Iran, I am not surprised to see Ahmadinejad try to stir up unrest with Israel. This will be an interesting story to monitor in the coming days.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/16/israel-warns-act-iranian-warships-passing-suez-canal/#

Netanyahu concerned about future of Egypt

Israel is rightfully concerned about the type of government that will come to power in Egypt. A radical Islamic government would be a nightmare for Israel. We need to cover this situation in prayer and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-egypt-could-fall-into-hands-of-radical-islamists-1.341890

Protests in Egypt take a violent turn

The protests in Egypt have taken a decidedly violent turn. It will be interesting to monitor how this turn of events affects the future of government of Egypt. I leave you with a link to an article on the violence and a verse from Isaiah.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/02/egyptian-military-calls-end-demonstrations-1705880116/#

Isaiah 19:2 - I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, one against the other, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom

Mubarak will not seek another term in Egypt

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announcing he will step down at the end of his term, Christians who love Israel need to be praying for the future government of Egypt. We need to pray that a government is put in place that will honor the existing peace treaty Egypt has with Israel.

The worst thing that could happen for Israel would be for a radical Islamic government to come to power. Israel and Egypt share a border. As long as there was a reasonably friendly government in Egypt, Israel did not have to be fearful of mass numbers of terrorists trying to cross into Israel from Egypt. If that situation changes, Israel has a new headache to worry about.

Something else to monitor that is mentioned in the following article is potential protests in Jordan. Many commentators have speculated Jordan could be the next moderate Middle-Eastern nation to see uprisings. Along with Egypt, Jordan has had a "friendly" relationship with Israel. They also share a border with Israel. A radical Islamic regime change in both Egypt and Jordan would be horrific for Israel.

For the reasons listed above, it is very important at this time to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Along with the article I referenced above, I have included a link to a map of the Middle-East.


http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/01/thousands-converge-cairo-demand-mubarak/#

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Middle-East-map.gif