A TRANSFORMED WORLD

Looking back to what the world lived through, I realise that all started within the space of about one month, there was a massive collapse of a prosperous economy. The United States was at nearly full employment, the stock market's Dow Jones Industrial Average had rocketed to over 28,000 points, and the economy was producing higher wages and an improving standard of living. The global economy - the train being pulled by the powerful U.S. economy - was also doing well. Suddenly, in early March the global fears of millions dying from the Covid-19 virus began to emerge and the nations started to tremble with the dark clouding of fear. The death toll in Italy was raising and the virus was spreading at an alarming rate to other countries.

Will we learn from this and what happened subsequently?

The wise will learn a lesson from this. Let us look at a certain Scripture related to worldly distractions and its warning. Luke recorded accurately the actions and teachings of the message and ministry of Christ. In this specific Biblical passage, Jesus tells us about 'remaining watchful'.

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)

We must keep a constant watch until He returns. We need to watch and be spiritually fit. We mustn't let our mind and our Spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking or foolish pursuing the world evil actions. We mustn't allow life's anxieties overburden us. We must be ready to move to God's command.

Well, it turns out the world was not ready for what was about to happen. And to be honest, I freely admit that I did not see what was coming either - at least not in the form and with the suddenness it came.

Yet I have long been urging my readers to read my posts and consult their Bibles and understand what its prophecies say about the fragility of our world and our uncertain times. Certainly we must take seriously what Jesus Christ said in the passage quoted above.

We don't have to be 'rocket scientists' to understand how we can be "weighed down with the cares of this life." Our lives are busy and hectic and full of distracting details, many of which can divert our attention from the state of spiritual alertness we need to stay on top of what’s happening. It is not easy to do or to maintain for a prolonged time.

I find myself at the age where people begin to think about slowing down with work and retiring. I have grandchildren whom I want to spend more time with and watch grow up in their teen years. I know many of my readers share the same feelings regarding family and plans for the future. We are caught up in so many details that consume our interests, passion and days.

There is nothing wrong or out of place with these desires, if we follow the Scripture advice of 'so long as we keep them tempered by the knowledge and understanding of Bible prophecy.' Bible prophecy provides the framework for understanding the general contours of events shaping the landscape of today's world. Using it properly, we can take appropriate steps to be prepared spiritually and even physically for what happens.

I have lived long enough and been a student of prophecy long enough to know there are times when prophetic fulfillment is, at least discernibly, on idle and times when fulfillment is speeding up. We are in a period when prophesied conditions are accelerating. It is a time to pay more attention!

"They are unfaithful to the Lord; they give birth to illegitimate children. Now their New Moon festivals will devour them and their fields." (Hosea 5:7)

What does exactly "New Moon' mean?

They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions. American King James Version× The prophet Hosea foretold that within just one month - a lunar cycle averaging just under 30 days - a catastrophic collapse can occur. While recent events are not a direct fulfillment of Hosea's prophecy, such rapid change happened in March 2020. Within a month, trillions of dollars of wealth disappeared and a prosperous world economy seized up.

Could God be measuring our lives now? This is a moment of crisis that can bring clarity and purpose. Use it wisely. Do not let yourself be caught unaware when the next crisis looms!