Its is hard to believe that 2011 is already upon us. It was not so long ago that futurist projections for the year 2000 had people working 20 hour work weeks, traveling in flying cars, and using moving sidewalks for mass transit in the cities.
Yet, here it is 2011 and the only reason why people are working 20 hour weeks is because they cannot find full time jobs. The flying cars have not got off the ground and if they ever did EPA would ground them in the name of junk science. The moving sidewalks are only moving because they are cracking and crumbling and sliding out of place.
Civilization has not advanced like the Utopian futurists forecasted fifty years ago. In fact, it seems the world is regressing. Nations and people are now so far in debt that collapse of the world economic system is inevitable. People everywhere are once again being enslaved by their governments and their religions. It now looks like new wars of civilizations against civilizations are just on the horizon.
The only futurist predictions that seem to becoming true are the dark ones. For example, the predictions in 1984 have arrived and the world has become much more like Aldous Huxley’s, Brave New World, parody of H. G. Wells, Men Like Gods, than the science fiction utopia envisioned by Wells.
The ultimate futurist book is the Bible and the end time judgments written therein seems to be written about people living in this generation because that just happens to be the truth of the matter. God knows the end from the beginning and told it to us. Those reading His word should not be in the dark about the written prophetic events that will be fulfilled in these last days. We should be aware of what the depravity of man will bring to earth just before the return of the Lord. It is all given to us in print.
I know that happiness in the flesh is elusive and fleeting. Nevertheless, those in Christ can be full of joy because we know our ultimate destiny. Our joy does not depend on battles that we will endure in the flesh. We have a hope that brings joy that no events on earth can take from us.
Wishing you all a happy new year would be mostly my wishful thinking, but I do wish all in Christ a joyful new decade.
Wishing all the best to you and yours in the coming year! Thank you for this website, it is a great blessing! I hope it keeps going strong in 2011. I’m looking forward to all the info and insight you will bring us in the new year.
A happy, prosperous and blessed New Year to you too, Don!
nice article about the reality of the next decade, ahhhh i can almost smell the rapture.
I am reading this book that I got for Christmas by Dr. David Jeremiah: The Coming Economic Armageddon… I am in to chapter 4 of 10, where chapter 10 is, paraphrase, “hope for Christians”. The economic condition described therein leads to warnings of how dangerous the accelerating centralization of government and power is to basic humanity, let alone how quickly the populous will accept it (initially). This is extremely scary stuff. Central control in few hands, which is rapidly accelerating, is a proven formula for resultant humanitarian atrocities, be it from the left or right (as if it matters at that point). One can only hope that the rapture comes before all out despair – depending on your acceptable level of despair, that is.
And to think the populous voted for this despair… how pathetic… of course, most still reject truth and will take the mark of the beast.
oh what has became of humanity, a race destined to live in paradise but ended up living destruction. And we still choose to vote for our destruction, we are a brainwashed society that has gone way wayy wayyy wrong somewhere down the line.
Related, one of the preconditions to the Tribulation: “The Falling Away”. I suspect the falling away continues up through to the Tribulation (passed the rapture, of course), but I “feel” that a large portion of “The Falling Away” has already occurred.
I have a [former] friend, a female african-american (I think this has relevance, but maybe not), who was promoting Obama (against Keys, mind you) back when Obama was a senator. I brought up the immorality promotion aspect, particularly how Obama promotes homosexuality, and she simply “swept the issue under the rug”;
The Falling Away is, among other characteristics, when those who profess to be Christian forsake the truth, deliberately. Obama is clearly evil, particularly in his attempts to premeditate the falling away and corrupt and pervert the populous and lead all away from Jesus and all his commands.
I pray that I nor all others who profess, at this stage, will not forsake the truth under these looming tests prior to the rapture.
Thanks Don,
Happy end of the world as we know it to you too.
I just read the book that Craig mentioned. It’s pretty good if you like scary stuff. I’m not actually scared by it just intrigued watching things unfold as was told to us by the Prophets.
I’m really interested to see what might take place here in Calif. as we are like Greece in need of a bailout. Will we lead the way in cost cuts and unions fighting the needed cuts and see it break into the streets? I don’t expect any politicians to propose such cuts, but they will probably have their hats in hand as they go to the feds expecting a nice post Christmas bonus because Calif. is too big to fail… Hold on to your hats gentlemen there’s a rough stretch up ahead.
I personally think that it is not the politicians that are leading the falling away but the Christian church, so many are asleep and don’t take this calling serious! Myself included I am ashamed of my service to God this past year, I hardly told anyone of God’s goodness and I was lazy in studying God’s word. I repent. This new decade is going to be for the purpose I was created for and that is to spread God’s word, Serve with my whole heart and not be ashamed of the calling on my life. May God Bless you all with a hunger and urgency to serve him this decade.
Craig,
Dr. David Jeremiah recently got a visit from the white house because of his book. He did not change his views.
Pastor Doug, If this Republican house passes any bill that will bail out the states I think we will see a real Tea Party in 2012.
re: got a visit from the white house… did not change his views… That leads me to believe that Dr. Jeremiah is genuine and serving… The white house would only have one agenda – to shut him up by any and all means possible. Then again, wait until *after* 2012.
As for 2011… happy new year… My mindset is to treat this as if it were our last (to prepare for our persistence survival for the decade to come); 2012 is likely a bonus year, as would any following years. Which is not to say major expenditures, per se. I would like a low tech vehicle (points / condensor), and a “john boat” for fishing. My 2011 resolution: get serious about fishing (within walking distance). Also, start some fruit bearing trees and bushes, try my hand at renewable seed vegetables. Things the centralized GOV would probably not confiscate (well, a working vehicle, who knows).
Take care, God Bless, stay strong, ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’.
I was wondering what the W/H and MSM had commented about the “visit” to Dr. Jeremiah.
What has been the reaction?
Blessedly happiness and joy are two separate things, and joy goes beyond our circumstances. Paul sets a good example for us:
…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)
Bob from Texas, MSM??
From what I heard after the staff visit to get Dr. Jeremiah to see things differently about the Obama administration they just ending up agreeing to disagree.
I heard on Good morning america about the New Year’s resolution that the recession was over and the outlook was ecomony growth and more jobs. I laughed and said to myself they haven’t seen nothing coming yet….I know what Jesus prophesied and I take his word for it! People haven’t the slighlist idea what they are talkin about…. I have a feeling this year’s resolution is more curses and wrath coming and I am feeling the Lord moving closer in calling us home.
The word for believers was proclaimed at my little country church this morning, from Joshua 1:1-9. Don’t be fearful, be strong and very courageous, stay in the word, don’t deviate, our God will give us victory and success (acting wisely), and He will never leave us or forsake us.
I’m with you Don, our position in Christ gives us the reasons for joy regardless of what 2011 brings. Maranatha
Bob: Isn’t it funny how the MSM keeps cover for Obama? Every sane person knows the economy is hanging by a thread right now.
Ah a positive blog post. Nice Don. Happy new year and new decade to you as well.
Dr. Jeremiah states a couple times in the Economic Armageddon book that he believes the Rapture may come in 3 to 4 years, although I presume his reasons are presented in another book (none presented in the ‘economy’ book). When 2015 is referenced, the Rapture is a seemingly foregone conclusion. The sooner the better, but I tend to want to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
However, using the scripture of Luke 17:26 – 30, the Rapture (“…when the Son Of Man is revealed.”) seemingly appears to be a surprise, which I expect to be the case. On the other hand, I wonder about, say, the Rapture occurring circa 2025-ish, in that despair would be so great that the Rapture would otherwise be “too little too late”. I’m not trying to be derogatory in any way. I’m just being a tad bit “open” with my feelings and speculation.
If Don / anyone can help me out, I’d appreciate it. Thanks, God bless.
I do not see why the Rapture would be too little to late 15 years from now. You seem to think the Church should go through this world tribulation free. The true Church has been going through persecution for 2000 years so what makes you think our generation in the United States should be exempt?
I sincerely doubt if there will be any real physical persecution of the Church in this country in the next ten years. You also forget that there were two world wars in the last 70 years and countless other wars and true Christians fought against evil and died in it.
God does not promise us escapism. He only promises the Church to not go through His own wrath. Nobody is now about to go through the Day of the Lord before the other prophetic events are fulfilled. In fact I think the wrath of the Lamb comes because of the persecution.
If God takes the Church before any persecution happens He would have come almost 2000 years ago. However, we are not better than our Lord that was persecuted. As John said:
Don:
Not to get off point with the well wishes, but what is your perspective on the mass fish dying off and birds falling out of the sky in Arkansas and other areas? Natural or something like H.A.A.R.P?
I am interested in your opinion on this.
Thanks
I do not think it has anything to do with H.A.A.R.P. and that’s about all I can tell you.
Thanks… re: wrath of the lamb comes because of persecution… that’s what I’m thinking too, but also because of the wickedness… Question is, exactly the kinds of persecution? You suggest physical persecution of the church is generally not a possibility. I can “live” with that, I suppose. It’s a struggle: “surrender all”, but then again, all is all.
I was speaking of the wrath of the Lamb described in Revelation. It comes after the persecution spoken of at the opening of the fifth seal. I sincerely doubt that the judgments in Revelation will play out in this decade.
I did not at all suggest that “physical persecution of the Church is generally not a possibility” as you suggest. Real physical persecution is ongoing in many nations as I speak.
I just don’t think physical persecution of Christians will be coming to the United States in this decade unless one is talking about some light jail sentences and lawsuits. The fifth seal talks about Martyrs. I do not think anyone will be put to death in the United States for their faith in this decade. At least not by our government.
If you want to call not allowing all the gospel to be preached in public arenas and such “physical persecution”, I think you can expect that kind of persecution in this decade. In fact, if you are in the military you might lose your job for telling others that homosexuality is a sin this very year.
After reading all the above I am scared with all the crazy stuff out there,,