The Perfect Storm

The Perfect Storm

"If you had only known, in this your day of salvation, the eternal peace so near at hand! But now it is hidden from your eyes. The powers of the heavens will be shaken, and people's hearts will fail them for fear, anticipating the calamities that are destined for this world....

When you hear of wars and the turmoil of destruction; do not let your hearts fill with fear: for these things must first come to pass; the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Fearful sights and great signs will appear in the heavens. There will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. On the earth will be great adversity between the nations, and perplexity, roaring like the sea's mighty waves. Famines, plagues, and earthquakes will increase. All these are the beginnings of sorrow. Because evil will abound, the love of many will turn cold.

You will be betrayed, and condemned to death, and hated by all nations for my name's sake. Remain watchful, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape these things that are coming to pass, and to stand, justified, before the Messiah, the Son of Man." --Jesus

Bible scholars for centuries have tried to make sense of these prophetic words of Jesus.  During the time interval from when he uttered them to the present the world has endured countless wars, earthquakes, fearful sights and perplexity.  Most societies, like the individuals that inhabit them, are capable of adapting and finding solutions to regather & rebuild after a catastrophe.  

So what did he mean?  It is the business of life to figure out what Jesus meant.

Since mankind has had to deal with catastrophe nearly all the days of our existence on this planet, does that discount Jesus' words? Does our ability to instantly & visually observe events around the globe create an illusion of increased prophetic activity for those who try to read signs in tea leaves?  Or was Jesus pointing to a confluence of events that would overwhelm the entire global community?

The story/movie, The Perfect Storm,  graphically illustrates the idea of a situation in which all the resources of experience, intelligence, manpower, training, equipment and courage are overwhelmed by the intensity of nature.

Some are suggesting that is exactly what is happening in the world today.  As the US Federal Reserve prints "funny" money out of thin air it is putting inflationary pressure on other global currencies giving rise to higher food prices.  Much of the protests we are seeing began as a reaction to food price increases.  Riots are breaking out over bankrupt government's inability to pay for promised entitlements.  Religious fanaticism, pirating, political turmoil adds to the uncertainty, fear & chaos.  Political Correctness paralyzes; cultural norms are in upheaval.  Earthquakes, tsunami's, shifting weather patterns, and other "signs" wreak havoc on more than just property.  Shifting alliances, shifting financial & military power structures, shifting global economies & currencies. Nuclear proliferation by rogue nations. Unparalleled changes are happening in our generation--simultaneously!  It's very nearly overwhelming!

The clamor for a New World Order, interestingly, is also on the rise!  The revolutionairies of the 60's have quietly bid their time working with union, academic, political, religious and corporate leaders to build a world-wide structure to bring about their utopian vision!

Jesus gave us His ultimate vision: a New World Ordered by Rightousness!

"At the end of time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens, causing the nations of the earth to tremble. All will see the Messiah, the Son of Man, appearing with power and great glory; and they will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the living God, returning on the clouds of heaven. And he will send his angels with the great sound of a trumpet; and they will gather together his chosen ones as from the four winds, from the farthest ends of the heavens and earth, and reward everyone according to his works."--Jesus

Be strong and courageous.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  

"Do not let your heart be overwhelmed by the pursuit of earthly pleasure, or the anxieties of life. Let not my returning find you unprepared; for like the springing of a trap, will it suddenly come upon the earth.

Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he comes, finds ready and anticipating his arrival, even if he should come in the middle of the night, or at dawning of the day. Truly I say, that he will adorn himself in his banquet clothes, and invite such servants to sit down with him at the table of feasting, rising himself to serve them as honoured guests!

Be always watchful; for you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will return. Live your life in a prepared manner, your lights burning brightly; like those servants who wait with expectancy for the sound of the Lord’s approaching.  I make all things new."--Jesus