Well said. This is a discussion and not me "telling it like it is" so opposing voices are always welcomed. I don't claim to have anything figured
out. I just see an interesting pattern of events.
I believe that more Christians would consider this if it weren't for a massive hurdle. The Rapture. If there is a pre-Trib Rapture we would have to
see it before these things happen. Even though I was raised believing in the Pre-Trib Rapture, I've become really skeptical that such an event will
happen. There are lots of reasons for this that I won't go into now. Doing so would detract from this discussion, but I would like to point out one
single passage that finally swayed me.
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some
prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,
for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose
and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Thessalonians 2
Could there be a Rapture? Sure, but we could conclude that this happens after he proclaims himself to be God. Like the passage says, it won't happen
until
after he is revealed. Once you've cleared this hurdle you're free to look around at the possibility of what's currently happening.
Which is where I'm at. Observing with curiosity. Of course it could be that things don't take shape until after the Rapture as
some strongly believe. They do make valid points. Since belief in the Rapture itself is not a
requirement for being a Christian, and since both sides make good points, I choose to sit on the fence in this issue. Worrying about it amounts to
worrying about seeing the city-limits sign before you get to town. If it looks like you're almost in town then you're there regardless of whether or
not you saw the sign.
Another argument in favor of these recent events being significant is the world's supply and demand issue with oil. Let's face it, we (the U.S.)
wouldn't be mixed up in the Middle East if not for this precious commodity. Oil is the life-blood of modern nations and the U.S. needs more blood
than others. If you follow trends you'll see that production is fairly steady, but demand is rising dramatically. China is going through a sort of
industrial revolution and it's citizens want cars and a more modern way of life. It won't be another 100 years before Oil Wars start. In fact I
believe we've already seeing them today.
China, whose economy is growing at over 10 per cent, will face an energy security crisis since it will be dependent on foreign sources for 50 per cent
of its oil needs in 2010, according to an energy forecast published here.
China would face an energy supply security problem in the next five years as international competition for oil heated up, the report published by
China's Social Sciences Academic Press forecast.
source
(Look it's 2010 again!)
Do you remember the bit in Revelation about the Kings of the East (I believe it's in Revelation 16:12) making their way across the dried up
Euphrates? If this is the same reference as the army of 200 million(Revelation 9:15-16) then they are coming to claim the oil. What other resource is
in this part of the world? I wouldn't march 200 million men anywhere for olives or dates. It has to be the oil and at the rate China is growing it
won't be long until they're butting heads with the U.S. demand. The world can not support a second demand the size of the U.S. and it's not likely
that either the U.S. or China will bow to the other's will.
I know you don't believe that Israel is ready for a peace treaty, but who would have thought that 3 captured soldiers would result in the current war
with Hezbollah? Things are changing too quickly as if something or someone is pushing all these events forward. It's not far-fetched to question if
Syria, Iran, and the U.S. will be in an all-out war next week. It's discussed on the news every night. The whole situation is on a knife edge.
I honestly do hope you're right. I would like things to be peaceful for a while. It could be another 100 years, but then again...
