More news, more signs

There is so much going in in world right now, its hard to keep up.

First, is the Iranian situation. No need to post links because every news organization, print and TV is covering this story. The question for prophecy followers is - what is the potential prophetic significance of the protests?

Its hard to know what the implications are. In my opinion, the protests will be squashed as Iran's leaders will clamp down and impose draconian measures against the protesters. If this is the case, in a matter of days, maybe weeks, this protest movement will be a thing of the past. If the protests continue, then the Iranian leadership will have to take alternative measures to maintain control and power. What would these measures be? Thats anyone's guess - but war against an "enemy" is always convenient. This situation is certianly worth watching closely.

The Swine Flu (under the prophetic category of "pestilences") is making a comeback in the news read here. The question should be - why the concern? This flu seems pretty typical, in fact, even mild as the number of deaths isn't remarkable for a flu. The reason for concern is potentially ominous. As mentioned previously - this flu, genetically has many similarities to the Spanish Flu of 1918, one of the worst pandemics the world has ever seen. Also, the Spanish flu took a very similar course to the Swine Flu (thus far), which was relatively mild through spring and summer, then hit hard in the fall with a mutated strain. This is the same fear - because the Swine Flu seems to continue infecting people worldwide and seems to refuse to go away, the possibility of a mutation into a more virulent form continues to increase.

As a follow-up to yesterday's post regarding Famine - we now see a new threat to the world's food supplies. Described as a "time-bomb" we read (article here) that a fungus which could wipe out more than 80% of worldwide wheat crops, is spreading rapidly from eastern Africa. It has jumped the Red Sea and has now traveled as far as Iran. According to the article "Experts say it is poised to enter the breadbasket of northern India and Pakistan, and the wind will inevitably carry it to Russia, China and even North America."

Additionally, this article states "A significant humanitarian crisis is inevitable...We are at a stage where the equivalent of Hurricane Katrina is offshore and we are shoring up the dikes as fast as we can." Don't forget, not only did Jesus describe famine as a sign of the generation, but we know from Revelation 6, that during the Tribulation, famine will be so significant that an entire day's work will be required for one day's worth of food.

Then we turn to the EU's ever present expansion and see another article relating to the Lisbon Treaty - which is moving along full steam ahead. In this article (read here) we see that the Lisbon Treaty (following Ireland's vote in October) will become effective before the end of the year. As stated before, this is highly significant as we watch the "Revived Roman Empire", (aka the EU and now Med. Union) continue consolidation and growth as prophecy from Daniel 2 and 7 dictates. More importantly, two powerful figures will emerge from the treaty, namely the "permanent" President of the EU and the position of Foreign Policy head (the exact title: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy). In my opinion, the confirmation of the peace covenant between Israel and the Middle-East states (Daniel 9) could come from one of these two positions.

More news, more signs. Birth pains indeed; just as described by Jesus.

Oh, and of corse we're still watching the situation with North Korea.

Keep watching and keep praying. God's will to be done. Its all part of a master plan. God is about to reveal Himself in a dramatic way, whether its the Rapture of the Church, or the events of "Gog-MaGog" from Ezekiel 38-39. Are we weeks away? Months away? No one knows for sure - but according to Jesus, our job is to be ready at all times:

"So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." (Mark 13:23)

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven...Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." (Mark 13:33).

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (Mattthew 25:13)