End-times scholar Hal Lindsey says, “I am amazed at the speed with which
events are moving today. The Bible tells us
that in the last days, the ‘signs’ of the times will appear with
ever-increasing frequency and intensity. In our modern lingo, maybe we could
describe this phenomena as the signs of the times on steroids!” What are these signs?
One of the most significant signs is that Israel has become
the center of geopolitics—and Jerusalem the most sought after real estate on
the planet. And considering Iran’s threat of nuclear attack, if Israel
strikes preemptively, it would surely destabilize the world's political
and financial institutions, necessitating world restructuring, most probably in the form of a one-world government made possible by new technology,
and setting the stage for a messiah-like person who will promise to
restore peace and order.
Of course there are other signs, most of which are too disheartening
to speak of. No wonder Jesus said, “When you see these things happening, look up!”
How else can we not let them get us down?
All this talk about the ‘fiscal cliff’ brings to mind a story I used to use in counseling.
A wealthy man interviews 3 men for the position of limousine driver, taking each to a high mountain road, posing the question: “How close do you think you can drive to the edge of this road without going over the cliff?” The first one says,“Oh, I could get within 2 feet of the edge of the road without going over.” The second one says, “Oh, I think I could get within a foot of the edge.” But the third one responds, “Are you kidding, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the edge of this cliff!” To which, the wealthy man replies, “You’re hired!”
The “Driving over a Cliff” threat is bringing out the machismo in Wash. D.C.—a political game of Chicken. How close each party is willing to go to the edge is yet to be determined. Of course there is a loaded spiritual analogy too. The second we start thinking about how close we can get to temptation without actually sinning, we're already over the cliff. Listen to the wisdom of Solomon: “Don't follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don't go that way. Turn away and keep moving” (Proverbs 4:14-15).
By this time next week, we will know whether or not Congress and the President have reached an agreement to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. One government policy expert gives it a 50/50 chance. My opinion: the debt will be raised. In the parlance of our president, we will kick the can down the road for the next generation to deal with. Why do I think that? Because it is human nature to do so. We have become skilled procrastinators, expert evaders. We distract ourselves with present prosperity, pastimes, and pleasures. ‘I’ll deal with this someday,’ we say, ‘but not today.’
One of the better kings of Judah, Hezekiah, is famous for such folly. After proving poor judgment by showing off all his treasures to wily Babylonian emissaries (whose armies would later return to pillage the nation’s riches), the prophet Isaiah reprimanded him, 'The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,' says the LORD. 'Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime." (Isa 39:6-8) And thus, Hezekiah was content to kick the can down the road.
