March 17, 2022: Editor’s Note: World News & Prophecy Review solicits guest editorials that highlight prophetic trends we think you should be aware of. This week’s edition is reprinted with permission of Mr. Rick Shabi, President, United Church of God, and taken from his weekly newsletter to Church members around the world:
We live in a fast-changing world where you can never be sure what news you will wake up to each morning.
Since March 8, three banks in the United States have failed, including the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history. Depositors at Silicon Valley, Signature, and Silvergate banks have been advised that, despite FDIC insurance limits, all their deposits will be covered by the government.
Internationally, we learned yesterday that a major European bank, Credit Suisse, is having significant financial difficulties, and its stock finished at the lowest price in its history, stoking fears of another collapse.
While governments seek to calm investors, the “cracks” in the world economic system are beginning to be exposed and economic experts and financial company CEOs are expressing concern.
On the diplomatic scene, for the first time in our lifetimes, it was announced that China has been actively involved in the Middle East, brokering a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This is quite a development, as the United States had been the active party in attempting to broker peace in the Middle East.
What lies ahead in the Middle East with China actively involved? How will the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States, which has been tense in the last few years, be affected? Iran is a vocal and defiant enemy of the United States and Israel, and China is a chief rival of the United States, with a plan for world dominance.
It was interesting to hear a news commentator comment about the regional impact this will have, and that it is as if we are beginning to see a union developing in the Middle East.
Of course, we know what the Bible says about end time geopolitics: there will be a “King of the South” that will be a union of Middle Eastern states that the Bible specifically says includes Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Jordan (the modern-day Edom, Moab, and Ammon) and other countries (Daniel 11:40-43).
And what about the relationship between Russia, China, North Korea and the nuclear powers of the East? Recently, there have been rumors of China indicating they will supply support to Russia in their conflict with Ukraine. That alliance seems to be deepening, even as North Korea has actively reinstated their nuclear aspirations. This burgeoning Eastern bloc, united against America, is reminiscent of “the news from the east” that troubles the King of the North, also noted as a factor in end-time geopolitics in Daniel 11:44.
A changing political climate, talk of a World War 3, escalating economic problems and how the world banking system could be permanently changed all add up to a dismal future for the world and dramatic changes in the way all of us, all around the world, have lived our lives and been accustomed to.
All those “cracks” in the current world order should remind us of an ominous warning God gave His people, the descendants of Israel:
“Therefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel: ‘Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter’s vessel, which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water from the cistern’” (Isaiah 30:12-14).
Dire words.
Brethren, we are now less than three weeks away from Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. Let’s honestly be examining ourselves from the Word of God, through the eyes of God and through His Spirit which dwells in us, and let’s be drawing closer to God with all our being.
These can be harrowing times as we see the “handwriting on the wall” for this world, but there is comfort and assurance in God. Following those words in Isaiah 30, we see God’s admonition to us in Isaiah 30:15:
“For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence [in God] shall be your strength.’”
Brethren let’s turn to God with all our hearts, minds and souls. Day by day, trust in Him more, turn to Him more, rely on Him more, live His word more carefully, earnestly and diligently.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Have a wonderful rest of the week and inspiring Sabbath day.
World News & Prophecy Review