Does it Fit? The Economic Crash of the USA and Bible Prophecy
The other day I received an email regarding the coming economic crash to the US. This is interesting to me for a few reason. First I am a citizen of the United States, but what was of more interest was the fact that the person was a Seventh-Day Adventist who tried to emphasize that there were prophetic implications to this crash. He quoted a popular evangelical author that predicted this downturn and connected it to his prophetic time-line that ushers in the secret rapture.
Where is the Connection?
The question I have is where is the necessary connection between an American economic collapse and the end time? Why is there a desire to hook an American financial collapse to the onset of the end times?
While I do agree that a financial collapse is certainly possible, but why is it attached to the onset of our end time scenario. I mean there is nothing that says that our end time scenario could begin by some other crisis.
Is this a Necessary Component of Our End-Time Scenario?
The Great Controversy scenario sees a powerful United States and an apostate Christianity at the center of the end time crisis. The Adventist end-time scenario sees that many of these issues will converge on the issue of obedience symbolically presented in the Sabbath issue.
Finally, the Adventist scenario, as traditionally understood, sees great importance in the state of the dead which is a way to unify disparate groups. But where is the NECESSARY connection between an American Financial collapse and the ushering in of the end time crisis.
The Economy May Collapse, But What are the Prophetic Implications
One could argue that the economy will collapse before the Second Advent of Jesus Christ, but is that a necessary component of the "onset" of the crisis?
Now I am not arguing that the US Economy might not collapse. It may very well. Neither am I arguing that if it did collapse that it will not help usher in the end time. Certainly it COULD be a factor in bringing in the end. If the economy collapsed then one could easily see the onset of the things that Adventists have predicted for years, however note I said "could" be a factor. But there are other things that COULD be factors that we don't' emphasize. Perhaps we don't emphasize some of these possibilities because there are no popular evangelical authors promoting it as helping their own end time scenario which many evangelicals don't' even accept. What that means is that we are promoting ideas simply because a popular author is using it to promote his scenario.
What are the Factors?
So what are some factors that are in line with the scenario that the Great Controversy predicts? Well the continued progress of the Gospel to all the world is one. Another factor is increased religious intolerance. America is showing this with recent laws such as the patriot act where they are holding American citizens in jail for months and months without any recourse. Could the hatred of Muslims that we saw a couple of years ago be a precursor to the hatred of other religious minorities?
The increased power of the United States. Not long ago their power was shown in the beat down of both Afghanistan and Iraq (which was one of the strongest military powers in the world) very quickly. How about the increased spiritualism that you see on television including such things as Sci-Fi where life after death is assumed true and supposed proof of is given on such shows as "Ghost Hunters?"
Finally, Ellen White argues that Christ could have come around 1888. The congress had passed some Sunday legislation called the Blair Bill. The loud cry, according to White, had begun in the work of Jones and Waggoner. And there was no American economic collapse for another 40 years at least.
Conclusion
In short, I don't' deny that the end could be ushered in with an economic collapse of the United States of America, but that is only one scenario. However there are real fulfillments happening today, but we are not going to find it in the prophetic speculations of those who are attempting to teach the secret rapture.
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Economic component to the end-time
Rev 13:16-17 (16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
This then begs the question, what could transpire in this world, such that everyone would adopt such a system? After all, we’re talking about a whole new way of doing business - commerce governed and enforced by religious authority on a global level. That John should specifically highlight the ability to buy or sell, especially in light of our lifestyles in these the Last Days, I find as no coincidence. Consider what would happen should the world market crash? The money in your hands would be worth nothing more than the paper it was printed on. The world would need some form of stability, damage control, a way to pick up the pieces and preserve order. Should the U.S. economy tank, we would retain power - military power.
Rev 13:15-16 (15) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
The United States would preserve the ability to enforce the edicts of the beast, and given the mass hysteria that is sure to ensue post a financial collapse, many would embrace the new institution and all its dictates if it would provide peace.
Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
I do find it interesting that John makes reference to merchants and buying, that they and the kings of the earth have gotten rich.
Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
John spends a lot of time emphasizing a commercial, as well as a religious relationship, between Rome and the people of the earth at the time of the end. I see incredible correlation between current trends and Bible prophecy. It may not be that the current crises are the tipping point that lead to the creation of that economic system of the beast. But I do see how it is possible for all this to happen in short order. If these current events are not the catalyst, at the very least they are contributory. Also consider, that the "beast" power is both a nation state and financial power, possessing a stake in the survival of the global market. If the markets and exchanges should collapse or come near to collapsing ........
Where I'm from, we have a saying that roughly says, "If not's like that, it's something like that." I can't dogmatically say that this is how things will unfold, but I sure do see how it's possible.
Thanks for your response.
Thanks for your response.
The question is not whether there will be an economic crash at the end...the question is when that will be and whether we can state with certainty that some economic crisis is requried for the entry of our prophetic interpretation. I defintiely believe that an economic crisis COULD precipitate the final crisis. THat is not the question. the questiion is whether an economic crisis MUST preciiptate the end time crisis. Does the economic crisis come before the other parts of our prophetic framework? Not necessarily...that is my point. I am in agreement with you when you say...
"Where I'm from, we have a saying that roughly says, "If not's like that, it's something like that." I can't dogmatically say that this is how things will unfold, but I sure do see how it's possible."
That is my point exactly. We can't dogmatically state becuase it is not a necesary part of our prophetic framework. I agree that it it possible, but that is not the point...the quetion is whether it is necessary....