One week ago today my wife, Christie, and I were in Washington DC and with nothing specific to do we decided to walk to the Capital building. The building was surrounded by security and finding we couldn’t get in we went instead to our Congressman Zach Wamp’s office.

His staff graciously greeted us and within five minutes Congressman Wamp came in, introduced himself and asked if we would like to go to Congress. Eagerly we said yes and he personally escorted us through the tunnels across to the Capital, past security, up to the gallery and quickly we were seated in the Congressional gallery at 12:30 p.m. stunned to realize we were watching the final thirty minutes of the debate on the 700 billion dollar bailout bill and the vote which passed that bill into law.

As we watched the events, the arguments, the political maneuvering we wondered “Were we watching history in the making? Were we watching our nation moving closer to a cataclysmic end? Were we watching Bible prophecy being fulfilled?”

Bible prophecies say that before Christ comes there will be perilous times, the economy will no longer operate normally and government will control commerce, finances and banking (Luke 21:25-28, 2Tim 3:2-4, Revelation 13:7). The vote in Congress opened the way for the government to take over and control much of US commerce, capital and banking. Further, this week for the first time in history all the major nations of the world, including China, had their banking institutes cut interest rates simultaneously. And now there is talk about organizing one worldwide banking system controlled by a consortium of governments. Are we seeing events which are preparatory to the Advent of Christ? Consider this prophecy from James 5:1-8

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Notice some interesting things about this passage.  Gold doesn’t corrode or rust yet the Bible says our gold will corrode – what does this mean? Does it mean that the laws of physics will change or is it telling us in symbolic imagery that our wealth will corrode, our money will disappear, the normal rules of finance won’t work? Notice also the reason for this is greed in the last days. Why the great problem? Why the financial collapse? Greed! And why is our nation currently going through this crisis? High interest loans to people who couldn’t afford them all in an attempt to make more money… greed!

But we need not be discouraged in these troubling economic times for none of this is taking God by surprise. God has a plan and these events are inevitable in order to awaken people to the worthlessness of money, property, or any earthly possession and turn minds and hearts toward God that they might be prepared to meet Him when He comes! In fact, Jesus said when we see such things happening, “Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” Luke 21:28.

What is happening today is the beginning of the birth pains (Matthew 24:8, Mark 13:8). And just as labor progresses with increasing frequency and intensity so too events will pick up in frequency and intensity. But just as the pain of labor leads to delivery with the resolution of pain and much rejoicing, so too, for those whose hearts and minds are reconciled to God there will be deliverance with no more pain and eternal rejoicing!

As you look around do you see the signs? Can you tell the season is changing? Are you preparing your heart and mind to meet Jesus? This is not a time to be afraid. This is not a time to be discouraged. This is a time to rejoice for our Savior is coming soon!