Today I read an article in the paper. The headline read"Doomsday Clock Ticks Closer to Midnight". Apparently a prominent group of scientists in 1945 set up this clock to illustrate impending nuclear annihilation. At that time their main concern was nuclear war and midnight symbolized a widespread nuclear conflict. They moved it to 11:55 today. Their concerns have shifted however, more onto Global warming. The dangers posed by climate change are nearly as dire as those posed by nuclear weapons they say. I couldn't help but ponder how the world seems to know something ominous is on the horizon but they don't know exactly what.

As a believer in Jesus I guess I have an added advantage to know exactly what is coming down the pipe for planet earth. As a matter of fact everything that is currently happening out there in planet earth has been forewarned about 2 thousand years ago without squinting to hard at the bible. In Matthew chapter 24 and Luke 21 the disciples asked Jesus "what the sign of his coming would be and of the end of the age". Notice I didn't say the end of the world. The world mistakenly believes that Armageddon is the end of the world but scripture clearly bears out that it is a time of great tribulation but also a new beginning after that. Jesus gave them a list of things to watch for that would be the tell tale signs. I will attempt to touch on a 3 obvious ones here for those that may be scoffing at bible prophecy. For all the atheists out there that have the guts to read this.

So what are we seeing lately that everyone can clearly see that the Bible is totally accurate and right on pace with.

#1 Well first off Jesus in Matthew said we would hear of wars and rumors of wars. Also that "nation would rise against nation". If you look up the word nation in the Greek you get the word ethnos. In other words ethnic diversity against ethnic diversity. Gadzooks! Countless examples of wars and ethnic groups fighting each other all over the world at this moment. All you have to do is watch the news on Iraq or Iran or some of the wars going on in Africa.The Yugoslavia thing awhile back also comes to mind. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks here depending on which war you have been following.

#2 He also said there would be "famines and earthquakes in various places". I don't think you have to look to hard for truth in this one as scientists clearly telling us that more and more earthquakes are happening with increasing intensity in the last few years. We all are acutely aware of famines. Organizations like world vision are constantly on our televisions educating us. Even Bono has stepped up to the plate and tried to get the rich countries to cancel the debt of the poor countries to take a stab at eliminating poverty and hunger.

#3 Lastly Jesus said "there will be signs in the sun,in the moon and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations,with perplexity,the sea and the waves roaring". So have you seen any hurricanes lately. How about tsunamis. Katrina ring a bell. I live in B.C. Canada and the west coast has had a string of storms in a row this winter and of a fierceness that has not been seen in years putting thousands out of power.

So what does it all mean you might ask. For the believer it means Jesus is secretly about to rapture them out of the judgments that are about to fall on mankind as a result of his rebellion and sin against God.

For the unbeliever it means troubling times ahead, such as never been seen on the earth before. I suggest watching Israel and the signing of a seven year peace treaty. When this happens the world has exactly that time frame. 7 years until Jesus returns to earth to set up his new kingdom. During this seven year period a series of wars takes place leading up to Armageddon, where so much carnage and killing results the blood runs up as high as the horse's bridle.

Scary stuff if you are still here! Personally I don't think there is anything we can do to fix global warming. But there is still time today to turn from your sin and accept what Jesus did for you on the cross and I'll see you in Heaven.