On the edge?

Well, that same feeling of unease is now affecting many watching the evening news or reading the morning paper. There is a big drop in front of us, and fear of its consequences is understandable, as we observe so much in our world going wrong – economically, socially, politically, militarily, educationally and religiously. Our entire way of life is in trouble, and people are beginning to realize that we are standing at the edge of a global disaster with the potential to sweep away everything we ever thought of as permanent and stable.

What are your hopes and dreams? Without a strong economy – nationally and individually – many of our most cherished plans become unattainable. Global inflation is eating away at personal purchasing power, endangering jobs and destabilizing governments, as it drives up the cost of the goods and services we need to sustain our standard of living.

While the pundits and politicians dispute whether or not there is a recession, the bad economic news keeps rolling in, as business sectors struggle to stay afloat and workers fear job cuts (Safe Money Report, July 2008). Each segment of the U.S. and global economy depends closely on the other sectors; when one falters, others are put at risk. Recent stock market declines have gutted U.S. economic strength.

Because of skyrocketing fuel costs, automakers such as Ford and General Motors, and airlines including Continental, Delta and USAir, are losing money and running out of cash reserves, leaving them at the brink of bankruptcy. Struggling airlines mean trouble for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing. Parts suppliers feel the pinch as these industrial giants lose sales, close plants and lay off workers. Growing unemployment and the increasing cost of fuel and food means less money spent in the retail, tourism and entertainment sectors.

Floundering businesses used to turn to banks for help but now find lenders shaken by the growing volume of failed mortgage loans, which in turn leads commercial lending to tighten. Several major regional banks are likely to face insolvency very soon, putting at risk the foreign financial institutions that had trusted in the quality of U.S. mortgage-backed investments. "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire" (James 5:2-3).

How serious is the crisis? All around the world, rivals of the U.S. are eagerly anticipating the "post-American era." Since World War II, the U.S. has been acting as the "world's policeman," and the lawless rulers of many nations have been smarting under American hegemony. Now, China, Russia, the Islamic nations – and even erstwhile "friends" the European Union countries – are gloating as they see the comeuppance of the once-mighty United States of America.

Why is the U.S. losing its ability to police the world, and even to control its own destiny? God gave His people a choice: they could obey His laws, or go their own way (Deuteronomy 30:15-19).

The U.S. is reaping the penalties of its wrong choices. "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess" (Deuteronomy 30:15-16). However, since we as a nation have not followed God's commands, we have brought upon ourselves war, as well as economic and political ruin (vv. 17-18; Leviticus 26:14-43).

Is the end near? Is there hope? To learn more about the days just ahead of us, read our revealing booklet, Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return.