The year is winding down, and it is time to look ahead to the next calendar year in anticipation of new things. One of the favorite things of those who write on world affairs is to try to predict what will happen in the coming months among all the hot spots in the world. What is needed most of all in looking ahead to 2007 is a set of fresh eyes.
You don't need a crystal ball to foresee the large trends of 2007. It is easy to look at Iraq and the larger Middle East and see more conflict and violence before any hope of a relative peace settlement occurs. Iran will inch closer toward developing a nuclear weapon. China's economy will continue to grow as that nation desires to be the power broker in the Far East, thus undermining the influence of the United States. The rapidly expanding global economy will further flatten our world and bring nations together into a tighter interdependency that will be heralded as the way to peace. These will be the headlines of the coming months.
But one thing I have learned in my years of watching and writing on world affairs is to never forget the biblical perspective. Most writers ignore the fundamental themes of Bible prophecy that form the foundation of our world because they do not believe what God's Word says. Yet the Bible directs our understanding as no other source can. Peter wrote, "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
Christ's Olivet prophecy provides a benchmark for understanding our world and the course of events. When the disciples asked Him, "What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?," He gave clear and unmistakable trends to watch for in the unfolding of end-time events. The first two deal with false religion and war. Jesus said, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet" (Matthew 24:4-6).
