What to Watch in 2008

We at Tomorrow's World are "watchmen" of Almighty God. As God leads, we are able to warn you of specific events just ahead in world affairs. Over and over, the Bible speaks of the "last days"—the "time of the end." We are now in that time. Long-prophesied events seem to be "speeding up" as we come nearer to Christ's return to this earth as King of kings.

What are some of the specific events for which we should be "watching" as the end approaches?

First, if you understand that the U.S. and British-descended countries are the modern "Israelite" nations, you should realize that those nations will be brought down at the end of this age. Our nations have been blessed with awesome physical blessings over the last 200 years. But, as a people, we have turned away from God. Therefore, in prophecy after prophecy, God's inspired word predicts a range of punishments that will soon come upon us if we fail to repent—if we do not turn to the God of the Bible, the true God. If you have not already done so, be sure to write or call us to request a copy of our vital booklet on this topic, The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. It will be sent to you absolutely free, upon your request.

In a truly foundational prophecy given to our forefathers, God stated: "But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it" (Leviticus 26:14–16).

Notice that this national chastisement will come if we "despise" God's commandments and His statutes. Does anyone doubt that the leaders of the U.S. and Britain are relentlessly removing God's law and His way as the reference point for our national and personal way of life? God warned, first of all, that He would "appoint terror" over us as a result. A series of terrorist attacks caught our attention on September 11, 2001. Such acts of terrorism will continue—and intensify—as the years go by. So we must "watch and pray" as Jesus Christ instructed (Luke 21:36).

Another key area to "watch" in 2008 and beyond will be the alternating droughts and fires in some areas, and terrible storms and flooding in other areas. Last year we saw a continuation of some of these "natural" catastrophes, with heavy flooding again in New Orleans, other parts of Louisiana, and Texas. We also saw horrifying fires ravage Southern California in October 2007, and watched the worst drought in decades affect many parts of Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.

In a dual prophecy, which certainly refers to us today, God warns: "'I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered. So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water, but they were not satisfied; yet you have not returned to Me,' says the Lord" (Amos 4:7–8). So there will be too much rain in some areas, and terrible drought in others—unless we repent.

And in another prophecy for our time, Joel was inspired to lament: "O Lord, to You I cry out; for fire has devoured the open pastures, and a flame has burned all the trees of the field. The beasts of the field also cry out to You, for the water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the open pastures" (Joel 1:19–20). Notice that these tragedies were to befall God's people just before the prophesied "Day of the Lord" (v. 15). News reports described last year's record-breaking fires in Southern California as being like "Armageddon."

"But," many will say, "these weather-related disturbances come and go in cycles. They will soon end, and everything will be back to normal!"

No, my friends!

As these storms and fires increase in intensity—accompanied by massive earthquakes and disease epidemics (Luke 21:11)—God will use them to humble and to weaken our peoples unless we repent! In many different ways, God will "break" the pride of the American and British-descended peoples over the next several years. For we have been given God's blessings, but now we have turned our back on Him.

A third ominous problem is the rising power of militant Islam. Most of you undoubtedly realize that—in starting the war against Iraq—the United States unleashed a "wave" of hatred and resentment across the entire Muslim world, affecting about 1.2 billion people! No matter how President George W. Bush and his advisors try to frame it, it is becoming a "religious war"—and radical Muslim imams are playing this to the hilt. It is already becoming one of the longest, most expensive and most debilitating wars in America's history, and God is allowing it to "break" the U.S. by weakening and demoralizing the American military, by dividing the American people and by helping to literally bankrupt the American nation!

As the raging struggle against militant Islam continues in the Middle East—and all over the world—we will witness the rise of the prophesied "King of the South" (Daniel 11:40). This soon-to-appear Muslim leader will unite the "Arab nation"—as it is sometimes called—and will assemble the armies and weaponry of many Middle East nations into a "pan-Arab empire." He will then be emboldened to provoke or attack the coming Beast Power in Europe, who will then come against him "like a whirlwind" with even more advanced weaponry.

This coming "King of the South" will arise "south" of Jerusalem, probably somewhere in the area that today comprises Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Another key to its location is God's prophecy of what happens when the Beast attacks the King of the South and his allies: "He [the Beast] shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels" (Daniel 11:42–43).

Since the Beast's wrath is directed especially against Egypt, this may indicate where the "King of the South" will be located. In any case, you and I are headed into some of the most hair-raising, bone-chilling, spine-tingling years in all human history!

As 2008 gets underway, you need to be absolutely sure you know what and how to "watch." After describing the basic end-time events leading right up to His Second Coming, Jesus instructed us, "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). We at Tomorrow's World are "watchmen." God has called us to this task of helping all who are willing to understand what lies just ahead, and who want to understand why. This is not always a pleasant task, because the "mainstream" churches actually reject the absolute authority of the Bible, in order to maintain the "traditional" ideas and practices of today's professing Christianity. But, in His mercy, God may be calling you to a genuine understanding of His word, His prophecies for our time and His supreme purpose for your life!

So keep reading—and even studying—the Tomorrow's World magazine each month. If you are in an area where it is available, keep viewing the Tomorrow's World television program and following our message in your own Bible. If you have Internet access, you can always watch the telecast online, at any time of day or night, at www.tomorrowsworld.org.

Remember, as I often say: "Don't believe me, but believe what you read in the pages of your own Bible!" In each issue of Tomorrow's World magazine, we give you specific information and proof about what is happening in world events and why. We sincerely hope and pray that you will put forth the effort to prove the truth of what we are saying, and then be willing to act upon God's precious Truth, so you may find the genuine way of "escape" Jesus Christ described.