World Prosperity or Economic Collapse?

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (I Thess. 5:1-3 kjv)

Many prophets of the Apocalypse and Parousia of Christ often speak of "the coming economic collapse" as the impetus for the rise of antichrist and the judgments of the Book of Revelation. However, instead of first seeing worldwide economic collapse and civil war, as preludes to antichrist and the apocalypse, we should rather see worldwide economic prosperity, as well as peace and safety, just prior to and during the first part of the career of antichrist, and just prior to the seals, trumpets, and viols of the Apocalypse, or "the great tribulation." In a nutshell, these are the reasons.

1. In the Bible and in history the fall and destruction of the greatest civilizations were always preceded by their having reached their zenith in wealth and luxurious living while at the same time reaching their greatest depth in iniquity. Think of ancient Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Sidon, Sodom, etc.

2. The "signs" or omens of the impending judgment of God as given in Scripture all show that the world will be greatly prospering and in peace and general safety when the judgment of God begins to fall upon it.

The opening verses certainly teach the fact that the world will be safe and prosperous immediately prior to the commencement of the judgment of God upon it. Other verses indicate the same.

The conclusion of the matter? If we are indeed within years of the commencement of the Apocalypse, then we will see the world continue to prosper and enjoy relative, yet fragile, peace. I believe that the next few years, leading up to "the time of the end," will be prosperous indeed. Technology will be one of the ways and means that it will be brought about.

The Importance of the Book of Apocalypse

Wrote Dr. J. A. Seiss in his famous book "The Apocalypse" (emphasis mine):

THIS book of the Apocalypse is one of the most wonderful in the Sacred Scriptures. As the Bible among literature, so is this part of it among the inspired writings. Though it has had to fight its way in every age, and to struggle to maintain its place in the sacred canon, there is not another book in the volume of inspiration more strongly attested, or more fully authenticated. Its superscription, its historical statements, its catena of testimonies, and the nature of its contents, amply evidence its genuineness, and its divine original. Its imposing scenery, its grand similitudes, its pregnant maxims, its significant dialogues, its stirring exhortations, its glowing prayers, its evangelic songs, and its sublime doxologies, give to it all the majesty of the book of the mighty consummation, not of inspiration only, but of the grandest revealed plans and purposes of God. And if an inspired book at all, there is not another which so solemnly enforces itself upon the attention of the Churches, or that is compassed about with guards and penalties more explicit and severe. We must needs regard its author as an unaccountable boaster, if it is not the highest interest and duty of every earnest Christian to read and try to understand it, so as to take its momentous presentations in among the most settled and potent things by which to direct his way and fashion his expectations. (Comment upon Rev. 12: 1,2)