If you have been paying attention to the news, you have probably heard about the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Most of us, perhaps, haven’t thought of its prophetic implications.
The sub-prime crisis began this past fall when mortgage investors worldwide lost confidence in their investments’ value. Over the last decade or more, banks made loans below prime interest rates to homeowners who weren’t qualified. These risky mortgages involved large “balloon payments” at the end of five years. Banks sold these mortgages to other institutions, who in turn offered a share in the profit to willing investors. When homeowners could not pay those large balloon payments, banks had to foreclose. When this began happening on a large scale nationwide, mortgage investors around the world panicked and withdrew their investments.
The global loss of confidence in the U.S. sub-prime market brought the U.S. economy to a precipice. Banks didn’t have enough cash to operate without intervention. The Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank, flooded the U.S. economy with billions upon billions of new digital dollars and lowered interest rates quickly to prevent an economic meltdown and a stock market crash. Though the dollar had been gradually declining in value due to a number of other factors, this massive infusion of cash into the U.S. economy significantly intensified the devaluation of the dollars already in circulation, and stimulated inflation.
Here is the prophetic point: A powerful time of trouble is coming upon the world. This includes natural disasters, war, crime, and other calamities. But it also involves an economic crisis. “The day is coming when the idols of silver and gold will be cast to the moles and to the bats, and the rich men will weep and howl for the miseries that shall come upon them. . . ” Our High Calling, p. 200 (see James 5:1-5).
These things tell us that a time of financial stress and difficulty is near. The financial strain on the world, as well as global tensions, natural disasters, and immorality, will cause great trouble. Then people will look for a way to bring America back to prosperity. They are likely to say that God is not blessing America because of its sins.
This will provide the excuse that is needed for citizens and lawmakers to press for Sunday laws to supposedly restore the blessing of God. God’s people will be thrown into a crisis for which most are not preparing. But those who have been faithful in their stewardship and have obeyed the Lord in all things will be sustained through the trouble.
Friends, now is the time to get your heart and life prepared for the coming crisis. Will you be ready? Now is the time to support God’s cause. Don’t wait until your money is worthless.
