Many volumes could be (and have been) writted in regard to this topic. This paper will touch on a few of the more obvious issues, but there are other papers on this site that go into much more depth and detail. By paying close attention to current events and conditons, it is not difficult to find relevancy in Scripture as prophecies are fulfilled.

Before Christ returns to take His people home, so they might be with Him where He is, there are events that will take place, that is for certain. However, the Bible, most often, directs us to conditions that will exist, rather than focusing on specific events. There are two categories that we will briefly consider in this study; Politics and Banking. Rather than try to determine whether any particular prophecy has been fulfilled or whether they are being fulfilled in our day, we will consider what is most abundant in Scripture and that is: What conditions will exist just prior to the Next Coming of Christ. This study will not be exhaustive, but rather an attempt to create awareness along these lines.

The first category concerns the political structure and what the Bible clearly states are prophetic fulfillments in the political realm.

It is sure that there cannot be wars and rumors of wars, one nation rising against another, or a kingdom rising against another kingdom without political involvement and political strife. Neither can there be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places without political structures failing or at least struggling to maintain some balance. Notice that Verse 8 tells us that this is the beginning of sorrows, indicating that there is much to more trouble come.

Consider Revelation 11:18,

Here is foretold a time when a seal is to be opened and the one sitting on the red horse is "…to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another." Would it be reasonable to say that this will be an even worse time than that spoken of in Matthew 24:6 & 7? How much worse can it become, if peace is taken from the Earth? As conditions deteriorate more and more, politics and, therefore, politicions will become more and more corrupt. They will increasingly represent their own interests and investments, rather than those whom they claim to represent.

Read Joel 3:9-14.

One particular phrase stands out in this passage and that is, "Let the weak say that `I am strong.'" Small countries, weak in comparison to the rich, pwerful nations, will rise up in response to the oppression of world-wide politics and that of their own political leaders. In most cases, it will be inevitable because of the disastrous conditions brought on by famines, pestilences, and earthequakes. Many will rebel

It is also stated in verse 13 that the "winepress is full." This surely means that a certain limit has been reached, and in the last sentence of this it verse is added, "For their wickedness is great." But, the important verse, 14, says that it is a time when, "Multitudes, multitudes are in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." What a time this will be for those who have not made their decision and confirmed in their hearts whom they will yield themselves servants to obey. (See Romans 6:16)

In 1Thessalonians 5:2 & 3 we see that Christians are to know perfectly that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. For when they say "Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them..."

Who is it that will be telling the people that there is peace and that they are safe, but the politicians and religious leaders? Politicians declare this, so that they can establish and maintain the trust (and votes) of the people. Religious leaders preach this because this is what their congregations want to hear.

We should not be alarmed, God has predicted all these things in His Word and He will not let us be caught unawares if we watch, pray, and be on guard. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, but will also supply a way of escape. (See 1Corinthians 10:9.)

A full discussion of the subject of politics is far too broad to be covered in a small paper such as this, but even this would be incomplete without taking a look at the present merging of politics with ecclesiastic authorities, known also as the linking of the hands of church and state. There is much that could be said concerning the merging of the state and that which is deemed religious and each of us have our own perspectives on this issue. and we will consider some of them when we discuss other topics regarding prophetic fulfillment in the religious realm.

Here we see how the rich men of the world are weeping and howling because their riches are corrupted and their garments are moth-eaten. What do you suppose is meant by the phrase. "Your garments are motheaten?" One of the "things" upon which the rich spends much of their money is clothing. We shouldn't make too much of this, but the Bible has much to say about garments; the garments of the righteous and the garments of the unrighteous. Further consideration of this topic would render a multitude of blessings.

Whenever there is upheaval in the land, bankers and financiers have their part in the hardship, profiting from the woes of other, and even bringing those woes upon the people, if it will increase their riches. They lay hidden in the background, pulling strings that most are even aware exist. Our world to a large degree is run by bankers. While some politicians represent God, as is recorded in Romans 13:1-4, it is not so with bankers. They serve only money. The Bible teaches that government is instituted by God to administer for our good, chosen of God "to execute wrath on those who do evil," but not all politicians are servants of God. Some do their own bidding, putting their own interests before those whom they serve, being paid large sums to do that which is evil. Through collaboration with the wealthy, they dishonor both their fellow man and God. These bear much of the responsible for the strife that is in the world today, because politics, and therefore, politicians, influence each area of our lives. It will be seen very soon that politics and banking will play a larger role in the downfall of the nations than many now realize. Please bear in mind that at the root of all evil, you will find the love of money. It is also stated that the corruption of their silver and gold is to be a witness against them. And that they have heaped up their wealth in the last days. Is the term "last days" significant in this consideration of the wealthy? How do you suppose God would have His people spending their money? On ministry and outreach to lost soul, perhaps?

Verse 4 speaks to the issue of not paying a person a fair wage. Is this happening today? Consider all of the rich men that use the labors of many and pay only "minimum" wages and yet, they, themselves are making millions dollars a day.

We are told in Luke 12:15,

This is something that most politicians, in conjunction with organizers of labor unions and confederations, do not take into consideration. Their lives are focused on themselves and the gaining riches and prestige to gratify their own lusts. Their minds are occupied with thoughts of their possessions; adding houses to houses and lands to lands. Seldom is their mind turned to the needs of others. A few get more and more rich, while those who actually labor to produce get relatively poorer and poorer, holding the laborer in a state just short of repression.

"[God] seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names." (Psalms 49:10 & 11)