Is Economic Trouble a Sign of the End?

Recently, there have been warnings on the internet that indicate dire economic problems are on the horizon. For at least a year, the IMF committee has been considering giving the Chinese currency, the yuan, world-reserve currency status. If they do this, many fear the U.S. dollar will drop in value leading to many American businesses and millions of people going bankrupt. The word out there is that the yuan will be given world-reserve currency status on October 1; however, the super elite, rich tycoons of the USA and western nations aren’t about to stand by and lose their fortunes. The word is that there is a plan to announce a new world currency on September 30. They want to protect their assets from a failing U.S. dollar. Consequently, if you can’t get this new currency, you can expect your bank and retirement accounts will shrink 25-50% in value. Naturally, there are many recommending buying gold to protect savings. Will these things really take place? If so, how bad could it really get? Is this possibly a sign of the end?

First, let’s remind ourselves that doomsayers have been wrong many times. The truth is that we can’t know for sure about many things; however, we can be sure that nothing happens unless God allows it. The Bible teaches that He is the sovereign LORD of the earth (Isaiah 46:9-10 and 45:5-7), and if we are His, we need not fear (Isaiah 41:17 and 43:10-11). Does the Bible teach that there will be economic disaster in the last days? And, should we be paying any attention to these doomsayers? How should a Christian see these things?

As people who believe that Jesus is coming again, we often refer to things happening in the world as signs of His coming. Wars, famine, earthquakes, and the Gospel going to the world are examples of signs according to Jesus in Matthew 24. Is economic distress a sign of the end? Matthew 24 doesn’t mention it. Luke 21:25 mentions “distress of nations” and “perplexity.” That certainly could include economic trouble, but other things can cause distress and perplexity among nations, such as, terrorism and natural disasters.

Economic disaster is in the Bible in Revelation 18:9-19, 23. Here it is clearly associated with the fall of Babylon at the very end of time. The “merchants of the earth” who “lived luxuriously” (vs. 9) “weep and mourn….for no one buys their merchandise any more” (vs. 11). “In one hour such great riches came to nothing” (vs. 17). We also see financial disaster before Jesus’ second coming in James 5:1-8. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded….You have heaped up treasure for the last days.” Verses 4-6 say that they lived in “pleasure and luxury” by cheating workers of fair wages and even have murdered the just. Verses 7-8 encourage people to be patient, to hang on, because The LORD will soon come. So, Yes, clearly the Bible marks economic trouble as a sign of the end. 

In Testimonies, Volume 9 under the subtitle “The Last Crisis” (p. 11), the author quotes from James 5 (p. 14). Just before that on page 13 we find these words. “There are not many, even among educators and statesmen, who comprehend the causes that underlie the present state of society. Those who hold the reins of government are not able to solve the problem of moral corruption, poverty, pauperism, and increasing crime. They are struggling in vain to place business operations on a more secure basis.” In the light of the above inspired commentary, if we believe Jesus is coming soon, we should expect to see economic trouble. Exactly how it all plays out we don’t know, but it’s clear that all our plans, including our decisions with money and property, need to be laid at Jesus feet. He is the only anchor in time of storm, the only one in which we can place our full trust. What does He expect of us at this time?                                                             

Fred Dana, Associate Pastor

CENTRAL CORNER

This Week (September 19 to 24): 

• Monday @ 6:00 PM – Chef Mark Anthony – Free Dinner & A Message

• Tuesday @ 10:00 AM – Women’s Bible Study

• Tuesday @ 7:00 PM – Prayer Meeting with Pastor Chris Buttery

• Various L.I.F.E. groups (in-home small group Bible studies) take place across Sacramento. To locate one near you contact our small groups’ coordinator, Richard Anger @ (916) 681-3990

• Thursday @ 7:00 PM - 4 Weeks To Wellness continues…

• Sabbath @ 9:00 AM – Morning Manna with Robin Lacson

• Sabbath @ 9:30 AM – Central Study Hour with Pastor Fred Dana + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School Classes

• Sabbath @ 10:50 AM – Worship Service with Andrew Vargas, Intern Pastor

• Sabbath @ 1:00 PM – Guest Fellowship Lunch

• Sabbath @ 2:00 PM – Light Sacramento!

Upcoming Events

Chef Mark Anthony will be here this Monday at 6 PM in the Camellia Room. You won’t want to miss this exciting event! Bring a friend!

Four Weeks to Wellness continues this Thursday at 7 PM in the Chapel. It’s not too late to join!

Light Sacramento continues this Sabbath at 2 PM in the Camellia Room.  All are welcome to join in as we “light” Sacramento for Jesus!

Fall Work Bee: Plan to join us on Sunday, October 2 for Sacramento Central’s Fall Work Bee. Get to know your fellow members, meet new friends, and say hello to old friends as we come together to tidy up our church grounds, make minor repairs, and eat together. We start at 8 AM and finish at 2 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Last Empire: Questions will be answered; minds stimulated; vision for the future made clearer. Yet more than ever, we will discover real hope for the future. Join us as we journey together into the past and see how ancient empires and even modern empires of today reveal through history and ancient prophecies exciting events that are about to usher into existence the Last Empire.  Starting October 14, 2016 @ 7 PM right here at Sacramento Central.

Ministry Opportunities

Media Director & Post Production Editor: We are currently looking for local, qualified individuals to work with us in our media ministry. These are paid positions. All applications can be sent to media@saccentral.org

Family Matters

Welcome! A special welcome to the following individuals who were recently elected to fill positions of responsibility at Central - Curtis Stansfield as Elder, Kula Addy as Music Ministry Director, and Mimi Baldwin as Assistant Head Deaconess. Please keep each of them in your prayers!

Informative Door Hangers Available. Over at the "Tree of Life" literature rack (in the church foyer), filled with GLOW tracts, we have included colorful door hangers designed to introduce people to Central Church. Please help yourself and take as many as you will use to put on doors in your neighborhood. Thank you. Personal Ministries Department.

Join Our Group Page on Facebook! We now have a closed group page on Facebook for Central members. Stay connected and share prayer requests, small group and club announcements/reminders, social announcements, member needs or helps requests, recommendations and more! Look for “Sacramento Central SDA Church Members Community Group” and ask to join. A place for us to keep in touch!

Sacramento Central Prayer Ministry has conference calls open to the entire church twice daily, at 5:30 AM and 7 PM, for approximately 30 minutes. If you happen to log in during the prayer time, please do not say your name. Call (712) 770-4010, access code: 361097.

Podcasts Available! If you didn't know, every Central Study Hour and worship service can be viewed and downloaded by going to our website (https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/sermons). This is an easy way for you to invite friends and family to listen to important Bible messages coming from Central church. The podcasts are uploaded a week after the live presentation.

Watch Us On Television! Enjoy viewing Central’s flagship program, Central Study Hour, every Friday night at 7 PM (NEW TIME) and Sabbath morning at 6 AM (PST) on 3ABN Proclaim! Also enjoy our Receiving the Word, 30-minute programs weekly on Sunday at 11 AM, Tuesday at 11:30 AM, Wednesday at 8:30 PM, and Thursday at 9 PM on Sacramento Faith TV. These can also be viewed on our website (www.saccentral.org) and our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/thecentralconnection). Let everyone know where they can receive timely Bible messages!

News & Events From Elsewhere

NAD Regional Health Summit is coming to British Columbia this fall. Visit Camp Hope in Hope, BC, Canada, from Sept. 28-Oct. 2, and learn how to use health care as an outreach tool. Physical, emotional, and social health are all important needs in our community. Providing hope along with sharing the loving character of Jesus will be the focus of this special mountain-top exhibit. Learn more by clicking here.

It Is Written's 60th Anniversary event will be aired on Hope Channel and DirectTV Channel 368 during two weekends starting Friday, Sept. 30. Click here for more information about this one-hour special.

Resources

The North American Religious Liberty Association (NARLA) leads efforts to educate and advocate for the preservation of religious freedom in North America. News regarding religious freedom and how Adventists are affected can be found on the NARLA website, including a map feature to discover news events by location.

Be Inspired 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)