As we complete one calendar year and move into the beginning of a new year, we usually begin to think about two things: (1) The things the last year has brought into our lives... and (2) What the new year might bring.

2011 was a great year for this ministry. Sandy and I were very busy all year long with the work our Lord laid before us... preaching Bible Prophecy Revivals, teaching Bible Prophecy study series, organizing and hosting our annual La. Bible Prophecy Conference, leading a tour to Israel, holding Bible study retreats at our home, etc. But, as the Apostle Paul said:

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended [grasped everything]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13-14)

So, not spending too much time on this past year's events, let's look instead at what 2012 might bring to us; not in our own personal lives, but in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. However, let me hasten to add that what I am about to give you is largely speculative and filled with my own opinions (for whatever that's worth). I don't have a crystal ball. And although God has told us many things that will happen in the future, He seldom (if ever) tells us exactly WHEN those things will happen, or exactly how they will develop, or exactly what combination of circumstances He will use to accomplish them. So, with that as our basis for discussion, here are some things that we MIGHT see happen this year.

European Union

Europe

The steady climb of the value of the Euro and the economic strength of the European Union seems to have hit a roadblock in 2011. The socialistic, entitlement-heavy governments of Greece, Italy, and other EU states are struggling to avoid complete financial collapse. Some have even suggested that we are watching the crumbling and eventual fall of the EU... that the whole Union will be totally dismantled resulting in either its complete abolishment and a return to the previous independence and sovereignty of its member states... Or, possibly to the ousting of those struggling nations to produce a new smaller, more tightly connected group of "fiscally responsible" nations... a "western Europe union".

The Bible teaches in Daniel that there will eventually be a ten-man board of rulers over a new revived Roman Empire (Dan. 2, 7:7,24-25). This will be the final empire of the age and it will be destroyed by Jesus at His coming. What the exact geographical boundaries of this new empire will be, we are not told. However, it will undoubtedly be a European based empire just like the ancient Roman Empire. Among that "executive board" of rulers, the Antichrist will come to power by "subduing" three of them (Dan. 7:8, 24). His eloquence ("a mouth speaking great things", Dan. 7:8, 11:36) and initial successes will cause the Europeans to adore him, saying "Who is like unto the beast?" (Rev. 13:4).

2011 riots in Greece

It is possible that the financial stress and resulting civil strife that we are witnessing today will continue and worsen, causing the people to long for someone who can bring stability and prosperity back to the nations of Europe. The worse things get, the more the people will desire a "savior". Unfortunately, they won't look to Christ as their Savior, but to the one who is antichrist.

A partial collapse and restructuring of the EU could lead to either the whole 27-nation union being ruled by some ten-man board (probably over ten regions), or to a reduction of the 27 nations down to just ten nations, led by ten men.

Again, let me emphasize that God does not tell us how all this will develop. What we've said here is just some ways that it could possibly happen. But it is probably safe to say that 2012 will likely hold more of the same kind of upheaval and unrest in Europe that we've seen in 2011. Probably even worse! We may see some major changes in the structure of the European Union this year.

The Middle East

The so-called "Arab Spring" that swept through the Arab nations in north Africa and the Middle East in 2011 excited many in the media to proclaim a coming new day of democracy in these countries where dictatorial rule and constant tribal conflict have been the standard for centuries. Very few recognized the similarity to what happened in Iran in 1979 when the Shah's dictatorship was overthrown, only to be replaced by the terrorist-supporting, Israel-hating extremists of the Ayatollah Khomeini government.

Egypt, having the largest Arab population of any nation in the world, has been the leader in the Arab League of Nations. They led Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq to fight against Israel in 1948. They led Jordan and Syria to fight the Six Day War against Israel in 1967 and joined with Syria to lead a large coalition of Arab nations to war with Israel in the 1973 War of Yom Kippur. So, there's no doubt that what is happening in Egypt today will affect all the Arab nations to some extent.

2011 riots in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt

The popular uprising that resulted in the overthrow of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011 was hailed by many (including our President) to be a giant step toward a freer, more democratic representation of the citizens in the government. But like the Iranian Revolution of 1979, it appears that a much more hostile Islamic government is in the offing as the Muslim Brotherhood, the mother organization of many Islamic terrorist groups, is winning the votes needed to control the national government. Their campaign platform has been the promise to annul Egypt's peace treaty with Israel and make Sharia law (Islamic law) the standard rule of Egypt, returning the country to its age-old position of official enemy of Israel.

Space does not allow me to explain the Biblically prophesied coming wars against Israel. But suffice it to say that the Scriptures make it clear that anti-Semitism will continue to rise until Israel will be forced to defend herself once again against a coalition of her Arab neighbors.

2012 will probably witness the rise of the Arab nations being more controlled by governments that despise Israel and are willing to try once again to annihilate her. It's certainly not out of the question that such a regional war could happen in 2012, initiated as a retaliatory attack after Israel bombs Iran's nuclear facilities. But even if it doesn't happen in 2012, the Israel-hating stage setting in the Middle East will continue towards that end.

The United States

Since at least the 1960s when prayer and Bible reading were removed from our public schools, our nation has been on a path of humanistic rebellion against the God Who made us great... the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This departure from (or should I say rebellion against?) the Christian ethics of our founding forefathers for the sake of "political correctness" has produced a generation who cannot even remember the time when basic biblical standards were the norm and not considered "ignorant". Sexual perversion, abortion, and atheistic blasphemy in the media are now the norm. 

Gay Pride celebration in New York City

Although sinfulness has been around since the Garden of Eden, never have we seen it condoned and encouraged in America as it is today!

As a result, our national woes are on an exponential rise. If God is not directing this, He is at least allowing it to happen because of our rejection of Him! Natural disasters, unwinnable wars, political and judicial corruption and economic deterioration are slowly strangling the life out of what was once greatest nation on earth!

With so many "conditions" being required before negotiations, maybe a "pre-handshake handshake device" would help!

The politicians incessantly bicker with one another, accomplishing no good thing. Hollywood and popular "music" plunge our entertainment diet ever deeper into the sewers of filth. "Churches" have become "promotions experts" bent on luring the masses and their dollars in. And society as a whole is totally losing its knowledge of Who God really is. How we've escaped the judging hand of God so far is a mystery of His great love. When some mega disaster strikes the land, many will ask why God would allow such a thing. But today, we should ask why God has waited so long to do it. The answer is that the Lord "is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9b)

The spiritual future of our nation is dim, to say the least. Although I'm normally NOT a pessimistic person, I am decidedly realistic. So, I don't see much of a change in the direction our country is headed. Consequently, 2012 will likely be just more of the same... until God judges us with a severity that heretofore has been unseen.

Will that judgment be economic collapse? Will it be the awesome destruction of nature unleashed? Will it be a chilling exhibition of the cruel hatred of terrorism? Whether 2012 will hold the day of God's judgment on our country or not remains to be seen. But each passing day moves us a day closer to it.

The Church

There is a difference between the "church organization" and the true body of born again believers, the Bride of Christ. Here, I refer to the latter.

She continues to grow. Although the wiles of the devil are to destroy her, The Church is built upon The Rock and the gates of Hell will NOT prevail against Her. However, as never before, the Church has been immersed in a faith-shrinking environment... not an environment of persecution (which actually strengthens Her), and not an environment of heresy (although that is widespread today), but an environment of prosperity that has lead to much deception and overall weakening of the spiritual strength of the Church. This is especially true here in America where even true Christians are being deceived into thinking that material prosperity is a sign of God's approval. Of course, this is not always true. The god of materialism has never produced more apathy, spiritual immaturity, and lack of commitment in God's children than it has today.

Jesus will come for His Church one day, maybe even in 2012. But when He does, it appears that He will find her spiritually weak and in need of His rescue. Our Lord asked the question, " when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Unless there is a sweeping revival across the land, it appears that America will continue on her path of apostasy in 2012. But the hope of the saints is that each passing day brings the Rapture a day closer. So, we conclude like the Apostle John at the end of the Revelation: "Even so, come Lord Jesus."