Theme Scripture: Haggai 2:6-7

The recent newscasts from around the world depict a growing sense of dissatisfaction with civil government. Reports from Muslim nations in the past few weeks reveal a surprising amount of anger towards the totalitarian governments, even when the rulers are ostensibly fellow Moslems. Dictators, kings and rulers long entrenched are coming under assault by mass demonstrations in the streets. Already we have seen the Egyptian Hosni Mubarak government changed. Muammar Qadaffi of Libya is under pressure from his people and now from the world to step aside. Similar sentiments are occurring in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Somalia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Jordan, Kashmir, and Iran. Other governments such as China, Russia and Pakistan are already taking steps to undermine any civil demonstrations against them. Even in the United States, we are experiencing angry demonstrations by state and union workers over proposed cost cutting state-level budget changes. Everywhere we look we see growing unrest in civil, religious and economic circles. Is this just like any cycle of change sweeping the world or does it indicate something more fundamental and earthshaking? Is this the beginning of the biblical Time of the End?