Predictions for 2011

Once again I take pen in hand, or at least mouse under hand, to make my prognostications for the coming year. I do not purport these as prophetic, they are just my opinions based on my “view from here!” We’ll see how many come true, but either way it’s interesting and hopefully motivational for us to, as the Boy Scouts say, “Be Prepared” and as Jesus put it, “Watch and pray! Look up for your redemption draws near!” Someone asked me last week about my predictions for 2011 and I answered with three ominous letters… W… A… R.

• I have been predicting for 2 years now that Israel will strike Iran to prevent the Iranians from making their nuclear arsenal operational. While I was a little “off” on my timing, I still see this as the next “big thing” to happen in the Middle East. Look for a strike in the first 90 days of 2011 followed by global condemnation of Israel, chaos, and a regional war. This war could turn out to be the “hook in the jaw” that pulls the “Chief Prince” from the far north to attempt an invasion Israel expanding the regional war to where it will engulf many nations. (Ez. 38:4-13)

• The US will stay out of direct military involvement in this regional war but will offer weapons, aid and logistical support to Israel. Iran will call for suicide bombers to attack the US in retaliation and we will see some terrorist attacks on US soil.

• As a result of this war, global fuel prices will rise dramatically deepening the economic crisis here and around the world.

• North Korea will provoke a real “shootin’ war” on the Korean peninsula, dragging the U.S. into this decade’s old conflict, and proving once again the old axiom that any “unfinished” war has to be fought again. The only way wars are ended is with the complete victory or defeat of one side or the other. Read your history books. Any war that ever ended temporarily (even for decades) in a truce or cease-fire, eventually flared up again. The reason for that is that the underlying cause for the war was not dealt with. This holds true for spiritual warfare too! (Chew on that for a while.)

• Pakistan and India will move closer to war as Pakistan becomes very unstable.

• Vladimir Putin will strengthen his grip on a resurgent Russia.

• In Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will go through several attempts at his removal both violent and political but he will emerge stronger and more "Hitleresque" than ever.

• Here at home, look for Hillary Clinton to resign as Sec. of State sometime this fall in preparation for a primary run against Barrack Obama for the 2012 Democratic nomination.

• Palin, Huckabee and Romney will fade. Chris Christie of N.J. and Rick Santorum of PA will be the front runners for the Republicans going into 2012.

• “True Grit” will win “Best Picture” at the Oscars, and a “surprise” team will win the Super Bowl!

Some of these things MIGHT come true…. But here’s what we KNOW FOR SURE: “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”