Well folks, I guess Sunday marks the Chinese Lunar New Years. All across Chinese communities world wide, they will be celebrating new years eve this saturday night. This new year is, according to the Chinese, the Year of the Pig. Truly intriguing it is to associate swine with the upcoming year. But, as I perform my daily research, I happened upon an article posted to the Drudge Report concerning the astrological significance and ramifications associated with the Year of the Pig.
According to the article, Chinese astrological experts are warning of increased warfare, increased natural disasters, and even predicting a great event in the U.S that could potentially imperil the whole world. On the flip side, they are prognosticating continued economic growth and global prosperity. The dichotemy of these two pronouncments is rather mystifying, wouldn't you all agree. But, I guess war has always been the economy's best friend. Anyways, the bottom line is that I guess the next 12 months are going to be quite the roller coaster ride for us in the states.
Then, after further research on the web, I discovered that I was born during the Year of the Dog, November, 1970. As fortune would have it, those of us who are thus fortunate, have alot to look forward to this year. I am to see financial increase,,,that is certainly long awaited good news, and, of course, I should experience some sort of romantic development that may lead to a "long term" relationship. Hoorah! Hopefully, Jessica, my beloved wife, will be on board with this.
What I find really fascinating with all this info is that it seems to correlate with what Christian "prophets" are saying. But, do we really need to know that we are going into the year of Pig to see that the world is heading toward hell at full speed ahead? Anyone with any knowledge of Biblical prophesy would have to admit that we are indeed entering into the "birth Pangs" that Jesus Christ spoke of when asked by His disciples concerning the end of the age and His Second Coming. I urge anyone interested to read Mathew 24.
After further contemplation, I think the Chinese are on to something here with the whole Year of the Pig thing. 2007 does promise to be one of the most pivotal years that the world has ever experienced. Not just from a prophetic or religious viewpoint, but also, financially, diplomatically, and even for the most basic of all human needs, the need to love and to be loved.
What do I mean? See, Jesus commanded us to love and to love without prejudice. Infact, He says that the Greatest Commandment is love. Imagine for a moment if we lived by that commandment. Would there be any war? Would there be any poverty? Would 50% of all marriages end in divorce? I don't think so! What if the world, rather than being torn apart by conflict and disaster, would actually unite in the name of love? Now, don't get me wrong, I am not talking about anything even close to the 60's motto, " make love, not war". But, if for instance, the true Body of Christ Jesus, the ones who actually believe and understand the Gospel message, would rise up and courageously proclaim His Gospel, and if this great proclaimation would spark the greatest revival, dwarfing even the Great Awakening of the 1700's, that the world has ever experienced, what would the world look like? Maybe that is what the "Year of Pig" portends. Maybe, just maybe, there will be great cataclysmic events this year, and from ensuing travail, we will all be drawn back to the Gospel of Christ.
Consider this, what price are you willing to pay for the things that you want? We have no problem dropping a hundred grand on a Mercedes, or 500,000 on a house, but we can't even spare a dime for a brother. Folks, unfortunately, I have come to believe that only by what is coming will the world finally wake up and smell the coffee. What do I mean? Right after 9/11, the churches across America were full, all for about a month of two, then back to their normal almost empty. I can only imagine what it will take for a much more substantial and lasting revival to occur, and God help us if I am even close to being right.
So, as Sunday comes and goes, and 20% of the world's population celebrates the Year of the Pig, stop and a take a moment to consider your place, your role in this world and how you affect those around you. And remember, Love is the greatest of all the commandments.
May God richly bless you in 2007