Now that 2012 is in the record books, many people are wondering what the new year will bring. As we look at the events happening in the world around us it is certain we are living in a fearful time, facing an uncertain future.

Paul wrote this warning in 2 Timothy 3:1,“Know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” That was certainly true in 2012 as gas prices continued their streak of highest-on-record days, unemployment remained high, and we barely missed going over a Fiscal Cliff!

Jesus agreed with what Paul wrote. He even warned us ahead of time what the world would be like when He comes back in Luke 21:25, 26, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth….”

2012 was certainly a year of weather extremes: There were 19 named tropical storms, putting 2012 in the top five busiest hurricane seasons since 1851.

It was also the third consecutive year with that many storms in the Atlantic. Hurricane Sandy was called a “super-storm” and was the second-costliest storm in U.S. history.

It crashed into the Eastern Seaboard on Oct. 29th, crippling New York City’s subway system and airports, killing at least 128 people and leaving more than $71 billion worth of destruction in its wake.

Drought and heat extremes combined to cause some of the most destructive Colorado wildfires in the state’s history. The Weather Channel also reported that 54.6 percent of the U.S. was in drought at the end of June, which was the highest percentage since December 1956!

This caused corn, soybeans and other crops to fail.

Record heat waves across the United States and Europe pushed the U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization to conclude that 2012 was one of the hottest years on record. Temperatures in June and July placed it among the three hottest summers since 1950.

Also in June, massive bands of thunderstorms swept in unexpectedly, bringing high winds gusting up to 58 miles an hour, and torrential rain.

The storms downed hundreds of trees from North Carolina to New Jersey, leaving 14 people dead and millions without power for over a week. Many states declared states of emergency including: Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, the District of Columbia and Virginia.

Central West Virginia and eastern Kentucky were also hit with a 4.3 magnitude earthquake in 2012!

Were all these things a coincidence? No. In fact, everything that happened last year: extreme weather, increased violence, increase in drug use, child sexual abuse, adulterous scandals, same-sex marriages were all foretold in the Bible.

So what will happen in 2013? You might want to look into God’s Word, make things right with Him and then hold on tight!

 

Rev. Doug Johnson is the senior pastor at Bethel Temple Assembly of God in Huntington, W.Va. www.btag.org