The Atlantic: The Next Decade Could Be Even Worse
A reader sent me a link to the following from The Atlantic’s December 2020 edition:
The Next Decade Could Be Even Worse
Peter turchin, one of the world’s experts on pine beetles and possibly also on human beings, met me reluctantly this summer on the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where he teaches. …
The year 2020 has been kind to Turchin, … Cities on fire, elected leaders endorsing violence, homicides surging—to a normal American, these are apocalyptic signs. To Turchin, they indicate that his models, which incorporate thousands of years of data about human history, are working. …
He has been warning for a decade that a few key social and political trends portend an “age of discord,” civil unrest and carnage worse than most Americans have experienced. In 2010, he predicted that the unrest would get serious around 2020, and that it wouldn’t let up until those social and political trends reversed. Havoc at the level of the late 1960s and early ’70s is the best-case scenario; all-out civil war is the worst. …
Turchin looks into a distant, science-fiction future for peers. In War and Peace and War (2006), his most accessible book, he likens himself to Hari Seldon, the “maverick mathematician” of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, who can foretell the rise and fall of empires. In those 10,000 years’ worth of data, Turchin believes he has found iron laws that dictate the fates of human societies.
The fate of our own society, he says, is not going to be pretty, at least in the near term. “It’s too late,” he told me as we passed Mirror Lake, which UConn’s website describes as a favorite place for students to “read, relax, or ride on the wooden swing.” The problems are deep and structural—not the type that the tedious process of democratic change can fix in time to forestall mayhem. Turchin likens America to a huge ship headed directly for an iceberg: “If you have a discussion among the crew about which way to turn, you will not turn in time, and you hit the iceberg directly.” The past 10 years or so have been discussion. That sickening crunch you now hear—steel twisting, rivets popping—is the sound of the ship hitting the iceberg. …
Turchin’s prognostications would be easier to dismiss as barstool theorizing if the disintegration were not happening now, roughly as the Seer of Storrs foretold 10 years ago. If the next 10 years are as seismic as he says they will be, his insights will have to be accounted for by historians and social scientists—assuming, of course, that there are still universities left to employ such people. …
“There is a longstanding debate among scientists and philosophers as to whether history has general laws,” he and a co-author wrote in Secular Cycles (2009). “A basic premise of our study is that historical societies can be studied with the same methods physicists and biologists used to study natural systems.” …
Also unwelcome: the conclusion that civil unrest might soon be upon us, and might reach the point of shattering the country. …
This oscillation between violence and peace, with elite overproduction as the first horseman of the recurring American apocalypse, inspired Turchin’s 2020 prediction. …
If he is right, it is hard to see how history will avoid assimilating his insights—if it can avoid being abolished by them. Privately, some historians have told me they consider the tools he uses powerful, if a little crude. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/can-history-predict-future/616993/
Could Peter Turchin be correct?
Well, because of items mentioned in the Bible like the Shemitah year (every seven–Deuteronomy 15:1) and the Jubilee year (every 50–Leviticus 25:10) that the Bible tells of, the idea that there are (or would be) numeric patterns in the economy, etc. is correct.
Furthermore, since there are billions of people and millions of predictions, some non-inspired ones will be right.
In this case, yes, I believe that the next decade will include the destruction of the USA.
But that is not based on Peter Turchin’s type of analysis, but scripture.
Before going further, notice something Forbes put out a while back, written by :
The 2020s Might Be The Worst Decade In U.S. History
I recently wrote about a looming credit crisis that’s stemming from high-yield junk bonds. …
Rising defaults will force banks to reduce their lending exposure, drying up capital for previously creditworthy businesses.
This will put pressure on earnings and reduce economic activity. A recession will follow.
Global Recession
This will not be just a U.S. headache, either. It will surely spill over into Europe (and may even start there) and then into the rest of the world. The U.S. and/or European recession will become a global recession, as happened in 2008.
Europe has its own set of economic woes and multiple potential triggers. It is quite possible Europe will be in recession before the ECB finishes this tightening cycle.
As always, a U.S. recession will spark higher federal spending and reduce tax revenue. So I expect the on-budget deficit to quickly reach $2 trillion or more. Within four years of the recession’s onset, total government debt will be at least $30 trillion. …
The Great Reset
Unemployment may approach the high teens by the end of the decade and GDP growth will be minimal at best.
What do you call that condition? Certainly not business as usual.
Long before that happens, the Federal Reserve will have engaged in massive quantitative easing. …
The world simply has too much debt, much of it (perhaps most) unpayable. At some point, the major central banks of the world and their governments will do the unthinkable and agree to “reset” the debt.
How?
It doesn’t matter how, they just will. They’ll make the debt disappear via something like an Old Testament Jubilee.
I know that’s stunning, but it’s really the only possible solution to the global debt problem. …
As we get into the 2020s, the presidency and Congress will again be whipsawed, and we will begin to discuss Bernie Sanders’ “crazy” universal basic employment idea, or others like it.
By then, the idea will not be considered crazy, but the only feasible choice. Even conservative politicians can see the light when they feel the heat.
All of this is going to lead to the most tumultuous decade in U.S. history, even if we somehow (hopefully) avoid throwing a war into the mix
If we somehow get through all that, and particularly the Great Reset, the 2030s should be pretty good. https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmauldin/2018/05/24/the-2020s-might-be-the-worst-decade-in-u-s-history/#1fefec1e48d3
Related to this, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Forbes posted an article by John Mauldin titled “2020s Might Be The Worst Decade In U.S. History.” The article claimed that US debt is destined to rise dramatically as well as cause financial problems with Europe. He claimed that unemployment would greatly increase as well. He claimed a reset, like a biblical jubilee debt release, would be the logical solution. He claimed that the 2030s were then likely to be good. Could the 2020s be the worst decade in USA history? How might Habakkuk 2 play into any of this? What about Jeremiah 30? Could Jesus possibly return towards the end of the decade? Could the USA experience sorrows, troubles, and possibly the Great Tribulation in the 2020s? Could the 6000 years be over then? Could the 2030s be a fantastic time ushering in the millennium? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
Here is a link: Forbes: 2020s Might Be The Worst Decade In U S History. While Forbes did not mention Jesus or sorrows, the above video did.
Pestilences are part of the sorrows and troubles Jesus prophesied (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:8).
And with COVID-19, the US has increased its massive debts even further. On March 21, 2020, the Washington Post suggested a possible debt jubilee.
Such a thing is biblical for individuals. Biblically, this was to be sounded by a trumpet every 50 years (Leviticus 27:16-24).
But the Bible does not discuss national debt default occurring then. Plus now, foreigners and others owed money will NOT be pleased (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8. Others have called for a debt jubilee, and I have reported about it before (see Trump signs new debt increase. Are Americans to soon demand a debt-cancelling Jubilee?).
Now, there are a couple of points to consider.
First, yes, I expect the USA to continue to increase its debt. The more it does this the more difficult it is to actually pay the debt back. And eventually, when interest rates rise enough that would devastate the US economy.
But secondly, I want to focus on the possibility that the decade of the 2020s and the period ending the end of 2030 may end up being the worst in US history.
While, because we have not seen a peace deal and the related confirmation as discussed in Daniel 9:26-27 (see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27), the Great Tribulation will NOT begin until after the next US presidential term is over.
The USA, however, is expected to experience sorrows and troubles before then as Jesus also foretold:
4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:4-8)
Now let’s consider some other reasons that it is possible that the 2020s will be the worst in the history of the USA.
Many early professors of Christ believed that God had given humanity 6,000 years to live on its own, no longer under God’s direct rule (see also Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).
This was to be followed by a millennial kingdom of God and reign of Jesus (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).
What does any of this have to do with the decade of the 2020s?
While based on various calculations and estimates I am familiar with, there is a high probability that the 6,000 years will end in the latter half of that decade, or perhaps as late as the early 2030s.
That being the case, the Great Tribulation of Matthew 24:21, also called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), looks to begin in the decade of the 2020s.
Now, some people believe that the 6,000 years are over. Some believed in the calculations from the 17th century made by a non-COG historian, James Ussher, who was the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh (in what is now Northern Ireland).
He primarily based his calculations upon the chronologies and reigns of kings in the Old Testament to conclude that the world was created in the Fall of 4004 B.C. There are several problems that can arise from using James Ussher’s method:
1) The first is that Ussher’s method did not seem to take into account the fact that sometimes a son began to reign in a kingdom before his father king died (which, for one example, is the case with Solomon, see 1 Kings 1:32-43), hence the official chronologies often counted both co-reigns (hence this could contribute to possible over counting by Ussher).
2) He made some errors in some of his calculations.
3) James Ussher guessed that Solomon built the Jerusalem Temple in 1012 .B.C., but it was likely decades later.
4) It is almost certain that the 6,000 years for humans to rule over themselves apart from direct contact with God began after Adam sinned, and hence left the Garden of Eden (cf. Genesis 3:24). It is possible that this could have taken from one day to twenty or so years–the Bible is not specifically clear on this point.
Thus, even if some of Ussher’s calculations were accurate, there still would be time left as he did not really attempt to prove when Adam and Eve were put out of the Garden of Eden–he only attempted to calculate the possible year of creation based upon his own limited understandings of biblical chronologies and other historical indicators (at least one of which seems to have been in error). Therefore, people who rely on Ussher’s 4004 B.C. calculations to claim that the 6000 years are up seem to be relying on assumption as opposed to fact.
Some who now point to Ussher do so to discredit the idea of a 6000-7000 year plan. But since Ussher was not completely accurate, this does not dismiss the basic concept.
The best calculations that I am aware of point to the decade of the 2020s or 2030s for the 6,000 years to end (for details, see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).
Presuming it is up no later than 2031, this would be the worst decade in history for the USA and various other nations.
Some think a reset will occur soon. The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Financial Reset by 2022?
Euro Pacific Capital CEO says the US economy is about to crash because of debt. US National Security Adviser John Bolton declared debt as a threat to society. Forbes writer John Mauldin says that a financial reset is expected in the 2020s, as does Willem Middelkoop, who believes gold may be part of a reset. Morgan Stanley believes the end of the current economic cycle may be in 2021. MIT pointed to changes in the 2020s. How much debt does the USA add daily? Does any of this tie in with biblical prophecies? Does Habakkuk 2 have applicability to the USA? Is it wise to try to discount debt and not pay it back in full? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues in the light of scripture.
Here is a link to the sermonette video: Financial Reset by 2022?
Could things get very bad relatively soon?
Notice what Jesus taught:
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)
Jesus also calls this something else in Revelation 3:10:
the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Now, if that hits in the decade of the 2020s, it will be a horrific time.
As far as debt and the USA goes, however, it will be worse than people like tend to think. Notice something that the Bible teaches:
2 And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
but the righteous shall live by his faith.5 “Moreover, wine is a traitor,
an arrogant man who is never at rest.
His greed is as wide as Sheol;
like death he has never enough.
He gathers for himself all nations
and collects as his own all peoples.”6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say,
“Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own—
for how long?—
and loads himself with pledges!”
7 Will not your debtors suddenly arise,
and those awake who will make you tremble?
Then you will be spoil for them.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you,
for the blood of man and violence to the earth,
to cities and all who dwell in them. (Habakkuk 2:2-8; English Standard Version)
The USA is the most indebted nation in the history of humanity and those in it should try to understand this prophecy–rising interest rates mean that it will cost the US government more to service its debt–this will one day be truly unsustainable. Perhaps it should be noted that the United Kingdom seems to have the second highest amount of total debt (about 1/2 that of the USA).
Notice that God tells Habakkuk that those who read this should run–that means they should take proper spiritual action now (cf. Luke 21:36), and then, eventually physically flee (cf. Revelation 12:14-16; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra). The rise of US debt was listed by me as number 11 of 20 items to prophetically watch in 2020.
The Anglo-American world order will come to an end. Accumulation of debt, and then having to pay historically ‘normal’ interest rates will strain the national economies of the USA and UK more than almost anyone will believe. It will be a financial crisis beyond what and most others would consider possible.
Those who think the current world order with the USA’s dollar on top will last several decades are in error.
The idea that the debt does not matter is a false and arrogant belief.
The Bible teaches:
18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
It is prideful arrogance that gets humans to think that they can essentially completely control the economy and just borrow and print up money. They cannot. Weather, political events, diseases, wars, morality, technology, and other factors play a role.
Plus, there is also the matter of debt accumulation by the USA and biblical prophecy.
Those who will believe the Bible will take the words that God spoke to the prophet Habakkuk seriously.
If this fulfillment happens in the 2020s, could be correct when he wrote, “If we somehow get through all that, and particularly the Great Reset, the 2030s should be pretty good”?
Yes.
Notice the following:
5 “For thus says the Lord: ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace. 6 Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale?7 Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. 8 ‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘That I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them. 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them. 10 ‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord, ‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid. 11 For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’ (Jeremiah 30:5-11)
This is a prophecy for the descendants of Jacob, which includes nations like the USA (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel) which will be scattered during the Great Tribulation (for details, see also Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).
Notice that the time of trouble will end.
Americans, and others, will then serve the Lord their God.
This will happen in the millennial Kingdom of God.
This will be a time of abundance and prosperity.
Presuming God’s Kingdom is established by or during the 2030s, it will be better than pretty good.
Pray for the Kingdom of God to come (Matthew 6:10).
Yet, expect troubles and tribulation before then (Mark 13:8-20).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2028 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? Two related sermons are available Millennial Utopia and The Millennium.
COVID 19 is NOT the End, but could it be TEOTWAWKI? The novel coronavirus called COVID-19 is wreaking havoc around the world. Many states of the USA as well as countries in Europe are on lockdown with shelter in place /shelter in residence requirements. In France, a form is required when you are not at your house. In Spain, drones are being used to warn people who are outside to got back to their homes–does that bring up feelings of ‘Big Brother’? Italy, France, and other areas are using police and/or military force to encourage people to stay inside. According to the Bible could this be the end? If not, what has to happen first? Have the second and third of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse started their ride? Could COVID-19 be the fourth horseman? Why or why not? Could we be seeing The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAKI) like the R.E.M.’s 1987 single song discussed? Do Christians need to fear? What did Jesus teach? What did the Psalmist teach? This is a video. Here is a link to a version in the Spanish language: Corona 19 no es el final PERO es el TEOTWAWKI.
Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else? Here is a link to a related sermon: USA in Prophecy: Samaria.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
This is PETRA! This is a 1962 Good News article by the late Dr. Hoeh.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2020, 2021, or 2022? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter and newer video is: Could the Great Tribulation Begin in 2020?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Other videos include: Armageddon Will it come on Trump’s watch?, Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy, Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome, Is China paving roads to Armageddon?, and Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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