My goodness, Tippy & I agree on something.
Obama is not the antiChrist.
"Goose", there have been other times of trouble, pestilence & other acts of nature.
No, because time does march on, 'the end' is nearer than it was yesterday, last month, last year, last decade, last century....I don't believe it is as near as you envision.
If we, as Christians, are to believe in the infinity of God then 2008 years is a meer blink of His eyes. I think that just as any other proud parent He want to watch us and to be proud of us.
I think He has not yet seen us face & conquer our greatest challenge. No, I don't think that challenge will be China or North Korea or Iran. I don't know what it will be. I know that my grand children's children, children, children may see it. But it will not happen in my lifetime.
See, for all of you that (mainly in other forums) have questioned my faith system...I DO have a strong conviction & belief in God. I just do not think he controls every aspect of our lives....I think He could care less if Golfer X makes a putt or baseball player X gets a hit or if we can talk our way out of that speeding ticket (I couldn't).
I honestly believe when He (as the old rock & roll song goes) "rolled His big sleeves up" and created us He gave us remarkable tools, all the tools we needed for greatness. I think that He wants us (as ANY parent would) to use those tools to succeed & prosper. The same as if we parents always come to the aid of our kids...what do they learn? I think He leaves us pretty much alone to see how we use/misuse that most awesome gift: Free Will.