END TIMES - Prelude to the end of the age?

I don't think I'm a "last days" extremist but, like any serious student of Scripture, I'm fascinated with the current of world events ... especially recent events.

Spiritually, most of those who run things around the third rock from the sun can't see the end of their nose let alone the end times; but for anyone even slightly aware of the God's plans for the end of the age, the picture of global antagonists from everywhere coming together to pay homage to a humble priest from Poland is startling.

Stephen McGinty of The Scotsman caught the sense with his lead paragraphs ...

AT THE end of all John Paul II’s days there sat a strong, plain cypress-wood box. On the lid rested a book of the Gospels and something more: the eyes of presidents, prime ministers and kings, of brightly attired prelates and millions of pilgrims.

Across the globe, from the slums of Calcutta to the golden coast of California, from the troublespots of the Middle East, to the heart of Communist China, over one billion people watched as Karol Wojtyla, who became John Paul II, the 261st successor to St Peter as the head of the Catholic Church, was laid to rest in Rome.

Notice the unchallenged mention of the apostle Peter as the first pope.

God's Script for the close of the age of the Gentiles warns of a global stupor which will take over; included in the warning is a one-world government, a one world religion, and the worldwide cry of "peace, peace".

McGinty mentioned something else that caught my attention, something concerning the pope's humble pine box coffin ...

The box, engraved with a cross and the letter "M" for the Virgin Mary, that rested on the altar of St Peter’s Square, contained not just a man but an icon. As the president of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, one of over 200 heads of state who attended the funeral, said: "John Paul II was the most significant personality of the 20th century."

The Scriptures also warn of a woman who will become prominent during the last days; the idolization of, let alone veneration of, the mother of Jesus is mystifying. But then the bible warns that the people of the world will be mesmerized against truth during the last days.

And if this pope was so significant during the past 28 years, why didn't the world trek to his feet while he was alive?

Anyone besides me getting a sense of eschatological excitement?

See here for another CRIB comment on the end times.

UPDATE: Since this morning I've had another thought ... no jokes, please! Consider Jesus warnings concerning wars and rumors of wars, famines and pestilences.

As I write this there is another outbreak of Marburg virus in the slums of Angola; add this to the fears about a Bird Flu pandemic and we have some serious things to consider.

One thing about being a believer in this exciting time is that God is still in control and there's not a thing man can do about it!