In no way do we wish to minimize or underestimate the troubles prophesied to come on the world. Yet each one of the dark biblical passages quoted at the beginning of this feature has an encouraging conclusion.

Scriptural prophecies of a time of unparalleled severity have gone unfulfilled for around 2,000 and more years. Deeply troubling world events now require us to face them squarely.

The Arab Spring brought the prospects for democratic development, but also the very real risks of Islamic ascension, political and economic chaos, humanitarian disaster and the persecution of Christians.

As just noted, many see the latest developments in the European Union as pushing Germany to greater dominance over the other member states.

The United States certainly appears to be undergoing a terminal decline that could possibly lead to the biblically prophesied time of Jacob's (or Israel's) trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).

China is pursuing an enormous military buildup on both land and sea.

Attempts to solve the ongoing eurozone crisis could eventually lead to a restructuring or partial breakup of the 27-nation European Union.

At the heart of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is ongoing hatred among Muslim nations toward Israel and the Jewish people. What are the underlying causes?