Rumors, War, Oil and What They Will Cost Us

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars—and it will cost you more for nearly everything you buy.” That’s an edited version of a prophecy Christ made about “signs of the end.” His disciples were awestruck by what He said about the magnificent temple—that it would be torn to pieces. At the time, the building was the centerpiece of the city of Jerusalem and a fixture in the lives of its citizens.

Torn down? Unthinkable! Naturally, the disciples wanted to know when it would happen and how they could know in advance that such an earthshaking event was about to occur. That’s when He said wars and rumors of wars would be an early sign.

The present world is experiencing firsthand what wars and rumors of wars mean in everyday life. In a word, these circumstances are costly. The cost in human life is paramount, followed by the upheaval for those who survive but continue to live in the war zone.

CNN sets the current death toll in Libya at 1,000 to 2,000. Approximately 200,000 Libyans have fled the country. Those numbers can’t convey the nightmare of people dropping everything and leaving behind their homes, their jobs and most of their possessions to escape with their lives. Families with infants, elderly and infirm—each with unique needs for food, shelter and medicine—flood the Tunisian and Egyptian borders. They cram into whatever transportation is available or even escape on foot, wait in lines that stretch for miles and take days at the border crossings. They count on the generosity of international aid to provide them with tents, food and medicine until they can be relocated.

Then there is the cost that people pay far from the war zone—based upon rumors. The price of oil has been going up since rumors of upheaval in Egypt began. Prices shot up when the protests in Libya were met with a violent response by Gadhafi’s government forces and it became clear the unrest would continue for some time.

This is over a country that produces only 2 percent of the world’s crude oil supplies! Gas prices in the U.S. have risen 33 cents a gallon in the last two weeks on rumors over Libya. Illustrating the power of rumor, the prices dropped when word floated out of the country that Col. Gadhafi had been shot, but went back up when he gave a live speech to prove he was not dead. Then prices slipped down a little on yet another rumor that he was negotiating with rebels for a safe exit from the country.

While Americans face consternation over $5-a-gallon gasoline, Londoners are already paying over $8 a gallon, with reports of some paying as high as $10 a gallon. Rumors are costing people more to move about; but more than that, they are driving up the cost of living in general. It costs more to move goods from producer to consumer, and those costs will be passed along to the consumer in some form or another.

One can argue (truthfully) that much of the world has enjoyed relatively cheap oil products, but the main consideration at the moment is how much higher the cost is relative to what it has been. It is difficult for most of us to readily adjust to paying more for how we live.

People cut back on discretionary spending. Fewer meals out, fewer or less expensive vacations, fewer purchases of goods and services all translate into fewer sales, less production and eventually, fewer jobs and less income.

Again, this is all over rumors about a country that produces 2 percent of the world’s crude oil supply. Imagine what could happen—what will happen—when Saudi Arabia erupts in a crisis!

Back to what Jesus Christ said about wars and rumors of wars, He added that these circumstances didn’t spell “the end.” Rather, natural disasters would pile on to these man-made ones. Disturbingly, He concluded, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Ouch! That is a downer. But here is a puzzle for you: He listed the final sign of the end of the age as the preaching of good news. What could be good news in all of the above matters? Well, there isn’t any good news in them.

That is why anyone who sets his hopes on riding out the financial terrors by buying oil futures at the right time, stockpiling gold or filling a basement full of food staples is going to be terribly disappointed. None of these will stave off personal or global crises at the end of the age.

The way out is found in an ancient prophecy that was reiterated by Jesus Christ. It was the core message taught by His first-century disciples. It remains the central theme of the true Church of God today: the good news that Christ is returning to establish a world government that will succeed where all human attempts have failed. It will not rely on lobbyists, rumors or market maneuvers. It will not hinge upon the cunning of politicians or the brutality of dictators.

Do you dare to imagine such a world? Please do! Put your hope in it actually happening! It is the only way to what everyone wants, a peace described beautifully by the prophet Isaiah:

“The work of righteousness will be peace,

and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:17-18).