"Its the end of the world as we know it"~ R.E.M

End of times?

The media has a lot to cover these days and I’m surprised they have not predicted the end of the world yet.  The book of Revelations in the Bible is confusing about what happens during the end of mankind in my opinion; however, Revelation 18:4-19 speaks of the end of Babylon.  Could the end of mankind come in only one hour?  Look how quickly Japan’s stock market fell and currency was affected after the environmental tragedies which struck their country.  What happens to Babylon is eerily familiar to what is happening to Japan; could it be a precursor to what is in store for the United States of America?  I do not know if or when the end may come as no person does, but can the signs go on unnoticed?  Read the scripture and give it critical thought.  This blog is only meant to promote discussion on this subject and I have many questions about the end of times or if they will come at all, so read with an open mind.  I am not claiming or predicting anything! 

NIV version Rev. 18:4-19    

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen.  I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ 8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine.  She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

 “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’

11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.  14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out:

 “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

 “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

 “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea, became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’