I found this very interesting from Chapter 4 of the e book: “Apparently, the purpose of finding these “lost” portions of the Old and New Testaments as well as the Ark of the Covenant is to help the Mahdi win converts from both Christianity and Judaism prior to “eradicating” the remainder who do not convert to Islam.” Thanks again for the link.
In discussion with others about the matter, the question has arisen; “How could the backwards nations mentioned by Richardson rise to such global power”? My guess is that a total and complete global economic collapse (such as we are potentially facing now) would reduce the 1st world nations to that of the third world, instantly. The Muslim world would also be hit by the financial disaster, but...they have the one commodity that every nation will need. Oil. An economic collapse could instantly unite Muslim nations with their oil stranglehold and force a Muslim global powerhouse with a rising no-name Muslim leader to usher in a new global era.
It may be agruend that the US has plenty or reserves, however, we should, in our Wesern-centered world view, be mindful that the OT & NT are uniquely Israel and Jerusalem centered, not Europe, or the US. And Israel is not a petroeum exporting powerhouse. For that matter, almost all of the world relies on imported oil to function. There is a curious verse in the Bible that, has been interpreted many many different ways, but in light of a possible global Muslim world government view makes sense in the new light.
“6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart[a] of wheat for a day's wages,[b] and three quarts of barley for a day's wages,[c] and do not damage the oil and the wine!” Rev 6:6
The part about the poverty, or, more likely, the hyperinflation, where working a whole day is not even enough pay to feed one person for that day is easy to understand. But the next comment about the oil and wine is where interpretations vary. Mostly, commentators interpret the passage so say whilst there will be outrageous poverty, the oil/wine comment is indicative of there being extreme wealth by an elete few
However, in light of a possible Middle Eastern muslim global government, it is easier to see that it may be interpreted as petroleum and ethanol/methanol being highly coveted.
just my take.
...thoughts?