by Michael G. Mickey

(11-13-05)

Recently, the Asian Development Bank announced a bird flu pandemic risks triggering a global recession, as seen in a Yahoo News story. The story states "a yearlong shock from bird flu in humans would cost Asian economies as much as $283 billion and would reduce the region's gross domestic product by 6.5 percentage points, hitting the trading hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore the hardest." It would be, undeniably, a disaster. Not convinced?

A BBC article indicates the World Bank believes a bird flu pandemic could cost the global economy up to $800 BILLION. The same article which predicts this quotes the head of the World Health Organization as saying it's "only a matter of time" until a pandemic takes place, causing "global chaos".

Is the threat posed by bird flu genuine or is it being exaggerated? I believe what we're hearing of its threat is genuine and that it may be part of a bigger picture emerging in the world around us - a world well on its way toward a head-on collision with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

In Bible prophecy, we see four horsemen saddle up and go for a ride across the earth.

The first horseman, the rider of the white horse seen in Revelation 6:2, is symbolic of the Antichrist who will go out "conquering, and to conquer." Peace, we're told in Daniel 8:25, will be the weapon he will initially utilize to destroy many. His rise will begin with the signing of a seven-year covenant of peace in the Middle East.

The second horseman, the rider of the red horse seen in Revelation 6:4, is symbolic of war. This rider will remove peace from the earth, which will erupt into unprecedented violence and conflict.

The third horseman, the rider of the black horse, is symbolic of famine. Food prices are going to soar as supply is exceeded by demand. Only the wealthy will go unharmed from hunger during this time of global food shortage.

The fourth horseman, the rider of the pale horse, is symbolic of death as seen in Revelation 6:8. His name is, in fact, Death and Hell will follow with him. A quarter of all mankind will be killed through this horseman and his companion, by way of the sword, hunger, death, and, interestingly enough, the beasts of the earth.

As we look at the costs, both in terms of human casualties and economic woes, is it beyond the realm of possibility a bird flu pandemic or similar other zoonotic disease could spread across the globe like wildfire during the early stages of the seven-year Tribulation Period killing everywhere it lands? If so, could this be what Scripture is referring to when it speaks of the beasts of the earth playing a prominent role in the deaths of one-fourth of all mankind alive at the time? Could be, especially when we consider just how deadly new research indicates the virus may be once it becomes transmissible from human to human!

According to a Fox News story, new research indicates bird flu's high casualty rate is most likely the result of what happens when the human body is exposed to it. According to the story, the body releases over 10 times the level of inflammatory proteins in the body as when it is exposed to a human flu virus, the end result being a deadly, more often fatal than not, respiratory inflammation.

PhD Malik Peris, quoted in the Fox News story, likens the human body's immune system to nuclear power, adding, "If it is well controlled it can be very beneficial, but if it is out of control there can be huge problems."

As we look at the four apocalyptic riders Bible prophecy tells us will begin the seven-year Tribulation Period's suffering, it's plain to see, through examination of the news in the world around us, these riders may well be preparing to mount their steeds even now.

The revived Roman empire is beginning to play a prominent role in Middle East peace. That could be symbolic of rider #1 throwing his foot into the stirrups.

The Gog-Magog alliance is becoming more and more clear to see taking shape in the world around us, Russia aiding Iran in pursuing its nuclear ambitions being one example. That could be symbolic of rider #2 tightening down his saddle for a wild ride.

Around the world, global warming continues to bring bizarre weather, threatening crops and food supplies around the world. As this happens, the world's population continues to rise and rise. Not only may global warming and bizarre weather bring reduced food supplies, the widespread war brought about by the ride of the second horseman will create challenges to commerce, as well as the shipping and transporting of food from producers to consumers. Yes, I believe the third horseman may well be giving his steed a drink in anticipation of a ride.