Hello. Love your website. I know that James Chapter 5 describes a bad economic turn in the last days. (Weep and howl, ye rich men .) Do you think this chapter applies to the tribulation period? There have been depressions (and world wars, too) before the rapture, and there could be again, I suppose. But isn’t this ultimate economic shock in James 5 for the tribulation? Thanks for what you do!
I believe that James 5:1-6 has had several fulfillment’s. It was written in the early 60s AD before the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Israel and so the first fulfillment would have been during the Jewish nation’s last days.
But down through history, whenever a powerful nation has fallen, its currency has been devalued, sometimes to zero.That’s why there’s always been a rush among the rich to buy things that retain their value during times of upheaval.
The ultimate fulfillment will come at the End of the Age when no economy on Earth will prosper and only food will retain its value. Then those who trust in the things of this world for their security rather than their Creator will find they have nothing. The Book of Revelation calls them Earth Dwellers, as opposed to believers, who are called Those Who Dwell in Heaven. The word “dwellers” refers to where one’s heart is, not just to one’s physical location.
As believers we’re supposed to have the same attitude as Abraham, who “by faith made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country … for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:9-10)