Todd Strandberg #fundie raptureready.com

My Forecast For 2013

At the beginning of a new year, it’s customary for people to make predictions about what will transpire in the next twelve months. Since so much of what occurred in 2012 was a set-up for 2013, I decided to add my voice to what I think will happen in the coming months. Since only God can predict the future, I will restrict myself to only offering a forecast of what might occur.

Israel and Iran

Sometime in 2013, the standoff between Israel and Iran will likely reach a boiling point. I have been amazed at how long this potential conflict has been brewing. There has been so much preparation for war that we will probably be shocked by how bad the situation will get after the fighting starts. Iran has already promised it will close off the Strait of Hormuz to oil shipping if were to come under attack. It also has a growing number of missiles that are capable of reaching Israel. A strike would likely send the price of oil soaring. With the global economy in a precarious state, oil going to $150 per barrel would be apocalyptic.

Social Meltdown in Europe

In Greece, Spain, Portugal, and France, the welfare-entitlement state has hit a brick wall. After decades of governments making financial commitments that they lacked the ability to fund, we're now at the breaking point. The only solution has been rounds of austerity measures that attempt to slowly take back those perks. So far, a generous social net has prevented people from going hungry. When the masses realize they are not getting what has been promised to them, they will riot in the streets.

Another Big Earthquake

In 2013, I expect to see another massive earthquake take place. The last giant earthquake occurred in March of 2011 along the eastern coast of Japan. Because we seem to have entered a pattern of birth pangs that has large quakes occurring every couple of years, the continuation of this trend would call for one to strike sometime in 2013.

Japan's Money Printing Will Trigger Inflation

The Japanese government, for the last two decades, has used the Keynesian tools of deficit spending to keep its economy afloat. By repeatedly kicking the can down the road, Japan has amassed the largest national debt of any industrialized nation. With a debt to GDP of 240 percent, a financial meltdown could come at any moment. What makes me think 2013 could be the year that the bubble burst is the recent decision by a new Japanese prime minister to accelerate money-printing as an attempt to kick-start the economy. This new plan will likely let the inflation genie out of the bottle. Once inflation starts in Japan, it will quickly spread to Europe and the U.S.

Gold and Silver Will Move Higher

For twelve years in a row, gold has gained in price, which is the longest annual gain since at least 1920. Even though this move is incredibly rare, I still look for gold and silver to move higher this year. The endless printing of money by the Federal Reserve will continue to makes investment in precious metals the best option for protecting your savings against money debasement. I look for gold to push through $2,000, and for silver to eventually move above its $50 high set in 1980.

Obama Administration Will Attempt to Gut the Second Amendment

Even before the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the goal of liberals was to completely disarm the American people. I expect Obama to make every effort to gut the Second Amendment. The most likely move will be new restriction on the sale of so-called assault rifles and the size of clips that go into weapons. Another effort might be to get all new guns registered.

Fallout from the November Election

My #1 forecast for 2013 would have to be the likely fallout from the November election. When the American people voted to reelect one of the most liberal presidents in our nation's history, we collectively shook our fists at God. The reason the pro-marriage and marijuana measures didn't instantly cause fire to rain down from heaven is because that's not how God operates. There is always a price to pay for sinful rebellion, but it typically comes after a time that allows for repentance. I look for things to remain sunny side up until the inauguration, but after that, the clouds of judgment may quickly drift in.

--Todd

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