Sorry this post will be kind of long, I've just been following this stuff so much...
Yes there is so much happening...the birth pangs really, really became stronger and more frequent this year...I sometimes forget that the rapture is not dependent on any event happening since only God the Father knows the day and the hour but all the signs are here and growing.
Anyway, The US collapsing is (ok WAS) the biggest hurdle for the coming one world government and that will be happening soon. I think the rapture might be the push the US will get but with what is going on in the middle east and most importantly what MIGHT go on in Saudi Arabia, we might be here for this country's economic collapse. I know God will provide whatever happens but I pray we aren't here for it! If unrest reaches Saudi Arabia, oil could reach $200-$300/gallon and it would cripple and already fragile US and global economy. Today, there have already been reports of police already opening fire on protesters, the planned "day of rage" is tomorrow and we know how quickly the unrest in the middle east escalates. At this point, only God is holding this country together and whatever happens, He is of course in control and will provide for us. The people and spiritual powers that THINK they are in control, HA! They are fulfilling their role in God's ultimate plan.
Before I got closer to God, I did alot of research into the Illuminati/NWO conspiracies and one day it clicked that it was what was told in the bible. It's so unbelievably clear how EASY it would be for the sweet talking, "peace" bringing antichrist to swoop in and take over...it has never been more viable than it is now. Just imagine, the dude is alive and well right now and maybe he even knows who he is meant to be already since he needs to be groomed and ready. Well, that's as much as I can concern myself about him.
Even things are emerging for The Gog/Magog War of Ezekiel 38 which I believe is Russia leading I believe Libya, Iran, Ethiopia and Turkey to war against Israel. Russia recently announced that they are planning to spend $650 billion in the next 10 years to upgrade it's army. We also know that Russia and Iran have become allies in the recent years. The bible says that when this attack against Israel happens, Israel will be in a state of peace with noone bothering them -- as much as everyone is against Israel now, only God knows what will take place for that to happen.
Here's the scripture and some more info about it...very interesting...bible prophecy is so awesome!
Ezekiel 38: 1-14
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them. 8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. 9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. 10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: 11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, 12 To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? 14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?
The areas named during the time of Ezekiel and the Countries now
There has been a serious increase in the desire of Isrealites to work toward rebuilding the third temple. To the point that the priests' (including the High Priest) garments, many of the object needed in the temple are being constructed thanks to generous donations to The Temple Institute which is by far the most proactive in building awareness and working towards making it happen. There has also been news from Jerusalem that Priests are being chosen and trained for their roles...just to be prepared. I believe God has put this overwhelming desire in their hearts to prepare...
Here's a link to some information about some objects that have been made and from the temple institute site:
http://www.templeinstitute.org/meil_techelet.htm
For some reason the most shocking sign to me has been the blatant apostasy in the church. I mean, things that would NEVER have been condoned in the past. I just started to find out about the emergent church movement and the cunning infiltration of new age-ism (which is unbelievably demonic) in the church. I know The Lord warned of false prophets, apostasy..etc but it just still blows my mind. Then there's the direction the United Methodist Church in the US has been taking the past couple of years...sorry if I offend anyone that attends a Methodist church. I know some are still preaching the true gospel.
Oh and there's the constant setting of records in HIGH FOOD PRICES...
"Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" (Rev. 6:6) It's all being set up. There's so much more I could write in terms of signs that are ripped right out of Daily NEWS headlines but at this point it's almost overwhelming.
Honestly, I'm constantly looking up...I imagine hearing/feeling the loudest sound I have ever heard and suddenly being enveloped with the most overwhelming feeling of Peace, Joy and Love. I then immediately look up to see Jesus, beautiful face beaming with unfathomable glory and LOVE, clothed in the brightest, whitest robe, with his feet of glowing bronze, his hair as white as snow and a crown with many stars on his head and in the next moment. the clouds and then heaven!
Interestingly, my mother was pronounced dead for about 5 minutes 20 years ago and she said she was about to enter heaven when Jesus came to her and stopped her. Her description of Him matches the description of Christ John gave in the book of Revelation. She said he had a crown with MANY stars and his robe was unbelievably white/bright and all the way down to his feet which were almost like bronze and glowing. She could not see his face, it was too bright. She also said she heard the most beautiful singing from SO MANY voices. He told her it was not her time and that she should go back and preach his gospel, He also said He is coming soon. She's been telling me for years about her experience but I just connected what she saw with what John described very recently. I can't believe I'd been imagining Christ in his earthly body instead of His glorified form. It was just kind of mind-blowing if nothing else...
I do try to tell my friends and sometimes strangers about Christ mostly with tracts. It's kind of scary sometimes but I ask The Holy Spirit to help me.
ETA: OMG THIS EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI!!!! WOW!!!!!