The end is nigh.

Evangelist Pat Robertson has gone as record as saying that current events are enough to point to the certainty that we are living in the “End Times.”

I agree with Robertson’s contention that everyone reading this will likely witness “The End,” but not for the reasons Robertson states.

History is replete with examples of the things Robertson cites as signs: wars, plagues, famine, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. The difference, of course, is that with instantaneous communication, we can observe firsthand these events as they occur. When a hurricane, an earthquake, and the bird flu are all on your television screen at once, it’s easy to believe that things are quickly going to hell.

What Robertson fails to point out, and I think it’s key, is that in the End Times, mankind will be susceptible to deception. The Book of Revelation clearly points out that people are willing to follow the Antichrist, even though it will be fairly evident (even to non-Christians) that that’s who he is.

The reason I think we’re getting close is because of people’s increasing propensity to seek protection from those supposedly in charge. Witness Hurricane Katrina, the very reason I gave up politics. A sizeable percentage of the population believes that mankind was responsible for the disaster (via global warming), and the subsequent suffering could and should have been wholly alleviated by the powers that be.

Yesterday’s Minneapolis Star Tribune featured an editorial cartoon essentially paving the way for a similar reaction for if and when the bird flu becomes a pandemic. Millions of people could die, but rather than finally throw up our hands and collectively admit that we are powerless against nature/God/whatever, people will instead whine and complain that George Bush could and should have prevented it.

The interesting thing will be to see what happens if and when a Democrat is in charge during the next catastrophe. That’s when my theory will be proved or disproved. I firmly believe that at least half, if not more, of the population would endure disasters like Katrina if only someone “who cared” were in charge. John Kerry would have cared. Al Gore would have cared. Hillary Clinton will care. And ultimately, the Antichrist will care.

The difference, of course, will be that the Antichrist will be a supernatural being and will, in fact, be able to perform out-and-out miracles. Imagine the power a being would hold if they not only cared, but could actually do the things people now expect of leaders.

There are those reading this who will think me absurd, and you’re welcome to your opinion. As you’re aware, I go back and forth on religious and philosophical matters, and this time tomorrow I might think this silly too. I’m finding more and more, however, that people never fail to impress me with their absurdity, and I want desperately to believe that there’s someone or something out there that will ultimately kick our collective asses back towards a shred of common sense.