Good question, BroJoe. My answer: Yes and No. I could write a long essay, but no, I won't. It's almost time to pick up Mrs. henkster for lunch.
What I think we are looking at is an end to "the Long Peace" that followed World War 2. Since 1945, there have been no major wars where the major powers directly fought each other. I don't count Korea as a "major war" as it did not involve an existential fight for either China or the United States. But the better parallel for the end of the Long Peace is 1914, which ended the last Long Peace that followed the Napoleonic Wars.
I sometimes like to use the "Tectonic plate" analogy to describe the long periods of peace that end in cataclysmic wars. In Plate Tectonics, all seems peaceful and quiet on the surface, but underground forces are constantly pushing and grinding away, building up pressures. Eventually, the "existing order" of the rock is no longer strong enough, and the pressure is vented in the cataclysmic destruction of an earthquake. Then rocks settle down into their new arrangement, only to repeat the cycle.
History works much the same way. After 1815, when the "earthquakes" of the Napoleonic Wars had subsided, Europe settled into the post-Napoleonic Era of the "Concert of Europe." And with a few minor tremors, all remained peaceful. But underneath it all, new forces were at work creating pressures on the existing order. The Unification of Germany, the colonial/industrial economies of Europe, the rise of Socialism/Communism, all worked in a complex manner. Finally, in 1914, the earthquake happened. Only it was not enough to exhaust the historical pressures, and also created a new set of historical pressures the required a second, far more destructive, cataclysmic release a generation later.
Since then, the world settled down into a new order, more or less dominated by the victorious and prosperous United States, and played off by the simmering confrontation with Soviet Communism. However, under the surface, new historical forces gathered and began exerting their inexorable pressures. Oil economics empowered Islamic states, who have one by one come under the domination of radical, violent religious zealots. China rose as a major world power as Soviet Communism waned.
Most importantly, the United States squandered it's enormous wealth and prosperity on wasteful domestic programs. Having elected a series of very poor leaders, and lost most competitive advantages, the United States is now divided and weak. If I were to draw any comparison with 1939, we are France. On paper, we have the world's finest, best trained, best equipped and most professional miltary. But it serves a fractured, divided nation lacking political will and political leadership. And that military is itself being gutted from within.
So, yes, it's 1939 all over again if you believe the historical forces that have built up over the past generation can no longer be contained by the existing order created out of the wreckage of the last great war. And if you do believe that, then keep in mind how this plays out for us, just as it did for France in 1940. It will not go well.
I find myself wishing to ask you for the next-to-impossible: integrate your expectations with the soon-coming fulfillments of Bible prophecy. But that’s asking too much of anyone. (Have I goaded you sufficiently?)
Thanks for your great responses.
I especially appreciate your post #14 reply to "Hebrews 11:6".
For such a young man, you are wise beyond your years. ;-)
I agree it's the 1930s all over again, but not necessarily August of 1939.
I'd say, more like 1936, after Hitler occupied the Rhineland, or the March 1938 Anschluss of Austria, from which he learned how weak-willed the western powers had grown, and how easy they were to roll over.
The Putins, the Mullahs, Islamic radicals and Chi-coms of the world are now learning that same lesson.
It may yet not be too late, but the clock is definitely ticking down...
Ahhh.... one who sees the processes and not just the events.
As a close up of the processes, the current trade negotiations involving the Pacific Rim are evidence of the historical process transforming these nations into modern powers with economic capabilities and desires that were impossible as recently as thirty years ago.
Many choose to look back and wail and gnash their teeth about what was. The trade negotiations are being made by those looking forward. The trade relations will determine how the path to the future is paved. a certain order is needed to magnify the profit of multinational trade
and lastly..... as you have implied, peace is the interval between wars
Little girls in peace symbol T shirts will never grasp that simple fact