A History of Ideas, based on the Jewish Moshiach

Religions
The concept of a world, that will be redeemed in the "End of Days," was carried over from Judaism by two of the world's largest religions; and has become one of the foundation stone, of modern thinking.
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Communism
It is so powerful, that it has been integrated into non-theological "religions": The ideology of Communism assured its followers, that the Revolution (like the Messiah) might tarry, but it (like him) would surely come.
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Theory of evolution
We can also see this way of thinking, in the theory of evolution, which has - through a subtle shift in meaning - turned from a theory that explains how organisms adapt to their environments, to a description of how creation improves with each generation.

According to this view, if we let nature run its course and don't interfere, society will evolve toward perfection.

Advances made in science and technology, are held up as alleged proofs, that the world is improving; based on the false assumption, that whatever is more sophisticated (and more artificial), is better.
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Mythology
In Greek mythology, a Golden Age of peace and happiness, was thought to become gradually more corrupt; eventually degenerating into an Iron Age, of greed and cruelty.

The Nordic myths were even gloomier, and included depressing descriptions, of each stage of the collapse, of nature and the universe.
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Science
Some scientists today have a similar view, as they predict the inevitable (but not immediate) end of the world, due to global warming, species extinction, bacterial immunity, etc.
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Today
Today, it is a very common idea, that the world is progressing; and that everything is becoming better, more highly developed, and more perfect; - and will, therefore, ultimately merit redemption.
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Judaism
Although these views, as appealing as they may be, nevertheless are naïve and unrealistic; whereas the Jewish view of world history is optimistic, and based on Torah, and have substance and meaning.

Story of the AriZal- of Reincarnation

From (Shivchei Ha-Ari, 16th century)

It once happened in Safed, that a disciple of the Holy Ari had to go on a long journey. Before departing, he came to his teacher for a letter of recommendation. The Ari wrote it for him, then blessed him and said "May G-d be with you, and may you go in peace".

The disciple then asked "Master, can you tell me anything about what will happen when I get there?"
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"You will marry a beautiful woman" the Ari replied. "And she is your destined soulmate for this life. But after you have been happily married for only six months, she will suddenly die.

And here is the reason: In another incarnation, this woman was a man, and you were also a man then. He was your dearest friend, but he also caused you some legal trouble for six months.

Finally, he brought a lawsuit against you in the civil courts, which caused you to lose 600 gold coins, even though you were innocent of his charges.
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"Now" continued the Ari, "this friend from another life is once again reincarnated - as the woman you will marry on your journey. His soul has come to make atonement for his sins against you.

For the six months of trouble that he caused in that life, you will have six months of happiness in this life.
The inheritance you will receive when she dies, is to repay you for the 600 gold pieces you lost in the past life.

But even though you know this, you should be kind and patient to this woman, and grant her forgiveness for the trouble she caused you in the previous life."

Everything happened exactly, as the Holy Ari said it would.

Torah Sources for Extreme Weather Changes

At that time, the whole world will quake, and the people will wonder, "Is a new Flood, coming to the world?"

But G-d will assure them, 'No, this isn't a flood, rather, I have come to make a banquet for my children, and to rule over the entire world.'"
(Tanna d'Vei Eliyahu Rabba, end of Ch. 2)
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The heavens will disintegrate like smoke; and the earth will wear away like clothing,' as the promise comes to an end."
(Isaiah 51:6)
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"The foundations of the earth will quake. The earth is broken; the earth crumbles; the earth is dismantled.

The earth will move like a drunkard, and shake like a hut.. and the moon will be shamed and the sun embarrassed, for G-d reigns on Mount Zion."
(Isaiah 24:17-20, 23)

What is a Rebbe- A Story

About 140 years ago, The fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel (the Rebbe Maharash), had a Chassid who was a successful businessman.

Before undertaking any significant deal, he always consulted the Rebbe, and followed his instructions.
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One time, the Chassid was offered a fabulous opportunity. If successful--and most certainly it would be--he would make millions.

The deal, however, required, that he invest almost his entire fortune. Before the Chassid would make such a major move, he set off to the city of Lubavitch, to seek the Rebbe's advice.

After hearing the details of the proposition, the Rebbe Maharash told him, that he should not go through with the deal.

The Chassid was stunned. He tried to convince the Rebbe, that this was a sound proposal; he described all of the great profits to be made, but to no avail. The Rebbe's answer was final:
NO!
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A few days later, the would-be business partners came to the Chassid. When they heard that he was not interested, based upon the Rebbe's answer, they began to laugh at him.

"Certainly you didn't understand the Rebbe's words," they told him. "And anyway, maybe there were some important details you left out, that would solicit a different answer.

After all," they said, "isn't there a saying, that 'according to how you ask, that is how you're answered'?
Go back to the Rebbe and make sure to tell him all the details. You'll see, the answer will be different this time."

Back to Lubavitch the Chassid went. "Rebbe," he pleaded, "obviously I did not explain myself well enough last time. We're talking about tremendous sums of money. I can become rich overnight and give much Tzedakah [charity] as well..."

The Rebbe listened patiently once again. But at the end of the presentation his answer was simple and direct: "No, it's not worthwhile."
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The Chassid made his way home, thinking about all the money he could have made, if only the Rebbe would have agreed. "The Rebbe doesn't even explain his reasons," thought the Chassid.

But his friends and family wouldn't let up. "It's forbidden to lose such an opportunity," they cried. "Go back to the Rebbe again and certainly the answer will be different."
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In his third attempt, the Chassid tried everything, even begging the Rebbe to let him make the deal, but the Rebbe answered once again: "No."

When the Chassid came home, he couldn't stand up to the pressure of family and friends, and contrary to the Rebbe's advice, he signed the deal. He quieted his conscience by telling himself, that he would really give a lot of Tzedakah.
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Unfortunately, things did not go well. In a short while, the Chassid lost all his money.

The Chassid realized how wrong it was to not follow the Rebbe's instruction. Full of regret, he made his way back a fourth time to see the Rebbe.
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The Chassid spent a long time in private with the Rebbe. When he came out, he revealed only one thing that the Rebbe had told him.

"There are people," said the Rebbe, "big businessmen among them, who come to ask my advice concerning important matters.

Sometimes the issues are quite complex; matters which I have never engaged in, nor did my ancestors. So then why do they ask me my advice, and follow my instructions and counsel?

"There are three answers, each one matching a different type of Jew who comes to me.

1. "One person thinks, 'It's very simple. The Rebbe has Ruach HaKodesh--Divine Inspiration! The Rebbe is a G-dly man, a prophet.

It is G-d's words coming from his mouth, and therefore, we must follow him, no questions asked!'

2. "Another type," continued the Rebbe, "is a person, who operates on a different level, somewhat more down to earth.

'The Rebbe studies Torah all the time, and serves G-d with his entire being. His intellect is totally nullified to G-d's Will. Therefore, everything he says stems from Torah, and certainly his words will be fulfilled.'

3. "The third type," explained the Rebbe, "says, 'The Rebbe meets so many people, from all over the world and from all walks of life. He has acquired an incredibly broad knowledge of worldly matters.

With this knowledge and his ability to see things from many different angles, the Rebbe sees what others cannot. Therefore, we must listen to him.'
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"Whichever group you might belong to," the Rebbe Maharash concluded, "you should never have gone through with the deal, after hearing from me not once, not twice, but three times clearly saying 'No!'"

The Rebbe's Knowledge of Science

Professor Yirmiyahu Branover, of the University of the Negev, relates:

He once presented the plans for a new invention to the Rebbe. He presented the value of the "two-phase flow velocity", and the value of the "efficiency of the system".

The Rebbe immediately responded, that those two values were inconsistent.
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Professor Branover took the plans back to Beer Sheva, where his team reviewed their calculations, but found no error.
The problem was, that the comper program had many thousands of lines of data.

Eight months later they found their error; discovered by a new doctoral student, who had joined their team.

Jewish Law Regarding Moshiach

We now have the greatest opportunity, to enrich our lives, and the entire world.

According to all signs given in the Torah, and according to the prophetic words of the Rebbe: We have entered "Yemos Hamoshiach", (the Messianic era). And the many challenges we now face, are part of the process of Moshiach’s revelation.
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One of the principles of Jewish law, enumerated by Maimonides (The Rambam) is: There will arise a great Jewish leader, who is a direct descendant of the Davidic dynasty.

All the nations of the world, will recognize Moshiach to be a world leader, and will accept his guidance and rulership.

In the final stages of the Messianic era, there will be world peace, no more wars nor famine; and in general, a high standard of living.

All mankind will worship one G–d, and as a result, will live a higher quality of life.

The coming of Moshiach will complete G–d’s purpose in creation: For man to make an abode for G–d in the lower worlds; to openly reveal the Essence of G-d, in this finite world.

Global Financial Markets- record falls in 2008

Signs of a new era:

December 31, 2008

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7805644.stm

Britain's FTSE 100, had its worst year on record, down 31.3%; with similar falls in Paris and Frankfurt.

Shanghai was one of the worst-hit major markets, ending the year 65% lower, which was also a record loss.

In New York, the Dow Jones has lost almost 34% of its value in 2008, its worst year since 1931.
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Justin Urquhart Stewart, at Seven Investment Management, said:
The year saw the credit crisis, push several major economies into recession, with banks particularly badly hit - many requiring government bail-outs.

At the close in London, the FTSE 100 index, for the year as a whole the index lost 31.3% of its value, the worst loss in its 24-year history.

'Domino effect'
2008 - MAJOR MARKET FALLS
New York - down 33.84%
London - down 31.3%
Paris - down 42.7%
Frankfurt - down 40.4%
Mumbai - down 51.9%
Singapore - down 49.2%
Sydney - down 41.3%
Hong Kong - down 48.3%
Shanghai - down 65.2%
Tokyo - down 42.1%

There were similar losses in Frankfurt and in Paris.
In Frankfurt, the Dax-30 ended 2008 down 40%, which was the index's second-worst annual performance in its 20-year history. The index had risen 22% in 2007.

Technology firm Infineon, was the Dax's biggest loser in 2008, down 88.1%; followed by Commerzbank, down 74.7%.

"I believe, that we will have a lot of problems next year, and much deeper prices than this year. But where we will be at the end of the year, I have absolutely no clue," said Dirk Mueller of MWB Fairtrading.

Shanghai's fall, wiped nearly $3 trillion (£2.1 trillion) off share values. Shanghai soared more than 300% in 2006 and 2007.

Japanese shares also suffered their biggest yearly decline, with the Nikkei dropping 42%, as world's second-largest economy slid into recession.

As a meltdown of the US housing market, led to a global slump in consumer spending, and industrial production. Foreign firms withdrew investments from Asia, to repay debts back home.
In many cases, markets that had benefited most during the previous bull-run, were the worst affected as it ended.

As demand in overseas markets slowed, Asia's export-driven economies, were hard hit.

In Hong Kong, which is in recession, the Hang Seng index closed the year 48% lower. This was its second-biggest drop to date; and its worst since the global oil shock of the early 1970s.

India's main index in bombay, has more than halved.
"It was ferocious, it was an unprecedented move down. The domino effect was so quick and so swift," said Lucinda Chan of Macquarie Securities in Sydney.
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'Many uncertainties'
A surging yen, added to the woes of Japan's biggest exporters such as Toyota and Sony; while political upheaval hit Thailand's market.

"No one saw an end to the bull run," said Kirby Daley, at Newedge Group in Hong Kong.

"What many failed to see; was an end, to the leveraged world we were living in; and an end, to the consumption-driven economy, that the world had become."