Some Americans Expect Jesus' Second Coming in 2007

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, January 03, 2007

One in four Americans anticipates the second coming of Christ in 2007. This is one several predictions made by Americans in a recent poll for the new year.

A poll by Ipsos, an international polling firm, found that 11 percent of respondents said it is "very likely" that Jesus will return to Earth this year and 14 percent said it was "somewhat likely."

Among white evangelical Christians, 46 percent said it's at least somewhat likely that Jesus will return in 2007 compared to 17 percent of Catholics and 10 percent of those with no religion.

Overall, 25 percent said it was "not too likely" that Jesus will make his second coming this year and 42 percent said it was "not at all likely."

Other predictions Americans made for the new year included another terrorist attack and another major natural disaster within the United States, according to the Associated Press. The majority of respondents also expect worsening global warming and that a biological or nuclear weapon will be unleashed elsewhere in the world.

At the same time, a minority of Americans think the U.S. will go to war with Iran or North Korea over the countries' nuclear ambitions.

Only 29 percent of the people think it is likely that the U.S. will withdraw its troops from Iraq and 35 percent predict the military draft will be reinstated.

The poll also found that the majority of Americans thinks Congress will raise the federal minimum wage. One third also sees hope for a cure to cancer.

The findings were based on a telephone poll of 1,000 adults conducted Dec. 12-14.