Hello Prim90;
Thank you for sharing with me mixed with the Bible, some history and your personal experience regarding both Australia and America. I feel you and I have a common ground here and will explain from my spirit. Both countries have had it's high and low seasons through the ages but by His grace we're both still standing. Praise Him!
We must stay informed of the world affairs so we know how to pray. God will resolve but as you posted, "how much longer will that grace and blessings remain to be seen?"
Regarding this balloon, I strongly believe these are "example discussions" that can allude us to the coming of the age, predictions arise that bring about strong disagreement among Christians who try to understand them. Question is, what can one person, you or me, do to be ready in a small or big way for the Lord? After Jesus ascended to heaven and before He comes again, regardless of the age we're in, we should be expected to be persecuted. Not from the guy who sucker punches you, but the ongoing contention in-country, across countries, corruption, war, loss of respect for human life, all sorts of principalities of darkness, cold and hardened hearts, I feel these are examples of persecution because they sure aren't bonding us any closer.
Now, I'm not downplaying the balloon. I realize it's not a joke and should be taken serious. But squabbling about predictions that can fuel disagreement among Christians who are trying to understand is not
Instead, the Lord gives me joy in this;
We have a lot of work to do, and those who stand firm until the end will be saved. Does this mean I wipe my brow with a sigh of relief? No. We stand firm and continue love God first and He will guide our direction to those in our respective countries (all who follow Christ) and love on those and introduce them to Christ so they too can have a relationship with Him and stand firm until the end.
We should feel excited to bring one more person to Christ Jesus. It's what we do as a priority for the Kingdom.
God bless you, Prim90.