Joseph was a man in whom
God revealed the signs of his time
.
Os Hillman
“… men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew
what Israel should do–200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their
command…” (1 Chronicles 12:32)
The
last few years we have seen unprecedented changes in our world and nation and
are reminded of how fragile our economy is and how much of an impact the USA
has on other economies.
We
have seen the symptoms of a political process in our nation that has revealed a
huge void in leadership.
If
there were ever a time we needed a Nehemiah “Change Agent” in our land to
rebuild our walls with a solid foundation, it is now.
The Bible encourages us to be “men of Issachar, who
understand the signs of the times.”
It
is important to operate from an informed and balanced perspective on the events
of our world. It is easy to err on either side of this fence.
Joseph
was a man in whom God revealed the signs of his time and what he was to do. He
was even called to warn an ungodly king of what was coming because God cared
for the people.
I
have had the privilege to be connected to many world leaders and receive
updates on information from various sources.
I
have relationships at high levels related to economic issues.
This
has helped me gain clarity and decipher what is sound wisdom and discernment
about the times we live.
I
want to share some of what I am hearing, seeing and discerning about where our
economy is at and what God might be saying.
I
will do this by sharing my personal insights and the insights from others I
trust, but ultimately, you must seek God to draw your own conclusions.
I
am also connected to several spiritual leaders in our nation and in the world.
It
has been helpful to read and listen to what they are hearing and how consistent
the Word is regarding the spiritual interpretation of these events.
There
is a perfect storm brewing that I believe is leading to a worldwide economic
tsunami.
I know, those are very strong words. “Here we go
again – another ‘doom and gloom’ voice.”
But
somebody has to say it; in hopes the Church and society at large will wake up
and get ready.
There
is a huge OPPORTUNITY heading our way; but you must be prepared to take
advantage of it.
That
perfect storm involves five world events that are converging:
o The US debt crisis
o The Euro debt crisis
o An aging baby-boomer who is no longer spending money
o A judgment of mammon by God
o An inevitable military strike coming against Iran from
Israel
Learning
from Joseph
Joseph
had a dream from God that said a famine was on its way and God was merciful to
even warn an ungodly king to let him know it was coming so that he could
prepare and save two nations from starvation.
That
sounds like a merciful warning and a strategy given by God to prepare for
something that was not going to be averted because of any prayers.
Now
don’t get me wrong. Prayer IS important. God desires we intercede for our
nation.
I
believe He wants to give you His perspective on things and wants to still be
your Jehovah-Jireh, your provider, in this season.
God
is so faithful that if He needs to feed you by the ravens like he did with
Elijah, he can still do that.
So
that is where your faith must remain, regardless of world events.
The
Bible clearly teaches us that God gives us solutions and strategies for living
our life, no matter the circumstance.
After
all, there is no problem that God does not already have an answer for if we ask
Him for it.
This
will not be any different, but it will require you to have a genuine faith that
is not rooted in principles or natural reasoning.
The bar is going up. And we will have to rise to stay above the fray.
The
Media
The
news media is not giving us the real facts on the seriousness of the economic
conditions that are quickly unraveling and headed our way.
Let
me give you some hard facts of the perfect storm that is brewing.
The
US debt and the European debt is now far beyond the ability for political
leaders to solve. It is that simple.
They
have kicked this can down the road so many times it is now going uphill and
about to roll back over them in the form of a massive debt boulder.
We’re
looking at a worldwide economic reset with many nations, starting with several
European nations that will default on their debt obligations.
America
will have its own problems to deal with as well.
The
current crisis in America is the result of a fractured foundation
The
current crisis in America is the result of a foundation that is rooted in
mammon, greed and overuse of debt.
As
such, that foundation will not be able to stand. It is a simple reality that
whatever you sow you also reap.
It
is a time to understand that we cannot be a debtor nation or be individuals
strapped by debt and maintain a solid foundation.
Heavy
debt is a ball and chain around the neck of individuals and nations and it
eventually comes to roost when inflated bubbles burst.
The scripture clearly says that “The rich rules
over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
I
have followed this principle in our ministry, using almost no debt to operate.
I
do not believe the Bible teaches against business debt, just the overuse of it.
The
rule is that the more you use credit, the more you become enslaved to the
lender.
There
are some businesses that must use debt to operate, but when it comes to our
personal lives, we should strive to become debt-free as much as possible. He
who owns the gold rules.
Europe
There
are a few trusted economists I follow that know the reality of our dire
situation.
John
Mauldin is one of them. He said in a recent letter:
“Europe is
going to end in tears. The longer they keep piling up debt, the worse it will
be. Their choices are Disaster A and Disaster B. Try to avoid both and you get
Super Disaster C. Change is coming to Europe. One way or another, a new order
and a new balance will be forced upon them. Either a fiscal union or break-up.
They have kicked the proverbial can down the road until it will roll no more.
You can feel the Bang! moment arriving. This is the Endgame.”
Several
nations are on life support right now including Portugal, Italy, Greece, and
Spain – “PIGS” is an acronym used to refer to these four nations.
France,
which has the largest banks and economy, is said to be the next in line
following these nations.
Financial analyst Nick Guarino observed about whether
proposed solutions were having a positive impact: “Reality is, nothing can
bail out Greece, never mind Spain, Italy and France. All hell is about to
explode in the world economy and financial system.”
US
Another
trusted voice that I believe understands what is going on is Harry Dent. Harry
is a Harvard economist. I went to high school with Harry.
In
his newsletter he cites:
“Of course when you combine this ‘demo-economic’
reality with everything else happening with the economy: unprecedented debt
levels (both personal and at all levels of government), currency unrest,
shifting economic power bases… and the fact that we’re at the tail end of one
of the greatest technological eras not seen since the industrial revolution, it
paints a troubling picture for the years ahead…”
Some
would believe that we are heading toward recovery. However, Harry is quick to
point out that this is a false recovery.
“Many investors will make the mistake of thinking this
downturn is temporary: that the markets will roar back after some heroic
government fixes, just like in 2009. But this time it won’t happen. QE3 will
drain the government dry of money, the printing presses will run out of ink,
and long term interest rates will keep rising in response to irresponsible
stimulus. Week after week the markets will wind down… falling through the
11,000 mark… below 10,000, then 9,000, 8,000… to 6,440 – where it’s likely to
rally briefly… before ultimately dropping to as low as 3,300…”
We
are a nation in huge debt.
o 14 trillion in government debt…
o 17 trillion in leveraged banking and financial
services debt…
o 11 trillion in corporate debt…
o An incredible $14 trillion in consumer debt;
mortgages, car loans, credit cards…$56 trillion in total debt – and that
doesn’t include the estimated $46 trillion in unfunded liabilities for
Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, according to the U.S. Treasury. The
best experts outside of the government estimate those unfunded liabilities to
be more like $66 trillion.
o It all adds up to $102 trillion to $122 trillion in
debt…
o Or about $330,000 to $400,000 for every man, woman and
child in America!”
Aging
Baby-boomer = Less Spending and an Economic Slowdown
Contributing to the perfect storm is the aging of the
baby-boomers and the implications from this.
Harry Dent explains that “our peak spending ages –
the period in our lives when we tend to have the most disposable income and
“treat” ourselves to cars, gadgets and so on – are between 46 and 50.
Between 50 and 64 spending habits tend to change
dramatically. We see retirement not far off and make a concerted effort to
save, while our spending needs decline with our kids leaving the nest.
We retire at 63 (on average) and tend to have our
greatest net worth at 64 – cash, investments and assets we’ve set aside to live
from.
The largest group of the baby boom generation is made
up of people born within a 25-year window between 1937 and 1961.
The Baby Boomer generation was no ordinary generation
– peaking at nearly 5 million births per year between 1955 and 1959.
The greatest economic boom in US history was pretty
much “preordained” to have begun around 1983 as the first of the boomers
entered their peak spending years (1937 plus 46 years)… and started to tail off
after 2007 with the last of them (1961 plus 46 years).”
Thus,
part of the perfect storm is the aging baby-boomer generation that is no longer
in their spending years, further contributing to a weak economy now combined
with a worldwide debt crisis which only compounds the situation.
Dent
explains that history tells us that the most severe downturns and depressions
have three phases.
o A severe crash, like we saw in late 2007 to early 2009
– when the Dow fell 55%, from 14,280 down to 6,440.
o That’s followed by a bear market rally, spurred by
renewed economic from government stimulus. That’s where we are now.
o The third phase is a final crash and deeper
depression, and a deflationary phase that lasts a few years.
In
essence, this is when the global reset button gets pushed.
The
Iniquity of the Amorites
One
respected spiritual mentor and world marketplace leader sees the current crisis
as a time of coming into a maturity of a judgment from God on mammon and greed
in society worldwide that goes all the way back to the original formation of
currency.
He
equates this to the time when God caused the people of Israel to be freed and
ushered into the Promised Land to judge the Amorites.
The
iniquity of the Amorites had come to maturity and God was now judging the
Amorites through the nation of Israel.
Could
we now be entering a modern-day “Amorites” judgment in the world?
In
Genesis 15 God mentions the judgment of the Amorites, when He told Abraham that
his seed would go into exile in Egypt for 400 years, and then would come out,
with God’s help, to destroy the Amorites and possess the land.
“Amorite”,
derives its name from Martu, and refers to a demon god who made claim to be the
god of universe.
Amurru
and Martu are names given in Akkadian and Sumerian texts to the god of the
Amorite/Amurru people, often forming part of personal names.
He
was the patron god of the Mesopotamian city of Ninab, whose exact location is
unknown.
The
first money was dedicated to this god.
Amurru’s
root name also means “solar golden calf”.
Another
400 Year Landmark
We
are also at another interesting landmark time period in our world.
As
I said, it was 400 years before God brought Israel into the Promised Land
through the initiation of the judgment of the Amorites.
We find ourselves in a similar 400 year time period from the birth of many interesting things.
Four
hundred years ago in Amsterdam, the following took place:
The
first multi-national company was birthed in 1602
The
very first national bank was birthed
The
first stock exchange was birthed
The
first, First Baptist church was born in a time of great speculation
The
first multinational company in the world was the Dutch East Indian Company
formed in 1602.
The
enterprise was the world’s first to be owned by investors through the issuance
of stock equity.
For
almost 200 years the Dutch East India Company paid a dividend to shareholders
of 18%.
This
was the most valuable enterprise in the world at that time. The success of this
business model made tiny Holland the richest state on earth.
They
pioneered the use of letters of credit, bills of lading and receivable
financing.
These, and many other finance mechanisms created by the Dutch, enabled this tiny kingdom to enjoy status as one of the world’s great colonial powers while much larger nations stumbled and declined.
For
200 years the Dutch East India Company was the international gold standard for
corporate governance, performance and profitability.
To
this very day, the trade routes, trading terms and conditions, and marketing
techniques perfected by Dutch merchants are in use.
This
entrepreneurial nation is an example that modern states can study to learn the
massive positive possibilities inherent in creating open trading systems.
Weighed
down by corruption in the late 18th century, the Company went bankrupt and was
formally dissolved in 1800, its possessions and the debt being taken over by
the government of the Dutch Batavian Republic.
The
VOC’s territories became the Dutch East Indies and were expanded over the
course of the 19th century to include the whole of the Indonesian archipelago,
and in the 20th century would form Indonesia.
Have
we come to a point in world history where God is saying, “Enough is enough”
and He is now judging the financial systems of the world similar to the 400
year time with Amorites?
I
am not a prophet, but we certainly see a shaking throughout the world.
The
judgment of the Amorites ushered in the people of God to take the land.
Regardless
of whether this is true, I do believe this is ushering in a time when the
Church can make the greatest impact on the culture if we press into God during
this season.
Libor:
Just when we thought bankers might change their ways
Bankers
were in the news again in July for major integrity breaches. This time it was
in England.
LIBOR
are initials that stand for London InterBank Offered Rate.
It
is the rate that is based on what 16 banks based in London (some are US banks)
tell Thomson Reuters they expect to pay for overnight loans (and other longer
loans).
Thomson
Reuters throws out the highest four numbers and the lowest four numbers and
then gives us an average of the rest.
Then
that averaged number becomes about 150 other “rates,” from overnight to one
year and in different currencies.
The
key is that the number is not what the banks actually paid for loans, it’s what
they expect to pay.
The
British Banking Association, on its official website, calls this price
“fixing.” They were found manipulating rates.
Economist John Mauldin concludes about the LIBOR
scandal: “One of the very real problems we face is the growing feeling that
the system is rigged against regular people in favor of “the bankers” or
the 1%.
And
if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit there is reason for that
feeling. Things like LIBOR are structured with a very real potential for
manipulation.
When
the facts come out, there is just one more reason not to trust the system. And
if there is no trust, there is no system.
God
says He will Shake the Foundations
God said in Hebrews 12, “See that you do not refuse
Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth,
much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,
whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once
more I shake not only the earth, but also Heaven.”
“Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of
those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things
which cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which
cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews
12:25-29).
A
Spiritual Viewpoint on the Economy and World
Three
prophetic voices I know see this as a time God is ushering in His Josephs and
it will be a period of great growth and opportunity for the Church at large to
provide solutions to world problems, like Joseph.
I
agree with this. I believe many, like me, have been trained by our Joseph
process in the 90s.
Then,
in 2008 a new crop of Josephs came into their training period. They are
learning to live on manna.
Now,
another new crop is in training. God is preparing us to be problem solvers in
culture.
Believers
will begin to influence the cultural mountains more than at any other time in
history.
God
is elevating many currently within the 7 cultural mountains of influence.
One
voice speaks that these economic challenges will redefine our relationship with
God and correct many false beliefs we have had toward God as Father, as our
provider.
A
friend explained to me that the financial markets make up 93% of the worldwide
GDP and only 7% of this is from services and industry.
“We are living in a hot air balloon that can burst at
any time,” he said.
Many
will have to trust God more than they ever have during this season.
This
is not a time to instill fear and begin hoarding resources but make Godly
preparation, to use the same wisdom of Joseph to understand the signs of the
times, and to avoid debt and seek the Lord more fully to understand His plans
to experience His greater power in your life to impact the world.
Jesus
is returning for a mature bride. Before Jesus returns, we can expect a shaking
to come. Spiritual maturity rarely comes through prosperity and ease.
Paul
tells us in Ephesians that Jesus will come back for a mature bride, not a bride
that is immature, which is currently where the Church is today.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved
the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Year
of Jubilee
In
Leviticus 25 we discover a principal God established for the people of Israel
related to debt.
It
is called the year of Jubilee. God commanded Israel to declare the year of
Jubilee every 50 years.
The
following three things were to occur in the year of Jubilee:
o One all debt was to be canceled or forgiven
o To all slaves were to go free
o Three all property was to be given back to the
original owner
God
seemed to know that human beings will always use more debt than they can
handle.
So,
as a result, God commanded Israel to declare a national debt purge every 50
years to reset the debt cycle.
If
this doesn’t happen voluntarily, then often what happens is that individuals
and nations become overly indebted and bankruptcies and foreclosures are a
result.
This
is exactly what happened in the Great Depression in the 1930s.
How
do you prepare? Learn from Joseph
So,
having said all this, what can you do to prepare and navigate this time in
history, and even thrive?
Some
say this will be the greatest opportunity for wealth transfer of our lifetime.
However,
it is not just being a Christian that allows this to happen. It is being
financially debt-free and spiritually in tune with what God is saying and doing
and participating with Him in the process.
The
first thing you want to do is get your own house in order. Try to save and put
away some funds, just as Joseph set aside 7 years of resources.
Get
out of debt as much as you can. Those who are liquid will have the greatest
advantage to take advantage of opportunities.
Many
millionaires came out of the Great Depression who were not debt-ridden
beforehand.
Now
is the time to avoid any type of debt. Housing is likely to go down further.
Recovery is a long way away.
It
is not a good time to buy a home, but you must seek God on decisions like this.
Again,
those who are debt-free will see many opportunities from this crisis.
Understand
God’s view of money and how to manage it from His perspective. Remain in faith.
Do
not embrace fear. Do not hoard.
Tithe
and continue sowing seed into Kingdom enterprises.
God
takes care of those who care for His Kingdom. Remember, God is your provider.
There is never a recession in heaven.
A
Lesson from Jeremiah: Listening to the Voice of the Lord
We
are entering a season where those who do not have a two way, intimate
relationship with God will suffer.
Listening
to the Lord and getting His strategy for this season for our lives is crucial
to thriving during this time.
We
cannot simply follow formulas or do what others might be doing. God relates to
each of us individually.
We
must place our trust and reliance upon the God who made the markets, the God
who made Heaven and earth, and the God who holds our futures in His hand.
I
encourage you to ask God what strategy He has for you during this time.
A
great story featuring the life of Jeremiah can be found in the Old Testament.
Jeremiah’s
Jerusalem was being invaded and God tells him to buy land in Jerusalem, the
very land that is being invaded.
That
would not exactly be sound investment advice, it would seem.
God
told Jeremiah to buy a plot of land in his nearby hometown of Anathoth. Why?
Such land would surely be worthless and useless in a short time.
Skeptical, Jeremiah questioned God: “Look, the
siege mounds! They have come to the city to take it; and the city has been
given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword
and famine and pestilence. What You have spoken has happened; there You see it!”
(Jeremiah 32:24-25).
Jeremiah
argues with God about such a directive.
God’s answer? “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of
all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Jeremiah
obeys the Lord.
“So I bought
the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighedout
to him the money-seventeen shekels of silver. And I signed the deed and sealed
it, took witnesses, and weighed the money on the scales. So I took the purchase
deed, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that
which was open; and I gave the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, son
of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my uncle’s son, and in the presence of
the witnesses who signed the purchase deed, before all the Jews who sat in the
court of the prison.
“Then I charged
Baruch before them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:
“Take these deeds, both this purchase deed which is sealed and this deed which
is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may last many days” (Jeremiah
32:9-14).
God’s
instruction to Jeremiah had to do with a time yet to be fulfilled.
The
copies of the deed, placed in a clay jar according to God’s instructions so
that they would last a long time, are symbolic of end-time developments,
specifically, the promise of the modern repossession of all the covenant land.
This
jar may yet be found and fulfill a prophetic promise to Jeremiah and the nation
today.
So,
this is why it is important for you and me to be listening to God’s voice at
this time.
It
will prove to be the greatest opportunity for wealth transfer for those who are
prepared and listening to the Spirit’s directive.
I
believe God is raising up His Joseph’s to be problem solvers just like he was
for Pharaoh.
Os Hillman is president of Marketplace Leaders and author of 18 books and the popular devotional, TodayGodIsFirst. You can subscribe free to his devotional at www.TodayGodIsFirst.com He is recognized leader in faith and work
https://godtv.com/understanding-the-signs-of-the-times/
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