Businesspeople, The Times Demand Strategic Intercession And Prophetic Guidance
Dear Businessperson,
As you have been reading on the edge of your seat the daily, almost hourly headlines, about the 500-900 point stock market swings, the governments of not just the USA but of other nations injecting hundreds of billions of dollars into banks, governments taking ownership positions in banks, governments bailing out century-old institutions; what do we make of all of this? These and other questions are being posed in the minds of multitudes. The Scripture tells us that there are multitudes in the valley of decision – Joel 3:14. If there ever was a need for prophetic guidance in the marketplace, if there ever was a need for prayer shields to be placed around your life and the lives of your loved-ones – it is now! The times are NOT going to get easier, yes there will be times where there does not seem to be as much going on that is terrifying in the world but there will also be times when it seems like things are coming loose at the seams.
I have selected two articles, the first by Paul Cuny of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, (ICCC), of which I am a member, and the second called “The Coming Perfect Storm” by John Paul Jackson. The body of both articles are included below. We are not to hide our heads in the sand folks – this is the church’s greatest hour. You and I were born for such a time as this. In the midst of the greatest panic and uncertainty in the world, God has a Holy prescription: Prayer, fasting and utilizing those who have an ability to hear and to see – a team backing you up in prayer. This is what WISE Ministries International is all about. We will stand with you through your storms and you will come out victorious and perfected in the Lord. It is our privilege to stand with you! Give us a call at 512-250-9006 or fill out the contact form. We would love to partner with you and your business.
In His wisdom, Pastor Charles.
Understanding The Economic Times
by Paul L. Cuny
The global economy has produced many benefits for the nations of the world. Through the internet, people in Africa can market products that can be purchased in Chile with the click of a mouse. On a global scale, commerce is conducted and money changes hands instantaneously between continents. We live in a world where travel between continents is common and commerce is the key. People all over the world are inter-connected and inter-dependent. Yet as we have seen in recent weeks, the economies of all nations are inter-connected, as well. Could it be that God was actually speaking of our day when he spoke to the prophet Daniel 2500 years ago? Dan 12:4 But you Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase. NLT
However, the catastrophic events on Wall Street of recent weeks have revealed a darker side of this inter-connectedness. These recent events have produced great anxiety among people in every nation, whether they are believers or not. When the catastrophe of Wall Street happened a few weeks ago, it produced turmoil of similar proportions in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. What does the future hold for people of an inter-connected world? Where is God is all this? Does He even involve Himself in something so “secular” as the economics of nations? Is He leaving us to experience the fruit of the greed and corruption that is so pervasive in our world? Will His servants, who are in the middle of all this like everyone else, go down with the rest of the world? These are serious questions for serious times. Allow me to submit to you some answers for your consideration.
Two Economic Realities
It is important for those of us who are to be the salt and light of the world, to understand that we live by a different system of economics. I am not denying the economic reality of what took place and its effect on people around the world. I do wish to point out the existence of another economic reality.
Many of us tend to think of the Kingdom of God as our eventual destination. Yet over and over in the scripture, Jesus told us that the Kingdom of God has come among us. That means that it is a fully functioning reality in our world today. I suggest to you that it is a system of government on the earth today with the scripture as its constitution. This Kingdom is not influenced by any other government or institution because it is ruled by a Sovereign King. This Kingdom is the most dominant spiritual and moral force in the earth. Like all governmental systems, the Kingdom of God has a system of economics. As citizens of this Kingdom, we have the opportunity to function under its economic principles and guidelines.
Let me assure you, the Sovereign Ruler of this Kingdom is not nervous about how the Asian markets will react to this current crisis. He is not anxiously hoping that the leaders who set the monetary policies of Europe and the U.S. get in sync with one another and come up with a strategy to solve the crisis. He has a strategic plan for mankind and He is on plan. God knows where we are going and He knows how we are going to get there. For us, as citizens of the Kingdom of God, it is important to recognize that though these two economic systems are present day realities, our hope, our future and our destiny is in our citizenship in the Kingdom of God. I do not wish to minimize the role of the economist in all this, but in this Kingdom, it is the apostles and prophets God has placed in our midst who will help us navigate the crises of our day. Amos 3:7 makes a declarative statement about this matter; “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets” NASU
Prophetic Perspective
I believe we are living in the days of Revelation Chapter 18. The Apostle John heard a voice from heaven say, “3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying ,”Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. NKJV
These verses speak of kings, or government leaders and merchants, or leaders of commerce. Are these verses calling us to leave our jobs and start a church? No! These verses are telling us there is a system that is in direct opposition to the Kingdom of God. They are calling us to no longer participate in this system by conducting ourselves with the principles of a system that oppresses, enslaves with debt and manipulates people and markets. These verses are calling us out of this system that Chapter 18 calls Babylon but they also suggests we must move into the system God has established in His Kingdom. It is in this system of economics where you will find peace, joy, liberty and righteousness in the midst of the current economic turmoil. These are the characteristics and by-products of this Kingdom and they are yours as citizens of the Kingdom of God.
No matter what happens to the economy of your nation in the days ahead, you can rest assured that the Lord is on His throne and He has not forgotten about any of us. His concern is not only for the religious activity you may be involved in, but also for the economics of every nation. He cares about the businesses and the governments; He cares about the people. He expects us to influence policy as His representatives in each of these spheres of culture. Yet, we are in a period of history when the things we have long relied upon are being shaken and broken and the Kingdom of God is moving to center stage.
Revelation Chapter 18 is not saying that this system will be sanitized and cleaned up to be made more presentable, because this is impossible. You cannot sanitize something that is rotten at the core. This system is the polar opposite of everything the Kingdom stands for. Much of the corruption we see all over the world is a by-product of this system.
Where Is God In The Economic Chaos?
There is a growing awareness among the people of God around the world about the importance the Feasts of the Lord in Leviticus 23. A study of the history of nations and in particular the nation of Israel, reveals that dramatic events often happen during these feasts. Leviticus does not say these are the feasts of the Jews, but rather the feasts of the Lord. If they are His feasts, then we are to take heed. One such feast began at 6 pm Monday, September 29. This feast is known as Rosh Hashanah (The Feast of Trumpets), which is the beginning of a New Year on the Jewish Calendar.
Rosh Hashanah signals the beginning of the 10 Days of Awe where God’s people are to examine themselves to see if there is any sin or blockage between us and God. We are to examine ourselves and repent. If there is any broken relationship that needs to be made right, this is the time. Rosh Hashanah begins with the blast of a ram’s horn or the shofar known as “The Awakening Blast”. This blast intended to awaken the listener from his or her “slumber” and alert them to the coming judgment. The conclusion of this season of self examination is Yom Kippur or “The Day of Atonement”. On this day, the sins of the past year are confessed to the Lord and forgiveness is sought from the Lord. This season I have described sets the tone for the entire coming year. It is known as the high holy days.
On Monday, September 29, this inter-connected world knew the U.S. economy was in chaos. The economic systems of the entire world were in turmoil because of the chaos of the United States. Our government leaders were wrestling with a $700 billion dollar bailout that was supposed to temporarily solve this crisis and the U.S. Congress failed to approve the measure. The eyes of this entire, inter-connected world were focused on Wall Street’s closing numbers at the end of that day, when the largest numerical drop in Wall Street history occurred, 777 points. In Scripture, the number seven is the number of perfection and holiness. Triple sevens (777) symbolize Yahweh, the Father of the Messiah. One hour later, the “Awakening Blast” was sounded to begin Rosh Hashanah.
As I write this article, we are in the Days of Awe, with the Day of Atonement coming on Wednesday, October 8. To all who are anxious about the events of our day, I want to assure you that your hope is in God. His names represent His character. One of His names is Jehovah Jireh (Lord Provider). Jehovah Jireh has not and will not change because of the turmoil of this season.
We are living in exciting times when everything is being shaken. Yet God’s strategic overview for everything that is taking place is the establishment of His Kingdom. To live in the Kingdom of God, it is essential to live a King centered life. You can rest assured that no matter what happens in our world, the King has not forgotten His most precious possession, His people. Keep looking above!
Paul Cuny is an ICCC USA boardmember and businessman
THE COMING PERFECT STORM
by John Paul Jackson
“I originally wrote this Prophetic Bulletin for the Streams Ministries Partners at the beginning of August. At the urging of my Board, I am now making it a public Prophetic Bulletin. When I first wrote it, little did I know the events that were soon to happen concerning Todd Bentley, the Gulf Hurricanes, Russia’s invasion of Georgia, the trains that would collide near Los Angeles, Sarah Palin’s nomination and the stir that would cause, or September 15’s Stock Market plunge. All of these are early elements of what the Lord called “The Coming Perfect Storm.”
For those of you who have followed this ministry, you have heard me say more than once during the past eight years that from 2009 or 2010, things will become very difficult. I have been praying and hoping that what I am about to write may be averted. However, I am now concerned that without prophetic people speaking up, we will not play our redemptive part in bringing change for the good.
FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE BREWING PERFECT STORM
As in the movie The Perfect Storm, the storm I see coming to the United States is a combination of more than one element, and when the elements unite, the storm becomes exponentially more dangerous. However, unlike the movie, this storm is not just a storm of merging weather patterns. This storm is worse; it involves five different elements: religion, politics, economics, war and geo-physical events.
At times these five elements will be so intertwined that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish which events are driving a particular manifestation of the storm. Massive problems in these five areas will come often, or in combination, and sometimes repeatedly. Each element has potentially several events that will have national and international ripple effects. Some ripples will be worse than others, depending on where you live and how you make your living. Different areas of the United States will experience different severities. Some will experience more economic elements, others more geo-physical elements; some will experience all elements. Remember, it is the combination and the rapidity that will make the storm problematic.
Also, this does not mean all five elements will hit at the most devastating levels. For example, on a scale of 1–10 with 10 being the worst, one element may strike at a six while another strikes at an eight. It is the particular combinations of elements — the proximity of each element as well as the intensity of each element — that will make this storm so difficult and seem to last so long. This storm will not be short-lived; it will come in waves, one after another.
WHY IS THE STORM COMING?
This storm is coming because the Church (the Body of Christ) is no longer the backbone of this nation. From our inception, the Christian faith has been the plumb line of decisions made at all levels of life. The Christian founding of this nation is what makes it different from every other nation, other than perhaps Israel. Other nations may have become Christian in their focus, but none were initially formed with Christianity as the core of its DNA.
The Church is to make known God’s manifold wisdom to the world and the powers of the air (Ephesians 2:2). This demonstration to the heavens is not accomplished by speaking to those powers but through righteous living. How we live opens or closes doors for Satan to legally afflict us and even rule over us via leaders who do not know the ways of God. From Adam and Eve through today, the actions of humankind have given room for the enemy to strike and attack us. The only legal way the enemy has access to us is when the hand of God lifts from us, resulting in a space between Him and us. This space increases as we distance ourselves from Him and His ways.
Anytime there is an increased distance between God and humanity, it leaves room for attack to come and for principalities and powers of the air (rulers of darkness) to take up residence. The longer dark powers reside over an area, the more the people begin to call right wrong and wrong right. Here in the United States, leaders arise from the people; in other words, as the people believe and think, so do the leaders who rise from their ranks. Eventually, the lines between right and wrong, as well as the holy and profane, become blurred. The way to God through Jesus and the Cross is no longer seen as an absolute. In fact, absolutes become touted as “intolerance” first in the world and then even within the Church. Yes, there are exceptions to this thinking within the Church, but through compromise, the absolutes of Heaven and eternity are clearly evaporating.
GOD CAN FASHION A DISASTER
We are living in the days of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, who prophesied that God can bring disaster on a nation if that nation continually chooses to walk according to its own plans. God spoke this to Jeremiah:
“The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.
— Jeremiah 18:7–12
“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”
And they said, “… We will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE COMING?
What are some of the things/consequences that will come? In time, water will be more expensive than oil, and cities will evacuate thousands because there is not enough water to meet their needs. (As Amos 4:7 says, “I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city.”) Earthquakes will strike not only coastal areas but devastate the Midwest as well. Israel will bomb Iran, and anti-Semitism will escalate as fuel costs soar. A dirty bomb will explode in a coastal city. There will be thunderstorms with huge hail, 24 inches of rain in 24 hours, three feet of snow in six hours, record-setting tornadoes with winds of more than 350 miles per hour and tornadoes in unusual places. There will be an unexpected blight that will hit various hybrid seed crops and weaken the yield. In addition, drought and devastation from storms will dramatically cut into various harvests and the national food storage will deplete.
“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”
— Jeremiah 18:11
FOUR THINGS THE CHURCH MUST DO
First, the Church must return to knowing God and His ways rather than just knowing about God. We have replaced power with programs, revelation with administration and the Father’s heart with organizational skills.
Second, the Church must learn how to contend for the faith again. We are weak, and we fall away so easily when crisis is not at hand. We have not been tested, and we have lost our resolve. We understand little of the adversary’s plans. We do not know how to debate our faith without becoming angry, and thus we have so few strong, clear, godly voices in political arenas. We have lost our witness — the witness that convicts others and strongly testifies that God is still God and is very, very real. We have lost the witness that demonstrates that God is a personal God in a very impersonal world, the witness that says, “What I do proves God exists.”
Third, the Church must return to the love of God’s Word and the belief that it is infallible and inerrant. This would include the conviction, understanding and knowledge that God is absolute, and there is only one way to know Him: through Jesus the Messiah. We need a new revelation that God’s power is unlimited, His knowledge is unending, His presence is with us always and He never changes. We have made God far too small, and our lives prove it.
Fourth, we will need to declare sacred and solemn assemblies of repentance and corporate fasting in many parts of this nation — a time set aside for rending our hearts before God.
“Now, therefore,” says the LORD,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.
Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him —
A grain offering and a drink offering
For the LORD your God?
— Joel 2:12–17
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and nursing babes;
Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,
And the bride from her dressing room.
Let the priests, who minister to the LORD,
Weep between the porch and the altar;
Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD.”
CRISIS IS THE FRUIT OF FOLLOWING THE WRONG GOD
God allows calamities to happen in order to draw us to Himself. What does that mean? It means that God allows us to reap the fruit of that which we serve. Walking in God’s ways brings blessings and fullness of life, while walking in the ways of the “god of this world” will bring the fruit of the god of this world: decay, destruction, deterioration and death. We make our choice, then the choice makes us. Sadly, we are developing a history of wrong choices.
Throughout Scripture, when crises hit the people of God, they turned their hearts to Him, and He heard and took action.
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
— Jeremiah 29:12–13
May the people of the United States seek the Lord … and find Him. Remember, we still have the promise that if we turn from our wicked ways, God will heal our land.
Serving God and His Kingdom,
John Paul Jackson
August 2008