I was born again in 1983 and immediately God arranged a job that allowed for many hours of Bible reading as I rode public transit to and from work each day.

Reading the old testament revealed how God sent judgment when Israel neglected prayer, but also forgave, delivering them from oppression when they humbled themselves and called on him again. I was awed by a Creator who allowed free will, and yet upheld justice and righted wrongs, all while never letting his chosen people stray too far.

Then in 1986 I heard David Wilkerson’s prophecy of economic calamity (and other judgements) coming initially to nations that have turned away from God, but ultimately affecting the whole world. I stored all of that in the back of my mind for future reference.

Of course today, theories of looming economic and other disasters abound, especially on the internet. But by 1986, well before the world wide web was introduced, my wife and I had removed television and other news media from our home. And for over 20 years we limited ourselves to the word of God.

This is something we’re very thankful for. Because God alone holds the future, and meeting regularly with him in prayer has proven to be far more powerful and reliable than seeking out anyone else who claims to know what’s in store.

… and in the fall of 2000, God gave me a dream warning of a global economic collapse that will be the first of many world changing events.

Walking from my house to my carpentry shop to begin a typical day of work, everything about that morning was normal. The way I was dressed, the sights and sounds, the thoughts going through my mind, everything as usual until opening the door of the shop and stepping inside. It was completely empty! Not one machine, no raw materials or finished goods on the floor, the walls where the tools and the jigs hung – everything was bare, everything was gone. There was nothing for anyone to do!

This was not the natural ebb and flow of economic activity. No, I saw a devastating, times altering collapse of the entire system. Overnight, production came to a halt, and all employment vanished. Exactly what will cause commerce as we know it to suddenly cease was not revealed to me, but it will be a day that affects everyone.

The dream happened as I was waking, and the interpretation was given immediately. Then I held on to this knowledge for many years saying very little about it. But 18 months ago a word of knowledge led me to the book of Numbers chapter 33. And that scriptural truth convinced me – now is the time to speak out.

Global economic collapse is inevitable, because the Bible reveals that when God judges men for their sins, he judges them… and he judges their gods. “For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.” (Num 33:4)

Now, I can only speak of the society I know, but look around and you will see it too. Store after store in mall after mall and city after city, promoted by advertisement upon advertisement, all promising more and bigger, better and cooler.

The lust to possess, our obsession with wealthy and famous people, the general abandonment of family for finances, these all point to one thing. We are a self centered society controlled by greed, that worships money… where MATERIALISM mostly shapes our sense of right and wrong – proving that IT IS OUR GOD. 

And our society is not unique, because the heart of man is the same worldwide.

Even the majority of false doctrines prevailing in our churches today are based on worldly gain. Wealth and success are held up as the true measure of God’s blessing and the evidence of great faith. And no one wants to expose covetousness or talk about a time when worldly prosperity could end.

But this false prosperity will end. Overnight it will end. Because the true and living God will judge and pull down the false gods we worship.

If you are hearing this message and have been wondering why recently the world is losing its lustre, be encouraged. Jesus is at work teaching your heart to divorce dreams and hold possessions loosely.

Learn to watch and pray. Then soon, when the time comes that many are counting their loss, you will be counting your gain as spiritual riches are multiplied to you by the Holy Spirit.

And if you are concerned about the very real suffering that will accompany the shaking of the nations, I was too until I considered the end result of unrestrained sin. God showed me that when he allows people to live exactly as they please, their sinful path becomes darker and their situation more desperate as time passes. Without the restraint of God’s judgments, lust only increases and Satan’s influence spreads conspiring to blind and enslave every soul and extinguish every last ray of hope.

Therefore, it is the mercy of God to send corrective, repemptive judgment on the world, to restrain lust, cut off the power of Satan, and set the captives free.

So don’t be confused or deceived when judgements begin.

He may rebuke and he may chasten. But Jesus is leading his people into a land flowing with milk and honey! And all of his sheep will come into the fold… not one will be lost!

Learn to fast and pray, and as the end of time approaches Jesus will increasingly empower and protect you in miraculous ways that reveal his mercy, power and light to this world.

And that means that those around you will see God in you and be saved!

“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60:2-3)

So don’t be afraid of the future.

Live the miraculous life, and let God have his way.

Challenging days are ahead… but God has everything under control.