No matter what news site you look at, or what paper you read, or what news program you watch or listen to, you are constantly bombarded with bad news about the economy. The World Economic Forum being held in Davos became confrontational as union leaders said they had no confidence in the way corporate management was handling the financial crisis, and they predicted civil unrest to spread throughout the world. The government of Iceland collapsed under financial pressure. In the United States, layoffs by the tens of thousands are running unemployment rates to record numbers at almost five million. People are angry about the situation and fearful about their futures.
It is the perfect storm for the one world order. The world economy, if there is such a thing, is teetering on the fulcrum of a defining moment. On one side is economic freedom, or capitalism, characterized by free markets. On the other side is socialism, a step toward communism, managed economies characterized by government ownership, intervention and bureaucracy. It is the time in history where the world powers believe they can institute a worldwide managed economy that can lead to the socialist utopia dreamed of by such revolutionaries as Georg Hegel, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. It is the ultimate opportunity to use mass fear to deprive mankind of liberty with man's active consent.
We may be witnessing the end time structure discussed in the prophetic books of the Bible where an international economic system is being formed. While it has been attempted in past history, the technology, the ability to travel the world in a day, and communicate instantly has never before linked together governments, businesses and people as in this present day. And worldwide, one would be hard pressed to find a time in history since the Roman Empire when Christians and Jews alike have been so vilified as they are in this day and age. Structures of power may soon be put in place that will require compliance with government regulations and policies in order to work, have housing and food.
It is time to be prepared, not fearful, for the events ahead of us. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." And he writes in Romans 13:9, 10, ". . .and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself." Verses 13 and 14 advise: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." We need to stick together and be about the Lord's work in the days ahead.