David Wilkerson - Prophecies from 1973 unfolding today 
David Wilkerson is a respected pastor and best-selling author of The Cross and the Switchblade, a book about his ministry, Teen Challenge, to troubled New York street kids that was later made into a movie starring Pat Boone.
In 1973 David Wilkerson wrote a prophetic book, The Vision. The first chapter of the book reads like today's headlines. The book is out of print, but here is the first chapter below. Then read his new prophecies recently published on his bog site, David Wilkerson Today . Here he predicts an imminent "earth-shattering calamity" centered in New York City that will spread to major urban areas across the country and around the world – part of what he sees as a judgment from God.
Chapter 1 of The Vision -Economic Confusion
A Crash is Coming-1
There is worldwide economic confusion just ahead. In my vision, this is the clearest thing I have seen. Many praying people now share this very same vision.
Not only is the American dollar headed for deep trouble, but so are all other world currencies. I see total economic confusion striking Europe first and then affecting Japan, the United States, Canada, and all other nations shortly thereafter.
It is not really a depression I see coming—but a recession of such magnitude that it will affect the lifestyle of nearly every wage earner in America and around the world. Countries that now control huge amounts of Western currency are going to be in very deep trouble also. Arab countries will especially be hurt.
Without a doubt, there are lean years ahead full of monetary confusion and despair. How soon is not clear, but it is not far away. The world’s greatest economists will be at a loss to explain the confusion, and an international crisis of fear will develop. A false economic boom will precede the recession—but it will be shortlived.
A Few Good Years to Prepare—2
In spite of all the danger signs around us of impending economic disaster, the next few years (from 1973) will be among the most prosperous in the history of mankind. They will be fat and flourishing years. In spite of tight money policies, people will continue to spend freely. Sales will continue to break records and people will spend more than ever in modern history. Credit debt will become nearly uncontrollable.
I see, very clearly, just a few years of tremendous affluence and continuing economic prosperity. Church budgets will increase, wages will increase—missionary giving will also increase.
Inflation, costs, and wages will spiral higher and higher. There will be a few minor adjustments in prices, but world economy will become white-hot.
When I received this vision in April of 1973, I also received clear instructions from the Holy Spirit to believe God for sufficient finances to clear all debts of our organization other than necessary mortgages. The message I received from God was very clear and to the point. It was simply this:
There is great economic confusion coming and lean years lay just ahead. There will be a few short, fat, and flourishing years to prepare for the lean years. Work and pray to clear off all debts and get ready for drastic cuts in budget. The money will not be flowing as it was in the past, and if you are free of debt, you’ll be able to maintain your programs even in the difficult years. Don’t panic—and don’t be afraid—just prepare for it and expect it!
Bankruptcies of Major corporations—3
I believe we are going to witness the bankruptcies of some of this nation’s major and most popular corporations. I see tremendous difficulty arising for credit corporations. There are going to be many people unable to pay off their heavy obligations to major credit card companies, causing near-chaos.
Thousands of small businesses will also be forced into bankruptcies. Three, and possibly four, of the major religious denominations will be forced to operate with a skeleton organization due to a lack of funds. More than a few churches are going to have to pull back. All but a few of the radio and television ministries will have to be abandoned.
Tight money will trigger a wave of uncertainty and fear. Those who have money will hold it in reserve.
The United States government is going to “overreact” to the confused economical developments.
I see a flurry of near-panic decision being made by various government agencies—but these hasty efforts to shore up the economy will backfire.
The President [Bush?] of the United States will make one, and possibly two, national radio and TV appearances to reassure the nation that all is well and that the best of economic times is just ahead. It will not work. People will distrust these statements, and their fears will lead to a revolution at the polls [Obama?] .
The auto industry is going to be hurt badly. Makers of recreational vehicles are going to get hit very hard. Appliance inventories will pile up, and sales will fall off drastically.
Almost every economic indicator will be gloomy. It will be spotty at first—but will eventually affect nearly all industry.
A Rush to the Country - 4
There will be a sudden rush to buy farms, ranches, and homes in the country. Thousands will attempt to flee from cities, hoping that a return to the land and nature will provide security. There will be growing urge to "get away from it all" - and much money will be invested in land and acreage in rural areas by people who have secret dreams of raising their own food and cattle and of becoming self-supporting. The price of open rural land will continue to soar. Acreage within 100 miles of most major cities will skyrocket out of reach to all but syndicates.
Unions to Face Dilemma -5
Unions will face new pressures not to strike. No longer will workers be able to afford to be out of work for even a week. The government is going to take a hard line against strikers, and striking union members will no longer be able to get food stamps and other benefits once allowed. Inflation will force a new crisis between labor and management, and strikes by union members in some areas will lead to a complete shutdown of plants and a total loss of jobs.
Labor leaders are going to be caught up in this wave of economic confusion. Many are going to be at a loss as to what action they should take. They will face an almost impossible situation because they will not be able to afford a strike - and yet, at the same time, they will not be able to afford not to strike.
Long strikes could paralyze industry and add to the growing economic confusion.
The details are not clear to me - but I see terrible union problems ahead. Labor peace is just a dream, and there is nothing but real trouble ahead.
We may soon experience the most devastating strikes of all times.
Those Who Do Not Prepare Are Going To Get Hurt - 6
People who spend recklessly and buy unneeded material things will suffer the most. Speculators face difficult times ahead, and a good number of big developers are going to be completely wiped out.
The greatest building boom is still in the future - and the Bible predicts it will come. But before that - soon - the building industry is going to face many setbacks. Housing starts will level off. There is a terrible squeeze coming for the entire building industry. Ministers who build expensive buildings in the name of God , without a clear mandate, will be seriously hurt. Those who undertake ego trips, who get involved in huge projects involving large sums of money, and who have not moved in the perfect will of God will face financial disaster.
If a man has a clear mandate from God to build or move ahead - he should proceed. But let him be absolutely positive that he is moving with clear and positive direction from God. Otherwise the project will not survive, and he will go bankrupt.
It is not the time to go into debt. It is a time to prepare, a time to get clear and out from under heavy financial burdens.
When I first received this vision, I argued with myself that I dare not hinder the initiative and vision of of people who wan to do great things for God and who, in the process of doing them , must invest large sums of money. I have known the satisfaction of building institutions to the glory of God. I have always preached faith and positive action, and I would never dare advise a man or woman of God to draw back or delay when God had clearly given direction to move ahead.
But this vision is so clear to me that I must speak out. I sense a kind of divine obligation to warn ministers and church organizations to take a long, hard look at all expansion programs and projects that require large sums of money. There are some building programs that must be delayed or abandoned.
The time has come for Christian organizations to become more people-conscious than building-conscious. Most of the growth in the leans years that lie ahead should be in the areas of people-to-people ministries. Without a doubt, many religious organizations are going to survive the leans years by paying only the interest on their huge loans. This will result is a constant hassle to raise money just to meet maintenance budgets, which will, in turn, cause missionary projects to suffer.
Not Even Gold Will Provide Security -7
Gold prices are soaring, but those who are inverting in this commodity, hoping to find security, are in for a tragic surprise. The price of gold is going to rise astronomically, but it will not be sustained over a long period of time. Silver will also become a very precious metal, and the price will go wild. But neither silver nor gold will offer real security. The fluctuating and uncertain value of gold and silver will be a part of the total picture of economic confusion that grips the world.
Believe it or not - even gold will not hold its value. Gold hoarders are going to get hurt - badly. This is one of the most significant predictions in this book.
A New World Monetary System -8
There will develop a call for revamping all world monetary systems into one uniform system. And even though the dollar will appear to be gaining strength just before the coming major recession, a new crisis will develop that will shake the entire financial world. It will be years before faith in the American dollar will be restored.
I believe a revived Roman Empire will eventually become the power base for a super world leader who will arise to restore economic order. He will no doubt institute a worldwide "walking credit card" system. Invisible numbers will be implanted on the forehead and forearm, and only photoscope scanners will be able to detect the numbers. The numbers will be assigned in three stacks of six digits each. This "mark" would be required by all and no one could buy or sell without this invisible tattooed number.
Some kind of a world credit system will develop and nations will be able to utilize blocks of credit. Although a universal money system may be far off in the future, a world credit system between nations will soon develop, setting the framework for the future world monetary and trade system.
Be prepared to hear of world trade agreements "policed" by an international governing committee. Strict guidelines for international trade will develop and a "world market" will be closely monitored by big power interests.
To put it plainly- we will soon witness the development of a world trade policy, supervised by a super secretary invested with unpecedented powers by all nations involved in international trade.
Suicide by Overdose - 9
Economic setbacks and confusion will catch many unprepared for the consequences. Suicide will follow. There will not be a repetition of scenes so familiar during the Great Depression when businessmen committed suicide by jumping from windows. Nor will they be putting guns to their heads and pulling the triggers. The new method will be suicide by overdose from sleeping pills and other chemical sedatives. This trend is already developing and will get worse. Some very well-known people in the business world are going to commit suicide through overdose of narcotics.
Because so many wealthy businessmen have private physicians, the general publoc will not be informed about the manner of these "accidental" deaths. In many cases, the cause of death will not be generally known, but suicide by overdose will become so widespread that hiding it will become impossible .
A Backlash Against Environmentalists and Ecologists -10
The economic confusion that is coming will lead to a backlash against strictures imposed by environmentalists on the business community. The environmentalists have been well accepted and admired when they have dealt with generalities. But when they begin to affect the pocketbooks of the men and women of this nation, they will come into disrepute.
I see coming a tremendous backlash against ecologists and environmentalists, with experts speaking out against many of the findings of those in these agencies. On talk shows, in magazine articles, and in other public discussions, an undercurrent will develop against those who are warning about the dangers of pollution and those who advocate environmental control. It will become popular to debunk the findings of these committees and to speak out against programs proposed by federal, state and local environmentalists.
Environmentalist groups like Sierra Club and others are going to come under sever criticism. They will be accused of hindering the development of out resources, and they will be blamed for the growing economic confusion. These groups will become the scapegoats for an energy crisis, meat and food shortages, and the loss of jobs.
Believe it or not, the environmentalists and ecologists are going to be challenged, repudiated, and, for the most part, rejected in days to come. Powerful forces are already at work to rally public sentiment against the far-reaching proposals of the new environmentalists.
Confusion for the "Positive Thinking" Preachers -11
Those who preach that all success is the end result of positive thinking are going to discover that there is another side to the coin. Great losses, confusion, and reverses will shatter the thinking processes of many well-meaning people who falsely believe that their success and economic well-being are the result of their own positive thinking.
Jesus Christ Himself was an advocate of right thinking. God states that He has not given us " the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind". But many good men have become worshippers of the power of the mind. Those who preach positive thinking in line with the concepts of Bible teaching will be able to offer men truths that will sustain them through the coming crisis. Those who have minimized the sovereignty of God and who have substituted mental attitudes for reformed hearts will be exposed as false teachers. Positive thinking, without godly living, offers no hope intimes of worls and personal crisis.
Anyone can be an advocate of the power of positive thinking when economic conditions are favorable and all things are going well. But when things begin to fall apart and everything is going into reverse - and when supernatural intervention alone can help - it is then that the real truth will surface. The truth is that all the positive thinking in the world will not change the fact that we are going to have a major recession. No preacher, no philosopher, no author will be able to change the direction God has ordained.
More Riots and Demonstrations -12
The rioting and demontrating, the looting and unrest of the sixties are now history. But the riots are not over. Another wave is coming. This time I see Puerto Ricans, Cubans and Meixicans deeply involvrd. The coming economic confusion will ignite another round of demonstrations, riots and civil disorder.
Social aid programs are going to be cut back and curtailed, and minority groups are going to be affected the most. These cutbacks, along with the curtailment of many government projects, will cause widespread unemployment among these groups.
I have never once believed that we have seen the end of violence and bloodshed and rioting in our streets. I abhor and pray that God will spare us. But more than ever, I am convinced that the worst is yet to come.
Also I see great riots coming to many major cities in South America. In the next decade, South America will become a poder keg, exloding in all directions.
The United States to Be Blamed - 13
Althought economic actions in Europe will trigger the coming recession, the United States will be blamed by most nations for what happened. France will become one of the most vicious anti-American nations in the world. Politicians and businessmen in Europe and Japan will place the blame on Washington and the American bankers.
Drastic troop withdrawals from Europe will cause even more confusion. Leaders of the European Common Market will capitalize on this anti-American sentiment to establish a firmer power base and grip on world trade. The world's economic power base will shift to Europe.
Recovery from the Recession - 14 [ Remember this was written in 1973]
There may be a full recovery from the coming recession, and there may still be another cycle or two of fat and lean years. Only God Himself knows the future - I have received only a hazy glimpse beyond the decade. I seem to see a picture of a partial and almost completely recovery from the coming recession - but the world economy will continue in confusion until the time of the Antichrist. From this day on, there will hang over the entire world a sense of fear and uncertainty about future economic conditions. Never again in the history of the world will there be a time of complete confidence and trust in world economies. Every little boom period will carry with it a strong threat of a bust. Men's hearts will begin to fail from fear after they watch the devastating effects of crippled economies.
There will be a time in the future when men will be obssessed with buying, selling, planting, marrying and divorcing - but it will be a time of false prosperity. The Bible predicts that in this time of false prosperity, Jesus Christ will appear in the clouds to evacuate the Christians .
Beware Hoarding Will Not Help - 15
It is not a time to hoard money, because it will not provide real security. It is still possible that we can face the time when even goverment-insured savings will not be paid. The only real security is in land. Money that is hoarded will disappear like sand out of a bag with holes in it.
This is also a time when the Christians must pray about his giving to the church and to missionarry causes. Every cent that is now given to God's work must be given with a purpose. Indiscriminate giving just to ease the conscience or to unload God's tithe on the church will no longer be acceptable to the Lord. Those who obey God's Word and give willingly during the fat years will never have to beg for bread during the lean years. Those who see the hard times coming and prepare are wise.
I have some advice for those who believe the message of this chapter. I believe the advice is from the Lord.
Don't buy anything unless it is needed. Avoid going into debt - at all, if possible. Sell or trade off all questionable holdings. No matter what sacrifice is involved, pay off as much debt as possible and get your cash flow needs down to a minimum.
Trim your budget and cut your staff down to the bone. Avoid piling up credit card bills. Credit card debt is extremely dangerous from now on.
Don't panic - just be cautious. Get a good reliable car and stick with it. Don't anticipate trading it for a good, long while. Hold on to it!
By all means, do not cheat God. Keep your books with Heaven well balanced. Your future security depends on it. Give as generously as possible to missions and to the support of legitimate church work. Give and it will be given back to you.
The message I have received for all true believers is :
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished . - Proverbs 27:12
Chapter 7 of The Vision - God's Message For the Prepared
[Note the use of the term "true" Christians in this chapter.]
This has been a good year for bad news. Our daily papers read more like chilling fiction than truth. We get daily doses of news about high food prices, disasterous weather, energy crises, and record-setting storms and floods ravaging the world.
Words like "violent," "record," "unseasonal," and "record-breaking" keep appearing in weather forecasts everywhere. When weather should have been fair and sunny, tornadoes and floods have struck instead. Where weather was once cold, it has become extremely and unseasonally hot.
Meteorologists do their best to predict these disasters and analyze them as they happen, but none of them can explain what is causing disastrous weather changes to happen so frequesntly.
Many people today are convinced that the world is out of control. Institutions we have always trusted seem to be falling apart. The government can no longer provide solutions, and even the most astute world leaders are baffled by world conditions. it is shattering to our confidence when high officials shrug their shoulders and confess they understand no more than we do about what is happening. There are no somple answers to our complex questions.
In light of what we have seen in the last five years in the way of violence, immorality, crime, lawlessness, and tragedy - can you imagine what we are about to witness in the next decade?
The way tragedies and disasters are striking the earth with such frquency and intensity would suggest that the eath is suffering labor pains (This is how Jesus describes the events that will happen before he returns - read Matthew 24:8, Mark 13:8). The Bible says God is going to create a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3: 10) . This old earth will pass away and melt with fervent heat. The very elements are to be melted away. We are witnessing not so much the death of an old world - but the birth of a new one (Revelation 21:1 ) .
These are exciting days for true Christians. God in His love and mercy, is allowing disasters to strike the earth to warn all who will hear that Jesus is coming back, and that it's time to get ready. He loves His children too much to bring His new kingdom to pass without warning. He knows that mankind is hard of hearing and that it takes disasters of eathquake proportions to get its attention. These disasters are a kind of countdown, too painful to ignore, choreographed by God to set the stage for the final moments of time. These labor pains will be more frequent and intense as we approach the last hour. There will be more famines, more pestilences, more earthquakes in more places. And all this is just the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24: 1-44, Mark 13, Luke 21: 5-36)or fear Yet the message of the Bible to all true belivers is:
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption drawth nigh. [Jesus is coming soon!] Luke 21: 28
Men's hearts are failing them from fear over the things happening to this earth(Luke 21: 26) . People are hoarding up, saving up, and getting ready for the coming worldwide recession. Even devote Christians are getting caught up in this wave of fear and anxiety about the future. People are afraid the ship is sinking. Mankind is yearning for security, and it has led to an epidemic of "grabbing" for houses, land, money, and guaranteed income.
Does it all sound scary? Is the truth frightening? Is it really possible that the end of the world is really upon us? Is this the point in time that all the prophets in the Bible predicted would come? Are we actually living in the generation in which all these predictions will be fulfilled? Can even the most devote Christian remotely understand how terribly close this earth is to the midnight hour? One thing is certain _ everything appears to be falling apart, as far as the natural eye can discern. Even the most doubtful person on earth must, in his honest moments admit that something apocalyptic is taking place in the world.
Along with the vision of calamities, God gave me a very special message of hope for all true believers. I desperately questioned God about all the things I saw coming. I asked Him to show me how Christians could do all they have to do in a limited time when so many were forsaking and going into hiding. How can Christians keep fear out of their hearts? How can they face all the news reports and anticipate all the calamities and disasters without being afraid for their homes and children? Do they abdicate and turn this old world over to the devil and let him have his way? Do they pay off all their bills, salt away some reserves in the bank, then just try to ride it out - hoping that a better day will come? Do they buy a farm or a piece of land and flee to the country - hoping they can escape the coming tragedies? Will they eat, drink, and be merry - just living it up, knowing they have death hanging over their heads? Do they let their motives die and surrender to fear? Do they abandon all their dreams and ambitions and become as hermits looking for truth?
Dear friends, hear what the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Just five little words, but so powerful that they awakened in me a glorious new hope and faith. Those five little words are : God has everything under control!
That is right - everything is under control. In spite of earthquakes, famines, pestilences, hailstorms, killer heat waves, floods, hurricanes, and epidemics - nature is not out of control! Everything that we see now happening has been clearly predicted in God's Word, the Bible. Nothing can happen in nature or to nature unless our God allows it. The Bible predicts that the wrath of God is to be outpoured on this earth through an unleashed nature, designed to warn mankind of the coming judgment.
Nature is controled and limited by God and it cannot cross those limits unless God permits it. God told Job it was He who:
Shut up the sea with doors; set bars and doors to stay the proud waves. Took hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it. Reserves the treasures of hail and snow against the day of battle. divided water courses for the overflow of water. Set the domain of the earth and the ordinances of the heavens. Stayed the bottles of heaven. Sent forth lightenings. And scattered the wind upon the earth - Job 38
Child of God, you need no longer fear the unleashed violence of nature. God is still king of the flood. He is calling, chastising, and warning all His children to heed the signs. But there is a hiding place for believers. The Bible states:
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. - Psalm 34:7
If you trust God, you can look every disaster in the face and proclaim with confidence, "My God is speaking to this universe and His power is being demonstrated. I will just stand still and see the salvation of the Lord"
Even Satan is under control. As with Job, God may permit him to touch every material and physical thing around you, but he cannot possess you or rob you of your faith in God. The devil's power is limited and even baby [new] Christians can put him to flight simply by resisting him through the Word and the blood of Christ. The Bible says:
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Does that sound like defeat? - James 4:7
Does that suggest a victorious devil? Does that suggest Christians should fear demon possession? Never!
God has everything under control, and we are under His control. Do not ever fear Satan. It is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10). Wherever you got your spirit of fear, you did not get it from God, so why put up with it? Shake it off, because God's message for this hour is:
God hath not given you a spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7
Satan can attempt to swamp you with filth and smut and vex your soul with every imaginable kind of evil. He can persecute you, and the enemies of Christ can revile and hate you. You can wind up penniless, having to pray for your very next meal. You can be hated and rejected by your own family and given up by your closest friends. But the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ear is open to their prayer. We are not to fear anyone who can destroy the body, but to respect and honor only Him who can touch the soul. (Matthew 10:28 ) No power in heaven or on earth can touch a man's confidence and faith in Jesus Christ. No demon, no devil, no human power can destroy the soul.
You and I, and everything that touches us, are under His control. It's true! No matter how things look in this drunken world, all things are still working together for good to everyone who loves God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Let the dollar fail. Let depression or recession come with its unemployment and fear. Let pollution and inflation come. Let there be wars and rumors of wars. Let the fabric of society disintegrate. Let mankind go to the drunken brink of disaster. For the true child of God, everything is still under control! It really doesn't matter - nothing can harm those who abide under the shelter of His almighty wings (Psalm 91:4, Psalm 61:4). The shadow of the Almighty is bigger than any fearful shadow this age can project. God's children need fear no evil. His children will never beg for bread (Psalm 37:25), and He will supply every true need up to the very last minute of time.
God has not promised to keep His children from suffering. He has not promised to keep us from facing an hour of need. We have no promise of world peace, tranquility, security, or continuous financial well-being. We are promised peace and security of soul and mind - the supernatural provision for every true need - and the assurance that we would never have to beg for bread. God would rather we all come to the place Paul the apostle came to when he said:
Having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Timothy 6:8
The future looks evil and foreboding. But David said in the Psalms, " I will fear no evil." This is the message for believers today. The future is also under His control, so we need not fear. God has it all preprogramed. He knows the exact moment Christ will return. The final tribulation, the judgment, and the battle of Armageddon are all on His calendar. The God who controls all of heaven and earth said:
The nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: . . . . All nations before him are as nothing; . . . less than nothing. Isaiah 40: 15, 17
God wants us to keep working until the return of Christ. That means simply that we are to work as though the end will never come, and live as though it were coming tomorrow.
The great evangelist D L Moody was asked, "What would you do today if you knew Jesus Christ was coming tomorrow?" His answer came, "I would plant a tree" So let it be. Let the true Cristian go about planting and sowing God's seed and keeping busy doing God's work. When He returns let Him find us "doing His will."
God is still counting the very hairs on our heads. He is still counting the sparrows that fall. He is still hearing petitions before they are asked. He is still answering before being called. He is still giving abundantly more than we can ask or think. So why be afraid?
I believe the prepared Christian is going to face a time of sorrow and tribulation. I believe he will be tested, tried, and tempted. I believe true Christians are going to witness many horrors described in this vision. But I am also firmly convinced in my own heart and mind - and I have the witness of the Holy Spirit in my heart - that God is suddenly going to deliver His true children from His final fury that will be outpoured on the earth. He will deliver His Children from the most gruesome hour of disaster that the Bible predicts will fall upon the earth.
Prepared Christians - wake up ! Everything is under control and God is at work. He is saving, healing, baptising, and getting His house in order. To fear is to blaspheme. We are commanded to encourage ourselves in the Lord and to begin to sing and rejoice as we see the final hour approach. Do I hear someone ask, " But how can I rejoice when I see this old sin-cursed world falling apart?" My answer is the Bible answer:
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain . . . waiting the redemption Romans 8: 22, 23
A woman in labor may scream because of the pain, yet in her heart she rejoices because of the fact of new birth.
The kingdom of God is coming. The kingdom of Satan is falling. So the Christian can, with confidence, say: "God has everything under control!"
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If you would like to learn more about what Pastor David Wilkerson wrote about a future economic crisis read America's Last Call: On the Brink of Financial Holocaust written in 1998.
Famous Christian Preacher Warns of Impending Disaster: New York City Calamity will Spread to other Citys -March 7, 2009 · http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2009/03/urgent-message.html
A respected pastor, best-selling author and founder of a major ministry to teens predicts an imminent "earth-shattering calamity" centered in New York City that will spread to major urban areas across the country and around the world – part of what he sees as a judgment from God.
David Wilkerson's blogspot: http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/
Wilkerson is the founding pastor of Times Square Church in New York City, where he launched a ministry to gang members and drug addicts in 1958. He is a highly regarded mentor to other pastors in evangelical circles and travels the world holding conferences for other Christian ministers.
His work in New York in the 1950s and 1960s led to the formation of Teen Challenge – a nationwide ministry to reach out to people with life-controlling habits. Teen Challenge has grown to include 173 residential programs and numerous evangelism outreach centers in the United States, and 241 centers in 77 other countries. The program claims a recovery rate of 86 percent.
The story of Wilkerson's first five years of ministry in New York is told in "The Cross and the Switchblade," a book he co-authored in 1963. The book became a best-selling phenomenon and more than 15 million copies have been distributed in over 30 languages.
A past vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention is hoping believers pay attention to Wilkerson's message.
"I have known David Wilkerson for more than 25 years as well as many of his friends and associates," said Pastor Wiley Drake. "He is a godly man and I believe he is listening to God. I encourage each Christian to read and heed what God is saying through our brother."
AN URGENT MESSAGE from David Wilkerson Saturday, March 7, 2009
I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message to all on our mailing list, and to friends and to bishops we have met all over the world.
AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE - EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US.
For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires—such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago.
There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting—including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God’s wrath. In Psalm 11 it is written,“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (v. 3).
God is judging the raging sins of America and the nations. He is destroying the secular foundations.
The prophet Jeremiah pleaded with wicked Israel, “God is fashioning a calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh, turn back each of you from your evil way, and reform your ways and deeds. But they will say, It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart” (Jeremiah 18:11-12).
In Psalm 11:6, David warns, “Upon the wicked he will rain snares (coals of fire)…fire…burning wind…will be the portion of their cup.” Why? David answered, “Because the Lord is righteous” (v. 7). This is a righteous judgment—just as in the judgments of Sodom and in Noah’s generation.
WHAT SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS DO? WHAT ABOUT GOD’S PEOPLE?
First, I give you a practical word I received for my own direction. If possible lay in store a thirty-day supply of non-perishable food, toiletries and other essentials. In major cities, grocery stores are emptied in an hour at the sign of an impending disaster.
As for our spiritual reaction, we have but two options. This is outlined in Psalm 11. We “flee like a bird to a mountain.” Or, as David says, “He fixed his eyes on the Lord on his throne in heaven—his eyes beholding, his eyelids testing the sons of men” (v. 4). “In the Lord I take refuge” (v. 1).
I will say to my soul: No need to run...no need to hide. This is God’s righteous work. I will behold our Lord on his throne, with his eye of tender, loving kindness watching over every step I take—trusting that he will deliver his people even through floods, fires, calamities, tests, trials of all kinds.
Note: I do not know when these things will come to pass, but I know it is not far off. I have unburdened my soul to you. Do with the message as you choose.God bless and keep you,
In Christ,DAVID WILKERSON
A Further Word by David Wilkerson Monday, March 9, 2009
“If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?”
Recently I felt compelled to send out an URGENT message warning of an impending great calamity — such that will cause even God’s elect to tremble.One Bishop asked, “Is there no further word: How should the righteous respond to such a word?”
I can only answer by sharing what the Holy Spirit is speaking to my own heart and what I am to do. I shared that I was led in a practical way to lay aside a month’s supply of food — because I have witnessed the panic in the wake of terrorism. That has to be a personal word for every individual.
This is what I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart concerning my own spiritual response to impending calamity. It is simply this —STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.
“And Moses said to the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show you today…The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:13-14).
This is the attitude of faith in the face of calamity. What could Israel do on the brink of the Red Sea? Pharaoh’s army is pressing in, mountains are on both sides, and there is an impossible sea ahead. The flesh cries, “Do something!”
The flesh cries hopelessness. Can God’s people dry up the sea? Level a mountain? Fight a great army without having weapons? They are in what appears to be a dreadful, frightening situation. God’s people tremble — and in this hour of trembling comes a word from God. In essence:
“Stand still. Fear not. This is the hour of salvation. You are going to witness the pulling down of the foundations of a world power. But in the same hour, I will fight for you. Hold your peace — be still and see my works.”
Beloved, my warning is just one voice among many who are saying the same thing. We may all tremble for a season, but those who truly know God’s Word will be quickly comforted by the Holy Spirit. We will be baptized with a great peace — a supernatural quietness — which will be a tremendous witness to the fearful multitudes.
In Christ, David Wilkerson
