Roundtable Discussion – 2024 and Geopolitical Risks
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Recently a Christian friend of mine in the NYC area who works advising people in the financial markets, highlighted some increasing risks around the world in the new year, beyond what is happening in Israel.
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”
Psalm 2
So far in 2024, here are a few developments worth noting:
Japanese Earthquake
On 1/1/24, an earthquake rocked a small city in Japan called Suzu with a 7.6 quake. Japan issued its first tsunami warning since the “big one” hit on 3/11/11. Reuter’s article here.
The very next day on 1/2/24, a JAL airplane unusually crashed into a Coast Guard plane bringing relief supplies to Suzu. Reuter’s article here
Why did this catch my attention? One, because of this prophetic idea of first Japan, then USA/ROW. Again, see Watch Japan and Watch BOJ for details on this. And two, because the city is called Suzu, which is also where Suzuki comes from (the former warplane manufacturer and now motorcycle/car manufacturer – I happen to own a 1982 Suzuki GS1100EZ). Suzu means “bell”, and Suzuki means “bell tree”. I.e., a warning, a wake up, an alarm. That phrase “be there with bells on” comes to mind, which is like 2024 is being announced “with bells”.
So, for me God is saying “Be on alert in 2024”. (note Chris Reed and Rick Joyner entitled their 2024 new years conference “Prepare for War in 2024“).
Now back to Israel, and Hezbollah has escalated the fighting there, partly in retaliation to the assassination by drone of Hama’s #2 leader who was in Lebanon at the time. Israel describes the war as a “7 front war”. Seven means “completion” in the Bible (7 days of creation), and it is fair to say that Israel believes it is currently completely at war. We also need to keep in mind, so goes Israel, so goes the Church. Several Christian leaders have made this point, including Jonathan Cahn’s 2024 New Years message here.
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea
These four nations represent an axis of power (remember the old “axis of evil” President George HW Bush?) They have positioned themselves against the “West” and its ways (Ukraine invasion, Taiwan threat of reunification, Iran’s commitment to exterminate USA (big Satan) and Israel (little Satan), North Korea intercontinental ballistic nukes) Finland warns of this 4-fold Threat
BRICS, now a 10 nation and growing economic alliance, composed currently of China, Russia, South Africa, India and Brazil. But set to add in 2024: Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia and Egypt. BRICS is setting itself up as an economic, and potentially monetary alliance to counter the USA, Western Europe, Japan, Canada and Australia/NZ’s historical dollar denominated financial markets and economic power.
We evaluate dependency and causality in the supply-chain. The systematic examination of the root causes of supply chain disruption. And the blind spots of the financial markets regarding the fragility of same.
Revelation 18
We view all of this in the context of Revelation 18 – the global economy being judged and the rise of Anti-Christ political forces in the end-times equation.
Today we interview Stephen Burke, The Lord Will Provide ministries who will share his perspective on what is going on with the war in Israel, how it relates to a God given strategic vision he saw (that changed his life), and how this relates to what God is doing on the earth in preparation for His return. Topics will include: Aliyah, cities of refuge, preparing the Bride, coming storms and judgment, coming persecution of Jews and believers and how the Church is positioned to help. You won’t want to miss…
Stephen Burke worked for 18 years in advertising and public relations before God called him out of his profession in 2004 to begin a ministry He named, The LORD Will Provide. The work began in Guatemala and involved church planting and missions. However, in 2008, God unexpectedly gave Stephen a 2-hour open vision of unprecedented future difficulty that is coming to America and the world. In this vision God also showed Stephen that He is raising up places of refuge to hide, protect and move His chosen people. So, since 2009, the Lord has been connecting Stephen with these places of refuge around the world. His role has been to encourage them and to let them know they’re not alone. God has a global plan for His people in the midst of trouble and even now is preparing for these days.
1. Two hands grasping a batton, but the batton was disintegrating. Stephen knew this represented people gasping on to / trusting in our US banking and financial markets / systems, but they were not as solid as they appeared, and were turning into dust.
2. Next saw a beautiful tapestry woven together. Masterfully done. Represented the USA.
3. A flash of light came from far away in the east (across the Atlantic ocean). Stephen now believes this represents the unprovoked Hamas attack killing 1200 Jews in Israel. It was a significant event in the vision. And as such Stephen believes it begins the time of the “Hunter” spoken of in Jeremiah 16:16, for the end-times scenerio, where Jewish people make Aliyah to Israel more urgently.
4. A dark net was unseen but woven into the fabric of the US. Then, suddenly a T-Rex made out of the hidden dark webbing, stood up and was hinged on the east coast and began to devour anything that rose up against it. T-Rex means “tyrannical ruler”, which Stephen believes represents the anti-Christ spirit.
5. The interstates shut down. Electricity shuts down. Many things we depend on no longer function. There was a platform from which Stephen could see these things happening.
6. There was a underground bunker down from the platform where many beleivers gathered. There was food and other essentials stored there. Many were freaked out and were initially a burden to the remnant group who had prepared for such a situation. After a while, they too became productive and could help assist people get to where they needed to go in times of difficulty and troubles.
Just this past week, a couple of BOJ governors started making public comments leading the international financial community to believe the BOJ would soon start raising rates (short term Japanese interest is -0.10% – yes they will pay people to borrow money in order to stimulate economic growth).
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Thursday Dec 7th he told Prime Minister Fumio Kishida the central bank will scrutinise the strength of domestic demand and next year’s wage outlook in guiding monetary policy.
The remarks came in the wake of those by Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino on Wednesday Dec 6th elaborating on the potential impact an exit from ultra-loose monetary policy could have on the economy.
The BOJ next meets for a rate review on Dec. 18-19, followed by another meeting on Jan. 22-23 when it conducts a quarterly review of its growth and inflation forecasts.
Yen up 6% in month – 2% in a day
Background Reading / Listening
This is another reminder to “Watch Japan” (click for last discussion write up, illustrations and podcast on this topic).
Japan is the country where the “sun rises first”. There is a prophetic understanding of first goes Japan – then goes the USA / ROW (rest of world). See the last write up for more on this by way of background. Bob Jones prophecy and Rick Joyner Alert.
Economic Financial Troubles Coming
In 2008/9 during the financial crisis, I felt the Lord was sharing a few things:
This is not the end of troubles, but the beginning of troubles
Ezekiel 29-32 is a 7-fold judgment of Egypt, Pharaoh, and Pharoah’s pride. They thought they were like God. Just like the tower of Babble in Gen 11. Just like the pride of Nebuchadnezzar. America has a similar pride today, especially in the strength of its financial markets, its currency, its economic power. I felt God speaking through this scripture that so too would America’s economic power be greatly humbled. The scripture speaks of 40 years. Japan has been going through economic trouble for now 34-37 years depending on how you measure it.
Watchmen on the Wall
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil
1 Thessalonians 5:20-22
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets
Dec 20th 8-10am – Stephen Burke, The Lord Will Provide ministries will share his perspective on what is going on in Israel, how it relates to a strategic vision he saw, and how this relates to what God is doing on the earth in preparation for His return. You won’t want to miss…
Dec 20th 10am-12pm – Manatee Storehouse Community group. You can join in with this FL community to learn more about the Storehouse from 10am-12pm Dec 20th Wed and hear what is happening in central FL. Gary Crawford, one of our leaders and the Manatee County FL team. This is a Storehouse learning opportunity. Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88569625162
Part 2 to “Stock Market Questions“, prompted last week by Maja Corlett (is it gambling?; is it sinful? should we sell our stocks?) Maja’s key follow-up question THIS WEEK is focused on how the Storehouse works. If someone takes money out of the stock market, where can they invest it? And if you want to invest it into a Storehouse, how do you do it?
Specifically: Say that someone sells $10,000 of stock and wants to invest it in a Storehouse. Is it still considered that person’s money and could it be taken out – like for example if that person wanted to bless their whole family and take them to Israel? It’s not like a need but they would need that money in order to do it… Is that looked down upon (in the community) because it was “given” to the storehouse or is it still theirs?
So, our discussion tomorrow will be around how does the Storehouse work? This will also serve as “Part 8” of a “How To” series regarding how to start a Storehouse (see below for other “How to” steps).
We will get into the various types of accounts and investments connected with a Storehouse, generally speaking. We will also speak of how specifical storehouses work, such as the one in New England (NECAP.net) and the one in Florida (Manatee County Storehouse)
Terminology:
Storehouse Community – those individuals (believers) who are part of the local Storehouse and who also are part of the Church unity move in that region
Storehouse Deacons and Elders – those volunteers leading, managing, administering, accounting and overseeing the Storehouse
Storehouse Fund – common pool of capital to support and finance the whole community typically housed in a non-profit. Accepts gifts, but can also receive general investments.
Individual Account – each person in the community has their own Storehouse account individually (like a savings account)
Individual Investment – can lend money to people and into projects as they see fit as a side-by-side investment (as these loans/investments are repaid they are credited to the individual’s accounts based on their share of ownership)
Individual Gifts – can give to people and into projects as they see fit
Storehouses embrace the “fishes and loves” way of God’s provision
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice
Prov 16:8
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Recently at a New England Storehouse meeting (N.E.C.A.P.), Maja Corlett asked the simple question: Is investing in the stock market gambling? Is it sinful?
It prompted a good conversation. Tomorrow Maja will join us and we will broaden and continue that conversation. Some of our leadership will share their perspective (Gary Crawford, Gregg Healey, others).
We are a learning community led by the Holy Spirit. All questions and perspectives are valid. We will endeavor to share and teach on the New Breed of Business biblical understanding of the stock market as part.
Questions
Investing in the stock market gambling?
Investing in the stock market sinful?
Investing in the stock market wise?
Should I use a financial planner?
If I have a 401k or IRA, what can I invest in other than the markets?
What are the alternatives to investing in the Stock Market?
If we come out of the stock market, should we stop paying taxes?
BYO (Bring Your Own Questions)
Stock Market Fundamentals
When you buy stock, you legally become a partner in that company
When you buy index funds, ETFs, mutual funds you are legally partnering with many companies simultaneously, but it is somewhat obscured by the fact it is one level down in an investment structure
Financial markets are driven up and down by many forces (fundamentals, technical, future growth prospects), but those forces include fear and greed
Companies are either privately owned, or “publicly traded”. If they are publicly traded, they are part of the “stock market”
Investors in the stock markets include: individuals through apps (eg, Robinhood), individuals through stock brokers and financial planners (eg, Morgan Stanley), pension funds, endowments, insurance companies, banks, governments
Premise that the stock market will always go up, sometimes referred to as a buy and hold strategy
Whitewashing moral ethical shortcuts in name of “shareholder’s interests”
Codifying Milton Freedman’s phrase “the business of business is business”
Removal of God and religion from “business” in publicly traded companies
Corporate adoption of secular values and causes fill void – BDS, ESG, Pride, Choice
Biblical Considerations
Free-will / freedom – Gal 5:13
Be careful with who you form partnerships – 2 Cor 6:14-18
Come out of Babylon – Rev 18:4
Do not profit from the poor – Prov 22:16; Ezek 22:29
Rest from labors every seven years – Deut 25:4
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy – Exodus 20:8
Do not charge interest to fellow believers and the poor – Deut 23:19
Commonly Accepted Business Practices
Customer Service departments trained to extract revenue, given little authority to help people
Cell Phone Companies – cut off service; won’t extend credit to the poor; people in financial difficulty
Cable Companies – hidden fees, practices designed to enslave poor and elderly people with large monthly bills
Hospital billing practices
Bank loan interest and fee practices for the poor
Credit card companies practices of capturing people in fees and interest
Pharmaceutical company predatory pricing
Technology companies data ownership legal practices maintaining rights to terminate services / social networks
Stock Market Lingo
Bulls and Bears
Animal Spirits
Fear and Greed
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Stock tip
Insider trading
Non-public information
Mutual Funds
ETFs
Long and short
Day Trading
Hedge Funds
Factors to Consider
Have Wall Street and the Stock Market become part of Babylon?
What if the US financial markets are being judged through several more waves of trouble / crashes?
The debt load is growing and is unsustainable
Babylon enslaves people in its economic system
The US pioneered financial markets (capitalism) have becoming more corrupted, yet more widespread, representing 70% plus of the US and Western economies
Revelation 18 is an economic description of this coming judgment and destruction
Revelation 13 points to a day of not being able to buy and sell in the nations of the world unless you pledge yourself to be a member of the system (worship, bow to the statue of Neb/ Antichrist)
Concentration of power
Concentration of wealth
all roads in success in usa funded through VC, PE, individual investors lead to IPO stock market or sale to publicly traded company
Prophetic encounters regarding Investing
“Before I invest in something, I invest in someone”
“Giving + Blessing = Enterprising”
“This is the beginning, not the end” (regarding the 2008 financial crisis)
“I care more about how you make your money, than what you do with it”
Alternative to Stock Market
What are the alternatives to investing in the publicly trading of stocks and financial markets (credit based financial systems)? Read more about the “Storehouse Vision” here.
Roundtable Discussion – Financial Faith 101 with Jonathan Friz
We discuss in 2 parts the Proverbial wisdom surrounding work, wealth, productivity, frugality, generosity, and righteousness (we are calling this “101”). Much of which is focused on having good character. Not taking shortcuts. Working diligently. Helping the poor and the disadvantaged. Also how wisdom is superior to material wealth. And heavenly riches are superior to early wealth.
Then in part 2, we will see how Jesus builds on these truths, taking them further in the department of trusting God with all by Faith, even if it is to our seeming detriment (to make a way for ourselves, to defend ourselves or bring justice). This also includes operating in miracles and wonders in the area of provision. (We are calling this “201” or “301”).
Quick Example:
Foundational 101 Proverbial Wisdom: “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4)
Supernatural 201 Faith in God: “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you as well” (Matthew 6:33)
We discuss wealth. The difference between material wealth and spiritual riches. How material wealth is desirable and can be a good thing. If it is brought by the hand of the Lord and by diligent work, that is a wholesome thing. However, if it comes from worldly, even evil character traits (selfish ambition, profit at the expense of others, idolization, unhealthy material desire, etc.) it can be a corrosive and corrupting thing. Think of Zacchaeus before and after.
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow to it
Contentment – link to NBB Devotional: Secret of God’s Economy (download)
LaRed Workbook – deeper dive educational material based on many scriptures in Proverbs regarding business practices. 40 studies. (courtesy of Gary Crawford)
On today’s discussion we look at the rise of Anti-Semitism globally, and why it is important for the Church to always support the Jewish people and stand by Israel.
How the Hamas attack against Israel is part of a broader strategy to turn people and popular opinion against Israel and against the Jewish people. To use the Palestinian people as not only human shields, but an anti-Semitic foil through the UN and the mainstream media. Ultimately, the terrorist groups of Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi, and Iran have publicly declared their strategic intent of the elimination of Israel and the extermination of the Jewish people.
We not only need be aware of this, but we can not grow complacent in our support for Israel and the Jewish people. We love both the Palestinian people and the Jewish people and pray that “all would come to the saving knowledge of Christ”. But, we cannot just throw up our hands and say oh well is a 50% / 50% war that’s been going on forever, so let’s just stay out of it. No.
I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curse you. And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed
God’s promises to Abraham – Genesis 12:3
A really good read is Bibi, the auto biography of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It really reveals the terrorist tactics used against Israel and the Jewish people, starting with the death of his own brother Yoni in Uganda on the hijacked El Al aircraft in the 70s.
I would not have you be ignorant of this mystery…Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come… in this way all Israel will be saved
Romans 11:25-26
Mike Bickle teaching on the error of Replacement Theology being baked into most seminaries and seminarians. That Calvin and Luther both embraced this subtle form of replacement theology – that Israel should be treated as a spiritual matter only, no longer a political, physical matter of the Jewish people and the promised land of Israel.
The Fishers and the Hunters
Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the Lord, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks
We hear from Dan Coakley, friend and fellow ex-Wall Streeter. Dan and I met here in Westport, CT in 2008 at the Firehouse (our old offices) and he has an amazing testimony you won’t want to miss.
Dan’s Story
My personal journey and being pursued by the Lord starts after I was on Wall Street in the late 1990s and 2000s. And the sort of lifestyle that entails and all the darkness it brought me into.
(Dan started his Wall Street career at Lehman Brothers in investment banking, then moved into private real estate investment, but prior to that he was a speechwriter in Congress for an elected official after graduating Dartmouth as their #1 tennis player.)
God never gave up on me. He used Gregg and the New Breed of Business Bible study as a lifeline and way back to Him – which kept me connected, even if by a thread, with St. Paul Westport. St. Paul ultimately, years later, played a huge role in both myself and my daughter being saved by Jesus. I really feel God’s main purpose in keeping Gregg and I close and St. Paul in the picture was so I would be able to later bring my daughter to Church as a highschooler, at a time when we both needed Jesus desperately. And through that, and in the years that followed, I was brought so much closer to the Lord in my own relationship with Him (including through a St. Paul mission trip I went on with my daughter this past summer).
I truly have seen miracles happen and many of my prayers answered – including in the recent hiring of a Christian ex-colleague where I work. God’s fingerprints were all over that. It’s still a real challenge for me to fully rely on the Lord. I was always programmed growing up with the value of self-will, self-power and hard work, etc. I really need to have Church and friends and small groups and things like that so I don’t stray too far off the path and become overwhelmed.
(Today, Dan still works in real estate, but he is now focused on affordable housing and trying to make a difference in what he does at work to help people.)
Before going into P12 of our joint study material, we discuss with Grant Berry the worst terrorist attack in the history of modern Israel. Its geo-political consequences. The Abraham Accords. The future of Gaza. Israel and the Church’s prophetic destiny leading up to the Yeshua’s return in the one new man, and prophetic fulfillment of scripture.
Psalm 122
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.”
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