Friday, February 4, 2011

Finance Update - February 2011

What is Happening - Finance

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The world of high finance seems to be running on two planes these days. On the one hand, Obama in the state of the Union states that business is producing, the economy is improving, and the stock market is reaching new heights. While he admits that the national debt is something we need to reign in, at the same time, he speaks of expensive new spending programs like high speed rail, roads, education and so on. The mainstream media appear to faithfully report the claims of the Obama administration that brighter days are ahead.

On the other hand, there is a large and growing number of economist and financial bloggers that are sounding strident alarm bells. Their accompanying charts and analysis' proclaim that financial doom for the US is, at this point in time, only moments away.  We have already witnessed financial carnage in here in the US over the last couple years.  Greece and Ireland, have received huge European Union bailouts, and there is a constant rumbling of other Euro dependent countries approaching their day of debt reckoning.

Truly, the financial arena is filled with deception, and the people seem to go along from day to day either blissfully ignorant of the whole show, believing that brighter days are indeed ahead. Either that, or they are afraid to consider that the doom and gloom economist and bloggers might be right, choosing instead to ignore prudence, and hoping and praying that ignorance really does turn out to be bliss.

So what is really going on?  In the age of deception, it can be difficult, if not impossible to really know, however, there seem to be plenty of signs that can give the person willing to look a good indication of where we are, and why.

The Book of the Revelation tells us that at some point in the future, the false prophet will bring into existence a central accounting office, that will control all commerce.  Rev 13:16-17  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Most scholars agree that central control like this will require a single common currency.

There have been, and are continuing to be a steady stream of articles in the news about a new global currency, and the decline of the US dollar.  While finance is a complex topic, when we boil the current state of the world's financial problems down to the basics,  these two topics seem to be fundamental as we watch the world's financial state move toward our prophesied future. These two topics appear to be inextricably linked.

Currently, the US dollar is the global reserve currency.  Historically, the US dollar has been a strong and stable currency, however, if the US dollar were to be weakened and destabilized, it's status as the worldwide reserve currency would be threatened, making way for a replacement.  So news about the decline of the dollar are important to watch. As the dollar declines, it is less attractive as a reserve currency, and this in turn, makes a new reserve currency more attractive. This video presentation clearly presents the implications of the dollars loss of reserve status to Americans.  The following recent news articles document the desire of world leaders to move away from the dollar, and towards a new currency:

Link - 09/07/2009 - UN wants new global currency to replace dollar
Link - 10/24/10 - New world currency index launched
Link - 11/12/10 - Sarkozy takes over G-20 aiming to "update" monetary system
Link - 11/24/10 - China, Russia quit dollar on bilateral trade
Link - 01/16 - Hu calls currency system "product of the past"
Link - 01/03 - George Soros: The U.S. must stop resisting the orderly decline of the dollar

If the new global currency and the status of the dollar are two of the fundamental topics to watch, the third would surely be debt.  If anything can affect the condition of the dollar, it is the US debt.  As US debt has come due, the Federal Reserve has been printing new money to meet these debt obligations. This in turn, drives down the value of the dollar. Other countries invested in our debt are feeling the results of the value of the dollar declining. Their investments in our debt are returning less and less value.  If we get to the point where the countries investing in US debt decide that the investment is not worth the risk, the dollar will be severely destabilized, and investors will refuse to invest in US debt, bringing the US to insolvency.

So if we want to stave off a global currency, then we would want to increase the value of the dollar so that the world continues to accept it as the worlds reserve currency. We would do that by reducing the debt, discontinuing the printing of money, and increasing the value and stability of the dollar.  If we want to bring about a new global currency, we only need to continue increasing our debt, print more and more money, thus decreasing it's value and stability.  So lets take a look at the news articles and see what is happening:

Link - 11/10/10 - Barack Obama: We must embrace globalism and emerging one world economy
Link - 12/17/10 - Tipping Point: 25 signs the financial collapse is now closer than ever
Link - 01/06 - Confirmed: We're literally on the brink of catastrophic collapse
Link - 01/10 - Geithner says U.S. insolvent
Link - 01/14 - S&P, Moody's warn on U.S. Credit Rating
Link - 01/17 - New debt crisis striking RIGHT NOW!
Link - 01/18 - 2011 could usher in huge financial changes  (Bible Prophecy Blog)
Link - 01/18 - Neithercorp Press: Disinformation fog intensifies as economic turmoil develops
Link - 01/18 - World needs $100 Trillion more credit, says World Economic Forum
Link - 01/19 - 12 economic collapse scenarios we could potentially see in 2011
Link - 01/21 - Which of the currencies of the world is going to crash first?
Link - 01/22 - China's ICBC moves to buy U.S. branches
Link - 01/26 - Fact Check: Obama and his imbalanced ledger
Link - 01/28 - Brace Yourself: Moody's basically just threatened to downgrade the US
Link - 01/29 - The End of the Dollar

Clearly, the Obama administration and the Federal Reserve are continuing to print money, spend, and increase our debt.  The dollar is becoming increasingly vulnerable to replacement as countries are becoming increasingly disenchanted with it's role as the global reserve currency.  While our politicians seem to have opportunities to turn this around, they are pressing forward in what is either a calculated plan to bring about a new currency, or what certainly appears to be ignorantly playing into the hands of Satan as he brings about his financial monopoly on the whole earth.

Here at home, unfortunately, the steps the Federal Reserve and the Obama administration are taking are having a devastating effect on the people of the US.  In addition to the worldwide destabilizing affect the printing of money has, the increasing supply of dollars is causing inflation here at home. We are already experiencing increased costs with less value.  The following articles from just this month drive this point home solidly:

Link - 01/10 - For millions of senior citizens, the only future ... is one filled with debt and poverty.
Link - 01/18 - Austerity in America: 22 signs it's already here and it's going to be very painful
Link - 01/18 - American Thinker: The Great Depression II
Link - 01/19 - Brazil bank raises interest rate to 11.25%
Link - 01/19 - Brazil slams brakes to curb inflation, risking hot money tsunami
Link - 01/20 - State bankruptcy option is sought, quietly
Link - 01/21 - 22 facts about California that make you wonder why anyone would want to live there...
Link - 01/24 - Only 47% of working Americans have full time jobs
Link - 01/25 - Paper Money Madness
Link - 01/30 - Obama wraps liberal ideology in GOP sheepskin
Link - 02/01 - On Mervyn King's apology that the central banks are destroying the middle class....

What is Happening - Mark of the Beast

According to the Revelation, the antichrist will use some kind of "mark" to identify people to the financial system that he will put in place.  This mark will serve as a control mechanism. It would seem that whatever this mechanism is, it will not only serve to control finances, but also provide the government with tyrannical power over people. It will facilitate information gathering, such as when and what we are buying, where we are at given times, what online social groups we belong to, as well as what we say online, and so on.  

So far, there doesn't yet seem to be a global effort to bring this about. Instead, it appears there is sporadic business and individual country involvement. The articles below document efforts on the part of countries and businesses to bring about ID programs via cards, eye scans, etc. as well as efforts to put controls on people, by eliminating freedoms. There seems to be a correlation between government control, and the financial  purpose of the mark of the beast.  This appears, at this point, to be proceeding slowly, somewhat behind the attempts to bring about a global currency. It will remain to be seen if there is a global effort underway that has just not made the news yet.

Link - 10/01/10 - India launches national e-government ID program
Link - 11/27/10 - Scientists attach barcodes to mouse embryos
Link - 12/07/10 - Mastercard develops payment solution for UID
Link - 12/22/10 - Monitoring America
Link - 01/05 - White house "insider threat" program targets government employees....
Link - 01/07 - Obama eying internet ID for all Americans
Link - 01/10 - Another tragedy vulture exploits victims to ..... kill free speech
Link - 01/21 - Mexico to pioneer iris technology on ID cards
Link - 01/25 - Polish government calls for country to become cashless in 3 years
Link - 01/27 - California residents hit with government ban on paying by cash


The Outlook


Could we suddenly turn things around, start paying down debt, stabilize the dollar, and raise the living standard of Americans?  With God, anything is possible. He told us, the church, the following: 2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. All things are possible with God, yes.

However, evidence suggests that the current tactical strategy is to continue to do whatever it takes to destabilize the US dollar.  This is likely to eventually manifest as a financial calamity in the US of sufficient strength to bring about a countrywide mindset that is willing to accept a solution that will involve the replacement of the US dollar with a new global reserve currency. This will, of course, be touted as a great step forward that will surely improve the worsening conditions the US finds itself in, but in reality, it will be a huge step forward in Satan's plan to dominate the planet's financial transactions.  Accordingly, in spite of the promises of our leaders, America will continue it's decent into poverty.

As we have already seen in other countries, either financial collapse, or austerity corrective action results in pain for the people involved, and that results in unrest. Riots and protests are, unfortunately, likely to come to America.

What Does It Mean?

When we look at the events taking place in the world today, on all fronts, it mirrors what was written about the end times. Mat 24:6-8  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  (8)  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Increasingly, we see the policies of man taking on the characteristics of Satan. During the time of the end, trouble and sorrow will increase.

Financial turmoil has a direct affect on famine, security, peace, and the future. We should not be relying on the world for a secure future. Psalm 91 tells us that the Lord is our refuge and fortress, if we abide under His shadow. To me, this means that He is more than able to sustain us through anything, famine, poverty, earthquakes, physical attacks, if, we dwell in His protection, stay in close contact with Him, hour by hour, day by day. He is, our only hope.

Psalms 91:2-4    I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  (3)  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  (4)  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 

As I wrote in the Famine Update - January 2011, we should be looking to the spiritual side of things.  Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We should be setting about ensuring our lamps are full by drawing close to Jesus, praying, and obeying his calling.  Mat 25:1-4  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  (2)  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  (3)  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  (4)  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.


We should listen for the Lord's guidance to prepare for the times to come.  Pro 6:6-11  Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. 


Conclusion

If you are reading this, and have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, this would be a great time to do so. The way to salvation has been made plain to us:  John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  It is through Jesus's work on the cross that we are saved.

This salvation is the free gift of God, and it is yours if you ask.   Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Turn to God and pray: "Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."