Signficant Times

Many are sensing a profound significance in these present times in which we live. Nations are losing control of their destinies; and believers surely need to discern the spiritual dynamics and be sure of where their ultimate trust lies.
 

 
"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws."
Mayer Amschel Rothschild


Burning EuroPIIGS are not flying; it’s more of a case of crash and burn.

It was Greece in the headlines; now it’s Ireland’s turn. And according to the pundits Portugal is next in the firing line as the debt crisis that has engulfed both Greece and Ireland spreads through the eurozone.

Without a bailout of the Irish Republic expected in the coming days, observers warned that any relief for the single currency bloc will be short-lived.
Irish finance minister Brian Lenihan has confirmed that he intends to recommend to the government on 21 November 2010 to open formal negotiations with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund for a loan, according to a report quoted on the Irish government news service website.

The debt crisis crippling Ireland could tear Europe apart, a global economic watchdog has warned.
The International Monetary Fund said the post-war unity that had brought peace and prosperity to the Continent could founder in the economic malaise.

In the midst of all this many are sensing a great significance in the times in which we live, and the need to look to the Lord rather than any lesser things in which we might subconsciously be placing our trust.

A mature Christian leader has written recently regarding the control being exercised over nations and the response required from those who follow Christ:

[A friend] wrote to me the other day that she was concerned about [the financial crisis’ – both because of the matter of yet further diminishing sovereign state sovereignty, but even more because of the old adage that 'whoever controls the debt controls the debtor'.

There is no doubt at all that the heads of the EU are seriously concerned about the possibility of the Euro collapsing. The consequences on individual nations are likely to be huge. Greece for example has now been downgraded to little more than a 'protectorate' since receiving its bailout. The influential German magazine Der Spiegel has this to say about the situation there:

An EU Protectorate the Greek parliament and government are now virtually stripped of power. They're not allowed to decide on any new expenditures without EU approval. Finance Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou is required to report every four weeks on progress made in budget restructuring. Brussels, not Athens, now controls whether and how the austerity program takes effect. If "detailed and ongoing inspection" shows that the actual results fall short of those predicted, Almunia says, then Brussels' watchdogs will demand additional measures. There have even been calls at the European Parliament to send a special EU representative with extensive authority to Greece. The small country has become little more than an EU protectorate.

[The Lord] is warning, to use the concept He expressed through the prophet Jeremiah, that the work of refining has not been sufficiently responded to in order to avoid immense consequences. The Lord is also stressing the importance of our friendship with Him. He truly does want us to take Malachi 3:16 to heart:
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured His name. "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession.

Cultivating and strengthening strong ties with our fellow believers is always crucial, and never more so than in the days we are moving into. We are certainly experiencing this here as the Lord continues to 'wrap' a new framework around existing relationships.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.  Psalm 20:7-9

Christians Together, 22/11/2010