The Fourth Turning – A Seminal Work On Generational Cycles

In my book, The Coming Economic Flood, I stated that I finally understood the message God has given me. When God finally judges the Babylonian financial system, all 3 groups – the kings of the earth, merchants and those who make their living by sea – will weep together.  At this time, the kings of the earth, the governments, are still able to keep the system afloat by massive quantitative easing.  And that averted the collapse in Sep 2015 when stock markets collapsed spectacularly around the world, especially in China.  It is amazing to note that a USD 2.5 trillion debt bubble burst in US housing loan market nearly caused the global collapse in 2008 and yet a USD 11 trillion stock market drop in Sep 2015 did not cause anything near the contagion seen in late 2008.

We have noticed that the financial crises happened 7 years apart for the past few decades.  God has judged the symbol of Babylon (WTC) in Sep 2001 and the system partially in Sep 2008 and Sep 2015.  Thanks be to God for His patience and long-suffering that He has given further time for His people to come out of Babylon.  Will the collapse come by Sep 2022 ?   Or was Sep 2015 actually the last trigger ?

(https://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2016/08/03/japanese-government-shifts-further-toward-authoritarianism-and-militarism/)

The above article made these very interesting comments :

“One of the most discomforting aspects of Neil Howe and William Strauss’ seminal work on generational cycles, The Fourth Turning (1997), is the fact that as far as American history is concerned, they all climax and end with massive wars.

To be more specific, the first “fourth turning” in American history culminated with the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the second culminated with the Civil War (1861-1865), while the third ended with the bloodiest war in world history, World War II (1939-1945). The number of years between the end of the Revolutionary War and the start of the Civil War was 78 years, and the number of years between the end of the Civil War and the start of World War II was 74 years (76 years if you use America’s entry into the war as your starting date). Therefore, if Howe & Strauss’ theory holds any water, and I think it does, we’re due for a major conflict somewhere around 75 years from the end of World War II. That brings us to 2020.

The more I look around, the more signs appear everywhere that the world is headed into another major conflict. From an unnecessary resurgence of a Cold War with Russia, to increased tensions in the South China Sea and complete chaos and destruction in the Middle East, the world is a gigantic tinderbox. All it will take to transform these already existing conflict zones into a major conflagration is another severe global economic downturn, something I fully expect to happen within the next 1-2 years. Frighteningly, this puts on a perfect collision course with the 2020 area…”

Looking at the terribly flawed monetary policies of all major economies which have already crossed over the threshold of returning into balance, it will take a miracle to avert the inevitable collapse.  The question is not “if” but “when”.   As God’s people, we will come out of Babylon, prepare and rejoice when it happens.  Rev 18:20; Rev 19:1-2.

jw1

 

Trials And Temptation

Although both trial and temptation are translated from the same Greek word “peirasmos”,  it is a world of difference between them.

Trial usually refers to morally neutral events that will affect us both emotionally and physically such as death of a loved one,  accident,  illness, failure, disappointment, unemployment, betrayal or rejection.  While temptation usually refers to evil desires in us, such as fornication or covetousness, waiting to be birthed into sin if one capitulates  to the conceived desire.

The following table highlighting the difference is given  by Pastor Mark Wheeler of New England.

https://wheelsms.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/of-trials-temptations/

trials-temptations

 

Many well meaning Christians have wrongly used the verse 1 Cor 10:13 to comfort those undergoing trials that God will not let them suffer such trials beyond which they cannot handle.  The verse refers to temptation and not trial.   And concerning temptation,  I am sure God will provide a way of escape through various means such as the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and His Word,  but it is one own’s volition if he or she allows the sin to be birthed.  James 1:13-15.

(1 Cor 10:13.  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.)

It is a fact that some believers have succumbed to taking their own lives when trial such as depression has taken a terrible toll on them.

Here are some of my thoughts concerning whether these believers are saved.  And you may form your own conclusion.

  1. Samson who committed suicide was listed among the heroes of faith in Heb 11.
  2. Suicide is the sin of murder (self murder) – I see taking the life of another is the same as taking the life of self. Salvation is not dependent on sin accounting or based on the last sin committed.
  3. Trials are morally neutral events affecting us emotionally and physically.