Watchman Warns America
David Wilkerson
Editor, V Emilio
From The Vision - 1973
Of all the prophetic voices out there, none has a track-record quite like David Wilkerson of Times Square Church. Back in the early 1970s Wilkerson told us that we would suffer extreme financial difficulties and freakish weather phenomena. He saw economic problems in Japan and then in the United States, Canada, and other nations. He saw credit busts and the bankruptcies of major corporations. He saw auto industries folding and union failures. He saw major airlines having severe problems. He predicted so many natural disasters that insurance companies would become depleted of funds. He envisioned interest-only loans, and an "eco backlash" against environmentalists. He saw social-aid program cutbacks due to resentment of illegal immigrants, and a vicious anti-American stance by France and then other nations.
Those predictions were from Wilkerson's book, The Vision, first printed in 1973.
When David Wilkerson speaks, I listen. Maybe you should, too.
Pre 9/11 Warning
On August 19, 2001, just three weeks prior to 9/11, Pastor Wilkerson preached a message called, "An Hour of Trouble is Coming." He and his staff cancelled all events including a Missions Conference and Youth Convention, and went into four nights a week of prayer. After 9-11 he stated, "If you are a Christian, you know God has delivered a message to America and the world through this disaster. Like many pastors, I've wept and grieved over this awful calamity. I've sought the Lord in prayer and through his Word. And I want to tell you, I've experienced a grief that's even deeper than the mourning for innocent people dying. It's a grief that says if we miss God's message, if we turn a deaf ear to what He's loudly proclaiming, then much worse is in store for us"
The Vision was printed in 1973. Due to the stunning fulfillment of Wilkerson's visions, this book was reprinted in 2003. I have both copies - the 1973 printing and the 2003 copy. The above was taken from his Addendum, pgs. 108-109, of the new printing of The Vision and Beyond, 2003.
When David Wilkerson speaks, I listen.
That Dreadful Day no one Talks About
We receive David Wilkerson's "World Challenge Pulpit Series." These are monthly bulletins from his messages at Times Square Church. What is David Wilkerson saying today?
When David Wilkerson speaks, I think we need to listen to him.
From the February 5, 2007, World Challenge Pulpit Series, Wilkerson warns:
Sudden Terrorist Attack
"A noted TV evangelist stunned our country recently with a prophetic warning. He said God revealed to him that a sudden terrorist attack is coming soon to the United States, and that multitudes will be killed. A similar prophecy was given nationwide by another respected TV evangelist.
Prophecies from Unknown, Godly Ministers
In recent weeks I have received prophecies from unknown but godly ministers who are crying out this same kind of message. These shepherds are warning, "A great disaster is coming upon us soon and suddenly. It will be so devastating, the world is going to shudder. Things will never be the same."
News Commentators have Joined this Chorus
"I repeatedly hear news broadcasters predicting the same thing: a terrible world crisis is about to happen. I believe these premonitions by the secular world are the Spirit of God's way of warning nonbelievers. Now even the wickedest people on earth feel in their souls an inner nagging that an awful, fearful day is inevitable and fast approaching.
Frightening Disorder
Right now, the world is in frightening disorder. I think of the horrible atrocity taking place in Darfur in Sudan. Over 300,000 people have died there, and 2 million others have become refugees. As the world looks on in horror, unable to stop the slaughter, a corrupt United Nations sits paralyzed. Much of the food aid goes to support insurgent military forces.
U.N. Sanctions a Joke
Terrorism is escalating, and world powers are confused. The U.N. is being called "Mission Impossible," with its Security Council hopelessly divided. Meanwhile, Iran and North Korea are racing to build nuclear arsenals, with Iran threatening to wipe Israel off the map. To these renegade nations, any threat of U.N. sanctions is a joke. They openly scoff at that body's solemn resolutions.
China to Replace World's Superpower
All this time, China is fast rising in global power, determined to replace America as the world's sole superpower. The Chinese government is pouring billions of dollars into Africa, South America, the Far East and Latin America, buying the influence of nations. Now it seems that everything is being made in or by China.
Who is Listening to Prophetic Warnings?
The nations of the world and their leaders aren't listening to all the alarms that are sounding. Most will not likely even hear the warnings. Like the stiff-necked kings in the Bible who tore up the prophets' warnings, they scoffed at what was being prophesied to them.
Secular World Mocks Doomsayers
Indeed, all haters of Christ are scoffing. The secular world mocks the preachers who speak these dire warnings, calling them doomsayers, saying they're out of their minds. Just as Scripture predicts, these present-day mockers claim, "All things continue as they have from the beginning of time. Nothing is going to stop the world's prosperity from continuing. All is well."
Wealth&Success Pursuits
The fact is, those who love the things of this world are going to shrug off every such warning and prophecy. This is true also of numbers of Christians. If a believer is given to the pursuit of wealth and success - if he wants an easy religion, one of cheap grace - he'll turn his ear from a hard-sounding message.
Shocked by Ministers who Ignore Warnings
Personally, I am shocked by the many ministers of God who openly despise those who warn of perilous times ahead. I don't understand how they can dismiss every prophetic message being sounded. Think of it:
-Right now, national security leaders are sending out alerts in the U.S. - yellow, orange and red alerts including aviation warnings.
-Top security people are warning of a possible dirty bomb to be set off by terrorists, with multitudes at risk.
-In New York City, every security agency has been running drills for when an attack occurs. News reports continually state that this attack is not a matter of "if" but "when." Its occurrence is but a matter of time.
-Health experts are warning of worldwide pandemics, predicting that millions upon millions will die.
Motivational Pep Talks
How is the body of Christ responding to these warnings? In many churches, there is no mention of atrocities, of terrorism, of tragic pandemics. Instead, the messages being brought forth from those pulpits are comprised of motivational pep talks, jokes, entertainment. It's all spiritual baby food, with no word spoken about coming judgments.
Handwriting on the Wall
Yet the handwriting is on the wall, declared by Scripture and echoed by the world: a dreadful day is ahead. "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" (2 Peter 3:10).
What are Religious People being Told?
More and more preachers are urging their people, "God wants you to get rich. He wants you to go first class. So, get in on it now." They are falling into the same money-focused gospel that Jesus drove from the temple in his day.
Prosperity isn't a Sin…
I believe God loves to bless his people, and there are promises of increase to those who give to the needs of the poor, widows and fatherless. It is not a sin to be prosperous. Many financially blessed believers support missions and charitable works around the world.
Still, the Holy Spirit is right now pleading with the world, through many prophetic voices, as well as through the world's own voices. A dreadful day of reckoning is at the door, yet most people - including multitudes of Christians - don't want to talk or even think about it.
Who are the Prophecies For?
If so few are listening, then who are these prophecies meant for? Why would the Lord deliver them, if so few will give heed? Who in the world is going to hear these warnings?
I think of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and other Old Testament prophets who warned about the fall of Babylon, the world power at the time. Prophets also spoke of coming destruction upon the Chaldeans, the Medes, the Persians, Tyre. Yet these prophecies never reached those heathen nations or their leaders.
Even backslidden Israel scoffed at the voices crying in the wilderness. So, why did God bring these warnings at all? Who would believe such reports? And to whom is God speaking?
The Lord Speaks to His Faithful Remnant
Throughout history, God has always sent prophets with a warning to wake up his sleeping bride. He reveals the lateness of the hour in such warnings in order to wake up a slumbering ministry and church.
Seeking Humble Watchmen
While God speaks through men with national pulpits, many times the Lord has to find humble, unknown, hidden watchmen to deliver his warnings. He has picked preachers who have no personal agenda, men who are shut up with God in prayer. These ministers are despised and ridiculed as ignorant and unlearned. Yet they are unafraid of reproach. Indeed, they are the "weak" sent by God to confound the wise.
Only other-worldly hear Warnings
And only those listeners who aren't in love with the world will hear the prophetic warnings these prophets bring. Only those who yearn for the coming of the Lord will have this message ring true in their hearts.
Why God Warns the Faithful
Here is why God warns his faithful ones: it is so that when sudden disaster strikes, they are not swept away with fear. When that dreadful event comes, God's people must know that what has happened is not an accident or a random act of ruthless nations. They are to have the peace of Christ in their hearts, knowing that our God is still master of the universe.
Faithful won't Panic
In this way, the Lord's people will have been warned. And they won't panic when other men's hearts fail them for fear at all the frightful things they see coming on the earth."
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References:
That dreadful day no one wants to talk about. pgs 1-2. 2007. World Challenge Pulpit Series. 5 February. Available from: www.worldchallenge.org.
Wilkerson, David. 1974. The vision. New York: Pyramid Communications.
—- The vision and beyond. 2003. Lindale, TX: World Challenge Publications.
Emilio, V&K. A financial tsunami - coming our way?" Available from: www.remnantreport.com.
About David Wilkerson:
Over thirty years ago Wilkerson wrote, The Cross and the Switchblade, which was made into one of the earliest, successful Christian films. He serves as pastor of Times Square Church. He founded Teen Challenge, the acclaimed drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. He's an "old-timer" now, a precious soul who still dedicates himself fully to the preaching of God's Word. He is admired and listened to by faithful evangelicals worldwide. David Wilkerson is one of the most gifted watchmen and prophetic voices still alive today. When he speaks, we listen.
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