Dairy Queen, the international ice cream chain, once had as its slogan, “Hot Eats, Cool Treats.” They would go out of business if they instead served cold hamburgers and hot ice cream. No wonder the Church is losing its franchise. Increasingly, it has been serving “Hot Comfort, Cold Faith.” Prophetically, Christ asked the question, “[…] when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). This statement is probably one of the most important prophecies for the Church Age.

With this introduction, we want to focus on a most challenging topic for Christians in the modern world: faith. It is a delicate thing, only flourishing under the most rarified of conditions. No doubt, it is a tired topic for most Christians. Therefore, we want to provoke a completely different line of inquiry.

World Country Classification by Average Faith Level

Source: World Bank Group 2023. Adapted by Author.

High Faith
Upper-Middle Faith
Lower-Middle Faith
Low Faith
Not Classified

A Worldview of Faith

Please look at the map of the world shown. It is color-keyed to show the distribution of faith in the world. The darkest-colored countries have the lowest faith, the lighter hues more. Please ponder for a moment where the least faith might be found in the world today. Which country do you live in? Is it high faith or low faith?

Clearly, the map shows low areas of faith and higher ones. What is the source of this map? The World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland? No, though perhaps it could be.

Actually, it is an authentic map from the World Bank—the transnational organization headquartered in Washington, DC, whose motto is, “Our wish is a world free of poverty.” This agency concerns itself with economics and wealth trends.

At this point, you may be puzzled, wondering, What does the World Bank have to do with the topic of faith? Actually, they are closely aligned.

The title of the chart has been tampered with. It actually portrays the distribution of wealth in the world; more specifically, the average level of income in each country. The color key has been flipped upside down. The areas with the highest income are shown as those with the lowest faith, and vice versa.

Is this a reasonable way to show the distribution of faith in the world? While it may not be exact, our technique for substituting low faith for high income is defensible. It parallels a general Biblical principle. The Bible substantiates this inverse relationship between wealth and faith numerous times. Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God […] But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort” (Luke 6:20, 24, Sermon on the Plain).

The half-brother of Jesus, James, re-emphasized this perspective a different way, saying: “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him? (James 2:5). Certainly, the World Bank’s survey of world income qualifies as a perspective from “the eyes of the world.”

Most assuredly, there are many exceptions to this general equation of faith versus riches. Remember, we are dealing here with general correlation and population averages, not specific persons or households. And when viewing the map, it should also be noted that it is symbolizing all types of faith, not just the type of faith that the Bible requires of true Christians. Many false religions that display deep faith in their beliefs happen to be most prevalent in poor regions of the world.

There clearly is a general inverse relationship between faith and wealth and comfort. We can further expand the realm of wealth to the concept of Mammon. It is that spiritual realm that aligns its confidence and affections with materialism and the boastful pretensions of mankind.

Working Out Our Faith Against Opposition

Why is it that there is this opposition between faith and money?

In the pleasure of God’s creation, it is a trait of the world. Jesus said: “You cannot serve both God and Mammon” (Matthew 6:24b). This statement struck right to the heart of the cosmology of opposites—good and evil, sin and righteousness, the kingdom of light versus the forces of darkness. Were it any different, it would not be possible for us to choose to bring a meaningful sacrifice of faith and love to our Lord. Otherwise, to do so would simply be an automatic, autonomously programmed response of no value.

Christ made this comment to His disciples right after He told the rich young ruler to “sell [his] possessions and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21). It immediately threw the disciples into a debate. They were daunted by the challenges of property and the requirements of the kingdom of God. On the one hand, to be wealthy was considered a blessing of the godly—after all, Abraham was. On the other, Christ admonished that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (verse 24).

“Who then can be saved?” they asked (Matthew 19:25b). Christ replied, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (verse 26).

Here we see two completely different systems that contradict each other—the kingdom of God versus the domain of Mammon. These two realms have entirely different wealth systems. They have two different currencies, respectively: faith and money.

Though we are ever so thankful it is by the grace of God we are saved, whether we are beset by the deceitfulness of riches or not, the sad reality is that most people in high-income countries are mortally blinded to the true nature and wealth of faith.

The Most Precious Commodity in the World

The contrast between earthly riches—namely, wealth, prosperity, material satisfaction, worldly confidence—and true riches is a theme repeatedly presented throughout the entire Bible. True faith itself is considered the most valuable and real of all possessions.

Consider just a few of the Bible’s perspectives on what actually should be “hotly” valued—real faith. Jesus stated: “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11). Just what are these “true riches”? Scripture repeatedly portrays our faith and salvation as real riches, and that the price of their procurement in the first place is inestimable.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18).

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Without question, according to Scripture, real faith is much more valuable than property and worldly wealth. It is “true riches.” Apostle Peter assesses it as more valuable than gold. Why? Because without it, we cannot please God … nor receive the “goal of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls” (1 Peter 1:9).

Apostle Peter reflects this evaluation of faith in the passage:

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (verses 6-9).

While the world today strains for the attainment of material wealth, the most precious acquisition of all—faith—lies cold in many countries, especially wealthy ones of Christian heritage. Yet there is absolutely nothing more worthy than faith.

At this point, we must take a brief respite from our inquiry and ask this age-old question: What is faith? After all, the word “faith” must surely be the most misused and misunderstood word in the English language. Many people think it is just a noun. We can only focus on the simplest of answers. According to the Bible, more often, faith is a verb. Faith is the act of believing. But what? The Word of God, the evidence of which is faith if we do it. It is for this reason that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, KJV).

Current Conditions in the Church

Let’s again examine the relationship between faith and wealth. The words of Christ and the apostles that we reviewed say that these two are generally oppositional in nature. Something in our day, however, rings false. It is a growing church constituency that portrays itself as Christian but presents the exact opposite perspective.

Some in this community even go so far as to say that if you have much faith, you can “get wealth.” Or just send in your seed faith offering, and you may get a “divine wealth transfer.” Perhaps a large check from some mysterious source may arrive in the mail as a result. Such things may well happen to some people, but as a formula, this has nothing to do with real faith or real wealth.

Apparently, without laying one’s life down for Christ and taking up a personal cross, one can just use the principles in the Bible to become prosperous and lead a well-enriched life in every way. This is one of the biggest and sorriest lies ever perpetrated. It is a major contributing reason why real faith is running cold today.

Yet, this fleshly notion of faith, that is gaining popularity so easily, appeals to our nature … hearing and interpreting things as we would like them to be. Who has not made this type of complaint to the Lord when meeting trials or difficulties? “Lord, I am serving You. Don’t I deserve to be rewarded here on earth for the good things that I do?” To say this is to fall prey to a form of “prosperity teaching.” But why on earth should I have this human flaw, to so easily fall for this idea?

Even more consternating is that this view of cheap faith is so strongly held in the richest areas on the world map—particularly in North America. There is no caution, no fear of the dangers of wealth, which the Bible so clearly lays out. Why is the vulnerability to Balaam’s error greatest there? “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all,” said Paul to the Galatians (1:6-7a).

Inverting the relationship expressed in James 2:5, we can say: “Has not God chosen the rich of this world to be poor in faith?” Viewed from this perspective, we realize just which Christians in the world will have the most trying conditions to produce fruit and true faith. The “true faith” of Christians in the United States, Canada, and other rich nations will be under siege the most. These countries may indeed be blessed, but not with the conditions that naturally foster an abundance of real faith.

There are two large forces (both related) reverberating through this last-day world: They are globalization and oppression of various types. Living in North America or Europe, you will face both cross-currents—living in a seductive, richer region of the world, your Biblical beliefs and trust in God will be ridiculed and suppressed.

Achan and the Last-Day Church of Laodicea

If one is poor in faith, then what does that actually mean? It is a very important question for those who are of the Church in richer parts of the world. The last-day Church—as mirrored by the last of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, Laodicea—is the one that was convinced it needed nothing, confident in its own riches and capabilities … even assured in its confidence.

This church is actually poor, blind, and naked—poor in faith, blind as to the true state of things, and vulnerable to the loss of true faith and power. They fell for the error of Balaam, sacrificing lukewarm faith for the primacy of warm comfort.

The story of Achan in the Old Testament (Joshua 7) provides a picture of the future Church, which loses the “power” of God for the sake of riches and comfortable materialism. Israel was commanded not to take any treasures from the booty of fallen Jericho. Yet one person fell for its lure. Said Achan, “When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them” (Joshua 7:21). He hid these items underneath his tent.

When Israel then went up to conquer the city of Ai, they were sorely defeated. The power and blessing of God were no longer with them. Why? Achan’s household brought impurity upon the entirety of Israel by falling for the baubles of Babylon and Jericho—cities that were renowned ancient centers of commercialism. “When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel?” (Joshua 22:20).

We have every reason to believe that this is the same reason why much of the last-day Church has lost its power to effectively minister the Gospel.

Thoughts to Ponder

We return to Christ’s prophecy: “[…] when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” As mentioned, it likely is one of the most important of all last-day prophecies for the Church. Yet in the New Testament, this prophecy seems almost hidden. It is just half a verse long, found only in one of the four Gospels, and seems entirely disjointed from the text before and after. Jesus is clearly saying that there will be very little faith found on earth when He returns.

We can better understand why by using our inverse equation rule. When Christ returns, will He find “wealth” on earth? Yes; James confirms this will be the case, saying, “Now listen, you rich people […] You have hoarded wealth in the last days” (James 5:1, 3). At the time Jesus uttered His statement, He knew that the faith of his flock would face a great onslaught of worldly wealth and comforts in the last days, also revealing that “[…] the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12b). While this statement was probably spoken directly to the Jew, it only follows that it also applies to all Christians.

Without a doubt, that cold day has arrived … certainly so for Western Christianity and Jews alike. Without pretension, faith in Europe is largely dead. In North America, there are indeed many who profess a Christian faith, but of the type that is without power. Many use faith as nothing more than a contractual indemnity policy with God, or a device to “get wealth” and warm comforts.

This state of mind is easy to fall into—no premeditated plan is necessary. Once one attitudinally becomes completely reliant upon the bank account, technology, the pride and accomplishments of man, etc., the power of God diminishes … at least as is utilized in daily life. No longer does our faith rest in the notion that God will care for us, has a purpose and a destiny for us, and wants to lead us, not by sight but by faith.

“We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Can it be done in North America, a region much overtaken by “Hot Comfort, Cold Faith”? Here, it surely is a daily struggle to beat back the cooling influences upon our faith.

But every challenge also offers an opportunity. We can again remember what Peter tells us, already quoted earlier. We have reason to rejoice, for our struggle is only for a little while, and there awaits the eternal reward of true riches.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials […] for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).

“But he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

(Note: This is an updated version of an article published 20 years ago.)

***

Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Do you have questions or other perspectives? You can contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com.

 

The topic of gold evokes interest today just as it always has throughout the millennia. Much of mankind’s history has surely been motivated by the possession of this lustrous, fascinating metal. It plays a part in many famous stories—from gold-rich King Solomon to the Greek mythological tale of King Midas, who had the “golden touch,” or the New World’s Coronado and his quest for the Seven Cities of Cibola (lost cities of gold), and countless others. One would think that there must be lots of gold in the world today. Not so.

According to the estimates of the USGS (US Geological Survey), in the history of the world, about 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered. Of this, 187,000 metric tons have been actually mined and produced. If all the gold presently existing above ground in the world were put into one place, it would amount to one solid cube 23 meters wide, 23 meters tall, and 23 meters long. The footprint of that glistening block would be not much greater than a double tennis court.

It is estimated that only about 15% of all gold ever produced has been either consumed or lost. The rest of it, whether unearthed from King Solomon’s mines over 3,000 years ago or produced from the mines of US-based Newmont Corporation today, all remains accounted for and owned by some person or entity.

Why the big attraction to gold? It is a rare and special substance, one of its most valued properties being that it does not corrode (under natural conditions). The only other metal that rivals gold’s properties is platinum. However, platinum is very difficult to produce … and is much rarer. The timelessness of gold, and also the fact that it is only found in pure form in nature, are qualities much admired. In the Bible, gold is used to express ideas of purity, value, and wealth.

Crucially, gold also plays a significant role in prophecy. Today’s world, with its fiat and corrupt monetary systems, would do well to heed what the Scriptures say about gold, especially its “last day” role and possibly also its use during the Millennial period.

Unfortunately, today, there exist some serious misconceptions and false hopes about gold. Not only do we want to tackle these issues, but we will also direct our inquiry into the future role of gold—a very big one indeed.

Current Misconceptions

This “late, great” era of human history—from a commercial point of view, we can call it the Age of Global Capital—is marked by worldwide fiat money and sophisticated forms of monetary corruption and theft.

Because of these conditions, many people seek a safe haven for their savings. Investors, therefore, value gold for what they believe is its property of “real money.” Come hyperinflation, perhaps a massive economic depression, monetary debasement by corrupt governments, or any other form of economic theft, gold will reliably hold its value “in season and out of season,” they reason. Is this really the case? No … at least not reliably. We could cite reams of supporting economic and financial history on this point, both ancient and modern.

The history of the past century alone would dispel all such comfortable notions. Quoting Gavekal, a well-known global economic consulting firm: “Indeed, despite two or three world wars (whether one counts the cold war), a supposed massive debasement of our currencies (as the gold bugs like to say), hyper-inflation, and the recent gold rally, gold has returned a princely [total] -9% in real terms in 111 years.”  Suffice it to say that to this point at least, the supposed financial safe harbor of gold has been a myth.

Before going any further, it is therefore important to settle this point of “false hope.” In this present age, gold—as alluring and promising as it may appear—does not offer a sure escape from monetary corruption or judgment. It may be a worthwhile investment from time to time. It may even provide protection from the ravages of inflation during certain periods. But it will not provide assurance against a world “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19b). It cannot. How so?

Crucially, we must remember that Jesus Christ remains in heaven; therefore, this world remains thoroughly corrupted. He must remain in heaven “until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:21).

Gold in the Bible

Just what does the Bible say about gold today and its future roles, especially at the time that God “restore[s] everything”?

Tackling this gilded subject, we consider gold’s role over five different eras: 1. Old Testament times; 2. the Last Days (beginning with the revealing of the Church); 3. the Tribulation period; 4. the Millennium; and finally, 5. the Eternal Jerusalem.

The Old Testament role was quite straightforward. Gold served as money or adornment. Corruption certainly existed; for example, people would shave gold coins until they ended up as little more than nubs. But gold remained physical gold, and its value was not systematically destroyed or manipulated through a fiat financial money system. In the previous article in this series, we briefly reviewed the time of King Solomon. It was the Golden Age of Israel. Solomon had lots of gold … in fact, earning 666 talents of gold per year and more. We concluded that the number 666 was of great significance.

We also have already commented on the evolution of gold’s role in the last days. That is our time, the period during which “the spirit of the antichrist” (1 John 4:3) and the Great Deceiver is working furiously. Gold plays a relatively minor part in what becomes a highly sophisticated and advanced Babylonian system. James, in fact, prophesies, “Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days” (James 5:3).

While there is much debate as to who James is referring and to what exact period this prophecy applies, we can safely conclude that this process of “corrosion” is well advanced, if not nearly complete. The judgment aspect of James’ prophecy (James 5:1-6) likely occurs during the Tribulation period (or perhaps also before the Bema Seat).

The Bible sheds additional light upon the Tribulation period. Gold holdings will be of little help at that time. The Lord says, “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the Lord’s wrath” (Ezekiel 7:19).

Also, people will continue to hold on to their materialistic idolatries and corrupt financial systems despite terrible times. “The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

What role will gold have in the Millennial period? According to Scripture, we do know that gold will continue as a form of wealth. Several prophetic verses mention that wealth at that time will flow to Israel from the rest of the world. “Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your sons from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor” (Isaiah 60:9; cf. v. 5; 61:6; 66:12).

Gold may also play a central part in the Millennial economic system. However, this aspect of gold would be more of a deductive conclusion. It seems not to be definitively mentioned in the Bible. In any case, such interpretations from several prophetic statements mentioning gold would depend upon their chronological placement. For example, the account of the war involving Gog (Ezekiel 37–38) is in this category. At the time of this event, gold is mentioned as being an asset worth plundering:

“Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, ‘Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?’” (Ezekiel 38:13).

Also, Isaiah mentions gold in relation to Israel. “Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots” (Isaiah 2:7). If the Ezekiel passage refers to the Millennial period, then gold can be seen to have a prominent role at that time. On the other hand, if these two Scriptures are to be placed before that time, Israel can be expected to first become quite prosperous before the final events of the Tribulation come to a close.

There is much debate on these points. However, it is true that Israel is certainly prosperous today and is a nexus point for significant financial wealth around the globe. (We certainly cannot determine whether Israelis are in fact hoarding gold and silver today.)

Finally, after the Millennium, the Holy City Jerusalem will descend to Earth (Revelation 21:10). It is a majestic edifice. “The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass” (v. 18). “The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass” (v. 21). We see that gold will be one of its main structural materials. Given the Holy City’s dimensions—for example, 12,000 stadia (1,400 miles) square and tall, its walls 144 cubits thick (over 200 feet)—it will require perhaps more than a thousand times as much gold as exists above ground today. After all, only a little more than 187,000 tons of gold are known to exist presently—and remember, all of it fitting on little more than a doubles tennis court.

Golden Idolatry Is Misplaced

Back to the present. There is an extreme idolatry—even a pseudo-religion—that has grown up around gold, especially so in North America. Indeed, there exists a sizable industry that likes to hock gold bullion and numismatic investments (rare coins), as if gold were God’s very own money and the perfect way to run a monetary system. Such claims are surely overstated. Gold is not the be-all and end-all to the world’s problem of corruption and sin.

Often, the age of the gold standard of the late 1800s—when Britain was the center of global finance and the kingpin of the Gilded Age, with the world’s strongest reserve currency—is held up as the great age of money stability. Actually, this era had its problems and accidents, too. The success of this period is heavily mythologized. There were troubles, inflation and financial collapses during that period, as there are today. Writes Giulio Gallarotti, “Widely considered the crowning achievement in the history of international monetary relations, the classical gold standard (1880–1914) has long been treated like a holy relic.”1

We must also recognize that it was a different world then. Today, given the interconnectedness and explosion of financial wealth, gold only plays a bit actor role in the world’s financial shenanigans. Although the entire value of all existing gold today would be impossible to calculate with any accuracy, it would probably exceed $10 trillion in US dollar terms. However, that is not much when compared to the total gross financial value of all assets, which well exceeds over $800 trillion. In comparison, gold represents only 1.5% of the total financial value of world assets today. As mentioned, gold is a bit player.

There are numerous conspiracy theories about the fate of gold. One expert—Dr. Antal Fekete, an intellectual heavyweight when it comes to monetary theory and the roles of gold—currently argues that almost half of all gold has been siphoned off into private hands over the past 50 years (meaning, moved outside the official monetary system).2

At one point, gold was mainly in the possession of sovereigns, nation-states, and their central banks. Where did all this gold go? Who specifically accumulated these amounts? It could be wealthy individuals, or simply many thousands of ordinary investors. Could this development play a role in the future? Dr. Fekete claims that a similar phenomenon occurred in the latter stages of the Roman Empire, just before its collapse. Such views are difficult to endorse.

On one point, the Bible agrees. Man’s monetary systems will collapse. “[…] man will be brought low and mankind humbled. […] The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) […] for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship […] The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled” (Isaiah 2:9, 12-17).

Surely, a world monetary system based on gold, which many advocate, would be better than the reckless systems that prevail presently. After all, money today is nothing more than paper or a digital electronic figment. For example, central banks around the world are creating foreign exchange reserves (just one component of fiat money magic) at a breakneck growth rate, far in excess of underlying growth rates of populations (roughly, only one-twentieth the rate) and savings from income. Wall Street and its sister financial centers around the world may exult in this financial debauchery, as they are earning enormous, unthinkable sums.

In recent decades, we observe that the business of making money from money—the basest form of human organizational systems—has become the largest industry in the world.

Yet, gold would certainly not solve the problems of the world that result from mankind’s penchant for “the love of money” (1 Timothy 6:10) and greed. Gold was never the solution to such problems in the past, nor will it be in the future. “[ …] The cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does” (1 John 2:16), remain the key propulsion of history and geopolitics. This hasn’t changed and will not until “all things are restored.”

Points to Ponder

What is the outlook for gold? According to the Bible, indeed, gold will someday again have a prominent role—very possibly in the Millennial period, and surely during eternity. It seems sure that the gold in existence now will pass into the Millennium, remaining intact. Of course, that information will be of no practical use for Christians living today.

Still ahead is the period in which “Violence has grown into a rod to punish wickedness; none of the people will be left, none of that crowd—no wealth, nothing of value” (Ezekiel 7:11). All the while, “‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:8).

For now, it is best to remember this one fact: Gold has not yet assumed its Millennial or eternal role. Therefore, beware. We live in a time of great deception and corruption. Thus, try as the righteous might to make their way on this earth, the Bible says that such conditions will continue to heighten until judgment. On this side of the Millennium, gold will remain manipulated, as will everything else in the financial realm. Continuing as before, “thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).

But one day, the restoration will come. Quoting Nathanael West, “And only when the Antichrist is overthrown, and the future temple built to Christ from all the precious things of all the nations, will the whole world’s wealth—the treasure of the world, its ‘666 talents of the gold of Ophir,’ be consecrated to His service.”3

We will see that future restoration, probably looking down from above. In the meantime, we turn from all the false idols of gold that the world may flaunt, instead seeking “purses for [ourselves] that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” (Luke 12:33). We “rejoice, though now for a little while [we] may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that [our] faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 6-7).

1 Giulio M. Gallarotti, The Anatomy of an International Monetary Regime, 1995, Oxford University Press.

2 Antal E. Fekete, The Dollar: An Agonizing Reappraisal, Gold Standard University, May 30, 2007.

3 Nathanael West, The Thousand Year Reign of Christ, p. 102. Originally published 1899. Kregel Publications: 1993, Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Note: West references I Kings 10:14, 2 Chronicles 9:13, Isaiah 2:9-17, Haggai 2:7.)

***

Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Do you have questions or other perspectives? You can contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com.