As ideas and thoughts begin to grow, the hard work of investigation is now in full bloom. During this time, articles flow in and books are piled high, as I try to read everything I can get my hands on. My friends Luke Thompson and Dr. Chuck Emert provided many articles, books, illustrations, and ideas during the writing of this book.

Next comes the creation of the manuscript. Here, there is much editorial work to be done. I would like to thank Tom Williams and Beau Sager for their attention to detail. And it has also been a pleasure to work with Rob Suggs and William Kruidenier one more time. Thank you for adjusting your schedules so that you could add your creative touch to this project.

As the book enters the publication stage, my literary agent Sealy Yates gets involved, coordinating the finished project with the publishing firm. This is the third book I have written for FaithWords, and I have enjoyed working once again with my editor Joey Paul.

The circulation of the book has become a very high priority for us at Turning Point. As a ministry, we believe it is our responsibility not only to produce the book but to promote it and see that it gets before as many readers as possible. My son David Michael oversees this process. Paul Joiner produces the incredible creativity that drives the process and Kevin Small is the genius behind the plan.

To all of you who have been a part of this “relentless incrementalism,” and, most important, to the God who loves us relentlessly, thank you.

Dr. David Jeremiah
San Diego, California
June 1, 2012

INTRODUCTION

What the World Needs Now

These last few years have been some of the most remarkable in my lifetime. I would guess the same has been true for you.

In 2008, I felt compelled to write a book about world events and what the Bible had to say about them. As I was completing that book, a worldwide economic crisis suddenly arrived. I knew the timing was providential.

Over the ensuing months, as current events continued to take new twists, I felt the need to respond with works that offered guidance through the most confusing, perplexing events of our generation. This meant writing about the world and the shape it was in, so I wrote about distressing events in government, distressing events in our culture, and distressing events on the world stage. I felt humbled that God would use me during such times as I worked hard to obey Paul’s admonition to “preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).