Taking Note of Wilkerson's Impending Dark Vision

Of all of the modern prophets, David Wilkerson is probably the best known in evangelical circles because of his chilling book "The Vision," published in 1974. It not only predicted many of the economic disasters of the years since, but also ones to come. (His book on the "Coming Depression" was written in 1998.)

In the past week, evangelicals in his network have been warned via email of his recent vision that there's strife coming soon in several cities in the form of riots and buildings burning, most specifically, Times Square. He also wrote about it on his blog on March 7th and 9th, encouraging people to store up enough food to sustain themselves and their families for a month. He didn't specify what would happen to put these events in motion, but it would appear to be an economic collapse. MSNBC even covered it.

Back in 1958, Wilkerson had his first vision from God when he was called from his work as a small town Pennsylvania minister to New York to convert gang members to the Lord. He wrote the bestselling 1962 book The Cross and The Switchblade about his experiences, and it was made into a Hollywood film. Several years later, he wrote of his prophetic vision, which has since been the inspiration for other evangelicals in their discussion of the "beginnings of sorrows" predicted in the book of Revelation.

While I think it's important to live for each day, I believe that there's good reason to listen to Wilkerson's prophecy and to prepare for what's to come. In addition to self-preservation, his encouragement to practice soul preservation is also good advice: getting right with God, repenting of sins, praying and spreading the Word to others so that they do not fear. Also, Christians are called to help everyone who needs it. Good Samaritans may be in short supply among those who are panicked by chaos, but if these things come to pass, everyone will need to pull together.

Wilkerson, whose ministry is in Times Square, intends to stay put no matter what happens, so that he will be there to serve his flock. Many of his past visions took a long time to come to pass, but eventually they did. This time, however, his message is quite urgent. I, for one, intend to take it seriously.