‘The Future Of The City Of London In A COVID World’
Storm coming to London (Pixabay photo)
ZeroHedge had the following from Bill Blain today:
The Future Of The City Of London In A COVID World
August 29, 2020
The pandemic may be easing, but the City is still a Ghost Town. Tumbleweed blows down the streets. Lowest common denominator junk food vendor Greggs is about the only place open. (Seriously, their steak slices are to die for.) I’ve not been up myself, but She-who-is-Mrs-Blain was pretty shocked.
The news JP Morgan and the magic circle Law Firm Linklaters are ending the daily commute and telling staff to telework from work and in the office actually confirms the massive changes underway in how we work in global finance will be fairly limited. Staff will still be expected to come into the office regularly. Other firms, including Schroders, report work-from-home (WFH) has been a stunning success – with their business flourishing – they say. However, I’m told “freedom” for staff to WFH will be at their managers discretion.
On the other hand, a chum who runs an office-logistics firm tells me they are busy as London trading floors are being converted into flexible workspace while rows of desks are being consumed by new meeting rooms.
Although we hit peak WFH months ago, less than 35% of British office workers have returned to work. …
I suspect the Pandemic will act as a catalyst to accelerate changes in Finance – which are going to have some long-term fairly unsettling effects on a large portion of the workforce. I expect the “accelerant” effect of COVID in changing/shaking industry and commerce will prove its most lasting bequest to us all. …
The services the City demands are massive. It’s not just shops and catering, but also supports such as travel. Bankers are not travelling to meet clients. Boards are doing meetings by Zoom. Conferences and Events have been cancelled. At least one senior city figure is delighted – “It all saves on the bottom line, and these fripperies never added to the bottom line. We did corporate hostility because everyone else did it.”
While losing the expertise of “event-managers” is unlikely to kill the City, the potential loss of skilled deal facilitators who become sidelined, like lawyers, accountants, media-advisors and digital IT geeks could prove highly significant. If they stay away in droves, choose to go elsewhere, or simply aren’t trained.. then London’s financial sector will be in serious crisis.
And then there are the cost implications. Large firms have the reserves to maintain their half-full trophy offices, but smaller firms being battered by the effects of the pandemic are going to struggle – leading to an inevitable glut of property as they fold or exit. The pandemic is culling smaller firms – which is a serious loss of future genetic diversity for the City.
The actual financial impact of WFH is going to be felt hardest in the Insurance Real Money sector – these firms have become the largest owners and funders of commercial property, although I’m hearing Chinese banks are going to take a serious bath as well. Landlords are doing rent deals because it’s better to have a tenanted office than an empty one! As they say: “The best tenant is the current tenant!” Expectations of high returns on prestige City Tower Blocks have tumbled. The effect is going to be most visible on UK pension and insurance companies performance – which means on the retirement savings of the workforce. https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/future-city-london-covid-world
Government policies, fear, and other actions related to COVID-19 have impacted many areas around the world. The economic impacts of such actions and policies are affecting people almost everywhere.
As far as London goes, it is not just COVID affecting it.
Brexit is as well. Notice some items from April 2018:
Since the UK voted to leave the EU, its biggest financial institutions have been observing the slow moving Brexit negotiations with a degree of discomfort. …
Bloomberg has kept track of banks announcing plans to relocate staff and the following infographic provides an overview of the situation with London’s loss Frankfurt’s gain.
Goldman Sachs recently announced to its investment bankers and traders that their future may well lie in in Germany’s financial capital. The firm has already said it intends moving 1,000 of its 6,000 strong staff to Frankfurt.
It’s just one of many organizations to announce a shift to other EU hubs with UBS planning to shift 1,500 of its workforce in the UK to Frankfurt and Paris. Depending on the outcome of talks on a future trade agreeement, these initial moves could just herald the start of London’s financial exodus. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-04/frankfurt-winning-battle-londons-bankers
April 4, 2018
More than half of UK international finance firms will have to move staff or restructure their businesses because of Brexit, according to a Reuters survey. One quarter said the UK leaving the EU would have no impact, while the remainder said they did not know the effects, or were still considering how to respond to Brexit.
However, the findings suggest London will remain Europe’s largest financial centre in the short term at least. …
That said, a small exodus is underway. Earlier this month, ratings agency DBRS announced it was shifting staff from London to Frankfurt, while UBS is merging its UK entity with its Frankfurt-based European HQ … https://www.brand-e.biz/innovation/more-than-half-of-uk-international-finance-firms-will-have-to-move-staff-or-restructure-their-businesses-because-of-brexit
The UK has been losing international influence for some time. With the Brexit (its declaration for the BRitish to EXIT the European Union), we are seeing bankers realizing that the financial hub of Europe will be on the continent and not the British Isles. This will take time to have more impact, but bankers are taking steps. COVID matters may also be accelerating this.
Europe, despite its problems with many matters, including unity (cf. Daniel 2:41-43) will rise up and temporarily dominate the world economically (cf. Revelation 18)
Furthermore, one day the continental Europeans will take over the USA (Daniel 11:39) and the UK (cf. Daniel 8:24-25).
As far as banking and Europe goes, the late Herbert W. Armstrong stated the following in a sermon on July 7, 1984:
And I can see now, the event that is going to trigger the formation of the reunification in Europe; the resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire that we’ve been looking forward to that is prophesied to come…
But I believe that some event is going to happen suddenly just like out a blue sky that is going to shock the whole world and is going to cause the nations in Europe to realize they must unite! … Well now I think I can see what may be the very event that is going to trigger…that is the economic situation in the world…
The whole banking structure in the United States is a network all jointed together. But not only that, one nation has to deal with other nations and imports and exports. And so they have to have a means of transforming money from one nation to another. And so the banking structure is international and interwoven…
Now when the financial structure breaks down, all civilization is going to break down…
It is quite likely that Europe will have a banking and/or other massive financial crisis next decade.
What will happen because of a major crisis in Europe? The one that will lead to the end?
The Bible shows that Europe will reorganize and turn power over to ten leaders who will turn power over to a dictator:
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)
These ten kings have no kingdom, but are to attain one. Thus, this is a type of reorganization in verse 12. Since they give their power to the Beast in verse 13, this is a second reorganization. The “beast” is not shown to have much power prior to Revelation 17:12-13. This beast would seem to have Assyrian roots per Isaiah 10:5-11, and hence would likely be someone from Germany or Austria (see also Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy). This turnover of power to him results in a dictatorship–likely similar to the one led by Adolf Hitler (see also European Unity to be like Hitler?).
Notice that Revelation 17:12-13 does NOT say that ten existing nations will give their power to the Beast, but that ten kings who had not had a kingdom will get power and transfer it (for more on this, check out the article Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). It should be added that the Bible is clear that this Beast power will also be a militaristically successful one for a time (cf. Revelation 13, Daniel 11:31-43).
While Europe is NOT yet ready for that reorganization or to lead the world economically (or militarily), we are seeing events that will lead to it.
What will happen to London?
Well, related to Europe’s coming military moves, here is something that the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in 1979:
What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beasts armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).
The Bible states:
33 I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste (Leviticus 26:33).
Nuclear and other high-tech weapons (as well as emp, electromagnetic pulse, bombs), as well as devastating solar flares, are ways to make land desolate and modern cities waste (for more on emp-weapons and solar flares see Nuclear EMP Attack on UK Called ‘Quite Likely’).
Events that resemble nuclear or similar devastation are part of the prophesied curses mentioned in the Bible:
23 ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning (Deuteronomy 29:23).
19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts
The land is burned up,
And the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand
And be hungry;
He shall devour on the left hand
And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. 21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah (Isaiah 9:19-21).6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste (Ezekiel 6:6).
Yes, such things will happen.
We continue to see steps showing that the Anglo-American dominated world order will come to an end (cf. Daniel 11:8:24-25; 11:39).
While COVID-19 is not the end, it is accelerating certain trends that will lead to it.
Here is a link to a related sermonette:
COVID 19 is NOT the End, but could it be TEOTWAWKI?
The novel coronavirus called COVID-19 is wreaking havoc around the world. Many states of the USA as well as countries in Europe are on lockdown with shelter in place /shelter in residence requirements. In France, a form is required when you are not at your house. In Spain, drones are being used to warn people who are outside to got back to their homes–does that bring up feelings of ‘Big Brother’? Italy, France, and other areas are using police and/or military force to encourage people to stay inside. According to the Bible could this be the end? If not, what has to happen first? Have the second and third of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse started their ride? Could COVID-19 be the fourth horseman? Why or why not? Could we be seeing The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) like the R.E.M.’s 1987 single song discussed? Do Christians need to fear? What did Jesus teach? What did the Psalmist teach?
Here is a link to our video: COVID 19 is NOT the End, but could it be TEOTWAWKI?
We also now have a version of this in the Spanish language from our CDLIDDSermones channel:
Corona 19 no es el final PERO es el TEOTWAWKI
El nuevo coronavirus llamado COVID-19 está causando estragos en todo el mundo. Muchos estados de los EE. UU., Así como países de Europa están bajo llave con refugio en el lugar / refugio en los requisitos de residencia. En Francia, se requiere un formulario cuando no está en su casa. En España, los drones se utilizan para advertir a las personas que están afuera que regresen a sus hogares, ¿eso trae sentimientos de ‘Gran Hermano’? Italia, Francia y otras áreas están utilizando la fuerza policial y / o militar para alentar a las personas a quedarse adentro. Según la Biblia, ¿podría ser este el fin? Si no, ¿qué tiene que pasar primero? ¿Han comenzado a cabalgar el segundo y el tercero de los cuatro jinetes del Apocalipsis? ¿Podría COVID-19 ser el cuarto jinete? ¿Por qué o por qué no? ¿Podríamos estar viendo El fin del mundo como lo conocemos (TEOTWAKI) como la canción individual de 1987 de R.E.M. discutida? ¿Los cristianos deben temer? ¿Qué enseñó Jesús? ¿Qué enseñó el salmista?
Here is a link translated into the Spanish language: Corona 19 no es el final PERO es el TEOTWAWKI.
Here is a link to another sermonette:
COVID 19: Prelude to a New World Order?
Could COVID-19 be a prelude to a better society, a better new world order? Some think so. Will the novel coronavirus kill the ‘New World Order’ that people like Pat Buchanon dread? Should we ‘beware of plans to build back better’? Are more in Europe looking for an authoritarian leader now? Will Europe get one? What does the Bible teach? What about the coming, ‘time of Jacob’s trouble,’ the Great Tribulation, and final ‘time of the Gentiles’? What did German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas say happened to European unity during this crisis? Does he want a multilaterial new world order that is not dominated by the United States and United Kingdom? Is Europe working towards implementing an end time Babylonian system that the Bible warns against, but that certain Catholic prophecies look forward to? Is the ‘great prince of the north’ the dreaded ‘king of the north’? Will he work with the final Antichrist? Will the coming European ’empire of the north’ destroy the strongest fortresses? Will the fortresses, the military strength, of the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand cease in accordance with the prophecy in Isaiah 17:3? Is Europe prophesied to reorganize and eliminate all republics? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this scripture filled analysis and commentary.
Here is a link to the video: COVID 19: Prelude to a New World Order?
London is being impacted by COVID policies and Brexit.
But what will hit it (as well as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) will be much worse than what we are now seeing.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Brexit Happened: Now What? At 11:00 pm January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom formally left the European Union. Many celebrated, while many mourned. Nigel Farage stated, “This is the greatest moment in modern British history.” What will happen to the United Kingdom? Will the UK be involved in trade deals with the United States of America and the Europeans? Will the UK regret the BRitish Exit (Brexit) from the EU?What will happen with the European Union? Is Europe prophesied to have a great army and many ships? Does the Bible prophesy a reorganization of Europe? Does it prophesy that the Europeans will become a conquering military power? Is the United Kingdom prophesied to be conquered? How does the Bible name the British-descended peoples? Was the British Empire the largest in world history? Was Brexit predicted by Church of God leaders in 1970 and the early 1990s? Will the European Union be negatively affected financially by the departure of the UK? Will this turn out well for the UK or the Europeans? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else? Here is a link to a related sermon: USA in Prophecy: Samaria.
Germany in Biblical Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest? A video of related interest would be: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: 主编： 谁是’大罪人’？Here is a link to a related YouTube video, in English, titled Who is the Man of Sin?
COVID 19 is NOT the End, but could it be TEOTWAWKI? The novel coronavirus called COVID-19 is wreaking havoc around the world. Many states of the USA as well as countries in Europe are on lockdown with shelter in place /shelter in residence requirements. In France, a form is required when you are not at your house. In Spain, drones are being used to warn people who are outside to got back to their homes–does that bring up feelings of ‘Big Brother’? Italy, France, and other areas are using police and/or military force to encourage people to stay inside. According to the Bible could this be the end? If not, what has to happen first? Have the second and third of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse started their ride? Could COVID-19 be the fourth horseman? Why or why not? Could we be seeing The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) like the R.E.M.’s 1987 single song discussed? Do Christians need to fear? What did Jesus teach? What did the Psalmist teach? This is a video. Here is a link to a version in the Spanish language: Corona 19 no es el final PERO es el TEOTWAWKI.
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