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UNDERSTANDING THE PRESENT THROUGH
THE EYES OF HISTORY AS WE ADVANCE INTO THE FUTURE.

By Isaiah-Phillips Akintola

Prophetic sight and wisdom are critically necessary in order to precisely navigate this season without casualty. The principles in the word of God define for us the yardstick standard to measure progress in any field of life. If we are to score ourselves from this point as leaders, particularly those in the political field, how would we score ourselves?

Many things done today in the name of God and His Church are in fact a misrepresentation of Christ and His kingdom, just as we have seen and read throughout history. One of the things we are seeing unfolding practically from America is the belief that what is being done through the new administration of President Trump—which is also being strongly rated by many of the Evangelical Church community as positive because he is appointed by God—is far from the understanding of sound biblical and prophetic interpretation.

The fact that God chose someone does not mean that everything such a person does or carries out represents God’s divine intention. Many of statements made by President Trump regarding Africa, Asia, including Europe whose is supposed to be America ally has been found to wrong and misleading. Particularly, statement made that the White and Afrikaans community are being mistreated, and that the government is confiscating their lands. We need to remind ourselves that God’s purpose and counsel will stand regardless of the attitude or mentality of such a called representative. We just need to study the scripture to understand this concept.

My point is, as the world continues to evolve rapidly, particularly with advancements in artificial intelligence and human transformation, our present circumstances cannot be divorced from our collective history. Understanding how we arrived at our current global position is essential for creating a progressive future that addresses historical injustices, particularly concerning regions whose mineral resources and cultural identities have been exploited.

Facing Modern Challenges with Historical Perspective
As we navigate our complex modern world, we confront cultural norms that sometimes masquerade as progress while undermining fundamental values. Our battle “is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Leaders who fail to understand the philosophical foundations that shaped past generations will struggle in today’s shifting political climate. True leadership goes beyond ensuring security and economic prosperity—it requires correcting historical mistakes by understanding the cultural identity and values that were compromised through foreign invasion and influence. These imposed foreign value systems continue to shape policies that undermine economic empowerment for many peoples.

Throughout human history, the desire for survival, victory, and conquest has remained constant. While ancient kingdoms renowned for their strength continue to inspire us today, the methods of conquest have evolved. We now find ourselves amid economic warfare manifesting through sophisticated psychological dynamics rather than traditional military campaigns.

The human desire to remain victorious has not changed since ancient times. Those who wish to maintain their position and represent God’s intentions must remain strong—not through physical might, but by being “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

We can draw inspiration from historical examples like the Vikings who were determined to conquer Europe, the Roman Empire who could not be stopped, the Benin Kingdom (which built formidable walls that resisted the British Empire), and the Ashanti Kingdom, and many more who should resilience and courage to achieve their desired goals. These civilizations demonstrated the importance of mental agility, sacrifice, and determination.

Progress requires developing a warrior mindset with psychological fortitude and spiritual resilience. While previous generations relied primarily on human prowess for advancement, today we must envision a new leadership paradigm that establishes lasting values of possibility and equality for all people—particularly those whose freedom and identity were compromised in the past. The future requires both economic development and human transformation, with these elements being deeply interconnected.

Global Equity Through Resource Justice
Historically, certain nations deliberately created crises to destabilize the growth of other regions. If we genuinely desire global equity, prosperity, and transformation, we must allow regions to benefit from their natural resources. Every initiative carries political dimensions because human involvement brings diverse perspectives and beliefs.

African nations and other historically marginalized regions should develop perspectives that allow for a true understanding of democratic processes within their cultural frameworks. Leaders called to represent their nations must develop strong diplomatic skills to advocate effectively in international negotiations.
Behind diplomatic relations between countries lie unseen forces that seek to influence negotiation outcomes, often pursuing agendas contrary to divine plans.

This is why representatives with godly intentions must establish their foundation on ethical principles built on righteousness. As Scripture states, “righteousness exalts a nation.” National prosperity and progress depend on visionary values demonstrated by leaders who ground their approach in Christian principles while defending their nations’ interests.

The strength of leadership must rest not merely on political or economic power but on principles modeled by Christ. When examining the results of Christ-centered leadership throughout history, the exemplary outcomes cannot be dismissed. As captains of society and nations, we must understand our present season while looking back to history for insights into our current position.

The prophetic message for global leaders today is to understand the past while comprehending what needs to be done in the present. We cannot erase history or pretend it never existed—we are all products of history, and our individual experiences inform the changes needed today.

By developing spiritual resilience and refusing to compromise our values, we can secure not only our own victory but also advance God’s intentions for our generation. The hallmark of our triumph will be our steadfast commitment to maintain our spiritual footing while addressing the injustices of the past and creating a more equitable future.