Collapse is product of factors. Factor 1: the undermining of the economic system of free enterprise! Spread the wealth around. Help the guy behind you. Factor 2 Prop up the failures which hamstrings the successful. Factor 3 Expectation of radical changes in governmental rules of enterprise results in paralysis from fear of unexpected autocratic re-ordering of the business environment. Factor 4 Foster an expectation that one not only need not pay rightful obligations but also one can expect bestowals of prosperous livelihoods from on high.

Finally factor five is the purposeful intentional eradication and limitation of the elements of prosperity: Land and its contents and possibilities, given in the U.S.of A. increasingly to the government who bequeath it in turn to the wild kingdom, a biblically cursed condition; a population of people which include the threefold elements of prosperity: entrepreneurial talent; laborers of various skill and educational sets; and military/police who allow preservation of prosperity. Finally, a clergy who ask the Lord to bless the people and the nation and give the people a cause to hope now and eternally, charged with the saving of souls forever and that they may be given to honest useful pursuits now.

How can the economy grow when these are all purposely made to decline.

Depression is not the word. Declination is the better word.

What hope for a recovery in this environment. Continuing and accelerated collapse is more likely.

What are the investment gurus saying?

They still recommend investing and 401ks et cetera?

They just don't get it.  Real prosperity is a blessing from God and even occurs in communal circumstances.  It is a divine response to spiritual revival and recovery.  Decension/depression/recession may even help it along.  Through our frustration with the material we may grab hold of the spiritual.  Jesus can bless us if we are rich toward him.