America’s Future and the Fate of All Nations Depends on the Answer
Last week’s post, America the Beautiful is Getting Ugly, might have been one of the most provocative titles in all 156 Eye of Prophecy articles to date. There is probably not much middle ground between reactions to or support of the basic premise. Readers from other countries might be more neutral, but most Americans would be ardently in agreement with or keenly opposed to the notion that America is in a free-fall decline, morally and spiritually. Which has begun to manifest itself in economic deterioration, social disintegration, and political divisions not seen in this country since the American Civil War.
Except now, we do not have the moral resolve or spiritual responsiveness to realize what has caused the United States to become so morally bankrupt. Which is: apathy toward the Judeo-Christian precepts upon which this nation was founded. And rejection of Biblical truths that guided our ancestors through the turmoil of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War fought to defend the principles of liberty for all people and races so powerfully proposed in our Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and Constitutional Amendments. These same values fortified our determination to preserve this freedom through two World Wars.
America is a nation divided. Many of these rifts seem to be irreparable.
Republicans and Democrats are at each other’s throats like never before. No longer is it a matter of or an effort to agree to disagree; to go on with bigger and better things through whatever party and Presidential candidate wins the election. Then start all over again in four years. The checks and balances in our Federal Government is as unchecked and unbalanced as it ever has been, what with the Supreme Court handing down decisions that circumvent laws enacted by the people through their representatives in Congress. And with the Executive branch of our government issuing Executive Orders that many in both houses of Congress consider to be unconstitutional.
Racial tension has reached critical mass, through flash point confrontations between African-Americans and white police officers, as we so sadly experienced the past few days in Minnesota, Louisiana, and Texas. The BDS style attacks against God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, Christians and Jews in this country are relentless.
“And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, ‘Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand’” (Matthew 12:25, NASB).
There is, however, one major division that is necessary: the distinction between truth and lies, good and evil, right and wrong; absolute and relative. Unless people grasp that only God can successfully build and sustain a nation (through those who acknowledge and seek after him), and only His Word (Scripture) can ultimately and decisively determine what is true, good, right and just; then that nation is doomed to be dysfunctional. With discord, demoralization, despair, and eventually demise the inevitable result.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen keeps awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1, NASB).
On the other hand: “How joyful are those who fear (acknowledge, respect, in awe of) the Lord—all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!” (Psalm 128:1, parenthesis mine).
America Has Lost Its Moral Compass
The United States of America is in big trouble. As is the world at large. The needle of our moral compass is spinning uncontrollably in circles. We refuse to fix it so it will point to God. Our spiritual map is devoid of highways with Biblical markers that can guide us to a destination God has surveyed for us.
Which is: A nation blessed because we have made The Lord our God (Psalm 33:12).
A nation that zealously trusts God when he promises: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
A nation which defers to and depends on the supreme, universal, divine truths and standards found in Scripture, enabling us to see and do things from God’s perspective. That gives us an absolute reference point to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel of uncertainty and unrest so prevalent in this country and in nations all over the world. To fully appreciate and follow God’s instructions for right thinking and living, both personally and nationally.
Such as: “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Instead, we are in the same condition that the Jews were in during the time of the judges when, “…all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
Quoting again our first United States President George Washington in last week’s article: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
Also from last week’s article (reproduced here in italics):
…to deliberately dismiss or distort or defame the immense impact of the Christian faith embraced and espoused by our founding fathers in both their personal and public lives is to create an inaccurate, imbalanced, and unfair perspective of American history and of the Judeo-Christian beliefs that birthed our nation.
Scripture is exceedingly clear on the following: God normally deals with sin on an individual basis for those who have rejected the Lord’s only remedy for sin and its penalty—the once for all redemptive substitutionary sacrifice of God’s Son, Messiah Jesus. But when the leaders of a nation (in today’s society … presidents, prime ministers, legislative officials, celebrities, and especially judges) and most of its people corporately and openly defy and distort God’s truth as found in His Word, then God’s punishment is applied to the entire nation.
It was crystal clear to many of our founding fathers: To marginalize, ignore, or certainly to reject God and the Judaic-Christian heritage that gave birth to One Nation Under God would inevitably erode the individual freedom and rights of the people on the one hand; and on the other hand imperil the nation itself if and when God withdrew his blessings and protection.
Let’s examine another passage that confirms the Biblical premise so aptly summarized in Psalm 33:12.
But first, let’s sing the opening refrain to the famous American patriotic song alluded to in last week’s article. A poem originally written (with a couple of slight revisions thereafter) by a 33-year old English Professor Katherine Lee Bates after a trip to Pikes Peak, near Colorado Springs in 1893. With the music composed later by Samuel A. Ward, a church organist and choir director.
America the Beautiful:
“O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”
More Biblical Truths Regarding an Entire Nation
While reading the following passage from Scripture—given specifically to Israel but also meant for any people in principle and practice—try and picture everything you can think of applicable to whatever nation you live in. For those in the United States of America, think of things that the Pilgrims and Pioneers experienced in our Promised Land. Such as the Native American Indians Samoset and Squanto showing the Pilgrims how to plant and harvest corn (manna!).
Said Moses to prepare and remind them of God’s instructions, just before the people of Israel entered the Promised Land:
“Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord … Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good” (Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 5).
Continuing in the passage:
“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees… Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness… He gave you water from the rock! … He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath” (Verses 6-18).
The passage concludes with:
“But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshipping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you will also be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:19-20).
Does anyone in America today worship man-made gods and idols? If you’re thinking of carved idols of wood, stone, or metal, the answer is, no. (There are a few who do)
But many revere, to the point of worship, our celebrities—politicians, athletes, actors, musicians, wealthy businessmen, and money itself. Thereby, deliberately or inadvertently, making gods of them.
What’s the name of that TV show? Oh yes, it’s…
Above all in the last two generations, the greater populace of the United States of America has made our Federal Government their god!
They cannot imagine trusting in or depending on anyone or anything except the provisions and promises of the government, both State and Federal. They refuse to grasp the Biblical and historical reality that the well-being of any nation is directly proportional to its government’s and people’s reliance on God himself.
Based on the passage in Deuteronomy we just read, a simple (from time to time), “Thank you, Lord, for who you are and all you have done for us,” would do wonders for a nation teetering on the brink of…. (You fill in the blank)
Others stake their safety and security on the might of our military.
Anything, anyone, but regrettably: Not on the only One who can truly save them from destruction … in this life and/or in the life to come.
Is God’s Judgment on the USA Imminent?
Does that mean that God is ready to judge this nation like never before? According to the Biblical record of the rise and fall of previous nations, the answer is, yes. In turn, does that mean the judgment could begin any day now? The answer is both yes and no: (1) I believe that God began partially to withdraw his protection of the United States of America on September 11th, 2001. (9/11).
(2) However, not until the Great Tribulation when God pours out his wrath on peoples/nations all over the world, including the USA, will those left behind at the Rapture experience God’s full and final fury against evil. Nonetheless, partial preparatory judgment could be administered at any time; and the extent of that discipline could be agonizingly harsh.
Is it possible, then, that God would lessen or even withhold any pre-Tribulation judgment on the United States?
Yes! If, in fact, his people intercede just like Abraham did for Sodom and Gomorrah. God agreed with Abraham to spare the cities if only ten righteous (those in right standing with God through their trust in Him) could be found. Sadly, there were not even ten.
How many in America? Only God knows. But if we who are called by his name (born again believers, saved by the grace of God) plead with the Lord to spare our nation until the appointed time of judgment, I believe the Lord will listen and withhold apocalyptic things from happening to the United States until the seven-year period of the Great Tribulation.
“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops” (James 5:16-18, italics for emphasis).
Who are the righteous?
Answer: “And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God” (Romans 4:22-25).
Let’s look at the verses that follow Psalm 33:12, which began last week’s Eye of Prophecy post, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”
“The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” (Psalm 33:13-22).
To summarize and conclude the first part of today’s article, which was a continuation of last week’s theme, I’d like to quote from an Eye of Prophecy article entitled, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! (posted 7-12-14).
Any nation whose corporate leaders and national laws deny, distort, diminish, or even trivialize God’s spiritual and moral laws will be a nation that God will leave to itself. The worst thing that can happen to any city, state, or nation that deliberately turn their back on God is that the Lord will withdraw his blessings and protection. It is said: Be careful what you wish for! If by our words and actions we respond to God’s Word of truth, life, justice, and peace, with, “No thanks, we’ll do it our way;” then that’s precisely what will happen. He’ll give us our own way. Then look out: We’re on our own!
Of course, that’s perfectly okay, if citizens of a country place their trust and confidence in their political, social, and economic leaders! To the extreme of making all things secular and shaping that secular humanism into a godlike status. What’s to worry? The State or Federal government will take care of us! Our military will save us! Scripture is clear on that, too. Without God’s sovereign guidance and protection, all the military might in the world is futile. God’s own chosen people did that and look what happened: Total destruction of Israel and exiled captivity at the hands of their worst enemies.
Citing another excerpt from that post, which will lead into the title theme of today’s article, For or Against Israel:
In the grand scheme of things, this wonderful Republic is just one of many nations on earth, all of which will be ultimately judged (as a nation) by our treatment of Israel…
But we mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that this country has been and still is beyond God’s discipline and even withdrawal of his protection, especially if we oppose Israel or even ignore her.
For or Against Israel: The Divine Irreversible Principle of Nations Blessing or Cursing Israel
There is a higher standard more serious and more severe than America’s acknowledgment of God in the affairs of the nation that will gauge His blessings or curses on our country.
Even if the greater populace and leaders of a nation turn to the Lord (from individual and national sin) but still refuse to support Israel in general and (especially) specifically seek to harm the Jews, God will NOT bless and protect that nation. A verse quoted often by others and by me in several Eye of Prophecy articles regarding Abraham and his descendants (the Jews) … one that bears repeating:
“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).
Why is Israel God’s special possession? Why are the Jews God’s chosen people?
For one reason: To be a conduit for God’s plan and purpose for humanity … all languages, all races, and all nations. From the Jews would come Messiah—the Mediator of the New Covenant of salvation through grace by faith. Not self-righteousness by keeping the Law of Moses which no one has ever done or ever will do, except Messiah Jesus.
Thus, for people and nations to denigrate, delegitimize, demonize, and attempt to destroy Israel is an affront to and contempt of God himself. It is biting the hand that feeds us.
Quoting from last week’s article: “History is littered with the rise and demise and irreversible ruin of nations whose leaders and people defied the Sovereign God.”
That reality applies even more so to nations who have harmed Israel, including all four of the kingdoms mentioned in Daniel’s prophecy—Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome (and Assyria before them). With the Roman Empire also persecuting Christians who were inseparably linked to their Jewish heritage by our Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. In fact, most of the 1st century Christian believers were Jews … whom we call today, Messianic Jews.
One (there are others) modern nation also comes to mind. I’m not picking on that country for any other reason than to provide an example of God’s unaltered decree of his blessings to those that support Israel and retribution for those who turn on the Jews. Despite our American ancestors putting them in their proper place (stop oppressing your American colony!), I’m personally very fond of the British. Genealogy on my mother’s side is English. Plus, they’ve given us Downton Abbey! (A little humor, but not meant to in any way detract from the solemn subject of the fate of people and nations that have turned on Israel).
The United Kingdom
For sake of time/space, we can only scratch the surface of the historical details that reveal the rise and decline of England. Though the United Kingdom is still a viable force in today’s world, it is nothing like the British Empire of even one hundred years ago.
Israel and all those who love and support the Jews are indebted to Lord Balfour of England for the Balfour Declaration of 1917. This proclamation set things in motion for a partitioned Palestine (that England had just captured/won with final victory over the Ottoman Empire which previously controlled Palestine) to be jointly “occupied” by both Jews and Arabs. Although Great Britain’s worthy purpose was to restore a homeland for the Jews, she stopped short of declaring Palestine a Jewish State, for fear of antagonizing the Arabs. As it turned out, the Arabs refused to accept the terms of the Declaration as they wanted no part of living side by side with Jews.
Whether very many secular historians recognize the eventual result of England’s capitulation to the Arabs that prevented and precluded a Jewish State at the time, the historical consequences became tragically evident. Because the Jews still had no sovereign state of their own and they had nowhere to go (that wouldn’t come until after World War II), six million Jews were slaughtered by Hitler’s Third Reich.
Certainly, I’m not suggesting that England was responsible for the Holocaust. Still, the historical “what if” fact is that a good number of European Jews might not have perished had they been allowed to emigrate to Palestine or England. In that regard, other nations like the USA were also culpable by their refusal to accept many Jews wanting and needing to flee Europe.
Soon after the Balfour Declaration, England began to turn on the Jews, mostly to placate the Arabs, with whom Great Britain had fought alongside of during World War II, specifically against the Ottoman Turks. Remember Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab coalition that defeated the Turks at Aqaba? This covert animosity and overt hostility toward the Jews continued to manifest itself in several ways, not the least of which was denying weapons to Israelis and supporting the Arabs militarily before the attack of five Arab nations against Israel the day after she declared statehood, May 14, 1948.
England’s gradual rise to power began as far back as the 12th century, with wax and wane cycles. In the mid-17th century Britain rose to unprecedented heights throughout the world, thanks largely to her mighty navy and commerce on the seven seas. This prominence increased even more during the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, for the most part, England did not display any antagonism toward the Jews … treating them fairly whether Jews living in England or elsewhere in Europe.
Great Britain’s empire started to diminish soon after World War I. Following World War II, the United Kingdom began what now appears to be an irreversible decline that will only get worse as reflected in the growing Anti-Semitism in England. Today, England is as or more so divided than the United States, as witnessed by the extremely close split of the Brexit vote … 52% to leave the European Union, 48% to remain.
Just three hundred years ago or so, England boasted that she controlled an empire, “on which the sun never set.” Meaning that her colonies and sphere of influence was so vast that the sun always shone somewhere in that massive realm. An empire so great that many historians consider it to have been the largest domain in world history—due to England’s direct or indirect control over one-fifth of the world’s population and one-fourth of the world’s land, including dozens of territorial colonies all over the globe. Today the United Kingdom has varying degrees of jurisdictional sovereignty over just 14 territories.
Although England’s diminished influence in world affairs was noticeable before the 20th century, the historical parallel of her exponential decline began in the 1920s with her mistreatment and sometimes outright hostility toward the Jews and later the State of Israel. Some strongly believe that the English empire is one on which the sun will never rise again (comparatively equating it to Great Britain’s former glory).
*Note: Some positive news is that the new British Prime Minister Theresa May appears to be pro-Israel. During her first visit to Israel in June, 2014 as British Home Secretary—similar in position to the US Secretary of State—she laid a wreath in the Yad Vashem Memorial in memory of Jews killed during the Holocaust.
Later, she said about the Jews in Great Britain: “Many Jewish people in this country are feeling vulnerable and fearful … I never thought I would see the day when members of the Jewish community in the United Kingdom would say that they were fearful of remaining here in our country … Without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain.”
Good for her and for the United Kingdom!
United States and Israel
It is absolutely no coincidence that America’s ongoing favorable treatment of the Jews and Israel bears a direct correlation with our blessings and prosperity directly from the hand of God. The United States supported Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948, and also have backed the Jews since America’s birth as a nation in 1776, the roots of which began in 1620. One reason is that American Jews have made many extraordinary contributions to our nation through the years. An entire book could be written on that subject.
Did you know that President Harry Truman was the first national leader to recognize Israel’s rebirth as a sovereign state in the family of nations, when he called Israel’s Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to congratulate him and Israel? There are many other instances of prominent American leaders showing respect and favor to the Jews and Israel, as well as a good many of the American people.
That is, until now.
Normally, I prefer to pray for our elected officials, not the least of which is the President of the United States, rather than belittle the person in that position just because they’re not doing a good job running the country. But also realizing that constructive criticism serves a useful purpose.
Unless, that is, our President and his staff and the State Department take on Israel. That gets my dander up, if for no other reason that it also gets God’s complete attention—to the point of divine anger.
It’s no secret that President Obama politically and personally dislikes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For example, a recent news disclosure confirmed that our Executive Staff funded a political organization to help defeat Netanyahu in the 2015 Israeli elections. Since when has or does the United States of America interfere with proceedings in a totally democratic nation? Autocratic countries ruled by tyrants, yes; but not free countries.
(President Obama & Prime Minister Netanyahu … Their Looks Tell The Story)
And that our Executive Staff and many Congressmen (mostly Democrats) are pushing strongly and relentlessly for a Palestinian State within the borders of Israel. Beginning with Israel relinquishing territory regained (the entire land belongs to Israel) in the Six-Day War of 1967 that would leave the Israelis virtually defenseless on several fronts.
Here are more divine warnings concerning Israel and the nations. First, in one of the spectacular Pre-Incarnate appearances of Messiah Jesus (this time to the prophet Zechariah).
Messiah speaks:
“…Jerusalem will someday be so full of people and livestock that there won’t be enough room for everyone! Many will live outside the city walls. Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I will be the glory inside the city!” (Zechariah 2:4-5).
Then in verse eight, The Lord (God the Father) speaks about Israel: “…Anyone who harms you harms my most special possession.” Or in the New American Standard translation: “…he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”
Then Messiah speaks again: “I will raise my fist to crush them … Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me” (Verse 9).
From the prophet Joel:
“At the time of those events, says the Lord, when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather the armies of the world into the valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will judge them for harming my people, my special possession, for scattering my people among the nations, and for dividing up my land” (Joel 3:1-2).
Things to Ponder
This week, I would like to close on a very personal note.
As indicated earlier in today’s article, this is the 156th consecutive post (every Saturday), the three-year anniversary of Eye of Prophecy web (blog) site.
In addition to the articles on the Home Page, including Archives, you might want to take a look at the About page along with the page, God’s Plan of Salvation.
Quoted from the About page:
“As stated on the home page, the major emphasis of Eye of Prophecy website is to, “give a clear witness for Jesus,” who is the very essence of prophecy. Also, that of, “…defending and confirming the truth of the Good News” (Philippians 1:7)
“The intent, form, and content of Eye of Prophecy is presented through Eschatology
P I C T U R E S
“Prophetic Inspirational Connections Through Understanding Relevant Events (and) Scripture”
And so, a very special heartfelt thanks to the 141 nations (to date) that have logged onto this website. Most visitors/readers are from the United States. In second place is Brazil; third place, United Kingdom; fourth is Canada, fifth is Australia. With two other countries surprisingly in the top ten … India and The Philippines.
Most of all thanks to my Lord and Savior, Messiah Jesus. Ultimately, all the articles are from Him and for Him.
The Lord willing and through his strength and guidance, Eye of Prophecy will continue, “…while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds” (Titus 2:13-14).
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