Matthew 24:3 KJV — And as he (Jesus) sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
If the days we are living in are not the best of times, then how do we change the only time we have ever known? What ingredients do we need to help us fix our malfunctioning society? When it comes to exposing a problem, we find it isn’t the easiest thing to do. Motives are questioned and when the evidence is presented for all to see, the denials begin and the finger pointing starts. No one takes responsibility. If it is proven the guilty party is found to be responsible, then the amnesia kicks in. How can a problem get so bad? Giving the appearance of not caring just to avoid debilitating consequences can cause people to lose faith in the leaders they chose to secure their way of life. We seem to be turning into a nation sinking in the sea of history.
What is really ahead of us? Will we be living our lives productively and most importantly, living for God, or will we be waiting for someone to come along and promise everything we have ever wanted? Will we be able to pay the price? The world’s future may not be as bright as we may think it is.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 KJV — This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Over the last 40 years we have witnessed a tendency to believe anything which sounds credible. If spun in the right direction, most people never seem to question the validity of their claims. Unscrupulous leaders and teachers tell us it’s ok to break the law as long as it serves “their” common good and does not interfere with “their” monetary bottom line.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV — Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
To believe in something is not always a bad thing, but there is someone who will soon appear on the world’s stage and will present himself as the answer for all the world’s troubles. Although the identity of this individual has not been revealed, the door is open for someone to seize the opportunity and lead the world into a certain future which could have fatal consequences.
The vulnerability of the world falling under the rule of one global leader is very real. The year of 2020 made the world come face to face with this inevitable reality. Inevitable because prophecies written in the Word of God tell us this will come to pass.
In critical condition and resembling a patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the United States of America appears to be powerless to stop the overflowing wave of ungodly, socialist oppression flooding the globe.
The “edge” of a once powerful nation is beginning to fray. We have seen the cities of New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Chicago and Minneapolis disintegrate right before our very eyes. A broken and often ignored infrastructure, policies not supporting law and order, with the appearance of corruption among city, state and federal officials has turned the American Dream into a “Nightmare On USA Lane.” For decades we have seen our nation’s pride dissolve into a pool of greed and selfishness. If we continue to look the other way, we will never see, whom the Word of God calls, “The Lawless One,” take the center stage.
The United States is founded with principles benefitting all citizens. Red, brown, black, yellow, white, male and female. They all have an equal chance of a prosperous and happy life. It may have taken a while to shake off the “original” sins which plagued the country at the beginning of its establishment, but no matter how many steps forward the U.S. takes, there are those who only care about their self preservation and will forcibly remove anyone who stands in their way to privileged entitlement.
Ignoring Divine providence or refusing to acknowledge the role God plays in the life, success and prosperity of a nation is becoming commonplace in today’s society. Being unable to recognize the Creator of all things will ultimately lead the United States and the world to an uncontrollable fate. We must seek the wisdom of God and pray we find a solution to all of our problems. Envy for power and the greed for riches is not Godly, but we are faced with our country collapsing under the weight of disillusionment. Socialism, the “Green New Deal” and hatred towards the Jews and the followers of Christ are not the answer. If anything, they are not the values or ideals our country was founded upon.
Are we an endangered nation? Will the history books read, “There Once was a Nation…” and end on a sad conclusion? A thousand years from now someone might take a walk on a beach and come across a ruin of a once proud “used to be.”
One example of a great “used to be” is the great Roman Empire. An empire with no equal, full of promise, success, prosperity, politically and militarily strong. From Western Russia, the Middle East to the British Isles, the reign of the Roman empire was undeniable and yet, after 500 years of rule the empire was divided and left in shambles.
Many reasons have been given for its demise and many realize the core elements of the Roman Empire’s collapse were corruption, violence and immorality. Historians have pointed out many comparisons between the Roman Empire and the United States. The love of pageantry and spectacle as well as the lust for power, prestige and perversion. The parallels are uncanny.
If history is repeating itself, then the Empire of Rome, Caesar and the Gladiator, can give us an idea of where the United States and the world stands today. Many historians and biblical scholars claim the final chapter of Rome is the same being written for the land of liberty.
One major significant theory for the collapse of the Roman Empire points to a string of military losses sustained against outside forces. Rome had tangled with Germanic tribes for centuries, but by the 300s “barbarian” groups like the Goths had encroached beyond the Empire’s borders. The Romans weathered a Germanic uprising in the late fourth century, but in 410 AD the Visigoth King Alaric successfully sacked the city of Rome. The Empire spent the next several decades under constant threat before “the Eternal City” was raided again in 455 AD, this time by the Vandals. Finally, in 476 AD, the Germanic leader Odoacer staged a revolt and deposed the Emperor Romulus Augustulus. From then on, no Roman emperor would ever again rule from a post in Italy, leading many to cite 476 AD as the year the Empire suffered its deathblow. (1)
Since the conclusion of World War II, the military might of the United States has been challenged and the results of those challenges have not been favorable. From 1950 to 1953, the United States found itself involved in the Korean War. The conflict never came to a clear conclusion and Korea still remains divided. It has maintained an uneasy cease-fire for 65 plus years. The Vietnam War and Desert Storm revealed the frailty of the military but the vulnerability of the U.S. was exposed by the attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
The military strength of the U.S. has fluctuated over the last 40 years. Many global leaders and intelligence agencies believe, without a strong military presence, the fall of the United States could be imminent. Military strength is only one aspect of a nation’s appearance. Infrastructure is another. Basic physical, organizational structures and facilities, such as buildings, roads and power supplies, needed for the operation of a society or enterprise are essential. It is also important to have a government willing to work together and find solutions for their citizens who are in need of these essentials. Even as Rome was under a constant challenge and attacks from outside forces, it was also crumbling from within thanks to a severe financial crisis. The same can be said about the United States. The Afghanistan War concluding with a poorly planned and in the words of many critics, “shameful” withdrawal in August of 2021, marking the end of the 2001–2021 war, which became the longest war in U.S. history, the 2008 housing crisis and the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a nation to the breaking point.
Political turmoil and corruption in recent years has plagued the Union just as it did the Romans. Rome’s sheer size made it difficult to govern. Ineffective and inconsistent leadership only served to magnify the problem. Being the Roman emperor had always been a particularly dangerous job, but during the tumultuous second and third centuries it nearly became a death sentence. Civil war had thrusted the empire into chaos. More than 20 men took the throne in the span of only 75 years, usually after the murder of their predecessor. The Praetorian Guard, who were the emperor’s personal bodyguards, assassinated and installed new sovereigns at will. They once auctioned the spot to the highest bidder. The political rot also extended to the Roman Senate, which failed to temper the excesses of the emperors due to its own widespread corruption and incompetence. As the situation worsened, civic pride waned and many Roman citizens lost trust in their leadership. (1)
One crucial and important factor led to the demise of the great Empire. Its lack of moral decency. Sexual immorality and perversion were rampant throughout Rome and the worship of pagan gods gave no or little foundation for integrity and longevity. A fundamental change came to their religious belief system. The decline of Rome dovetailed with the spread of Christianity. Some have argued the rise of a new faith helped contribute to the Empire’s fall. The Edict of Milan legalized Christianity in 313 AD, and it later became the state religion in 380 AD. These decrees ended centuries of persecution to the early Christian church and they also eroded the traditional Roman value system. Christianity displaced the polytheistic Roman religion, which viewed the emperor as having a divine status and also shifted focus away from the glory of the state and onto a sole deity. Meanwhile, popes and other church leaders took an increased role in political affairs, further complicating governance. Historians traditionally argue, the spread of Christianity played a small role in curbing Roman civic virtue and its influence paled in comparison to military, economic and administrative factors. Not acknowledging the importance of God’s guidance and direction could very well be the main reason for Rome’s demise. (1)
Is the United States heading down the same path which led to the fall of the Romans?
Proverbs 15:1 KJV — A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Political discord, fake news, racial injustice, brutality and nuclear threats are just a few of the examples facing the United States. Accusers have cried out, “Foul!” – demanding justice and racial equality. Similar issues entangled the Roman Empire. A crumbling infrastructure, the constant threat of war and a government unable to find solutions for their citizens caused the empire to split in two. The U.S. faces the same dilemma. There is no question the United States is a very blessed country. A land of opportunity and freedom draws people from all over the world coming to live and pursue the American Dream. Living the Dream has been solid for generations, but in recent years cracks have surfaced and could endanger the hope the Dream provides. Has our nation entered into a “Last Waltz” or has the way of life we have grown so accustomed to in need of a fundamental and physical change?
States such as California, Arizona, Washington and Oregon have been entertaining the idea of secession from the union. Some eastern counties of Oregon have even proposed the idea of seceding from the state of Oregon to become official counties of the state of Idaho. Colorado and Michigan have introduced similar proposals to their state legislatures. Immigration, health care and the fear of a COVID 19 resurgence has government leaders scrambling to find a cure. Vaccines have been developed, but the debate on mask wearing mandates and the effectiveness of the vaccines continue even though the CDC has lifted many restrictions concerning COVID-19.
Freedom of religion and the right to bear arms for self protection are in danger of being eliminated.
Patriotism has come into question especially with the protest being displayed during the performance of the national anthem. FOX News reported on July 21, 2021, the following headline – US women’s soccer team kneels ahead of Olympic match after protest rules eased. – The article went on to report – “The move has become a popular symbol among athletes to condemn racial injustice, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s death last year and other police killings of Black individuals.” (2)
Competition and fair play are becoming political stunts to draw attention to themselves and controversial agendas. Groups like ANTIFA and Black Lives Matter are calling for the dismantling of local law enforcement and the installment of their pro-Marxist, socialist ideology to replace the current capitalistic conservative system which has been in place for over 245 years. Although protests and riots have happened before, it has never occured in the manner and frequency the nation has witnessed recently. The unsettling rise of antisemitism on college campuses and city streets are reminding the world of the Nazi Germany era. Many fear the United States is on the brink of another civil war.
A call for prayer has gone out. A prayer for the Lord to give us the peace we need and to help each other. We can no longer shake our fists at God and demand what we think we are entitled to. Jesus taught, in the form of a parable, a lesson dealing with entitlement.
Luke 15:11-32 KJV — And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
How can we ignore the lesson the parable of the prodigal son taught us? We must return to our Father’s house and give thanks for the land, love and mercy He has provided. We must pray the Lord will unite us and bring liberty and justice for all. Are we a nation, a world, standing for God? Do we have the strength to maintain the longevity of a powerful empire or will we vanish in “a twinkling of an eye” like so many kingdoms and empires have done in the past? These questions must be answered and time, or lack thereof, will draw the answers out no matter how pleasant or painful they may be. Reality for the followers of Christ is God Jehovah will ultimately have the final say so.
Most importantly, the questions we should be asking ourselves – “Are we still…”One Nation under God…” and where do we stand?”
“O beautiful for spacious skies,” is the opening line to the song, “America the Beautiful” and it gives the impression the country living under “spacious” skies is more than anyone could ever ask for. Is this a realistic view of the United States, which the song implies, or are the dark clouds of disillusionment obscuring the dream of a land once considered great? Are we still one nation under God or are we a nation oblivious to the brick wall we are smashing into?
Proverbs 16:17-19 KJV — The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Since the conclusion of World War II, the United States has carried the title of “Leader of the Free World” and being one of the, if not the biggest, architects of the modern world. Holding on to the title of being the most desired country to live in hasn’t been an easy road. A history of revolution, civil war, racial and gender inequality has brought a nation tremendous wealth and prosperity, but it also had an underlying tone of disenchantment. For nearly 80 years the world has watched the United States rise to greatness only to fail in trying to make it a safer place. Eyes are now turning to another world power. Anxiously wanting to take the reigns as the dominant leader of the world.
Recent events have given us an opportunity to witness a potential collapse of a world system many historians and biblical scholars have predicted.
In an article, written by Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, featured in the 2010 March/April edition of Foreign Affairs Magazine, presented an analysis of how empires can quickly collapse into chaos. Rather than a slow decline over centuries, Ferguson showed many large nations of the past were gone in a few short years. They were seemingly strong and viable and faded virtually overnight.
He stated, “Conventional wisdom presents the economic challenges to America’s global dominance as long-term threats. Demographics alone will increase the debt to unmanageable proportions.
(3)
Citing long-term predictions of China overtaking America in economic size and output by 2027 or 2040, Ferguson asked, “What if history is not cyclical and slow moving but arrhythmic—at times almost stationary, but also capable of accelerating suddenly, like a sports car? What if collapse does not arrive over a number of centuries but comes suddenly, like a thief in the night?” (3) – Interesting he would use a reference from 1 Thessalonians 5;
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 KJV — But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
What the Bible says about the end-time events, culminating in the Day of the Lord, applies to the sudden collapse of powerful nations and empires throughout history. One example is the collapse of the Soviet Union over a short period of five years, from the time Mikhail Gorbachev became general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party.
What can only be characterized as a gross miscalculation, the leaders of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the CIA (Center Intelligence Agency) overestimated the size of the Soviet economy. The U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) afterall, had accumulated a nuclear arsenal which rivaled the United States and appeared the Communist Superpower would be around to challenge America for many years to come. Yet, less than five years after Gorbachev took power, the Soviet imperium in central and Eastern Europe had fallen apart, followed by the Soviet Union itself in 1991. After only 74 years of existence, the Soviet Union was no more. If ever an empire fell off a cliff, rather than gently declining, it was the one founded by.Vladimir Lenin in 1917.
Nations and empires are large, complex systems and can be turned upside down in short order by the insertion of even one event greater than the system can handle. The Coronavirus is a clear example of this happening. A problem too big to “sweep under the rug” and for our world leaders to ignore is the COVID-19 pandemic. The possibility of another spike of the outbreak is a concern and most likely a certainty considering there has never been a vaccine created to cure pathogens in the past, only vaccines to help treat the systems of most viruses. To a surprise to many, a vaccine was developed in record time, but still many naysayers are doubtful this is a foolproof solution. Of course, there is an answer and a solution, but is the world willing to accept that solution?
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV — If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The longer “we,” being the world, including the United States, ignore God’s Holy Word and guidance, we run the risk of falling into ruin like so many kingdoms have done throughout history. If these are truly the latter days Jesus and the biblical prophets spoke about, then we are running out of time and soon things could change for the worse. We must realize other smaller, seemingly insignificant events can trigger a chain reaction leading to a worldwide upheaval.
“From sea to shining sea.” Citizens of the United States as well as their leaders live under the impression that no matter what challenges they face, they have the knowledge and education to overcome any crisis. Believing works and action are the keys for prosperity and strength. Invincibility is the sum of their ingenuity, not realizing God is the only One who determines the longevity of their rule of power.
Is the world ready for another interruption of their global economic system they so deeply depend upon? Is a major collapse on the horizon? These are concerns historians and religious leaders have about the status of the global stance with God.
© 7 / 2024 TopicalWave.Com LLC.
References:/
- Ancient Rome – History.Com – https://www-history-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.history.com/.amp/topics/ancient-rome/ancient-rome?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a6&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16270157147517&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.history.com%2Ftopics%2Fancient-rome%2Fancient-rome
- FOX News – US women’s soccer team kneels ahead of Olympic match after protest rules eased – https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/564103-us-womens-soccer-team-kneels-ahead-of-olympic-match-after
- Decline and Fall by Niall Ferguson. 2010 March/April edition of Foreign Affairs Magazine.
********************************