This is not an easy message to present. In fact, many folks would
consider such a message to be quite discouraging
– and in many ways, it is indeed discouraging. However, we must face the facts,
no matter how difficult they may be for us to admit. Many of our EC readers have expressed their
concerns for our nation and the pending fall-out that is sure to plague our
land very soon. Please let me start by
stating that we must first and foremost repent – personally and nationally –
for allowing sin, greed and the pride of life to guide our decisions as a
nation. America must take God seriously! We must also pray to the Lord and
plead for His forgiveness – beginning with the Christian Church Body. Many of you were truly intentional in voting for Biblical
values, truth and your consciences. Sad to say – many more were not.
It
is with this
article that I intend to defend the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ as
well as share with you the choices and decisions many of our citizens
have
collectively made as a nation and what we can expect. The repercussions
of our decisions will no doubt be very detrimental to our nation. I
contend we have
clearly become – The Divided States of America...
Election 2012:
America’s Rejection of Biblical Values
The 2012 American Presidential Election is
now complete. Barack
Hussein Obama was elected for another
four-year term as President of the United States, even though he threw his
presidential weight behind:
Same-sex Marriage – Sodomy
The continual devaluation of human life – Pro-choice
Abortion = Murder
The erosion of religious liberty – the further silencing
of Biblical Christianity
Central
government control of health care and health finance – Obama Care
At every point where the American populace has had the opportunity to
uphold Biblical values, the majority has rejected them. We as a nation are now
– and have been for a long time – under God’s Divine Judgment. Here are the
major offenses our nation has voted into law to date – which are clear signs of rebellion against our Lord and His Biblical mandate:
- The U.S. states of Maine, Maryland and Washington became the first states in our Union to vote for homosexual marriage
- The U.S. state of Massachusetts chose to join Washington and Oregon in allowing for euthanasia (Doctor-assisted suicide)
- The U.S. state of Colorado legalized the recreational use of Marijuana
- The U.S. states of Massachusetts, Maryland and Oregon legalized the medical use of Marijuana
- The U.S. state of Minnesota failed to pass a Constitutional Amendment to prevent same-sex marriage
- The U.S. state of Wisconsin’s own Tammy Baldwin has become the first openly gay candidate to be elected to the United States Senate
America has enjoyed the favor of God since its inception over 200 years ago. However, instead of
honoring Him and thanking Him for His abundant blessings on our nation, we are now shaking our fist in
His face in sheer defiance and poking Him in His eye with our sin – all against
a Holy and perfectly Just God. We as Christians are right to be concerned as
Christians within the Christian Church. So, what does this election mean for America
and especially for Christians in the Christian Church? Could
God be judging America because the Church has compromised the Gospel of Jesus
Christ on behalf of political conservatism & activism? This article represents a
partial response from my heart in addressing these very important questions as we look to the
Holy Scriptures for answers to these unpopular topics - from a Biblical worldview.
The Lord had this to say to Israel in the book of Amos, which could easily
be an applicable warning to America – or any other nation – that would rebel against
Him in complete defiance:
Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O
children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land
of Egypt, saying: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth;
Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Will
a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of
his den, if he has caught nothing? Will a bird fall into
a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up
from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all? If a
trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity
in a city, will not the Lord have done it? Surely the
Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the
prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord
God has spoken! Who can but prophesy? "Proclaim in
the palaces at Ashdod, And in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say:
'Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; See great tumults in her midst, And the
oppressed within her. For they do not know to do right,'
Says the Lord, 'Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.' " – Amos
3:1-10
A Lion has indeed
roared and He rules and reigns on High! I say again - America must begin to take God serious and listen to Him. Like
America today, Israel had fallen to the seductive power of materialism, Idolatry,
and spiritual apathy. God was speaking, but the nation of Israel was not
listening! Keep this in mind, the Lord will not tolerate spoiled children.
These are the covenant people of God – the Jews – and Israel, their covenant
land and God told them that since they were not listening to Him, He would
punish them for all of their iniquities. In light of these passages in Amos,
can we assume that God could be speaking to America today? Although we are not the
covenant nation of Israel, God is indeed speaking to America – first and foremost through
His Word, the Bible.
In Amos chapters 1 & 2, the Lord
pronounces judgment on the nations that surrounded Israel. God plants nations
and He uproots nations. Over and over throughout the course of history in the Bible, the Lord
pronounces His judgment on nations that do not obey Him – America is no
exception.
God
is also speaking to America through natural disasters, calamities and various national
crisis. In Matthew 24, Jesus Christ Himself gives an abundance of “signs” that
will be evident just prior to His Second Coming:
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows…
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come – Matthew 24:3-8, 10-14
It would behoove of Americas
to examine these “signs” and warnings and compare them to the tragic events of
today. Anyone with an ear to hear and eyes to see cannot escape the obvious
truth of the Scriptures and the pending judgment that awaits those who do not
honor, respect and obey our Holy, just, righteous and yes, a loving God.
God
also speaks through the removal of His Divine Hand of protection, in
which I contend America is experiencing today through the immoral and
debase leadership we have elected into power. The 9/11 incident was a
clear sign that God was removing His protective Hand from America. But
again, we were not listening. Because God is Holy and Righteous, He
cannot – and will not – tolerate sin. Here's the fact of human nature: Man in his fallen state – due to the inheritance of Adam and Eve's original sin and disobedience in the Garden of Eden –
is a lost sinner in whom God must judge.
Romans 3:10-19 and James 2:10-11 are clear Scriptures that exclaim the
truth that no one is exempt from eternal death and man is by nature, a
sinner. God has already set His wrath upon the
ungodly. Judgment day is coming and the only solution for man's sinful
and lost condition is to be
eternally saved through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross
of Calvary and His resurrection from the grave three days later – this is the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Finally,
God judges nations that attempts to bring harm to the "apple of His
eye" Israel and His chosen people, the Jews. Genesis 12:3 declares "I bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you" America is clearly no longer an outspoken friend of Israel nor a supporter of her people.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful… Romans 1:18-31
And now the most telling verse of the
entire first chapter of Romans…
…who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them – Romans 1:32
The book of Romans Chapter 1 is what I believe God spoke through the Apostle Paul's pen as a preview of life in 2012. Romans
1:18-32 certainly describes the state of affairs in this country as well as the world abroad.
The following words spoken by the Apostle Paul is a prophetic picture that perfectly describes American society today:
People have become so utterly brazen in their ungodliness and unrighteousness that they manage to suppress the truth – and boast about it! So much so, they refuse to acknowledge any scrap of common sense. However, God will not be mocked and His Righteous Fury will soon be unleashed on an unbelieving world. Are you ready for that day? I pray you are...But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power… – 2 Timothy 3:1-5
AN URGENT PLEA FOR THE UNBELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST:
To our unbelieving friends, I urge you to repent now, before it is too late...
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” – Romans 1:16-17
Time is running out. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior now before your heart is so hardened, you are unable – or unwilling – to hear His voice. Please take heed to this warning! Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to the Father! These are His Words:
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me – John 14:6
Without
Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on the Cross of Calvary for your
iniquities, you will die in your sins and face the Wrath of God at The Great White Throne Judgment. You will then receive your just sentence – a literal, physical and eternal place of torment, a place known in the Bible as Hell. Heaven will NOT be your final destination apart from Jesus Christ! Please heed this warning – time is running out!
If you have any questions about how to become a true follower of Jesus Christ, please contact me, another Christian or a Pastor – but please do not delay... Today is the day of Salvation!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)
Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)
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