America: Do we have a coming doomsday?
Hasn’t every great nation of the past eventually fallen? Why should we think it will be any different for America? It seems that it’s not a question of if, but when. We can and should all be optimistic and have faith that things will get better and that our freedoms will be sustained for many years, but we must always realize that bad decisions always produce bad outcomes. Isn’t that true? Isn’t that what the Bible tells us? Won’t we, like anyone, reap what we sow? The Bible gives us clear warning about this.
Galatians 6:7-9
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [Emphasis added]
Isn’t this what is often called the law of the harvest? Doesn’t it apply to all kinds of things, including even the decisions made by the leadership of a nation?
In what areas is America making bad decisions? Apparently, there are a lot of people who believe there’s really nothing to be concerned about. But how are we doing economically? Also, what kind of people are we allowing to be our leaders politically? Furthermore, how is our nation doing morally? Other such questions could be asked but most important of all, how are we doing spiritually? Obviously, many Americans don’t think that last factor is all that important.
I happen to know that there are many people who are quite concerned about our current situation as a nation. But can we really do anything about it ourselves that’ll make a difference? Isn’t it easy to feel helpless to do anything that’s truly helpful in all this? Certainly, we should be politically active, but was it just good politics that made America the great nation that it’s been? I believe only the naïve would think that!
While our nation’s constitution doesn’t even mention God, nearly all state constitutions mention Him or the divine. God IS mentioned in our Declaration of Independence, our Pledge of Allegiance and on our currency. However, we find that Americans are more and more divided about all this. Should that concern us? It has never been a majority that has made America the great country it has been. But do we even have a minority that’s strong enough to sustain us? Only time will tell.
If you haven’t already, please read my article on this website about the place of the Bible in our country’s history. You will find that very interesting as it relates to all this. You can find it by using the search box on our website. Here’s the name of the article—
Bible: How important is it to you?
Whether you’re aware of this or not, it has been the wisdom gained from the Bible that has provided the solid foundation our great country has had. It has been words of wisdom learned from it that have given us so much.
When I was a young man, I stumbled on to this next passage of Scripture I’ll note that has greatly affected my own life and the life of so many. As Jesus closed His message on what is called The Sermon On The Mount, here’s what He said. Even though this was addressed to Israel, there’s certainly some general applications that can come from it for every generation. The verses are not just about building a house but building a life and even a nation. All Scripture is not TO us, but it is ALL for our learning.
Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
Please note what our Lord Jesus Christ said that relates to all this. Here we have a practical lesson for any generation.
Matthew 7:24-29
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. [Emphasis added]
Did the people of Israel heed this warning Jesus gave them? History tells us that they did not. But please notice the clear warning our Lord gave them.
Matthew 24:1-2
1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. [Emphasis added]
It was the Roman general Titus and his army who in AD 70 brought on this prophesied destruction of Jerusalem and the nation. The siege of Jerusalem was one of panic and complete destruction. Very few people survived it and many of those would end up in slavery. All of this could have been avoided if they had just turned to God for His help instead of being so stubbornly rebellious.
Unfortunately, most Americans aren’t even politically active, let alone spiritually active. What they don’t seem to realize is that it has been the spiritual factor that has made the big difference in America, not just the political one. For instance, as this was true for England in the nineteenth century, it was true for America in the twentieth. What people fail to realize is that there is no political or military solution apart from the spiritual one. Hopefully many in America will soon wake up to this reality before it is too late.
If you study history, you’ll find that all the truly great nations have followed the same exact same pattern for their downfall. Here’s the sequence of events that take place. From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; and from dependency back into bondage. Machiavelli of Italy is famous for a simpler version of this. He said valor brings peace, peace brings idleness, idleness results in disorder, and disorder to ruin. Still others have said hard times create strong men, and strong men create good times. Good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times. Whatever way you go with all this, it all adds up to the fact that intense suffering is produced by foolishness. It is in the Bible that we find the complete truth in the matter—
Proverbs 14:34
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. [Emphasis added]
God can always allow an unrighteous nation to judge one that’s been a righteous one. This has happened before, and it can happen again. Such could be the future for America. But let me ask you a serious question: Are you personally a part of the problem or are you a part of the solution? I’ve made my choice in this, and I hope you’ll follow my lead and that of a few others. I think it would be quite foolish for us to think that something is going to change if nothing changes in some thinking. It all comes back to the old saying, “If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting.” Are things getting better or worse in America? Isn’t the answer obvious? Change must come if we’re to survive and prosper.
America’s debt problem alone is sobering. How long will the Dollar keep its value? Isn’t it taking more and more Dollars to buy anything? For instance, people think the price of oil and gasoline is rising. Wrong! Instead, it is the value of the Dollar that is falling like a rock. There was a day when those Dollars were backed by gold, but such has not been the case for a long time. Today it is just paper. They call them Federal Reserve Notes. But there was a time when it was said on them that they were Silver Certificates. Today they’re not backed by anything. For more information about this please see my article about it—
Money: How does gold and silver play into this?
What is the trend in America at this point? I think a person would have to be blind to fail to see what’s happening. But again, where are you in all this? Are you a part of the problem or are you a part of the solution? This website is here to help you be a part of the solution. I hope you’ll make a habit of utilizing it.
So, what are the specifics of WHAT YOU CAN DO to be a part of the solution? I think it always helps to have a list, so here’s one on this.
First and most important of all, be sure you’re saved and Heaven bound! There are many churchgoers in America who are clearly not because they are depending upon all the wrong things for their salvation. Nothing in life is more important than one’s salvation. Be sure it is this one work of Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection that you’re depending on as the sole basis for your salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]
But salvation alone is not enough! You need to start thinking and acting as God would have you to live. This then means that you should decide to be an ongoing student of the Bible! We’re to make a habit of studying it every day of our lives, not just once in while or even every Sunday.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
We are told that we’re to see this as something more important than even eating. It is the Word of God that we’re to learn and allow it to transform our way of thinking.
Matthew 4:4
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. [Emphasis added]
If you were faced with Jesus Christ as your judge today, what would there be in your past that would serve as a basis for Him to generously reward you? For more information about this, please see my article entitled—
Rewards: For what will God wish to reward you in eternity?
As believers we are told that such a day of judgment and evaluation will come for us, aren’t we? Please work at being sure you’re rewarded well at the Judgment Seat of Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [Emphasis added]
You’ll now never be able to say you weren’t warned. But what a wonderful advantage it is to be warned! Now you know and you can do something important with what you know! Whatever time you have left here on Earth should be time you spend in service to your Savior—Jesus Christ. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to quit your day job or whatever. You just need to weave the Word of God into every area of your life. After what Christ has already done for you, you need to commit your life to serving Him. After explaining in detail in the first section of the book of Romans all that God accomplished through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, please note what we’re compelled to do.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [Emphasis added]
This transformation of one’s thinking only occurs through the faithful study of one’s Bible and particularly the learning and application of those things specifically addressed to us through the writings of the apostle Paul.
Again, 2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
As a part of us working at doing this, don’t we also need to be working at leading others to do the same? That begins by being sure the people in your life are familiar with the gospel message given to us through the writings of the apostle Paul. When was the last time you personally explained this gospel message to someone? If you’ve not been doing this, isn’t it time to begin? As with anything, you have to begin with things right where you are. This is how you can have a major impact on the direction of our country. This is how YOU can become a part of the solution rather than being a part of the problem. We all know people and they all need the Lord. Why not reach out to them with truths from the Bible? This could certainly be the best thing you could ever do for them and even for your country. What America needs now more than ever is a spiritual awakening. You, yes you, could be a part of bringing that about. If it happens, it’ll have to be a team effort and you could be a part of that team.
Nearly all my adult life I’ve been reading and hearing that some judgment is coming to America. Perhaps you could say the same thing. But here we are and so much of life continues much as it has always. What are we to think of that? Will we ever get to the point where this doomsday will finally come? Is such thinking unrealistic or even crazy? Perhaps a better question to be asked is can a country keep making foolish or stupid mistakes and still survive as a free and prosperous nation? What are your thoughts about that? I think some people just don’t even want to think about it. Why is that? Is it because they are afraid some expression of judgment is coming or because they somehow don’t think it will ever happen here on the streets of America?
Are there lessons from history that we can and should learn about this? Aren’t we told by reliable sources that history tends to repeat itself? But wasn’t it the famous historian Georg Hegel who said, “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.” It has also been said that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Isn’t all this true? Aren’t we now even seeing these principles playing out right before our eyes? As I said at the beginning of this article, isn’t it true that every great nation in history has eventually fallen? Is our time soon? What should we expect to occur? Don’t we have laws in life that say when you do certain things you can expect certain things to occur naturally and spontaneously?
There’s much that can and has been said about the course our nation is currently taking. Just a few years ago, there were many who thought our country was finally on a good course. If you asked those same people a question about the condition of our country today, I think you would find that these people don’t think that’s the case anymore. It seems that they have quickly changed their mind about all that since we have different leadership now that’s making different decisions. But who is right in all this? Do we have a coming doomsday that is soon, or should we relax and believe everything’s going to somehow be alright with life for us moving along pretty much as it has in the past?
So, what else can you do to be a part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem? In addition to being a serious student of God’s Word, don’t we need to pray about all this? Aren’t we commanded to make a habit of praying?
1 Thessalonians 5:17
17 Pray without ceasing. [Emphasis added]
Yes, prayer is definitely a part of the solution, but not to the exclusion of our studies in God’s Word. As I often say, what God has to say to us is far more important than anything we’ll ever have to say to Him in prayer. It is in the Bible that we can gain wisdom that can be utilized in every area of life. The wisdom of the man Solomon is helpful to instruct us on this.
Proverbs 8:1-6
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
This is reminding us that the Bible and its teaching of wisdom can be readily found in all kinds of places. But people must seek it, learn it, and apply it.
4 Unto you, O men, I [the voice of wisdom] call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple [ignorant], understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart [be receptive to it].
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. [Emphasis added]
It is the wisdom of God’s Word that will insulate us from the problems of life. It is also, therefore, the key to all our fears. We must always realize that all such fears are not of God.
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. [Emphasis added]
Surviving and even thriving in the tough times of life occur one decision and one application of God’s Word at a time. So much in life doesn’t occur instantly as we might desire it. Instead, we need to live every day working at applying the things we’ve learned. Just knowing what we need to do is never enough. Applications must be made. It is that which will give us a sense of peace and contentment no matter what’s going on.
Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
The “be careful for nothing” here says we’re to stop worrying about anything. But please note the follow-up to that. It says we’re to be thankful for our circumstances and keep on praying. Instead of always tying to get God to change our circumstances, we need to also pray He’ll use them to transform us into the kind of people we need to be. Then in this next verse of that passage you see what the outcome will be to that kind of thinking.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Then we’re told to count and consider our blessings and to focus on them.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. [Emphasis added]
If you do this, there will be others who’ll notice. Some will also ask about the source of your peace of mind. Then you’ll have a wonderful opportunity to shed some light on the situation as you tell them about God and your Savior, Jesus Christ. In doing so, you’ll be giving them something everlasting that they can utilize for the rest of their lives. And, yes, you’ll then be serving as a part of the solution in rescuing our nation.
Conclusion—
You CAN make a difference! Your life can count for something meaningful. Here’s a summary of what you’ve just read and what you can now do.
1-Be sure you’re depending upon the work of Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection as the sole basis for your salvation! Always realize that salvation is a gift that comes by grace through faith, rather than your own works of righteousness.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]
2-Make yourself a diligent student of God’s Word!
Again, 2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
3-Consistently work at leading others to do these same first two things!
Always realize that there’s no quick or instant solution to all that ails our country. Patience and diligent work are all that’s necessary on your part. This alone will gain complete approval from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Roman army was one of the greatest the world has ever seen. A major part of their success was to do with the standing order given to every soldier. They were told to stand their ground! That meant that they had roughly a six-foot area of responsibility. Their focus was to be on securing the immediate area where they stood. That’s our “standing” order today. Wherever you happen to be, that’s where you’re to make your stand in representing our Lord. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll resolve to begin doing that now. Please note the apostle Paul’s last words in his letter to the Ephesian believers. They are ours now as they were theirs then.
Ephesians 6:13-20
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. [Emphasis added]
