December 2009
(First In Series on “What God is Saying to America in 2010”)
“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion and trust in the mountains of Samaria. . .” (Amos 6:1a).
“Woe to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds—when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hands” (Micah 2:1).
Such were the ominous words of but two of the prophets against God’s People from around 767-710 B.C. And, when coupled with others prophets’ prophecies—which were later fulfilled—we quickly realize the God “Who changes not” (Hebrews 13:8) is also angry with America and fixing to unleash His wrath upon us.
Do we honestly believe a Holy God, Who has shown such favor to these United States, will wink at our sins and do nothing? Our wholesale slaughtering of innocent babies through abortion is no different from Israel’s child sacrifices to the pagan god, Moloch, in the Valley of Hinnom.
Likewise, our condoning and applauding the sins of homosexuality, which God condemns (Romans 1:18-32), has been a “sowing to the wind” and will soon “reap to us a whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).
When these are coupled to things like wholesale immorality (pornography, fornication, adultery, promiscuity, etc.), unethical and unscriptural business dealings (filing for bankruptcy, cheating on income taxes, price-fixing, exorbitant interest rates, etc.), we must realize that these once-great United States are sick.
Very, very sick.
And, dear Reader, the Day of Reckoning is upon us.
Contrary to what some say, global warming is not the result of greenhouse gases, unbridled pollution, etc.—although the Lord God may be using them; it’s the result of His Judgment upon us and “the wages of sin” (Romans 6:23a).
And, there’s nothing we can do to stop it.
Sadly, the same One Who led those early pilgrims to brave the high seas to come to America is now the same One Who’ll begin unleashing His wrath upon us in 2010. Our economy is a house of cards readied for a total collapse because its foundation is based upon greed and covetousness.
Likewise, increasing governmental control over every aspect of our lives—just as it was in the days preceding Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem—will cause much more suffering and unrest. There’ll be uprisings against the government just as the Maccabean zealots did against the Romans in the years prior to the promised Messiah’s first coming. But, it’ll be for naught as the government cracks down even harder.
Even a cursory reading of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Zechariah, etc., in the Old Testament sounds like a headline of the daily newspaper here in the U.S. Amos told his listeners that God was fed up with their “feast days, burnt offerings, music in worship, etc.” (5:21-23). In fact, He “hated and despised it” (v.21a)—even as He does today.
Instead, the stern prophet told them to “let justice flow down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24). Micah echoed that by crying, “O man, what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God?” (6:8).
Haggai said “Thus says the Lord of Hosts, ‘Consider your ways’” (Hag. 1:7). Zechariah said “Thus says the Lord of Hosts, ‘Execute true judgment, show mercy and compassion to your brother, do not oppress the widow or fatherless, stranger or poor—and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in his heart’” (Zech. 7:9-10).
Yes, dear Reader, “the Day of the Lord” is upon us. And, there’s nothing we can do to stop it. All we can do—those of us “who are called by God’s Name”—is heed His words in II Chronicles 7:14 and then cling to Him with every fiber of our being.
Jeremiah’s vision of “Two Baskets of Figs” in Jer. 24 vividly describes what’s fixing to happen. We’re all going to suffer. But, before that happens the God of Heaven is wanting to “pour out His Spirit” one more time upon us (Isaiah 44:3a; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Joel 2:28-32) IF we’re desperate for Him and repent.
That won’t avert His Judgment; it’ll simply help those of us who trust in Him to endure the coming Flood of His Wrath.
