It’s an often quoted observation by Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn:
This was the legacy of Lenin, Stalin, and the other leaders of Soviet Russia. It will be the epitaph of the United States. Clearly, if we would repent – personally and corporately – this country could still be saved, because God is still gracious. But we have hardened our hearts, and the divine help we need will not be forthcoming. The U.S. will continue its descent into a festering morass of sin, corruption and unthinkable horrors. This is just the beginning.
Who would have ever thought, even ten years ago, that we’d be reading the kind of headlines that are commonplace today? How did we get from Leave It To Beaver to this in just sixty years?
Solzhenitsyn told us. We forgot God. Oh, we still “went to church” and did some religious stuff. Celebrated Jesus’ birthday every December and so forth. But we forgot the “covenant with our eyes” (Job 31:1) every time we turned on the TV. We’ve relegated Romans 12:9 to Christianese talking points and Sunday School lessons, not lifestyle choices. Maybe Jesus Christ was Lord on Sunday mornings, but how was His Lordship expressed during the week?
We have become superficial, and God is judging this country. Politicians can’t save us; our government is crushing the people it purports to serve and protect. We have devolved from a Constitutional Republic, to a democracy, and now to a sort of regional dictatorship. The next stop is global technocracy.
I think this is where we get off. I am not bemoaning the erstwhile “United States” or really blaming anyone. It’s too late for that anyway. Despite the glowing promises of national renewal under a new political administration, the promises are hollow. The Titanic has struck the iceberg; in fact, the miscreants on the bridge backed up and struck it again. Now it’s time to head for the lifeboats.
Jeremiah pleaded with the people of his day to leave the city, surrender to the Chaldeans and preserve their lives. Most would not listen. They remained in the city and they were destroyed. Similarly, Jesus warned the people of His day that when Jerusalem was being surrounded by armies they should flee. Leave the “safety” of the city and save their lives. Most did not listen. Again, they remained in the city and they were destroyed. Today, the “city” is global. The ONLY safe place is in Christ. The rapture is imminent and the true believers will see Him face to face. Will you be among them? Or are you fooling yourself? Do you even care??
I’m just one feeble voice, but I’m adding my voice to many others who are also appealing to families, friends, neighbors … even complete strangers. Stop trying to placate God. Take God, judgment and eternity seriously. Repent, make restitution, be reconciled. Look at your life in the context of all the wonderful things God has done for you, and be thankful, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess. 5:18). Abandon all your bitterness and arrogance and self-righteousness.
We have (and this includes many professing Christians) given God a pittance of our lives, while allowing the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things to choke any influence of God’s word in our lives. Genuine love is patient and kind. It is not arrogant or rude. Love is a primary fruit of the Spirit. If you are impatient, unkind, arrogant and rude, you are unfruitful. Do you even care? Or are you repulsed by my “judgmentalism”?
I’m not judging, criticizing or complaining. I’m just pointing out what is obvious. All the horrible things that happened in atheistic Russia are happening here. What is the cause? Are there lots of things that cause this sort of societal collapse? No, there is only one, and while we may protest that “In God We Trust” is our motto and we have churches and Christian bumper stickers and all that other superficial stuff, the root cause is that we have forgotten God! We made up a false “god” we worship, a god who enjoys our “worship services” and religious claptrap, and is perfectly happy as we stumble arrogantly and ungraciously through life pretending to be “good people” and ignoring him. Our lives are defined by this idolatry, and almost all of us are ignorant of it. Our consummate virtues are “niceness” and “tolerance.”
God is not mocked. The fruits of our last-days idolatry will be visited on all who choose to remain recalcitrant. The day of recompense is drawing VERY near, and there will be no second chances, no make-up opportunities, no excuses. We have been warned. PREPARE!
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