Is God Judging America?

I recently posted about Hurricane Sandy being a possible instrument of God's judgment. I didn't give much evidence or thought as to why I thought that. Doing so is labor intensive and needs much prayer and discernment. At the moment I didn't have much of either but really felt a burning need to get that message out.

I am not a prophet, nor do I definitively say it was a prophetic word of God. I hope what I wrote was of God and that He uses it, but I claim no gift of prophecy. I know it certainly is a departure from my previous stance when I blogged about Japan. I have sort of moved my position on whether or not I believe God judges nations.

As far as I know it was pure speculation based on what I've read in God's word about His judging of sinful nations and His own people Israel, as well as news developments, old podcasts and david wilkerson's "america's last call" which I urge you all to read as I will be going through it here. Wilkerson's book was written in 1998 and the last 6 to 12 months I've been feeling that it is highly relevant now, especially given the economic collapse of 08. Even writing this, I admit I may be subconciously borrowing from it, though not for mal intent.

The point I'm trying to make is that I think we should prayerfully and repentently consider the fact that not just hurricane sandy, but Katrina, the 2011 tornadoes and other events were God judging us so we'd repent. We didn't, so they continued and got worse.

And likely will continue to do so.

If I'm wrong and we're not under judgment, then turning from sin and turning to the Lord never hurt anyone. And I'm not asking for money, selling books or trying to get followers so i'll have no trouble admitting it if I'm wrong.

Since i think its important, I'd like to take time to build that case. I haven't done an intensive multipart effort in a while and this looks like my one for the year.

To start, God is the same in the past, now and forever. He is unchangeable. That is one of the infinite number of good things about God. It means He can be trusted.

But it also seems to mean that He has to act the same way all of the time, because He cannot change, so far as I know. If He cannot change, then how He deals with sinful nations and the world as a whole should be consistent.

From Genesis to Revelation, when a nation or the world continues in unrepentant and flagrant sin, God is forced to pass judgment, possibly in an attempt to get our attention to get us right with Him. Not because He is vengeful or petty, but because He is just and must punish sin. In my experience, it seems that God hates it when we sin because He loves us and when we sin it not only hurts Him, but it hurts us even more. So like a loving father (which He is) He punishes us so we don't do wrong next time.

We see evidence of the sin being more harmful to us than affecting God, when God talks about sexual sin.


"1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."


It doesn't have to be that way, God has given us a chance to get right with Him and avoid His wrath and punishment through His son Jesus Christ.

So back to God passing judgment on nations. In the Bible, God has judged nations in the past and He will do it again not just against nations, but the whole world as laid out in Revelation. He will send disasters and allow calamity as judgment, but also to get us to turn from our sinful ways to Him. This demonstrates consistency. And if He does it in the old and new testaments, and will do so in the future, why not in the intervening timespan?

Especially since His grace in Christ is readily available to nearly anyone in the world who chooses to accept it. Especially since we are "a Christian Nation".

This article lays out, with scripture references how God has judged nations in the past.

http://www.evenatthedoors.com/godsjudgment.html

Summarized,

The Genesis 6 flood, lots of bad stuff, covered extensively in many places. Basically, angels mating with human women, bloodshed was said to be occuring everywhere as well.

Sodom and Gomorrah, homosexuality of course, but also pride, fullness of bread, ignoring the poor. I've heard on a podcast, not sure which one or when, but it was said that sodomites were also excessively wicked in dealing with foreigners. There was something about how they would give poor foreigners a gold bar as a sick game, but no one in the city would use that bar for currency, thus keeping poor folks from buying food despite having money.

Ninevah, I believe Chuck Missler said was quite cruel and brutal in their war tactics. Whatever their crime was, they were due to be judged. But they repented and judgment was avoided.

The canaanites (who God judged through Israel) were said to have indilged in child sacrifice, and given the sins Israel was given to later on, idol worship and sexual immorality. There is also speculation that at least some Canaanite tribes were descended from nephilim.

When God judged Israel, it seems that they had violated the laws given by Moses and were punished according to what God had said would happen if they disobeyed. It occurs in multiple places, but Leviticus 26 is a perfect example and sets the stage for the judgment that occurs in Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah and other prophetic books. These books also describe God's judgment on the pagan nations for their treatment of Judah/Israel as well as other things.

A good summary can be found here. I won't be going through all the reasons here, but you should acquaint yourself with the old testament. Also, I am not as familiar with them as I'd like to be or should be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevi'im

According to that article, Isaiah pronounced judgment on the pagan nations (and Israel/north kingdom) for oppressing Judah/south kingdom.

Jeremiah prophesied against the sins of Israel.

Ezekiel prophesied against Israel and surrounding nations and foretold the destruction of Jerusalem.


Some of the sins that God has judged nations for in the Bible and the prophets told were the cause of judgment for Israel/Judah, and pagan nations:


* the men were adulterers, liars and treacherous.

* rampant deception preventing knowledge of God

* human sacrifice (Jeremiah 19)

* forsaking God's law and pursuing idols (baalim) (also Jeremiah 2)

(All in Jeremiah 9)

* blood of the innocent has been spilled (Jeremiah 2)

* worshipping other gods/idols (Jer. 1:16)

* calling evil good, wisdom in own eyes, rewarding the wicked, mightiness to drink wine (Isaiah 5:20 - 23)

* open displays of sin (pride?) (Isaiah 3:8 - 12)

* oppressing/cruelty to the poor, prideful and promiscuous women (Isaiah 3:13 - 23)


http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/2303.htm


More:

-- Shedding blood in her midst

--Defiles herself by making idols

--They have treated father and mother with contempt

--Oppressed the alien

--Mistreated the fatherless and the widow.

--You have despised my holy things

--Desecrated my Sabbaths.

--Slanderous men bent on shedding blood

--Eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts

--Dishonor their fathers' bed

--Violate women during their
period, when they are ceremonially unclean

--Commits a detestable offense with his neighbor's wife

--Defiles his daughter-in-law

--Violates his sister, his own father's daughter.

--Men accept bribes to shed blood

--Take usury and excessive interest

--Make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion

--And you have forgotten me declares the Sovereign LORD

--There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; and they devour people

--Take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her

--Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things

--They do not distinguish between the holy and the common

--They teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean

--They shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them

--Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain

--Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says'-when the LORD has not spoken

--The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.

Ezekiel 22

http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2010/07/jerusalems-list-of-sins-seem.html


And which of these sins has America not committed?

Deception is everywhere, preventing people from accepting the truth. Ancient aliens, evolution eugenics and many other lies are believed above God's word. The occult is everywhere. Not to mention duplicitous motives in politics and business.

Bloodshed, so much bloodshed is on our hands. How many unjust wars have we been part of? Many in recent years. Iraq, drone strikes in countries we aren't at war with. Vietnam, started by an incident, Gulf of Tonkin, that never happened. And what about slavery?
The slaughter of the Indians? To say nothing of the millions of babies murdered since Roe V Wade. That blood all cries out to God for justice like Abel's did!

(Perhaps God has given some judgment on the Indian/slavery thing with the Spanish flu and other things.)

Foreigners, while generally well treated, are still looked down upon and discriminated against. Immigrant (illegal or otherwise) labor is always taken advantage of. How many are paid less than minimum (or a fair) wage?

Usury and excessive interest. Do I even need to talk about credit card debt and student loans? Or the money we loan other countries at excessive interest?

Oppression of the poor. A few years ago, "bum fighting" videos were in the news. The homeless are often victim of violence.

Adultery and sexual immorality. How many people have affairs outside of marriage? Young men (and probably women too) especially consider it an honor and duty to have as much sex as possible. Casual sex is celebrated in film and television. Pornography is everywhere. Then there's homosexuality, the push to normalize it and now even gay marriage. Gay pride as well. the threat of AIDS or STDs has done little to make people think twice about any of these.

All of which brings us to...

A lack of humility and prideful boasting of sin. The sex especially, but people are often proud of other sin. The drunkenness, lack of faith in God. People are proud to support the murder of babies as "choice". People blindly support or turn a blind eye to the unjust wars. People support the exploitation of charity by wearing pink. (See revelation radio news a couple weeks back.)

And the list can go on!

America, we continue to pile sins upon our heads! Yet say we are a Christian nation. A claim, by the way, that is not true as I've said before here.

America, i believe God has been judging us for some time,
to urge us to repentance. God has blessed us, and has used some of us for His work, but on the whole, we are a wicked people. i believe His judgment has been coming upon us for years, and getting progressively worse each time we reject our chance to repent and turn to Him.

I believe future calamities, disasters and ultimately destructive judgment can be avoided if we but turn from our sin and accept God's free gift of mercy found only in His son Jesus Christ.

In the coming weeks, i'll be going through Wilkerson's "America's last call" to further demonstrate that even in the 90's, God's judgment of our people was nigh. How much mores so now!

Following that will be a look at events that were were possibly instruments of God's judgment, with a look to other possible items God may use to wake us up.

Is America a Christian Nation?

Taking another quick break from Israel and dispensationalism.

One of the greatest idols eliminated from my life, years ago, and one of the largest lies believed by many in the body of Christ is this: America is a Christian nation.

Indeed, it is made up of many sincere Christians. It does also have some Christian roots in the Pilgrims, and a few places here and there. Some of our best schools (Harvard if memory serves) began as a Bible college.

But unfortunately, believing America to be Christian, often leads us to believe that we are "exceptional", that we have a divine right to plunder the resources of other nations, or start unjust wars.

It also doesn't help that our politicians compete to see who says "God" the most, and sells themselves as Christians, when often their lives don't echo this.

I once elected people to office because they were "Christian" and emphasized traditional family values, and promised to work against abortion. Yet they never did. Instead, they often acted in a non-Christian manner.

Luckily, God has helped me understand that, although America has some very godly people in it, is not necessarily God's chosen people, or a Christian nation. This was hard for me to accept, but as I look at Jesus, His life and what He has called us to do, i see our American life at odds with the Gospel in many ways.

This does not mean God hasn't blessed us, or that I'm unpatriotic. America is (or was) a place of freedom, and God loves Americans as much as anyone else, so long as we come to Jesus, and accept His death and resurrection for our sins.

Below are some great podcasts that prove why America is not a Christian nation, although there are many good Christians here.

Enjoy!

How Christians are being set up for a fall:

http://www.pidradio.com/2012/01/09/best-of-p-i-d-radio-the-new-world-order-scam/#com-head

The article:

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/newworldorderscam/newworldorderscam.htm


Allies and the occult: How American and UK leaders have been involved in the occult:

http://vftb.net/?p=4430
http://www.vftb.net/archive/vftb097.mp3

The article(s) (caution, i think he's not a Christian)

http://williamhkennedy.com/Allied.html


The TRUE Faith of founding fathers:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow201.mp3


More on the founding fathers:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow230.mp3


Planned destiny of america:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow144.mp3


Bohemian grove: (haven't heard this one yet)

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow119.mp3


Secret origins of America:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow108.mp3


More secret origins:

Pt 1
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow84Hr1.mp3

Pt 2
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow84Hr1.mp3

Christian Persecution in America

Persecution in america

Picture a small Bible study getting fined or arrested for meeting and studying God's Word. Imagine Christians being barred from jobs or schools because we believe that Christ has risen from the dead.

We often hear about stories like these (and these http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/28/iranian-pastor-faces-execution-for-refusing-to-recant-christian-faith/) coming from China, or Iran and America criticizes them for it. This also comes up in some Muslim countries, especially when we're looking for an excuse to bomb them. Usually the media and government officials turn their noses at them as "barbarians" and human rights violaters. Or some candidate for office decries their violation of freedom.

Of course we also know that some of this is how the holocaust in WWII Nazi Germany started. Those who don't learn from history...

What we never expect is for this sort of stuff to happen in America. The bastion of freedom, a "Christian" nation (although Chris Pinto can easily refute that). We are the land of "Jesusa" bumper stickers and churches where marines rappel from the roof tops on July 4 (thanks future quake for that one!) But I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I think persecution of Christians is already happening in America, and serious persecution will be not far behind.
Anyone who doubts an anti-Christian sentiment is at work in the culture should look around. Bill Maher frequently mocks Christians, Ned Flanders on the Simpons is what we are to others. And for a more sinister proof, just look at the drudgeretort blog. Its as if the author took the Protocols of Zion and replaced "Jew" with "Christian."

This is not to diminish those who suffer and die in Christ all over the world. We still have it easy here, but i fear not for much longer. Some believe that this persecution will even be at the hands of the big denominations. I wouldn't be surprised, but more on that later.

Here are some links i've been gathering for a week or two, and i wish i had time for more, but the Alex Jones one has about 18, so for any naysayers this should suffice. I don't normally advocate (nor rail against) infowars, but they sometimes have good stuff. Sometimes.

Links:

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/09/20/oc-couple-threatened-with-500-per-meeting-fines-for-home-bible-study/

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/22/texas-school-punishes-boy-for-opposing-homosexuality/

www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/21/cross-in-elderly-la-womans-yard-stirs-controversy/

http://www.infowars.com/18-examples-of-how-christians-are-being-specifically-targeted-by-big-brother/

I doubt that's all of them.

But this should not surprise any of us. Jesus Himself warned us that we would be persecuted for our faith. The World hated Him, so it will hate us. And i believe He even told us how to respond to it.

Despite Jesus' instructions, many American/western Christians presume that if we're about to be persecuted, robbed etc. that we have not only the right, but the Divine obligation to use lethal force upon others. I think that before using violence, one should consider the ramifications of the violence, which ultimately is likely sending an unsaved person to hell. I would say that in most circumstances the use of violence is not what Christ would have us do, particularly as it relates to being persecuted for our faith. Prayer, Bible study and discernment is needed though on your part well before such a choice presents itself to prepare you.

Keep in mind, this study is mostly in the vein of getting picked up by the authorities or others merely for believing on Christ, and does not cover self defense for other situations like robbery and the like. That has been addressed in a previous post.

Some American Christians often use this passage as justification. After all, if Jesus said to carry swords He obviously wanted us to use them, right?

Luke 22:36 - 38

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

And

49 - 51

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=22&t=KJV#38

Or as the new living translation says it

Luke 22:51

But Jesus said, "No more of this." And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=22&t=NLT#38

Notice that Jesus undid Peter's attack. He didn't stop Peter, nor did He chastise Him much either. But i think we can infer by what Jesus did by healing that He would rather not have us Christians using weapons to avoid arrest for our faith.

No, if we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, we are to follow His example. After all, if He who was the only one worthy of escaping death went anyways, how can we justify ourselves escaping by violence? When we are persecuted Jesus says quite clearly what we are to do. Now i do believe we need to pray about this and ready our hearts now, so that when the time comes we are ready.

Luke 21:12-19

"But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.

But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. [fn]

So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,
for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.
And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. [fn]

But not a hair of your head will perish!
By standing firm, you will win your souls.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=21&v=1&t=NLT


Matthew 24:6-9

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=24&t=KJV#1


Some of the above does happen elsewhere already. But, a couple of things here, notice in Luke, He mentions we would be sent to the synagogues, my working theory is this means also churches. Some like Chuck Missler have said persecution will come from the denominations, and i think that verse definitely supports that. It makes sense when you consider that mainline denominations continue to defy what the Bible says for whatever reason.

So we're just supposed to go and get persecuted without a fight? How can we do that? This is where prayer and discernment come in. For anyone who wants to see an example of this in action, read Dave Wilkerson's "The Cross and the Switchblade". This book is full of examples of how saved former gangsters refused to fight when confronted with violence because they now followed Christ and wanted to be a good witness.

I recall a recent story on Future Quake where Tom Bionic told of a former prize fighter who had become a missionary. So this boxer is out somewhere when a witchdoctor challenged him to a fight. After some prayer and thought, the fighter told the witch doctor that God did all his fighting and agreed to meet him. The witch doctor came up to him and started doing his stuff, and as he was about to fight the missionary, he fell over dead.

Also note that Jesus gave us a reason to not fight back. As we get arrested and questioned, this our chance to share the Gospel with those who would do us harm.

I admit that it goes against everything we're taught, and most everything we feel to not fight back, but so does just about everything about being a disciple of Jesus. Remember, if we are persecuted for His name, He is with us and will make sure our eternal state is secure.


Update 10-8-11

For a look at what Christian persecution in America might look like, take a look at these links.

"If Footmen Tire you, What will horses do?"

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow281.mp3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKyZPC-gEMs&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLBB1D279C7E95EA9C

It's a little campy, but it's full of powerful images. Also, it doesn't have to be communists, it could be other forces one day, though I doubt it would be Muslims like many on the right would have us believe.


http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/RA/k/767/Living-By-Sword.htm




Update 11-15-11

Churches vandalized in one of the Carolinas.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45303711/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/


Also, Chuck Missler is recommending Everyone read Habakkuk (esp 2:4) and Hebrews, Romans and Galatians as a way to live faithfully during any upcoming turmoil.

Please share any articles you find below


Update 7-24-2012

Pastor arrested for holding a home Bible study

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/07/11/arizona-pastor-arrested-jailed-for-holding-bible-study-in-home-his-wife-says-it-defies-logic/