Thursday, March 13, 2008

Is America Heading for Jerusalem?

Luke 19:41-44, “I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long you enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you.”

Jesus said these words during His triumphal entry while weeping. His heart longed for them to see who He truly was, but they were blinded and because of that they were going to reap what they sowed. We see the prediction fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the temple was completely destroyed and every stone was out of place, as they were trying to obtain every ounce of gold from the building.

What does this have to do with today? Where it is not a prophecy for America, it sure gives us an example of what can happen when we lose sight of true peace through Jesus Christ. America has lost sight of what it set out to do in its original intent and the original convictions of the founding fathers and most people just a few generations ago.

I fear that America is heading down the same road. Just look around today at what is happening in our country. We have killed 45 million unborn babies; homosexuality, pre-marital sex, drug use, and a list of other sins have become normalized. Very few churches today stand up for the inerrant Gospel and instead we end up with “new” heretical teachings seeping into the church as the Emergent Movement, Word Faith Movement, and many others. We have rationalized sin and call it by new names, like addiction. Instead of repenting and seeking God we blame everyone around us for our issues. Some in the counseling industry call this Oprahfication, just blame society.

We should take very seriously the words Christ spoke to Jerusalem. Why do we think we are exempt from what happened to Jerusalem if we do not repent and turn? I think currently we are heading down a disastrous path and true believers need to be in prayer repenting for ourselves, our brothers and sisters and our nation, asking for God’s mercy and that the Holy Spirit would do a great work in America. If we do not, I believe America will be a much different place in ten years for Christians in that the hostility we see starting today will be normalized and accepted. Pray that the church opens the door and let’s Christ truly into its sanctuary.

I find Christ’s warning to the church of Laodicea a fitting warning for America, as we seem to fit very well in the description within the verses.

Luke 3:17-19, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

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