First, I want to share the finer points of an excellent article by Evan Andrews at history.com. Titled, 8 Reasons Why Rome Fell, Mr. Andrews gives a succinct theory as to the catalysts that brought about the decline of one of the greatest military, political, and social powers in history. And it's like reading a modern commentary on the woes of our nation. Here are the reasons he sites and a short comparison with our state of affairs:
1. ROME: Invasions by Barbarian tribes. US: Invasion by refugees from foreign nations. For several decades, the nomadic Germanic people groups known as Goths encroached and eventually overran the Roman Empire's borders, with a Goth king finally sacking the city of Rome, leaving the Empire under constant threat of invasion. Today, we are seeing thousands of people from various nations streaming across our southern border, unhindered and actually encouraged. Eventually the Roman Empire was overthrown and never recovered. What does our future hold?
2. ROME: Economic Troubles and Over-Reliance on Slave Labor. US: Ditto & More. For Rome, constant wars and overspending led to a severe financial crisis. This resulted in oppressive taxation and inflation, creating a widening gap between the wealthy and poor. Additionally, the Empire suffered from a labor deficiency. Commercial and agricultural production was in decline, and the empire began to lose its grip on Europe. Do I need to say more? From the 4th-5th Century to the 21st, it's like looking in the mirror! Our national debt is $31,462,154,854,903! That's $31 trillion in round numbers. Inflation is hovering around 5%, which is higher than the long-term average of 3.28%, and rumored to skyrocket by 2024. No one wants to work anymore, choosing to receive free money from the government's Welfare State. Then there's the fact that we don't make our own goods in this country anymore and our farmers are unable to afford to grow their crops, leading to a reduced food supply.
3. ROME: The Rise of the Eastern Empire. US: The Rise of the Eastern Empire. For the Roman Empire, it was the Eastern half of the Empire, the Greek-speaking Byzantine provinces, that grew wealthy, as the Western Roman provinces faced their economic crises. The Empire became divided over military and economic issues, which contributed to its downfall. For us, here in the US, the Eastern Empire of China has become our nemesis and thorn in our side. They own a lot of our debt, and we have outsourced most of our domestic production and commerce to them, causing major decline across our economic board.
4. ROME: Overexpansion and Military Overspending. US: Can you say Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Military Interventions Across the Globe? At one time, the Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Euphrates River. That led to a logistical nightmare and inability to fund their military operations, and the eventual destruction of its infrastructure. In our case, former President Dwight Eisenhower warned about the emerging power of the Military-Industrial Complex and its drain upon the nation's resources. Since 2000, we have waged wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and spent untold millions (maybe trillions) on American intervention in Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, Uganda, Niger, Syria, and now Ukraine, with many of these operations ongoing. Enough said about this topic.
5. ROME: Government Corruption and Instability. US: Again, these are the same reasons for our decline. Mr. Andrews cites "ineffective and inconsistent leadership" as a prime factor in the Roman Empire's slide. The political rot in their Senate failed to control the disintegration, and the Empire suffered from a long and tumultuous Civil War. Today, all one has to do is watch the nightly news (if you can find a credible source) to see the same weak and inept governing body [on all levels]. The corruption is so widespread that trust in our leaders is at an all-time low and the split among our countrymen has never been so deep since our own Civil War. Lord, I pray that You will intervene and bring us Godly leaders! Right now the despair among the people is palpable.
6. ROME: The Arrival of the Huns and the Barbarian Tribes. US: The Arrival of South and Central Americans, and Covert Agents. The Roman Empire suffered from a mass migration across their borders caused by the invasion of Europe by the Huns. The Goths were also allowed to migrate into the Empire, but eventually became dangerous enemies because of their mistreatment. A flimsy peace treaty with the migrants dissolved and the weight of the new occupants helped collapse the Empire. In our case, we have seen the unsustainable influx of humanity crossing our borders, with evidence that they are not all seeking the blessings of this country, but seek to do us harm. We have yet to see the consequences of this human flood, but it's clear that we cannot support such numbers.
7. ROME: Christianity and the Loss of Traditional Values. US: The Loss of Both Christian and Traditional Values. Many authors of history have pointed the finger at the spread of Christianity as a factor in the decline of the Roman Empire, blaming Popes and other church leaders for infiltrating politics to the detriment of the Empire. Others say any influence in this area by Christianity pales in comparison to the military, economic, and administrative factors. There's no question that the immoral, perverted, and cruel practices of Emperors like Caligula, Nero, and Elagabalus represent anything but traditional values. But the reputation of this nation in the last 50 years won't be looked upon with any degree of moral excellence. We have killed the unborn, sold children into sexual slavery, and allowed violence to go unchecked. And in our instance, it has been the deterioration of the Christian faith [as our foundation] that has led to our loss of traditional and moral values.
8. ROME: Weakening of the Roman Legions. US: Weakening of our own Military. The once proud Roman legions could no longer field the number of soldiers they needed to maintain their power, so they hired foreign mercenaries, many of whom turned on the Empire out of disloyalty and contributed to its defeat on the battlefield. We are now seeing the undermining of our own military; the woke agenda has infiltrated, and decisions are made at the top by men who have never been on a battlefield, so there is no identification with the soldier in the field. Plus financing has been stripped from the Military budget, and we are threatened with substandard equipment as we watch our enemies grow stronger.
Now that we see the similarities of what happened to the Roman Empire and where it seems we are headed, can we take another step forward to remember and understand that the "Dark Ages" were ushered in by the collapse of the Roman Empire? Social advancement in the sciences, philosophy, and economic growth seemed to come to a standstill. Additionally, the people lived steeped in fear and superstitions about life and authority. A collapse of a society will do that!
So, by now, I'm sure you see the alarming trajectory we are on if we continue to follow the path of the Roman Empire. Is there time -- and do we have enough national desire -- to change course? It is to Rome's credit that during the years it flourished, it was precisely due to its strong commitment to strict family values. It was characterized by its lack of divorce during that period in its history. But it was when the Emperors and Senators became lax in encouraging these values -- and the marriage covenant gave way to promiscuity and perversion -- that the decline began to form.
So where do our societal values put us on the timeline of social decline? If we are honest with ourselves, we are careening towards an unsavory end. We can't condone sexual abuse and exploitation of our children for the perverse sexual gratification of the ungodly, and expect that the God of the Universe is going to let that continue. He will not overlook the mistreatment of our children, whether through abortion or sexual perversion. Let me remind you of Jesus's words in Matthew 18:6: If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
So, do we have the fortitude and courage to stop this suicidal track we are on? Read Revelation 18 and see if you don't agree that we fit the description of Babylon in the End Times. For the sake of our future and very existence, it is time to make a decision whether to save ourselves or give in to those who seek our destruction for their own earthly and temporary satisfaction. God will hold us accountable for seeing the decline and doing nothing about turning to Him with repentance and action. He is always willing to deliver us IF we do it His way. I don't know about you, but I don't want to experience another historical Dark Ages, nor do I wish to see the nation of my birth destroyed by its own hand.
Of course, we Christians all know the dream Nebuchadnezzar had of a statue that represents the world's empires. And we know the ancient Roman Empire is no more, but the Bible tells us it will be revitalized, ruled by a conglomeration of kings until the Anti-Christ defeats them all, establishing his own false religion and setting himself upon his version of the throne of God. But the Bible makes it very clear that "a stone [which] was cut out without [human] hands, struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them". It is time to turn from our evil ways and warn every man, woman, and child that the eternal kingdom of God, the Messianic kingdom, is about to extend over all the earth, and those who reject Jesus, the Messiah, the Stone, will be crushed. Lord Jesus, we believers are living stones, ready to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through our eternal faith in You! Save us from ourselves, Lord!
Psalm 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is from the Lord and is His doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment